My father and his AR-15! A story of changed minds.

W

Wyoredman

New member
Fifteen or so years ago I purchased my first Ar type rifle. At the time, my dad could not see any reason to own such a gun, so he made his displeasure known to anyone who would listen. "I just don't know what you are going to use that thing for." And "You are foolish to spend money on something like that."

At first, he would refuse to shoot it. Then as the years passed, he slowly began to see how much fun we were having. Several friends get together every so often and have a ammo burning session. Dad would sit back and watch.

Eventually, he began to involve himself, shooting a mag here, and a mag there. But he never really gave up on the idea that these AR things were nothing more than frivolous and expensive wastes of money.

Recently pops has shown alot more interest. Slowly he has become more involved during the range session. He started buying some ammo a year or so back. I was starting to see a smile form on his face every time it was his turn to "smoke 'em up"!

Well, last week, he finally crossed over to the dark side. We were out shooting and dad says "Were do you think I could get one of those damn things?"! Imagine the surprise on my face!

Well, since I own several AR's, and had just purchased a new one, I thought "what the heck".

Yesterday, after shooting all of our ammo, I took the new AR over and put it in Dad's truck when he wasn't looking.

As we were getting in our vehicles to leave, Dad sees the rifle in his seat and yells at me "Come get your gun outa' my truck!"

I walk over look in his truck and calmly say, "Thats not my gun, thats your gun. Be sure to give it a good cleaning when you get home!"

The look on his face was priceless! I bet he is still smileing today!

Another one down!
 
Those things grow on you!

Great story! I can relate to your dad. At first I didn't have any desire for a AR 15 ( I still like my Thompson Center, 30-06, Venture for hunting) but as time, and stories like yours came to pass, I came around.
Last Sept. we bought a S & W, M & P, AR 15 at Cheaper Than Dirt with Eotech Hologram sight, and a bunch of ad on's, plus 400 rounds of ammo, all for around $1,800.00. The same gun with the same equiptment is selling at C.T.D. for around $3,400.00,...... less the ammo. Now I wish I had bought ten of them! ;)
I bet you are your dad's favorite son now!:D
 
Thats a great story. As of feb 3rd my dad has been gone for 10 years. I sure miss him and wish he was around to share stuff with. Do all you can with him while you have the chance.

We fished, flew model airplanes and shot together. I worked in his machine shop from the time I was 10 years old till I reached age 24. I have had other guys say they could never work for their dad. We got along fine 90% of the time. Goodbye Dad.
 
Thanks for the great story, . . . you have a treasure in that relationship.

Not all of us were so fortunate.

I'm about your dad's age, . . . and I have the relationship with my son that is very similar. He called me the other day, . . . found 100 rd 5.56 for 37 bucks a box, . . . in brass, reloadable cases, . . . had already bought me two.

Enjoy your dad while you can, . . . may God bless,
Dwight
 
That is awesome man. I'm trying to get my father to go shooting with me, he's willing but after serving in Vietnam he really got away from guns.
 
Kind of sounds like my father, he grew up in NYC so he was never into/never could get handguns. But he has a shotgun and a couple of bolt action rifles. Slowly he is starting to like my handguns and AR's, its a work in process but going in the right direction!
 
Way to go! Nothing is more convincing than having fun and being responsible. I think the AR15 has truly become America's rifle, much like the .30-30 was decades ago. It is versatile, fun to shoot, accurate, and relatively cheap to feed (normally).
 
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