I'm toying with the idea of buying myself a gun as a wedding present to myself. My parents came here as immigrants from Vietnam with few personal belongings, and so I don't have any heirlooms from my parents or my grandparents (never even met either of my grandfathers). So, now that I'm getting married and planning my future family, I'd like to create a few meaningful family heirlooms. Figure that the future wifey gets to blow a bunch of our money on a wedding, a bunch of jewelry, and a sizeable lump of carbon to wear on her finger, I should get something nice for myself as well (but a Rolex GMT II or a Omega Speedmaster isn't quite in the budget this year)

What would you buy yourself? Nothing too crazy, certainly no more than $2k. Something classic/classy that will last a lifetime of shooting and will age gracefully, perhaps a little out of the ordinary. Something on the dressy side, or has a bit of "oooh, that's sweet!" factor. Bonus points for being a good platform for some engraving work, or for being a good carry or camping gun.

Some guns I'm considering, just to get the discussion started:

Colt Delta Elite 10MM
Dan Wesson Valor .45
Sig 210 Legend
S&W Revolver of Some Sort
Colt Python or other "snake" gun?

I like the idea, what arm exactly depends on your desires. You could get 2 or 3 to meet the $$ limit.

I think your idea is a great one. I am leaning toward a nicely blued Colt 1911. So much history and beauty too. One of the mod 70 repros would be cool. Best wishes and congratulations on starting your family!
Tom

When I retired, I bought myself a 1918/1920 Luger from Mr. Luger.

Heckler and Koch P7M8

I think tradition is 3-4 months salary.

I say find yourself an X-Five.

My dad bought be a pre-war Colt Ace.22 1911 when I was 15, it's what I learned to shoot pistols with and if I ever have kids they will most likely learn on it. There a quite a few old colt and high standard .22 pistols that would pass down nicely if they interest you.

Edit to add that you mentioned not having anything passed down to you which was the case with my grandparents. If your not really looking for something to pass down in the future I could see it not being really as a good idea.

That's an excellent idea. I suggest a SIG P226 SAO. And be sure to display it among the other wedding gifts.

quote:

Originally posted by Suppressed:
Heckler and Koch P7M8

Hadn't considered that. Adding it to the research list.

First thing that came to mind was a Colt Python but an older S&W revolver would work too.

quote:

Originally posted by Suppressed:
Heckler and Koch P7M8

This is what jumped to my mind as well. I love mine and it is definitely classic/classy and ages gracefully. You have to respect something that was proudly marketed as "The most expensive handgun in the world".

http://www.gunfaqs.org/P7FAQ/M...Ad%20July%201988.jpg



"It is so choice. If you have the means, I highly recommend picking one up."</ferrisbueller>

They may be a little hard to come by these days though.



I recently picked up a Legion P226 SAO, it is also a very fine specimen and easily in your range.

If you are interested in something unique and heirloom friendly as an introduction to guns for children/grandchildren take a look at the Ruger Bearcat single action .22 revolver is a neat little gun and perfect for introducing youngsters to handguns. I was given one from my step mother before she passed and my grandkids love it. Basic gun easily handled by small hands with nicely engraved touches.

http://www.ruger-firearms.com/...wBearcat/models.html

Congrats on the wedding, smart man realizing the ceremony is her show and you are just there as window dressing. We just celebrated our 30th anniversary a few months back. If you choose wisely and everyone does their part it can be a wonderful thing.

Maybe tell us more about what you like to do; skeet, trap, etc. Buy a Beretta over under, target shooter, how about a nice cz rifle? Collector? m1 Garland or 1940's 1911?

M1 Garand

Nothing remotely Polymer! I second the Colt Python, perhaps a 4"? Maybe some uber 1911 that sings to you?

Unless you have a private source for your choices, none of these are on the CA handgun roster. So a ppt purchase would be your only path. And used Colt Pythons are going for way more than $2k in CA...

A Les Baer Premier II is still on the roster and can be had for $2k. I have one (I also bought one for my son's 18th birthday) and it is a keepsake.

Colt SAA in .45 Colt or .44-40. Pistole 08 in 9mm parabellum. Ruger Old Model Blackhawk SA in .45 Colt or .44 Magnum, 4 5/8" or 7 1/2" barrel.

Garand M-1 in .30-06, Ruger #1 in almost any caliber. Henry "Yellow Boy" in .45-70.

flashguy

Hard to answer, kinda depends on what you already have (since any quality forearms you own will be able to be passed down).

I like the M1 Garand and/or M1 Carbine idea, great guns, still able to get them, but they are getting harder and harder to find at a decent price, by the time your kids are able to own them, they will probably be big $$$$$.

Congrats on the wedding.

What a great idea.

For a good carry or camp gun, I may consider an older S & W, maybe in .44 Special. Great platform for engraving and very serviceable for camp or carry.

Over/Under shotgun or Side-by-Side shotgun.

quote:

Originally posted by Aeteocles:
Some guns I'm considering, just to get the discussion started:

Colt Delta Elite 10MM
Dan Wesson Valor .45
Sig 210 Legend
S&W Revolver of Some Sort
Colt Python or other "snake" gun?

Just working off your list, I'd say this:

The Delta Elite is a stock 1911 in 10mm. Don't get me wrong they do still amuse me. For an S&W revolver, you can fit a lot of choices from the Performance Center in that $2k range. A Dan Wesson would be a nice choice, and keep in mind their 10mm offering. I don't think a P210 of any sort can be had for under $2k, perhaps I'm wrong, as the old military contract guns are now well known. Used to be you could get an M49 or similar for ~$800, not so much anymore.

A P7M8, or a PSP would be a great choice, I enjoy those as well. Though, I'd say that a Colt Python from the 60's or 70's is a piece that can bring many years of satisfaction at the range. Look for an Officers Model Match, these pistols became the Python, if you are interested.