You guys won't recognize me over here, but I've been on the S&W Forum for a while and posted a bit...

My 12 year old son loves to shoot my 9mm's and has his own AR and a deer rifle (.243) and a little .22 rifle.... but we were cruising the local gun seller and came across a couple of .22 revolvers and he said one of those would be a great Christmas gift...

I got to thinking, it really would be a great Christmas gift for a 12 year old.... his own .22 revolver!!!

So now I am asking you guys who really know.... What should I get?

.

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Kirk / Spock 2020

Model 41!.... oops not a revolver, sorry. You are a good dad. I am sure fellow members will help you out soon!

22/32 kit gun....small enough of for a kid, fun enough for an adult...not too pricey if you find a used one

New, a 3" model 63 (stainless, small frame), a 4" 617 (stainless, medium frame, quite heavy) or a Ruger SP-101 (stainless, splits the difference between the two). Used, a 4" model 34 or 63 or a model 18 (medium frame, lighter than a 617).

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

I have two 617's that are K frames (medium) size. They are 10 shot revolvers.

For a twelve year old I think a 63 with a three inch barrel would be perfect. It is a J frame (small) frame size. It holds 8 rounds.

In no particular order:

1) Ruger Single Six
2) Ruger Bearcat
3) S&W 4" M-34

2 of my granddaughters shoot my M-34 and Bearcat, ages 10 and 12. I think they like the Bearcat more, but that could be because they like the name

Of course, you could buy a Diamondback or 5 screw M-17, or pre, and put some outrageously oversized rubber grips on it. If your son doesn't like it, you might

I own the 3 listed above. He'll never feel he's outgrown the Single Six. JMHO...

4" 22/32 kit gun. Mine's a M34-1 from 1978 target trigger from service center with serrations smoothed & smooth factory targets. This gun is a keeper.

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NRA LIFE
Reserve Officer 9yrs

Ruger Bearcat

I recently picked up this Model 17-6 with a 4" barrel...unfired and in box. I have an older Model 17-4 that is a peach too! It was in almost the same condition. They are both great revolvers and shoot well.


Model 17-6


Model 17-4

Edit to add: The 17-4 was a birthday gift from the wife.

Any S&W 22LR revolver or a S&W M&P 22 will suit you fine.
S&W M&P 22 shoots any 22LR ammo and is accurate and a fun target pistol

Any Model 17 will shoot great and this one happens to be a 17-4 and it's the most accurate 22LR I own

For a 4 inch model the Model 18 are great shooters also

Model 17 always a winner.

Not to offend anyone here but I had recently bought a Heritage revolver in .22LR that comes with a second cylinder for .22mag. I've been having a lot of fun shooting it and it's priced reasonable. Worth looking into as an option. I think I bought it at BassPro.

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Either a pre 17 or a pair of these.You know,one for dad too ;-)

Have a 43 lnib perfect size for a kid or woman j frame.
If interested.

My older 17-5 is a 6 shot 6" full sized ( K-frame) it is real and very capable for teaching the principles of marksmanship, sight picture trigger control and grip control. This isn't a Zombie killer. Mine has target grips, but smaller profile grips can be had to fit small hands. But used a few years ago was $500 OTD. My sons learned shotgunning on $2000+ shotguns, Give them good tools, treat them like responsible young men and they will step up. If they are too immature to be trusted with good firearms, they are to immature to be trusted with anything that uses real ammo! Ivan

I have a Ruger Single Six 6" SS......LOVE IT.

I have a GSG 1911 .22 , love it.....LOVE IT.

I pick up my 1957 K22 tomorrow.....I hope it will go to the top of my list........I paid enough for it !

I have a 12 year old his first was a model 18.The combats were his choice too


They learn fast......dad's learned not to let him pack for range trips

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Paul
S&WCA #2726

Im pretty sure the first gun my son shot was my ruger single six when he was around 9 yrs old.he was pretty good with it and I did hover a bit ;-)

He will grow into a K frame quickly. A model 18 would be my choice.

I like the S&W 43C. It's a snubby that serves as a practice gun helping me to become ever more skillful at point shooting with my 442––my carry gun. Depends on what your kid intends to do. A Ruger Single Six is a lot of fun, but worthless for concealed carry. I suggest you decide on what you want to do with a gun, and then go for something that is the very best quality you can afford. By the way, I have a Bersa Firestorm .22 with some accoutrements that I could part with. You could contact me via email at: [email protected].

Another vote for a Ruger Single-Six. Safe, simple to operate and he'll never outgrow it. Get the convertible and have the 22mag option.

S&W Model 617 4 inch barrel 10 shot cylinder.

When I was a teenager I wanted a Single Six bad. Had to defer that because I lived in NY, where handguns are evil.

On a camping trip with college buddies I was able to shoot a Single Six side-by-side with a K22/M17.

I have owned several .22 Smith revolvers since. (M18, M17, M53, M48, M34, M63). I don't believe I've even picked up a Single Six since that camping trip.

Having 2 teenage boys, and as past NRA instructor ..........

Might I suggest that a S&W or Ruger revolver with a swing out cylinder is easier to check to confirm an empty gun. I know, they should treat all guns as loaded....I'm just saying it's easier to check and confirm that a swing out cylinder is empty......

The Ruger single six is chambered for .22lr and .22mag;so it has a compromise barrel to handle both rounds....... so not the best for .22lr. accuracy.

Also if you are getting it as a gift....... he will have if for the next 60+ years........ I'd go for an older 17 or 18 or 6shot 617 4 or 6 inch

I don't mean to stir the pot, but I think 12 years old is too young to "own" a handgun. Shooting dad's gun is one thing, but owning implies possession or maintaining custody (in his bedroom?). Buy it with him in mind, but don't let him think it's his gun, at least for a few years.

My dad gave me a Mossberg .410 when I turned nine. I thought that was the coolest thing on earth. Handguns are different.

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Why, I aughta.....

I'll chime in and say I have had a Single Six when I was young and it was excellent! I have the GSG 1911-22 now and LOVE it!

I am sure that he meant the boy can call the gun his, and it is his but Dad keeps control of it. I will also say that TIMES CHANGE! I got my first shotgun at 9, kept it on my wall in my bedroom, got my first rifle about six months later, a Marlin Golden 39a, also on my wall. And my first handgun at 10. A 4in Colt Diamondback in .38spl. That I kept in a small safe in my room, and I was allowed to take it out and shoot it. But this is when we could walk to the foothills of the Sandia Mountains from my house in 15 minutes carrying guns as kids and not get SWAT and the NSA called out on us. And we could shoot all day without anyone bugging us.

Any K-framed S&W 22LR revolver is the "LeCreme", though I do agree with other posters who specified a 10 shot K frame 22LR S&W.

Why an S&W DA???
Because My first revolver was a Ruger Single Six with 22LR and 22WMRF cylinders.
I sold that revolver within 2 years because it was so slow to load, slower to repeat fire, and just did NOT have the great "feel" of a S&W or (Colt) DA revolver.

MY regular go-to FFL dealer's son went to the range with (His Dad), and they fired a few revolvers and auto-loaders, including an S&W 17-3, with 6" bbl.
I believe the lad was around 12-13 years of age, and after firing all the handguns, the lad implored His Dad (the FFL Dealer), to keep the model 17-3 forever, because it was His absolute favorite handgun!

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It is....what it is!

"but we were cruising the local gun seller and came across a couple of .22 revolvers and he said one of those would be a great Christmas gift... "---lostlake
What were you looking at? Cowboy guns, short barrels....long? Did one of them catch his eye for a reason ? Or was it just because it was a .22lr revolver ? Unless it was something in particular that he liked.....I would think a 4" barrel or less would be more comfortable and better balanced at his age. Even if it was a cowboy gun.....Heritage makes a 3.75" barrel and you can also get it in a Birds-head grip. If it was 'any' .22lr revolver that he wants, there are so many good choices, but I would not get him a lightweight gun like a 317 kit gun....I don't think they are made for heavy shooting use....get a steel frame [except a Heritage, it has a steel cylinder]. If barrel length is not a problem for him to hold up for long periods, your options just increased a bunch. Also, how big are his hands ? Does he prefer large, medium, small grips ?

I'd opt for the new model 63 with a 3" barrel. I've owned just about every S&W rimfire revolver and this Model 63 is my hands down favorite. To me the size is perfect, the action is smooth, and the accuracy is superb. Whatever you choose I'm sure your son will treasure it.

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[QUOTE=SniperX;137511570]I am sure that he meant the boy can call the gun his, and it is his but Dad keeps control of it.

Mike it is as SniperX stated in my case.

If I open the safe and tell him to get his gun.
He does.He knows which one is going to him without a doubt.
He will insure it is unloaded as he gets it also.

He does seem to get a bit upset when I call One certain gun his brothers

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Paul
S&WCA #2726

"I'd opt for the new model 63 with a 3" barrel."---mag318

I would have to wholeheartedly agree !!!
The wife,I,grandkids,etc love this little bugger. It was a bit pricey for a .22lr, even at Bud's, had to go back to Smith the first week, but it is surely a fine little gun that you can shoot all day long. We basically bought it as a match for the 632's so we could step the younger grandkids up to the centerfire world. Perfect.

This might be a little off topic.

During the late 50's, my introduction to shooting was at 4 years old with a Mossberg 22 bolt action that I was allowed to shoot in the basement ROTC range at a large metropolitan High School my retired grandfather was a night watchman at. Sometimes, we transported my rifle and his in gun cases using the city bus system (my grandfather did not own a car). During our hour long ride, involving several bus transfers, no other passengers ever indicated the slightest sense of uneasiness.

At the age of 5, I was allowed to shoot my father's Colt Woodsman Match Target, under tighter supervision.

I think your handgun purchase should be influenced by the size of your son's hands along with his personal preference.

I have relatively small hands; the Colt shot well but was never particularly comfortable. I also have short arms; the Winchester Model 12 (with 14.5 inch stock) I began trap shooting and hunting with at the age of eight never fit me and I actually never grew into it.

The first handgun I paid for (during my teen's) was a Ruger Single Six. Although I enjoyed shooting the revolver, if I could go back in time I would have purchased a S&W 22/32. If I had paid a little extra and purchased the S&W, I'd still be using it on a regular basis today. I would have appreciated the better fit to my hands, the much quicker reloads, and the double action capability (I believe learning to shoot double action revolvers resulted in significant improvements in my shooting with any of the other firearms I have used).

Although I have "grown into" most rifles, K/L frame revolvers, and single stack semi autos, I still struggle a little for a good fit with N frames, double column pistols and shotguns with standard stock length. I'd like to think that I would be a much better shooter today if I had not spent many of my younger days shooting poorly fitted firearms.

The GSG 1911 .22 is a sleeper.......its the most fun gun I own.......sold a Ruger MK11 .5.5 bull barrel because the GSG is many more times more fun. And the GSG is plenty accurate....its not a revolver......but its a blast to shoot.

Excellent ON-topic post by samwood. I, like many others above, would guess that a 4" Kit Gun would be about perfect, but hand size is everything. Probably a J-frame would be best for most young people. Most women and quite a few men never outgrow them.

A 4" 6-shot 617 is a fine choice !
Weatherby the younger's 4" Model 18 is equally good !



Jerry

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.38/44 Outdoorsman Accumulator

Ruger sp101 if hes been a really good boy.
~$500.00 I would say a S&W but they are imho pretty expensive for shooting .22.
[IMG]http://www****ger.com/products/sp101/images/5765.jpg[/IMG]

Although no longer made, any one of these will last him a lifetime and will be excellent practice for an eventual K- or L-frame centerfire revolver. Models 17 and an 18 illustrated here.

John

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- Cogito, ergo armatus sum -

Smith & Wesson .22 long rifle.........

"J" frame stainless steel finish
model 63, 3" barrel
model 63, 4" barrel

"J" frame blue finish
model 34, 2" barrel
model 34, 4" barrel

"K" frame blue finish
model 18, 4" barrel
model 17, 6" barrel
model K22 Masterpiece (pre model 17), 6" barrel

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There's nowt so queer as folk

A bit off topic....but,
If you have a GSG1911 you must get
a Chet Whistle PES.....you will be so
happy that you did.

I bought one of these for my son. They are hard to beat at the price.

As much as I LOVE my stable of Smith & Wesson K frame 22's of various models and ages, I think a 6.5 inch or 5.5 inch barrel Ruger Single-Six is a perfect revolver for a young shooter. The gate loading design slows the young shooter down a bit and helps them concentrate. The Ruger is also a pretty robust gun that can handle being shall we say "fumbled" better than any swing-out cylinder S&W. Accuracy wise, with ammo they like, the Single-Sixes are normally very accurate.

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Virtue,Liberty & Independence

I agree the 3" M63 is about the perfect kit gun, a good size & weight for a young person and with the vast array of grip choices, should fit most people throughout adulthood. I love the K-frames but sometimes wish I had a steel J-frame rimfire.

Find a beater grade k22 like this one at a bargain price. He can enjoy shooting it and never loose money through the years.

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The American dream is alive

What is it that you like so much about the Single Six? I bought one years ago for $165 new, but haven't shot it for more than 25 years. Maybe I need to take it out of the safe...:-)

The Single Six is just a fun gun.....mines a 1978 model 61" SS , and is very accurate.....it will never be sold.

I picked up my 1957 K22 today , shoots great , very very accurate. They don`t make em any more , so I really can`t lose....I paid a lot for it , as im in California.....

WOW!!

You guys are fantastic! I recognize a few of you from the lounge, and some also post in the semi-auto areas....

I should have given more background information because some of you are asking some really important questions!

My boy is 12 as I said, and he's 5'5" tall and weighs in at a husky 140lbs, maybe 150. He plays linebacker on his football team. And he's really good at it!

The gun will be 'his' gun. It will be locked in a safe, but it will be his. I wouldn't mind him keeping it in his own safe in his room. He has been shooting since he was four, hunting since he was ten, and is quite responsible with guns.

He owns his own M&P 15/22 and a small .22 bolt action gun ( a weird one with a thumbhole stock and peep sights called a chipmunk or something like that. His deer rifle is a Ruger .243.

He shoots my model 41, but prefers the M&P22 we have. We also have a Ruger Standard which is the model before they started calling them Mark 1. He is a fabulous shot with my M&P9c and pretty good with my 9mm Shield. He doesn't care much for my third gen semi's... No accounting for taste there! He has shot my M&P40FS but doesn't care for the louder bang. He refuses to shoot my .357 or .45's.

His hands aren't really big, but he handles my 642 just fine.

I think any barrel 3" to 6" would be fine. I like the opening cylinder. I guess I'll have to sneak some more answers from him as to whether he'd prefer blued or stainless, and we'll have to handle a few at the LGS to get a feel for what fits the best.

I don't care about the price, well maybe we should keep it under a model 41 anyway.... I would hope he will keep this gun the rest of his life and pass it on to his kids as it was his first revolver and it should be their's too! So it should really be a quality piece that will last several lifetimes.

You have given me so many great choices!! I will take him to the big gun shop about 40 miles from here and we'll test fit some of your suggestions. So far I'd say the K-22, Model 18 (are those two the same??) Model 63, that beautiful 617 , and maybe that Ruger SP-101 (can't picture that one... hafta Google it..)

Again, thanks for the advice, and if you think of any others that are 'lifetime' guns please chime in!!!

.

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Kirk / Spock 2020

My vote is a 3"-6" model 63. Stainless will last him a lifetime.... Blueing, despite being my favorite, just doesn't hold up to a lot of rounds. Just my 2 cents. Good luck.... Great choice for an Christmas gift!

Many good choices were spoken of. None were bad.
I would say the cost may be an issue so go from there.
A good investment will appreciate in value as we all know.
I have only been gifted guns by my lovely wife so far. I wish my dad had at least owned one but that never happened.
I have been giving the grown up kids some of my guns and many are still in my safe. I should tag them. The memory is not as good as it was.
I still remember when my oldest boy was along to a friends house who happened to have a nice 36 Marlin 30-30 for sale. My son asked "Dad could I buy this?" I still smile when I think of that.

617 six inch. I picked it up for a song and was going to flip it for a profit. Then I shot it. It has a home now.
[IMG][/IMG]

the model 18 will have a 4" barrel, the K22 Masterpiece will have a 6" barrel. the only real differences are the front sights...........

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There's nowt so queer as folk