What’s the most “dad” gun?

Reader question, asked June 2025

Short answer: A Ruger 10/22. It’s the rifle that teaches the kids to shoot, the ammo is cheap, and it lasts forever.

The details

  • Runner-up: the Remington 870 that lives in the hall closet and has been to every deer camp.
  • Also in the running: a lever-action .30-30, a Glock 19 for “just in case,” and a 1911 that “came from Grandpa.”
  • A real dad gun has a little rust, a long story, and gets handed down.

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