18th birthday

[LongWayAround]

I would say to get him electronic ear pro. When I was 18-20 I definitely viewed ear pro as somewhat optional.

I think fancy knives are a waste of money.

 

[willtim]

A nice 20 ga shotgun is a lifetime gift.

 

[Invisiblecreek]

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

My best friends dad got him a custom diy build kit for an ar-15 when he turned 18. Got a gun and got to learn the ins and outs of it by putting it together, he still talks about that being the coolest gift he’s gotten…. 10mm or ar would be great for him it sounds like!


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[Hunter.MD]

I think a handgun for self defense would be a great option. My dad got that for me when I was 18 and I really have appreciated that since.


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[WDO]

Pending your state, due to regulations and cost, consider getting him a lifetime hunting license. My dad got that for me around 15 or so in GA.

 

[SuperDUECE22]

@Bushwacker44
one of these would be great in my opinion, i have one & love it. Easy to shoot as well

https://palmettostatearmory.com/brands/smith-wesson/smith-wesson-pistols/m-p/m2-0.html?caliber_multi_v2=10mm

 

[omicron1792]

Pending your state, due to regulations and cost, consider getting him a lifetime hunting license. My dad got that for me around 15 or so in GA.

Not really applicable to this thread, but I got both my boys lifetime licenses shortly after birth. It is by far the cheapest time to get it, something like 2-300 dollars.

 

[TaperPin]

I don’t think any large gifts I’ve ever given our boys survived their 20’s - if they aren’t super interested in it, it gets regifted, traded or sold. It does teach you to not be too attached to what they do with it. If I were transported back to their 18th birthdays I’d definitely focus on experiences or what they were into at that moment. I don’t think it registers in a teenagers mind if the gift is $200, $300, or $600, so I’d get multiple smaller gifts throughout the year rather than one big one, unless what he was into required the full amount.

We have had good mileage out of piecing rifles together - one part of an AR for Christmas, one for a birthday, one just for no reason, lots of ammo. The guns still get traded or sold, but it was spread over a few years worth of gifts. Honestly, 223 ammo is about the only thing they would for sure keep and burn up.

The same could be done for a western elk hunt spreading gifts out over time like camping gear, pack, tents, boots, bugles, bugle class, etc.

Tablets for mapping, knives, guns, pistols, tools, camping gear, all of it either traded, sold or regifted. Ex girlfriends end up with way too much camping gear. Lol

Good luck.