Suggestions for my son's first handgun please

[Grayfox54]

His first handgun should be something personal that will last a lifetime and have special meaning to him. Open your safe and let him pick one of yours. 

[1gewehr]

I'd be inclined to go with a classic.  American firearms from the 1920s through about 1970 were the finest  quality mass production arms ever made.  You really can't go wrong with a Colt revolver or 1911a1 or S&W revolver of that period.

For outside the box, an early FN made Hi Power or WWII Luger might be a neat heirloom.

[nightrunner]

Another thought, maybe a Colt M1903 or 1908?

[BigK]

Since you said the heirlooms come later, I wouldn't break the bank on my son's first, especially knowing how 18 year old boys are. I'd go with something cheap and polymer, expecting him to clean it less often than I'd like to see something better be cleaned. I mean if he beats up an SR9 or an M&P, who cares. If I gave my son a nice revolver or 1911 as a truck gun I'd expect to see surface rust and/or scratches.

[R1100R]

One of the classic .38 Special revolvers. It was my first. Also mentioned was a Hi Power, they are cheap right now.

[tercel89]

I just went through this same thing back in March and even made a thread on it like you. My son turned 18 in March and I got him a nice used Glock 17 9mm. I gave him that since he had shot mine several times and loved it. Since you don't seem to want a Glock , I suggest these two : 1. The Ruger SP101 in .357mag so he can shoot 38 and 357 . It will last him a lifetime !  and the other would be a nice used Ruger P-Series in 9mm. They are built to last and he can experience a hammer fired DA/SA pistol like we did growing up.  Good luck and happy birthday to the little guy !

                                            

[tercel89]

13 hours ago, Grayfox54 said:

His first handgun should be something personal that will last a lifetime and have special meaning to him. Open your safe and let him pick one of yours. 

That is neat and certainly would mean a lot to him knowing it was his daddy's .  Just set aside 2 or 3 for him to pick from .

Edited July 21, 2016 by tercel89

[MacGyver]

Seems like your first pistol should be a working pistol.

My vote is a moderately priced 1911 or maybe a Hi-Power.  Something metal with some history behind the platform.

A wheel gun isn't out of the question, either.  We're it me, I'd probably go with a j-frame variant that can serve him forever.

My kids are still a ways from being 18, but they're already scrambling for position on my MK III & 22/45s that have gotten the full race dragon treatment.  Something like that or an old Model 41 would be pretty cool.

[bersaguy]

13 hours ago, Grayfox54 said:

His first handgun should be something personal that will last a lifetime and have special meaning to him. Open your safe and let him pick one of yours. 

One thing is for sure. He has probably shot about everything in your safe and is bound to have a favorite and is already more than familiar with any one in the safe. It can be his first gun plus given to him by his father and can become an heirloom all at the same time..............jmho

[gregintenn]

14 hours ago, Grayfox54 said:

His first handgun should be something personal that will last a lifetime and have special meaning to him. Open your safe and let him pick one of yours. 

I picture a Colt Single Action Army under his truck seat, covered in sticky Mountain Dew residue, lint, and dust.

[MacGyver]

12 minutes ago, gregintenn said:

I picture a Colt Single Action Army under his truck seat, covered in sticky Mountain Dew residue, lint, and dust.

In that case, he needs a loose, mil-spec 1911 like a RIA or something.  Maybe a nice cerakote job so that it can be thrown in an ultrasonic cleaner every now and then.

[jonnnyboy]

I vote a good revolver, blue and chambered in 38 special accompanied with his first personal reloading manual.

 

 

[tacops]

1 hour ago, gregintenn said:

I picture a Colt Single Action Army under his truck seat, covered in sticky Mountain Dew residue, lint, and dust.

RG

[gregintenn]

13 minutes ago, tacops said:

RG

OOHH! That's cold.

[tacops]

Just kidding on the RG.  Some at this age don't understand the sentiment that goes with a hand me down and fail to care for it as you would like or trade it for something else they think is cool.  Your son may not be one of those, but I fear my son might be.  I would say a Smith revolver to promote proper grip and shooting skills, as well as being lifetime weapon he could one day pass on.  A 686 no key would be awesome. 

[gregintenn]

**UPDATE**

 

Today is his birthday, and we've been out shooting his 3" Stainless Ruger SP101 357 Magnum, and he loves it!

A part of me hoped he wouldn't care for it, as I've sort of taken a liking to it as well.

Thanks for all the suggestions, and thanks to the forum member who sold it to me.

[mootw]

Just gave my daughter a Ruger SP 101 as her first handgun.  

[tacops]

Good choice and will make for lots more good times to come.  And Happy Birthday to son.

[sybo]

One of the special edition(Wiley Clap) Ruger GR-100 ! I guarantee it wil last generations!

[tnhawk]

14 hours ago, gregintenn said:

**UPDATE**

 

Today is his birthday, and we've been out shooting his 3" Stainless Ruger SP101 357 Magnum, and he loves it!

A part of me hoped he wouldn't care for it, as I've sort of taken a liking to it as well.

Thanks for all the suggestions, and thanks to the forum member who sold it to me.

A great choice!  My first handgun was a .357.

[ma6907]

Classic brand of .357 Magnum.  Hard to go wrong.

 

[jparris001]

Model 36 Smith and Wesson. They can be had at a good price and they're solid reliable pieces. 

[Wingshooter]

On 10/23/2016 at 5:09 PM, gregintenn said:

**UPDATE**

 

Today is his birthday, and we've been out shooting his 3" Stainless Ruger SP101 357 Magnum, and he loves it!

A part of me hoped he wouldn't care for it, as I've sort of taken a liking to it as well.

Thanks for all the suggestions, and thanks to the forum member who sold it to me.

Great choice! 

[leroy]

On 7/21/2016 at 1:54 PM, gregintenn said:

I picture a Colt Single Action Army under his truck seat, covered in sticky Mountain Dew residue, lint, and dust.

I can see a "used and lovingly cared for" Ruger Blackhawk... 4 5/8 barrel.... 357, 41 mag, 45 colt sittin handily in the front seat... Nothin more useful nor greater...

leroy....