Grew up dirt poor, so there was nothing to pass down to me. What I have I bought through my own sweat. Bought my first firearm as a sophomore with hauling-hay money - a Remington 552 semi-auto 22 that will never leave the family. Same can be said for my first deer rifle bought in '72 - Remington Model 700 in 6mm as well as my second deer rifle bought around 1985 - Sako AV in 270.

My first gun was a 10/22. Haven't touched it in 13 years but it will be here till the end lol

S&W Mod 29 44 Mag. The last conversation I had with my father before he past, he said he wanted me to have it. I have all but a few of the rest of his guns but he specifically gave this on to me.

Ruger Bearcat, small frame, 22 cal, engraved cylinder, brass trigger guard, bought in 1974 for $20 bucks. 1978 met my wife, gun fit her small hands perfect, she would shoot quarters off of fence posts, to me the gun is priceless.

One of the least expensive guns that I own, my grandfather's Remington Model 24 .22 rifle that he bought in 1933 during the Great Depression. I suspect the rifle cost him around $400 in today's dollars, which would have been quite a sacrifice for a garage owner with a wife and four kids at the time. But then, given the times, it may have been a purchase to help put food on the table.

The brushed stainless Python I purchases when I turned 21, and my grandfather’s 1st gen. Colt Woodsman.

My Dad's old Browning BAR in 270. It stays in the safe most of the time, but I'll take it hunting now and then.

There's two actually. My Grandfather was a Highway Patrol officer in OK, and spent the last few years of his career as Police Chief in Pawhuska, OK. I have the S&W mod42 that he carried as Police Chief. I also have the holster that he carried it in. That gun and holster will never leave my collection until it is time to pass it along to whichever family member gets it next. (which will probably be my son.)
The other is a blackhawk in 357. It was one of the first guns I bought. At one point in my life, it was the only gun that I owned. It can be used for personal defense and/or hunting at bow ranges. And I have used it for both. It still gets lots of holster time even to this day.

16 ga Browning that my grandmother bought for my Dad after he came home from WWII. He gave it to me when I was around 16 so I've had it for 50 years. I've killed more quail with that old gun than you could count and I couldn't get hungry enough to part with it.

Winchester Mod 12, 16 ga. that I bought in a pawn shop over 45 years ago. Not a collector, it had already had the forend replaced. I’ve since had screw in chokes added, re-blued twice and replaced/refinished the stock and forend myself.

I have a new answer as of Sunday to this question- I got a Beretta Silver Pigeon 3 from my now-wife as a wedding gift. I think I'll keep that one near and dear to me.

My Dad's Sears Ted Williams Model 300 12 Gauge Semiauto (Same shotgun as the Winchester 1400).

Dad bought it in 1970 after he got back from Vietnam to take on a dove hunting trip outside of Cloudcroft, NM. When the first round was fired, Dad and another soldier who had just returned from Vietnam both dove into the dirt.

I plan to take a deer with it in the near future. It patterns very well with 000 Buckshot. It will stay in the family.

Just my .02,
LeonCarr

Keep the wife near too if she buys Beretta’s

My father's 20ga Browning/FN Superposed that he bought new in Brussels in 1953. 28" IC/Mod barrels, Long Tang/round knob.

I sent to Briley after he passed away and had thin walls installed. I hunt everything with it.

Haha, no doubt. I messed up one marriage already, but I think I'll keep this one lol

I have my Father in Laws Belgium Browning A5. My Dad had one exactly like it that I shot and hunted with. His wife refused to give it to me when he passed but my FIL gave me his.

They are just tools. Not sentimentally attached to any of them, especially for the right price.

The first rifle I killed a deer with. Model 92 Winchester 25-20, saddle ring carbine. Was my uncles rifle. Daddy hunted with it and killed several deer with it. When my uncle passed, my aunt asked if I would like to have it. Of course I thanked her and said yes. Was manufactured in 1925. Have some ammo and set of dies to reload for it if needed. Has the finest trigger I have ever shot. Take it out every year, oil it and put it back in safe. Never been refinished, no rust, and has great patina.