Help with Grandson Christmas Presents

[Brothernov]

Happy holidays everyone. I've decide to buy two of my grandsons revolvers for christmas. They're only 9 and 13 years old, but they're not unfamiliar with firearms; in fact they both got their first deer this year. I'd like to get something they won't grow out of or think is "a little kids gun" several years from now, but it has to be something they can manage and have fun with now. I'm thinking the ideal gun would be chambered in 357 mag, definitely a man's gun but manageable with 38 spl. The 13 year old has already shot several of my guns with 38 spl and had a blast.

Which model would you suggest? I want to balance something they'll keep forever and love with cost. In fact, I even looked at Ruger SP101's but they we're near $700, so why would I do that when it's the same neighborhood as S&W, grandpa's favorite. Any advice would be much appreciated. Best Fit for their hands would be a J frame, but it comes with extra kick. If I make the right choice the gun will fit them, be fun to shoot and make them love revolvers as much as I do. Thanks and God bless!

[Brothernov]

I should add that double action is necessary. The 13 year old would have quit shooting a few shots into our first session if they were single action only guns he was shooting.

[22hipower]

How about M&Ps from Granddad's birth year? Not too expensive and somewhat collectible and definitely fun to shoot. Might take a little while to find but probably not too long; probably forum members would help run them down.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

[sawlog]

what a great grandpa! my daughter was 12 when she started shooting my 3in model 60. its a 357 mag but she shoots 38's with it and loves it.
its my carry gun, so they wont grow out of it.

[Kernel Crittenden]

For a kid I'd look for a stainless steel, 4-inch, fixed sight, round butt, K-frame. A LEO turn-in M65 (.357) or M64 (.38 Spl). There's a whole bunch of very serviceable models on the market right now in the $225 to $475 range. You can also pick up really nice super high quality ex-LEO duty holsters for peanuts. Holsters that would of cost $100 new for like $20 at most gun shows.

Stainless because it's easy to care for. 4-inch because it's a good compromise, not to long, not to short. Fixed sights because that's easy for a kid (and they won't be tempted to take a adjustable sight apart and loose the pieces.... don't ask how I know ). Round butt to fit their smaller hands. K-frame because it's the classic Smith of all time, it's no longer made, and you'd want to keep it forever.

I wouldn't get hung up on getting them a .357. I have more than a few, but in my view they're kinda overrated. A .38 Spl is more fun to shoot, it's cheaper to feed, and modern .38 Spl ammo is VERY effective and going forward it will keep getting better.

[younggun22]

Originally Posted by 22hipower

How about M&Ps from Granddad's birth year? Not too expensive and somewhat collectible and definitely fun to shoot. Might take a little while to find but probably not too long; probably forum members would help run them down.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

I would say a couple of fixed sight k frames are in order! You can choose barrel length caliber and finish.

JG sales have police trade ins for a resonable price, and the stainless would be easy to bring back to looking like new!

If you're looking for another grandson I'm partial to blue 4in taper barrel .38's...

Happy holidays

[Jerry N.]

Do you have anything in your personal inventory that would fit the bill? I'm sure it would mean a lot more to them if it was Grandpa's gun rather than a gift of one. The gift is still a good thing, but if you have something they can call once being your's, I think that would win the day. Give them the one they naturally take to.

[SJshooter]

Why not just buy them a K22 and tell them to learn to shoot revolvers properly with it. Then tell them you will buy them a magnum when they can make tight groups with the .22 at 15 yards offhand. You will be doing them a favor that will last a lifetime.

[JohnSW]

Originally Posted by Brothernov

I've decide to buy two of my grandsons revolvers for christmas.

Just make sure that you have their parent's permission, and a plan (lock, safe) for securing them when they are unsupervised.

If anyone wants to give me a S&W 686 Plus 3" for Christmas, by all means go for it.

[jhde69]

My grandson told me two years ago after shooting my k22 "when you get old I want this gun". So he gets the k22 and next will be a 357mag. Also I told my wife the good thing about the "when you get old' was I guess I'm not old yet.

[Brothernov]

Thanks for your thoughts, I hadn't really considered a K22 and now a 4"'er the direction I'm leaning. 10 shots, almost zero recall, all stainless, cheap ammo, learn to shoot. Maybe Grandpa needs one too!

[BrewsterII]

Well, I'll be the odd one and suggest Ruger Single Sixes for the both of them.
A grown man, or woman for that matter that doesn't have a few good .22's is not complete in my book. Single actions rock and are a great learning tool!

My Son got a Single Six for Christmas when he was 7. He loved it for several years, then the teenage years came and it was .357 all the way.
Now he's 29 and is a very active sportsman ........ the Single Six is once again his "constant companion" and is always on his side when camping, hunting or hiking.

Here is my "nice" one.

Your mileage will vary.



And his ....

[cherrypointmarine]

I have to agree with the Kernel. A nice M64 or 67 can be had a a good price. I have both and they are great shooters. My wife, all 5ft and 95lb's of her, loves to shoot them, so I think your grandsons will be able to handle them. Whatever you get, make sure it's S & W.

[BAM-BAM]

Originally Posted by SJshooter

Why not just buy them a K22 and tell them to learn to shoot revolvers properly with it. Then tell them you will buy them a magnum when they can make tight groups with the .22 at 15 yards offhand. You will be doing them a favor that will last a lifetime.

This is the "right" answer!

I have a 14 and 17 year old myself........ they would prefer 15-22 M&Ps or Ruger 10/22s....LOL

[Bat Guano]

Something K framed and .38 Special would work. Stainless is going to clean up better and be prettier. They all shoot much better than expected, and at some point the kids can learn to load for them.

My preferences would be a Model 18/K-22 and/or a Model 15 but needless to say, they're not cheap. But they'd sure go the distance.

[eyegots2no]

The first thought that came to me was 22 for sure.

Something they can

Enjoy now

learn to shoot now

Less expensive to shoot.

They will always have their 22 pistol.

My first pistol was a 22 (3 screw ruger) and do u think I've sold it?

Heck no.

The smith 22 are pricey----but they are worth it!!!!!

There is nothing wrong with single actions, just wish ruger still made them in real single action mode----if you can pick up a clean one for around 450---that would be a good deal. The older rugers and the k-22's etc are only going to get pricier.

[BAM-BAM]

From a safety perspective.... for kids 9 and 13; a Smith is easier to verify an "empty gun'" vs. a Ruger Single Six.

[Triathloncoach]

I bought my son a Henry 22 Lever last week as an early Christmas present. I love the idea of a police trade in. 1) More affordable 2) What boy wouldn't love a gun that was once carried by a "real" policeman.

[05CarbonDRZ]

I would say a .357 for sure,You can't even find .22LR Ammo anymore.A .22LR Wheelgun is not very fun in my opinion,I would grab my Ruger Mark III any Day.

[MrTrolleyguy]

I think the Kernel hit most of the high points of a sensible search.

I would want to try to work in the cool factor if possible.

Not sure what that might be for them. Maybe you could slip in some questions asking what they think are the neatest revolvers.

For the older boy I might consider an L frame. If I was 13 right now I could love, think I was in heaven, with a model 686 snub nosed version. I know I'd be looking up the 686 on the net and be thrilled with all the positive videos and articles about them. Edit: Thinking about this for awhile, maybe a snubnose is not the right thing to start with. I'll amend that to a 4" 686.

For the younger lad I'd get the K frame knowing that if it is a bit heavy right now he will quickly grow in size. Perhaps a gun with history would be the thing that excited him. A revolver from a Texas LEO might pique the imagination and add the cool factor.

Thanks for posing the question. I have had fun just thinking about the search and imagining how surprised those lucky youngsters will be.

[6518John]

Originally Posted by MrTrolleyguy

Not sure what that might be for them. Maybe you could slip in some questions asking what they think are the neatest revolvers.

For the older boy I might consider an L frame. If I was 13 right now I could love, think I was in heaven, with a model 686 snub nosed version. I know I'd be looking up the 686 on the net and be thrilled with all the positive videos and articles about them.

What if they say .500 S&W Magnum?! Or "Do you feel lucky punk? Well do you?"

Speaking from current experience with a 10 year old I think the L-frames are the ticket. It's hard to beat a 4 or 6 inch 586/686 with lite .38 special loads. That's my son's favorite gun to shoot. Frankly we started with the 586 out of necessity, we could not get .22 ammo a year or two back.

[Bill Douglas]

Nothing to add to the above good advice. But what a thoughtful gift idea

[Comrad]

Another vote for a .22. I had one as a teen and got rid of it for no real reason and I have regretted it ever since. It's not a kids gun, every guy I know loves them and it's on my list to get one day soon, if NJ was an easier state to buy in I would have it by now.

[vytoland]

quality, accuracy, dependability...............S&W model 64........

[CBH44]

If want them to hit what they're aiming at, I suggest adjustable sights.

[Brothernov]

Thanks for all the thoughtful advice. I feel like a traitor, but I decided on a pair of Ruger SP101's in 22LR. Paid about $560 each all-in. I had a heck of a time even finding one S&W, let alone a pair and even then it would have added many hundreds to the cost. I'm sure that when they're a little older they'll appreciate the difference between a sweet S&W and a Ruger more than they will now. I can't wait to take them out back on christmas day to break them in!

[6518John]

Originally Posted by Brothernov

Thanks for all the thoughtful advice. I feel like a traitor, but I decided on a pair of Ruger SP101's in 22LR. Paid about $560 each all-in. I had a heck of a time even finding one S&W, let alone a pair and even then it would have added many hundreds to the cost. I'm sure that when they're a little older they'll appreciate the difference between a sweet S&W and a Ruger more than they will now. I can't wait to take them out back on christmas day to break them in!

Brother--Don't feel bad, we love our Rugers too!

[BAM-BAM]

Originally Posted by Brothernov

Thanks for all the thoughtful advice. I feel like a traitor,.............................. !

Don't...... we made recommendations on what would be the best...... but....... the part we left out ...."knowingly"..... LOL.......... is that we knew you would never find 2 17s or ROTFLMAO....two 4' 18s.......


In the end you're a great- granddad!!!!!!!!!! Two thumbs up!

[Kernel Crittenden]

Originally Posted by Brothernov

... I decided on a pair of Ruger SP101's in 22LR.

Good choice, Grandpa. I have nine Ruger firearms and one of those is a SP101. My only DA Ruger revolver. It's a modern classic. Right up there with the M686 IMHO.

[rwsmith]

Originally Posted by JohnSW

If anyone wants to give me a S&W 686 Plus 3" for Christmas, by all means go for it.

And we have our parent's permission.

[Cal44]

What good is a 22lr anyway?

It's an old cartridge no longer available.

(I never thought I'd be saying that)

[mtelkhntr]

I'd say a 4" 617 10-shot. Whenever I open the trunk and let my 60 year something buddies shoot whatever they want, my 617 is the first one out and the last one in. Everyone wants to shoot that thing. That being the case, your grandkids can be kids forever with one.

[jhde69]

There is nothing better then being a grandfather. One thing that has always been fun is my grand daughter can out shoot her brothers with her 'little gun". She has staked her claim on my Winchester model 62A. But she also does well with my 686 and model 29. Like I said it's a lot of fun.