Best Revolver for a Son?

[Zionsville]

My oldest is getting ready to turn 18.
Has taken CC class and we shoot a lot.

I’m thinking of getting him a really nice hand gun.

From a revolver standpoint - what would you recommend?

Also if your Dad gave you a gun, what was it?

 

[Rong]

I will stay out of brands but you can do anything that can be done in Indiana with a 4-6 inch 357.

My dad got me a Ruger Single Six when I was 13. I had to talk him into it lol.

 

[BE Mike]

What caliber are you thinking about? Do you or your son anticipate reloading for the revolver? What will be the primary purpose for the revolver?

 

[nipprdog]

What will be the primary purpose for the revolver?

This.

 

[BehindBlueI's]

Primary purpose?

Budget?

Define "nice":

General idea of hand size? Like a "small" in gloves or easily palms a bowling ball or what?

 

[Kirk Freeman]

Guy with platoon of nephews here. For those that wanted revolvers I have given SW M17, SW M19 and a Ruger Security Six (those are guns that they personally picked from my safe).

For COTS guns I give the new Smith M66s. "Kirk, why?" Not an expert myself despite my opinions, but Denny Reichard, Gun Yoda, of Sand Burr Gun Ranch was and that was the gun he recommended to me 2nd to last time I saw him when I was picking stuff up in Rochester.

Bought one myself (I know you are all shocked). Impressive piece, I like it very much.

It is catalogued as M66-8. I have this one, 4" tube:

 

[Zionsville]

What caliber are you thinking about? Do you or your son anticipate reloading for the revolver? What will be the primary purpose for the revolver?

It’s more of a sentimental gift. Something he will hang on to forever.

 

[Zionsville]

Primary purpose?

Budget?

Define "nice":

General idea of hand size? Like a "small" in gloves or easily palms a bowling ball or what?

Nice = $1k, doesn’t have to be new, but would lean that way. The kid has large bricks for hands. More of a gift that he will enjoy and hold onto forever. Maybe an engraving.
Not necessary a carry.

 

[Zionsville]

What caliber are you thinking about? Do you or your son anticipate reloading for the revolver? What will be the primary purpose for the revolver?

Keep sake- not necessarily a carry but something he will enjoy and know the old man loves him. Might have it engraved. Caliber agnostic.

 

[Scott58]

6" .357 magnum.

 

[ECS686]

My first gun was a Savage 24c camper companion 20ga 22lr we never owned handguns til I got my first one at 18 a Taurus 82 3” barrel made like the olde S&W’s

So while I love S&W revolvers and a 2.75” 66 would be a great choice the Taurus 856 line with 3” barrels would be just as good

 

[Magyars]

K frame smith and wesson 357.4 inch barrel, but 2-6" works. Prelock if you really love him!

 

[Creedmoor]

Keep sake- not necessarily a carry but something he will enjoy and know the old man loves him. Might have it engraved. Caliber agnostic.

I gave one a Gold Cup and the other a vintage 8" Python, that I bought long ago.
If I was to buy a revolver and then have it engraved I would do one in stainless so its not necessary to have it refinished after engraving.
With stainless revolvers I'm a L frame, Smith 686 pre-lock man.

Have fun doing it.

 

[Bosshoss]

625 45 acp great all around revolver.
617 because everyone needs a. 22 revolver.
686 just because.

A older Python is a nice gun but expensive.

 

[bwframe]

WTS/WTT: - *Reduced* New Ruger Blackhawk Convertible 45 Auto / 45 Colt & Altamont Grips

Hello INGO - looking to sell my New Ruger Blackhawk Convertible chambered in 45 Auto and 45 Colt. Two cylinders and no moon clips needed. This revolver is in excellent condition. A very nice shooter, but, as much as I've tried, just not a revolver guy... This model is no longer available on the...

www.indianagunowners.com

 

[BehindBlueI's]

Nice = $1k, doesn’t have to be new, but would lean that way. The kid has large bricks for hands. More of a gift that he will enjoy and hold onto forever. Maybe an engraving.
Not necessary a carry.

Ruger GP100 Wiley Clapp II TALO 357 Magnum 3" Matte Black Novak Sights

Ruger GP100 Wiley Clapp II TALO 357 Magnum 3" Matte Black Novak Sights. Ruger RUHGP-331-NVK. The Ruger 1753 GP100 Wiley Clapp II TALO Limited Edition Revolver in .357 Magnum features a 3-inch heavy barrel, Hawkeye matte blue finish, rubber one piece checkered grip with Ruger and WC logos, rear ...

www.impactguns.com

Rare enough to be interesting, aesthetically pleasing, and a good size if he wants to actually carry it. Difficult to find, however.

Ruger® GP100® Match Champion® Double-Action Revolver Model 1754

ruger.com

Easier to source, very functional and still reasonable on the aesthetics. OEM grips work great for those with mammoth sized hands, but are difficult to conceal as a result should he decide to use it for that.

Pre-lock S&W k-frame or n-frames are never a bad choice. I'd stick to .38/.357 magnum if he plans to shoot much and doesn't reload just due to the cost of factory ammo, but if that's not a concern then anything in .45 Colt is a versatile and fun revolver.

 

[Kirk Freeman]

Ruger GP100 Wiley Clapp II TALO 357 Magnum 3" Matte Black Novak Sights

Ruger GP100 Wiley Clapp II TALO 357 Magnum 3" Matte Black Novak Sights. Ruger RUHGP-331-NVK. The Ruger 1753 GP100 Wiley Clapp II TALO Limited Edition Revolver in .357 Magnum features a 3-inch heavy barrel, Hawkeye matte blue finish, rubber one piece checkered grip with Ruger and WC logos, rear ...

www.impactguns.com

Rare enough to be interesting, aesthetically pleasing, and a good size if he wants to actually carry it. Difficult to find, however.

Ruger® GP100® Match Champion® Double-Action Revolver Model 1754

ruger.com

Easier to source, very functional and still reasonable on the aesthetics. OEM grips work great for those with mammoth sized hands, but are difficult to conceal as a result should he decide to use it for that.

Pre-lock S&W k-frame or n-frames are never a bad choice. I'd stick to .38/.357 magnum if he plans to shoot much and doesn't reload just due to the cost of factory ammo, but if that's not a concern then anything in .45 Colt is a versatile and fun revolver.

OMG, Future Kirk does not need that much money in his SEPs.

 

[Indy574]

S&W 66, or 686. Unless the brick hands would like a 629. All with the 4” ish barrel.

 

[ISP 5353]

A 4 inch S&W K frame pre-lock.

 

[kawtech87]

Get him one of the new blued Colt pythons. 6" .357.

My dad has given me so many guns I couldn't list them all. The first one I ever picked out myself ( I was 5 yo) was a Ruger single six .22 with a 6" barrel. We used to watch a lot of westerns growing up and I was a huge fan of the old Clint Eastwood movies. I thought the single six looked like what he carried. Got a full cowboy rig and everything. My dad has it hanging in his living room right now but when my oldest son gets old enough it will be his.