Heirloom handgun recommendations needed

[dumbhunter]

Hi guys,
I need some "heirloom" hand gun recommendations.
My best friend from college just found out he has cancer. The Dr said that because he caught it early, his success rate is over 90%, but it has him shook up. He wants an heirloom quality handgun to pass on to his son "hust in case". He asked me for ideas, and I gave him some, but would like to give him the best options/ ideas. He has a bunch of guns- Glocks, Sig's, M&Ps, but the only one he considers Hierloom quality is his 1950's Python.

My suggestions were:
Colt Diamondback
Colt Anaconda
Colt SAA
S&W custom shop 952
Ed Brown Kobra Carry
custom 1911
Night hawk BHP

What am I forgetting?

Thanks

 

[horsemen61]

Jason Burton finished 1911

 

[98s1lightning]

Rugers

Ruger Talo editions are an option.....not as fancy as a colt but you don't feel bad using them either

I think a nice Ruger single action or double is a damn good gift no matter what grade/model.

 

[rabid wombat]

Turnbull 1911

https://www.turnbullrestoration.com/

Separately, any firearm from Dad would be special,…especially with some “background”. Dad left several. His 5 digit Colt 1911 he carried in the Navy, the S&W K22 he used to “hunt” pheasant, etc. Both were what the “boys” teethed on growing up - a lot of learning. None of any particular value…but, Dad’s!

 

[jrmiddleton425]

Insert "shameless plug for CZ Custom" here. I will also suggest a Turnbull 1911 or Alchemy Custom Weaponry 1911.

 

[.38 Special]

In my world, there are very few "heirlooms" produced by major manufacturers, but nearly any good quality gun can be turned into an heirloom by a good gunsmith - and a good engraver, if that's your thing.

I'm not totally up to speed on custom automatics, but just about any revolver you send to someone like Hamilton Bowen or Jack Huntington will become a treasure for generations.

 

[.38 Special]

I would, though, add Freedom Arms to the OP's list.

 

[JTQ]

Jason Burton finished 1911

which would be from Heirloom Precision https://www.heirloomprecision.com

 

[tubeshooter]

Heirloom isn't so much about what it is...
It's more about who it's from...


From an heirloom standpoint, the Smith 1950's-era M&P I inherited might as well be a Python for the difference it makes. I am betting most heirlooms don't have too much thought put in on this. Tell your friend to just go get something they would be proud to hand down. It will be valued, whatever he chooses. Hope your friend defies the given odds.

 

[gobsauce]

Honestly? Just something he genuinely likes. Something that says "yup, that's definitely his".

 

[Jimster]

Turnbull SAA .45 blackpowder frame

 

[SundownRider]

HK P7

 

[Jim Watson]

That 1950s Python isn't the best gun available, but it is Dad's Gun, and that is the definition of a heirloom, not something bought as a "collectable." Also instantly recognizable to any of Junior's friends.

 

[Zerodefect]

First, I'll play along:
Guncrafter Industries No Name
Dan Wesson Valor
Cz ts2
Cz Shadow 2
Cz 75 Omega
Largo Arms Alien
Cheely 2011
Atlas Chaos
Cz Czechmate

Then I'll say that: You can't buy a heirloom and give it away in just a few years. The object has to be kept and loved in the family for a while. Something of shared importance. Like the pistol grandpa carried for 40 years. Does he already have other things that he cherishes?

I have 2 heirloom antique lamps. One home made, one bought. I doubt they have any value at all, to anyone other than me.

 

[Chris Oxford]

That 1950s Python isn't the best gun available, but it is Dad's Gun, and that is the definition of a heirloom, not something bought as a "collectable." Also instantly recognizable to any of Junior's friends.

I agree!

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

He should give him the Python. Its already a family gun and heirloom quality.

Then your friend can buy himself something new and shiny to celebrate his recovery!

 

[Armored farmer]

About any s&w custom shop revolver.

A model 617 would be fun.
A pair of ruger target mklV's (I kinda like that idea)

Best wishes on your friend's full recovery

 

[twarr1]

Heirlooms don’t need to be expensive or even special. If it’s special to him, it will be cherished. What Id give to have my dads old 6.5 Carcano carbine. Not a collectors item in anybody’s book, but he loved that rifle.

 

[Tallball]

Something useful. A pristine holy grail gun will never be shot. It will sit in this or that safe until some clueless descendent sells it for next to nothing at a pawn shop.

A good old Model 10, 1911, CZ75, Berretta 92, Sig P-series, etc. will still be useful in the foreseeable future.

Shoot it a bunch and put some honest wear on the finish. It will be special because it was Dad's gun, not because it's a museum piece.

I bought this one for my daughter (by request) for when she turns 21. It's just a LE trade-in, extremely common and a little scratched up. If she keeps it as her HD gun and then passes it down to her kids, it will be meaningful because it was "Mom's gun that Grandpa gave her". The DoC serial number and holster wear won't ruin that for them. It just means that if the gun could talk, it would have some stories to tell.

Smith and Wesson Model 64-5 38 special

• Tallball
• Jun 3, 2021

 

[Tirod]

I've seen the same discussions on heirloom watches. The funny part is that a handgun will still be working after 55 years of ownership and use. An automatic watch, no matter how well made and serviced, will not.

The Python he continues to use and keep in good condition will be the heirloom, because he did. Not some snapshot in time gun bought specially because of the circumstance. Those will sit in a box and be potentially a good investment, but do not constitute a family heirloom.

My heirlooms to my children are homeschooling and a view to logical analysis of what is really important in life. Not material goods.

 

[Jim Watson]

The funny part is that a handgun will still be working after 55 years of ownership and use. An automatic watch, no matter how well made and serviced, will not.

?
My 1968 Omega is just fine, thank you. Oh, that is only 53 years.

 

[dumbhunter]

Thanks for all the replies. I should have been moes specific, but just got back from camping and drove 300 plus miles straight, and was a bit tired. Thing is his son is only 6 years old, so shooting exposure has been minimal outside of a 22 rifle.

I know a real Hierloom is something that was used and enjoyed, but he was asking for something that was awesome in its own right. The way he put it was "think of a 1960's Corvette.... super cool car, but how much cooler if it was your Dad's?"

My first thought was a 22 revolver so they could shoot it together now. The S&W 617 is a great recco! I had forgotten about it. Beautiful gun you can really shoot.

 

[dumbhunter]

"My 1968 Omega is just fine, thank you. Oh, that is only 53 years."

Not an automatic, but my uncle has his father's Brietling that he wore in WW2 and its still ticking and accurate!

 

[Armored farmer]

Freedom Arms .454

Two custom AR builds from scratch on 80% receivers.

 

[DDDWho]

How bout something simple. Although not a handgun, I’ve owned this.22 rifle for 72 years. Something with a history with memories of you. My most cherished possession is this Model 12 Winchester 16 gauge given to me by an Uncle some 40 years ago while he was still living. Every time I pick it up I think of him.