Python - One Last Christmas Present for My Daughter

[NCBeagle]

My daughter is too young to shoot or handle loaded handguns safely (5.5 years). It is, however, not too early to teach firearm safety and introduce her to the collecting and shooting hobby and culture. I hope to foster her interest and desire to participate more directly as she grows, learns, and can do so safely. It is an interest that we can pursue together. Still, actual range time is years down the road for her. We'll see what happens. Picked this up today from my friends at Carolina Sporting Arms in Charlotte, NC.

We prefer Smith & Wesson but Colt is nice too. She gravitates toward things that are pink and/or have horses on them. So, a Colt Python checks at least one of those boxes. It is a good opportunity to revisit safety instruction and compare the Python to other revolvers. Of course, I'll enjoy the Python myself for a few years I think that she likes it. I'll give it a test run this week and she'll watch from outside the range. Thereafter, we'll talk about cleaning, maintenance, safety and lock it up in the safe.

 

[WCCPHD]

Great, raising her right.

 

[SnidelyWhiplash]

Great gift for a beautiful girl. When she's older she may realize a restraining order is simply a piece of paper. As her dad you're thinking way ahead.

 

[boykinlp]

Your beautiful daughter looks very excited to receive such a gift!
Larry

 

[luvsmiths]

That's a priceless picture that will last many many many years! And through generations! That's great. She will look at that in 50 years and remember fondly.

 

[NCBeagle]

That's a priceless picture that will last many many many years! And through generations! That's great. She will look at that in 50 years and remember fondly.

I hope so. We have a similar picture of my wife, maybe age 9 or so, receiving a bolt action rifle (.22 lr) from her dad. It's a great picture. The rifle is upstairs in a safe. My daughter will probably learn to shoot with it.

Ha, here it is…probably 1982-83 after a dance class. It was a birthday present or something. She grew up out in the country and had plenty of good instruction and opportunity to develop safe firearms handling skills.

 

[colt_saa]

Way to go

Olivia looks like she has another nice addition to her personal collection and it looks like she likes it too

I recall her table at the last SWCA Symposium, it was a pleasure to make her acquaintance

OH, and yours too

 

[senecaap]

Beautiful girl, and a great gift.
My babies are 2 and 3 so I haven't introduced them yet......and I'm kind of afraid to. They already take all the TV choices, the good snacks, half of the bad snacks that make it to my plate, if they get into guns, my collection is gone

 

[kbm6893]

My 12 year old daughter has been asking to get to the range. This spring I will fulfill her wish. I bought my son a Ruger American Rimfire when he was 10. He never took to the bolt action. Prefers the 10/22. So much so that I built a new 10/22 out of Volquartsen and Kidd parts and the original 10/22 is now his.

But let's be honest, here! You needed an excuse to buy that Python and your beautiful daughter was just the ticket!

Homer's "gift" to Marge - a bowling ball - YouTube

 

[luvsmiths]

I hope so. We have a similar picture of my wife, maybe age 9 or so, receiving a bolt action rifle (.22 lr) from her dad. It's a great picture. The rifle is upstairs in a safe. My daughter will probably learn to shoot with it.

Ha, here it is…probably 1982-83 after a dance class. It was a birthday present or something. She grew up out in the country and had plenty of good instruction and opportunity to develop safe firearms handling skills.

And something priceless just got even MORE priceless! Two generations. What a treasure this will be for your daughter to look back on in 50 years....
Happy New Year to you and your family!

Just ONE suggestion! Get one of your daughter in the exact same pose with you, holding the Python, and a second one holding Moms 22!

 

[Narragansett]

She is a little doll. Thanks for sharing

 

[Bill Lear]

I wish you were my daddy!

 

[moralem]

In this day and age I would pull that photo down……you never know when someone might use that photo to send some ne'er do well government agency to your home.

 

[Swiftflyer]

Good for you, have to start them young. My baby girl.

 

[SF VET]

I suspect there are differing opinions on young children and firearms. I believe if we chose to have firearms in our homes and lives, it is essential to imbed in our children safe use of them. When I took my CWP class years ago, the SWAT instructor reminded us that "...your kids know where your guns are."

My son and I have a different approach to firearm use, enjoyment and safety. His son is now 8, and wants to shoot, so we have taken him to a range with several .22's, and worked to instill in him safe firearm handling. But not his 5 year old brother, that will come later. We do not let the older son handle our guns when we have our safes open, but Ollie and I enjoy reloading ammo safely with my press.

I have tried to help him understand that telling his 2nd grade classmates about "...shooting..." and his family's guns and such would be scary to others. So while we expand his experience, we don't feel it his job at 8 years old to be a school spokesman for the 2nd Amendment. Just like I don't chose to do so with some people I meet.

We teach that firearms are not toys, but objects which must be respected as potentially very dangerous. We don't have any granddaughters, but if we did, we would not get any Pink guns.

Since we moved this fall to be nearer to our grandsons, 5 and 8, I have decided that since the boys are over all the time, I will not have any loaded weapons out of my safes. I will at some time, but not at their present age.

In summary, it is imperative if we have firearms in our lives to teach our children the safe use and enjoyment of that necessity or hobby. How and at what age is up to each us. And I concur, a lovely daughter in the OP's post. And buying something to someday hand down to our children is wonderful: my son bought a Mannlicher 1022 which someday will be first shot by his older son. And all of us have CWP's.

Just some musings with my morning coffee and a biscotti.

SF VET

 

[SnidelyWhiplash]

I believe all children should be taught safe firearm handling to take the mystery out of them…that they can be dangerous if mishandled. Parents who want to "save" their kids from the evils of guns are doing their children a disservice. I believe it's abject ignorance for parents to believe that any child will not come in contact with a firearm before adulthood so they should receive proper instruction before then. To believe a child can have his or her natural curiosity restrained is an accident waiting to happen.

Kids are inundated with sexual content in the media and at school and most parents want them to receive sex education…so when those same kids are exposed to violence in the media why shouldn't they receive proper safety education about firearms?

 

[ajgunner]

Great pics. Would love to see the teachers face tomorrow when the kids get back to school and sharing "guess what Santa brought me" stories.

My son with his first go around with a 44mag at about 10 years old.


That same boy about 15 years later and a shorty 44mag.

 

[hkcavalier]

I got my oldest daughter (14) a rifle when she finished our state's mandated hunter safety course: a gently used Weatherby Camilla 7mm-08 which she promptly used to take a fat doe on our property this last season.

She's been my main shooting buddy for a few years, though we're hoping to rope in her younger sister soon.

Last one is a .44 Magnum...but with .44 Spl cowboy loads

 

[wood714]

She needs some pink grips / stocks!

 

[CH4]

Present for your daughter
That's a good one

Hey, whatever it takes it get a Python in your safe