Happy Father's Day
We all have that special gun, we shared memories with our dad's out hunting, or shooting at the range. It may be an old Winchester model 1894 or the Springfield single shot plinker. Regardless of what the gun is, it's more about the memories. I had the pleasure of enjoying many wonderful times with my dad shooting, hunting, and collecting. He helped me get my start in gunsmithing. The first gun I ever built was a 1911, He purchased the frame and slide, and all the other parts that went into it. He then paid for all the tools I would need to do the build. It took me several days to do in my spare time. When it was done it was just what he wanted. He carried that pistol every day. We used to go to estate auctions together and collect older firearms. We even learned and shot competition together. It doesn't matter what the guns were or who beat who. We were spending time together and making memories. Those memories last a lifetime. Unfortunately, my dad passed away a couple of years ago, but every year for fathers day I go out and shoot some of his guns. I relish in the thought that he is right there with me, having fun. There is one gun that I treasure more than any gun that he owned. He never got to see it, he never got to shoot it. But is still holds a special place for him. This was the rifle that he wanted so badly. We talked about building it, we specked it out together. Down to the very last detail. This gun was an AR-10 in .308. I had spoken to a couple of friends about it and had planned on building it for him on his birthday. Unfortunately, he got sick and was unable to go out shooting anymore. So I put it on the back burner. Following his death, two amazing friends put together everything that was needed to build this gun. They never mentioned it, they just did it. When the completed upper arrived I was in complete shock. It was exactly as Dad and I had wanted it to be. I build the lower myself with an 80% receiver. I had the receiver engraved with his business logo and his name. The
memories created in that build were just as good as if he was here doing it with me.
I have since shot the rifle several times and hold that gun and the memories created in a very special place in my heart. This Father's day we should all take the time to make those memories that last a lifetime with our dad's. Go shooting, sit at the bench and reload, or just simply take the time to enjoy each other. And to all the Dad's out there, We want to wish you a Happy Father's Day!
