18th birthday

[Bushwacker44]

My oldest son is turning 18 soon. Looking for some idea's for him. He is into anything hunting and fishing but he works alot and makes decent money so buys his own gear as he needs it.
I am thinking to buy something that he can keep forever.
We basically just archery hunt in my house so we're not into that much on the gun side but very much enjoy shooting and owning guns.
I have never hunted with a rifle but each of my sons have bought there 1st slug gun at 11 and they will hunt a couple days during slug season here each year.
Options I am leaning towards.

-Rifle for deer and elk someday if he wants to.
- AR style for praise dog and coyotes, plus may be illegal someday in the nearer future.
- Pistol, 9 or 10mm, either compact or bear defense for western trips which are pretty often.

Budget is + - $600.
Thought's?

Maybe a real nice knife?

Thanks

 

[GSPHUNTER]

10 MM.

 

[Billy Goat]

I think id be looking at a custom knife myself.

For the budget, you can get a really high quality knife, not so much a firearm.

And firearm styles tend to ebb and flo a bit.

 

[Black Titan]

+1 on a really nice knife, with maybe an engraving or inscription on the blade that may mean something to you both.

BT

 

[SDHNTR]

IMO, pistols and AR’s are soulless. I like the custom knife idea. Way more personal.

 

[thinhorn_AK]

The custom knife is a good idea but I’d be really careful to get something he’d actually want. I was given a very nice custom knife a few years back that I just don’t like using, the geometry and handle just don’t work for me, it may be great for somebody else but I just don’t enjoy using it.

Surprises are great but maybe pick out a maker that works for you and give your kid like a “gift certificate” to the knife maker so he can discuss the project and end up with exactly what he wants all the way down to the grip material.

 

[RockAndSage]

Experiences tend trump hardware, in retaining it for a lifetime.

Maybe consider gifting him a shooting course?

 

[CorbLand]

If going the custom knife route, I would do what thinhorn suggested.


If the kid is making good money and can buy what he needs and wants, I wouldn’t get him a material gift. He can’t buy more time with you. I would look into doing some type of trip where it’s just you and him.

 

[jml49]

I bought my son a lifetime hunting license when he turned 18.

 

[Jack321]

Knives never do it for me. I use $20-30 knives for years, and the replaceable blade versions (Havalon/Gerber replacement blades.)

Gun and/or scope is what I'd go for.

Tikka 30 cal (synthetic blued) is in that price range.

And yup, I know Im on RokSlide where its .223, 6.5 or 6mm or bust, but screw that. Give me a 30 cal for all hunting scenarios.

What about Rangefinding Binos?

I just bought some Vortex Ranger 3000 on Vets Day, 25% off and they were $600 + tax.

 

[thinhorn_AK]

My best memories of hunting and fishing are when I was out there with my dad. Now that I’m making money and he’s retiring, I try to treat him to trips when I can. Aoudad hunts, saltwater fly fishing trips etc. in fact we’re going to chase redfish with fly rods in a few months, I told him if he can get a plane ticket to New Orleans I’ll handle the rest.

Maybe do a trip with your kid, wouldn’t even have to be anything fancy, a good day of guided fishing, a black bear hunt, or even just a road trip to hunt deer would be cooler than any material gift.

 

[Terrapin]

About the only heirloom I’d like to have or give to my boys is a nice over and under… rifles are great, but they are tools that get torn apart & rebarreled until the only heirloom is a serial number. Knives get dull and lost. A fine shotgun can last generations and seem (reasonably) immune to becoming dated & obsolete.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[bojangles808]

trip or experience.

 

[thinhorn_AK]

Knives never do it for me. I use $20-30 knives for years, and the replaceable blade versions (Havalon/Gerber replacement blades.)

Gun and/or scope is what I'd go for.

Tikka 30 cal (synthetic blued) is in that price range.

And yup, I know Im on RokSlide where its .223, 6.5 or 6mm or bust, but screw that. Give me a 30 cal for all hunting scenarios.

What about Rangefinding Binos?

I just bought some Vortex Ranger 3000 on Vets Day, 25% off and they were $600 + tax.

Yeah, that’s actually a good idea. Buy the kid a rokslide special in 223, SWFA scope, rokstock, OG silencer. Make sure he knows that everybody else is stupid except for him unless they have the same gun.

 

[Rock’N Tacos]

I second the 10mm

 

[Sinistram]

What about a nice revolver?

 

[Jack321]

Yeah, that’s actually a good idea. Buy the kid a rokslide special in 223, SWFA scope, rokstock, OG silencer. Make sure he knows that everybody else is stupid except for him unless they have the same gun.

 

[Bushwacker44]

Thanks guys. We make many trips a year together between vacation and hunting/fishing trips. I think the experiences are covered and we also have 5 children so don't want to single out 1 too much and if something doesn't work for the next one....
I am leaning towards 10mm as he is starting to make his own trips with buddies and it would be nice to know he has some protection in his travels.
Also I am torn on a ar because he might not buy one on his own for a while and I get to thinking they might not be available forever.
He has a new knife every month so not sure if a knife would be something he would hold onto for a long time, definitely a tool for him and not just for cutting.
Thanks for the feedback