Relocating a combat veteran's 1911 pistol

When my dad was in the 80s, he lived in an assisted  living center with security at the front door and cameras everywhere. A few  years earlier, I had taken his car keys away from him because his vision had  failed. But he persisted in keeping the Colt Government Model 1911 .45 pistol he  had carried in the ETO during World War II.

I had explained patiently that the  230-grain full metal jacket bullet would easily punch through the sheetrock walls, endangering his neighbors. And, because he kept it in the bedside  drawer, any number of nurses, therapists, medical supply delivery people and cleaning staff could have access to it.

Finally, I sat dad down, unloaded the pistol and handed it back to him. “OK, Dad,” I said. “Cycle the slide like you
were loading it.”

He tugged and tugged but his arthritic hands could not get  the slide all the way back. With a wry smile, and a bit of a tear, he handed  the pistol back and said, “I guess it’s time for it to live with you.”

He knew that he could no longer maintain the pistol properly or store it safely, so it  was time for the gun to be removed and relocated to a new home. Now that dad is  gone, I think of him frequently when I take his 1911 to the range. And, yes,
it’s locked up the rest of the time.

– Dr. Gatling.