A gift for a Veteran family member

P

passintime

New member
I am looking to purchase a gift for my cousin's husband, who was medically discharged from the military last year and is going through a long and hard struggle to save his legs. We were talking the other day, and he has one handgun he purchased for protection (he lives in Alaska and bought a Ruger Alaskan). He has a deep love for handguns and I want to bless him.

As a background, he is undergoing a last ditch, experimental procedure in an effort to fix some problems with his legs after bravely serving our country in Iraq. I am very proud of him and could never imagine a day when I could truly pay him back for the price he paid for my freedom. I want this to be special to him, yet I have no way to probe about what he would want or like without giving it away. I already have a rifle picked out that I am going to purchase for him, a lever action stainless barreled Marlin in 45-70 that he has always wanted.

My question is, what would one recommend as a pistol for a recent veteran? A nice 1911? A good .357 revolver? A nice .22 pistol for plinking? An M9?
And then, what could I do to make it a special gift, rather than just handing him a gun? Also, how would one go about gifting a firearm to a family member who lives across state lines? Send it to an FFL? That sure takes the fun out of it. I will be a WV resident by the time this happens, and he is a Virginia resident who is doing a temporary job in Alaska. Any advice would be appreciated, especially from those who have served.
 
You might want to consider a vintage black powder revolver from the branch of service he served in. Army or Navy definitely easy. That way you won't have to do the FFL transfer, you can just give it to him directly.

Otherwise, it really depends on if he is a history buff or if a momento of what he actually carried would mean more to him.

A modern handgun and/or rifle will have to be transferred to him via an FFL. If you are going to hand deliver the firearms to him, you can still surprise him with the firearms as a gift in person, but then you both will have to go to a local FFL with the guns and get the transfer done legally.
 
Thanks, Navy. Excellent advice on the transfer, that will certainly work for me. Now an Army Black Powder.....that is surely interesting! I hadn't even thought to do that. I was going more modern, but will definitely keep it on the list.
 
Ditto on the 1911.

Please extend a "Thank You" and a "God Bless" from one veteran to another. Service to our Country is a duty and an honor that only a precious few believe in these days and when one pays a steep price for that duty and honor, it becomes even more revered. The good news is that he did not pay with the ultimate sacrifice and as the saying goes, every day above ground is a good day.

Perhaps you can contact a local Veterans group such as the VFW or DAV and make a formal presentation of the firearm. Most fellow Veterans would stand in line to be part of such an honor.
 
When my oldest nephew returned from boot camp (Marine) I gave him a fine 1911 and plenty of ammo and mags. Soon he will be home again, he has been in Iraq and other foreign ports. Then we will go to the range and enjoy one of our favorite things to do.

You are doing a fine act there, hope it all works out for you.

Tell that soldier thanks from the mid west, we appreciate it and if there is anything we can do to help a guy out PM me.
 
I am very proud of him and could never imagine a day when I could truly pay him back for the price he paid for my freedom. I want this to be special to him, yet I have no way to probe about what he would want or like without giving it away
Click to expand...

First of all, I hope you have told him what you have already told us about how you feel about his and his family's past and future service and sacrifice, or you hope to in the future.

Second, is there going to be a time in the when you are all going to be in the same place at the same time where you might be able to "take him shopping" or gift card (or give him) the money to pay for something he could select, maybe from a shorter list of suggestions ?

Of the things mentioned so far, I like the .22 pistol the most, since it is the most fun and easiest to employ with the least amount of hassle. My favorites are sorta diverse though in terms of .22's, one a Ruger Single Six Convertible from 1965 or so, bought used in 1972 from a fellow soldier shipping out to the land of bad dreams for $60, and my most favorite being a CZ-75B .40 S&W with the .22 Kadet conversion kit. Shoots like greased cat vomit it's so smooth.

Whatever you do, thanks for taking the time to do it for a special person. You'll be pround of both of you for the rest of your lives. And make time to spend with this person when and if the opportunity presents.
 
First of all, I hope you have told him what you have already told us about how you feel about his and his family's past and future service and sacrifice, or you hope to in the future.
Click to expand...

Yes I have. He brought me to tears when he told me to consider my debt paid by him and to continue to follow my life's calling.


I also like the idea of a .22, especially since he has two young sons he could teach to shoot with it. Maybe a 1911 with a conversion kit. I would like to give him whatever gun I settle on once he has left the hospital after a very lengthy stay there, so taking him shopping is out of the question. Plus, I really do want the pistol to come from me. Great suggestions everyone.
 
Will a person on crutches/braces/wheelchair be able to handle a .45-70? Will he be able to take it hunting? I would opt for a nice .22 handgun as a starter and arrange a public presentation with a veteran's group. Thanks to him for his service to our country and may God bless him.
 
He will likely be in a wheelchair for some time assuming it works, hoping for an improvement to walking in the future. If it doesn't work things could be much worse. He has a tremendously strong upper body, though, and I could care less if he ever shoots the 45-70, I know for a fact its the rifle he longs for. Thank you all for the well wishes and encouragement.
 
I say go with the 1911. That is a must have in any handgun collection. Regardless im sure he will appreciate whatever you choose to get him. Also you might want to consider getting him the same model sidearm that he was issued when in Iraq.
 
Right now my top choices are a nice 1911 or the Beretta. I'd like to add a nice personal touch to the gun though, especially if I go with the Beretta.
 
I can't think of a more quintessential American Military pistol than a geniune Colt 1911. My son is currently serving in the Marines and from what he tells me the Beretta M9 is not highly regarded, at least not in the USMC. It's not that the M9 is not a fine pistol, its the 9mm Nato chambering. Sounds like this brave man likes big fat bullets so the .45 ACP would be a natural fit.
 
Find out what kind of guns he likes and get him that. A nice personal touch would be a set of custom grips with some sort of inlay (his initials, unit he served in, etc.)
 
1911 with custome grips engraved with his units insignia.
That would be awesome.
I would also take a mag to an engraver and have it engraved with "Thank You".
So its the first thing he sees when he drops it out.
 
The rifle you described maybe too much power for him to handle in his
current condition. You may want to seriously rethink that one.

A nice ccw pistol would be a good idea. Unfortunately, people with physical disabilities are often targeted by criminals because they usually make easy prey. I think the idea of a 1911 (being an American icon) would be a
good choice. However, the military insignia grips might be something to let him get on his own.
 
Thanks for the input on the rifle guys. That gun, however, is really non-negotiable ;) It has been his top want and he will get it, whether he shoots it or not. When I ask him what is the one gun he wants right now, that is always it.
 
If you have deep pockets, a Desert Eagle in .44 magnum might be wourth considering. I am disabled and a handgun is easier for me to lug around the backcountry than is a rifle. The Desert Eagle, with scope, is as good as my Marlin Carbine (in .44 magnum) when it comes to accuracy out to 150 yards.

A auto loading .44 magnum handgun might be a real plus up there in Alaska, if he goes out into the woods.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top