My youngest has been in the dumps lately. His senior year of HS soccer is not going as well as he'd hoped. He's been quiet and when we engage him he's been short or illusive. We can tell he's out of sorts.

I happened into our local Gander Mountain this morning. I wasn't really looking for anything but I wandered over the the used long gun rack. I spied a Savage 93r17 (.17 HMR) Laminated stock with thumb hole, stainless hardware and varmint barrel. It had aTru Glo illuminated 3.5-10x42 scope and a bipod. Came with 4 mags. It's very lightly used and in near mint condition. I couldn't pass on it. I was out the door for well under $300.

Anyway, I'll give it to him after his game tonight. I hope he likes it because it is absolutely not a lefty for me.

Attached Images

DSC_9317.jpg (195.7 KB, 205 views)

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paws for friendship

I remember my junior year was a low ebb. A nice present like that should certainly help chase away the blues.

Good looking rifle, Kozmic! That ought to cheer him up!

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Lounge Lizard Extraordinaire

Perfect for prairie dogs.

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James
On the Llano Estacado

Thats a nice looking gun and laminated stock. Good way to spend time with him. Larry

Oh, they build a great rifle; and what a deal too!

He's a senior in high school! How could you tell any difference??*s*

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Why duck?? It's a 9mm!

nice rifle kozmic i hope your son enjoy's it. On a more personal note i had my share of misery in HS.

Honestly, I do try to mind my own business, but I don't think giving a teenager who's having some sort of emotional problem a firearm is a very good idea.

I'm sure you keep them safe and secure, and your son is probably just going through the normal trials of adolescence.

I've re-read this post, and almost deleted it before I hit submit. But I have some experiences in this area, and feel a need to post it. I sincerely hope I haven't offended anyone.

The only way I would surprise a teenage with a gun gift would be if we had gone over what he really wanted before hand.

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Front sight and squeeze

Not to pile on, but I have a tendency to side with Bullet Bob. I know you are trying to do the best you think possible, but make sure what makes you happy is the same thing that will please your son. I have walked many miles in the shoes of a parent with a disconsolate child and it is incredibly difficult work, constructing a twenty story building is easy by comparison. Try to find out what is bothering him before you assume a new rifle is the cure. Good luck.

Sir, you sure are a sweet Dad! Your Son will just love it!

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Free people ought to be armed

Ok let's clear something up right now. I am acutely aware of what goes on in my kids' lives and always have been. We have always had a very open, mature and totally honest relationship.

My youngest has been shooting with with me for many years. He has several other guns. He routinely shoots trap and target with me (we aren't much into hunting). He has access to most of my guns and always has.

To project my child being in the dumps because of playing time on his soccer team because his coach plays favorites into assuming he has some sort of violent mental disorder is an uninformed leap of epic proportion. He is as well adjusted as any child (or person for that matter) I have ever met.

So, while I appreciate the armchair psycho-analysis. Please know that I am much more responsible than that and my son isn't a candidate for a mass shooting.

BTW, he loves the Savage. We went to dinner after his game and I told him there as a surprise for him when he got home. He drove home from the restaurant before I did and when I got home he was thoroughly impressed by the gift. I have zero concerns about him and the use of this weapon. Nor should anyone else on this forum.

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paws for friendship

Very nice to do for your son. He'll remember that for the rest of his life. My dad bought me my Browning 12 guage (Auto 5) for Christmas, around '64. Still have it and always will. More than just a gun.

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Down inside's a true marksman!

Unless your lad is going for a soccer scholarship at college, I think he needs to be reminded that it is only a sport, not something really important. Maybe he just needs help in stepping back and seeing what really matters.

kozmic, my first thought when I read your post, was, what a great dad. As I write this reply, I'm thinking, WHAT A GREAT DAD! Glad your son likes the gun, and hope you both continue to enjoy your time together.

I'm sure you meant well, but I think you should have deleted the post.
Your implications are that the father is giving his son a "tool" in order to possibly facilitate a violent answer to a temporary problem.
That makes as much sense as taking the car away from him so he doesn't mow down pedestrians because he is having a bad day.
You sound somewhat anti-gun through this post.
Sorry.

Thanks Steve! He sees the big picture, but like I said it's got him in the dumps.

He's not a D1 scholarship candidate (very few are) but he could make some small college teams. That's not his goal. He wants to make a difference for his team mates and end his HS career on a high note. And he flat out loves to play.

On a positive note, he was just made head coach for our town's Under 9 boys travel soccer team today (and he's got a new HMR .17)!

He'll be fine!

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paws for friendship

Ummmmmm, have I mentioned I'm sorta down in the dumps myself?

Well I had to try!

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I am a sheep dog!
1601 (ret)

Kozmic.....you lookin to adopt an 'older child'? Really a nice person and looking for a gun loving family for his forever home!

Agreed. Those posters have probably never been deeply involved in team sports as a parent. Certainly not as a player.
f.t.

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South Carolina-God's country

First, excellent gift for your son, kozmic.

Next, what is it coming to in this country when people on a gun forum are concerned about a HS Senior having access to guns? I bought my first one when I was 12. I already owned a couple that my Daddy had passed down to me. I had access to them whenever I wanted them. Most of my classmates had guns from 14 years old or younger. It was/is just part of our culture. We hunted, plinked, etc. almost every week.

When I was a junior and senior in HS, I got to town about 5 every morning to run a paper route. The "night police" would often go home to get some sleep, telling me to call him or wake him up if I saw anything. He knew I had a 20 gauge Parker double in the VW with me.

Now, we get out of sorts when teens have access to guns. What has happened to us?

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Georgia On My Mind

What a great idea for a gift and you got it at a great price too. I paid $300 for a model 93 without any extras. Mine's a 22 Mag and I love it. The Savage Accutrigger is worth it alone. I hope your son enjoys his for many years.

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Ephesians 6 (Armor of God)

Well done Sir, VERY well done!

B2

It sure is a long drive from from "Upstate New York" (I was in Plattsburgh for 3 years) to the Prairie Dog Patch. Driving through Illinois wouldn't be any fun at all.

Congratulations to Dad (a great gift) and Son as new coach. And now about the ammo ? ? ? ? ?

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S&WHF 366

I hate to admit how many times I bought a gun because I was "down in the dumps" or just bored. My wife buys shoes, I buy guns, it works every time.

I was going to say if it does not perk him up, I'll take it off your hand's (I'm getting over a fall cold and could use a pick me up)..... but I'm glad to hear he likes it..... Final thought unless you have had a kid play H.S. sports in the last 10- 15 years you don't quite get it.... A good deal of the "Fun" has been removed from kids sports.

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always trust your cape...

I don't think it matters is if is a gun or a fishing rod&reel or something else he likes. The important thing is that his dad was thinking of his son and did something nice just because. Guys don't show emotion and doing something like that is a manly way of hugging the snot out of the boy and giving him a big kiss on the cheek and saying I know you're down on yourself but I love you and am here for you without embarassing either of you. It's a guy thing. you understand-your son understands. Wimmen don't understand and never will.

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Forum consigliere

A wonderful thing to do for your son. I hope ya'll have a great time shooting together.
And hey, one of those little kickball things would make a great target. What with all those little flat spots.

Well said Redlevel,

However, I believe Aristotle beat you to it. "Tolerance is the last virtue of a dying society." Way to go Kozmic. You and your Son have some great times and I am sure he understands your understanding. When we start being tolerant of the do gooder, tree hugger, gun haters, etc. the battle is about over. "We must be tolerant my rear".

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Bill
Dis B. Leaf

I hope you shoot the guns more than once before putting them in the closet, never to see the light of day again. I find women perplexing.