First revolver - a couple of questions

[bftx]

Hey everyone, I am wanting to purchase a S&W revolver, to signify the birth of my son. I'm going to shoot the heck out of it, but I want to pass it down to him one day. I want something that will last. I had thought about the Model 60 3'' Pro Series, but I'm leaning towards a blued finish.

Things I am looking for:
-.357 Magnum
-3 or 4 inch
-blued finish
-new production

I'm debating between the 586 4'' or the Model 27 4''. What do you guys think? I'm disappointed by the lack of blued models, I love that old school look. These two models also seem to be very hard to find, I would like to look over in store before purchase. Any good shops in the Fort Worth, TX area that specialize in S&W revolvers?

 

[Rpg]

I'd get the 27.

You might consider a M19 as well.

 

[Old cop]

Agree with the Model 19 or 27.

 

[Lou_the_welder]

The thing about blued is that , its beautiful. Too beautiful.

I was just at a gun shop(today) admiring a mod. 29 in a box. Beautiful and blued. The manager comes out and we small talk. I said, I'd love to buy it- but i wouldn't shoot it! So the manager starts telling me why this one was soo pristine. The previous owner never fired it. Still in the box, put it up for consignment. It was $1100 something like that.......

My point is: if you wanna buy a gun to commemorate! A new blued any flavor you want would be good.
If you wanna shoot it though : you're going to scratch the cylinder. Flame the cylinder. Blueing will wear if holstered. Some harsh cleaners will harm (wipe away) bluing. And never use a lead free cloth to wipe either.

Thats why i like stainless.

I have a blued Ruger Redhawk and its pretty beat to s!#t. Let's just say it has character.

 

[dmy]

One other thing to consider

First of all, cool thread. I also bought a handgun shortly after my son was born 16 years ago with the exact same thoughts in mind. My purchase was a Browning Buckmark .22, which I thought would be the first handgun which he shot. One thing which I did not consider was that the Buckmark has a slab barrel which makes it much heavier than a Ruger. When I brought him to the range around 10 years old, he had trouble holding the heavier gun steady.
With your two potential candidates, if you plan to let him shoot it at a relatively young age, you might lean towards the smaller and lighter K frame as opposed to the larger and heavier N frame. Same goes for the barrel length.

 

[paragain]

Can't go wrong with any of the suggestions. My favorite is the M 19 or the 586. Good luck and enjoy!

 

[ContinentalOp]

I would echo the opinions of those who suggested a K-frame, like the Model 19. A K-frame is more amenable to different hand sizes. I think it's easier to fit a K-frame to someone with large hands than it is to fit a N-frame to someone with small hands. Something to keep in mind as you never know how big your son's hands will grow. Or his son's hands, for that matter.

I don't know if the 19 is in current production, though. Aside from a few J-frame models I don't know what revolvers S&W has that are currently being made. If your only choices are a 586 or a 27, I'd go with the 586. Same grip size as a K-frame, but slightly longer trigger reach, IIRC (it's been a while since I've handled a L-frame).

If you wanna shoot it though : you're going to scratch the cylinder. Flame the cylinder. Blueing will wear if holstered. Some harsh cleaners will harm (wipe away) bluing. And never use a lead free cloth to wipe either.

Thats why i like stainless.

I have a blued Ruger Redhawk and its pretty beat to s!#t. Let's just say it has character.

While I prefer stainless steel for the reasons you mention, I think a blued gun that develops "character," as you put it, helps make it unique. So long as maintenance is kept up and you can accept that it will not remain pristine if you shoot it, I think a blued gun would be a fine choice for a heirloom firearm.

 

[Sconnie]

Model 19 is not a current production gun. While it would be an excellent choice, the Model 586 with a 4 inch barrel will be an excellent choice too. Forget the whole too pretty to shoot thing. Shoot it from the start and enjoy. What little wear you will put on it will add character and memories.

And if you can lay your hands on a 4 inch model 17-6 with the full lug (not a current production) you will have a 22LR look alike. If you start looking now you may find one to your liking by the time that lucky kid gets old enough to shoot it! Him shooting his 22 that looks just like dad's 586. Now that would be a fine picture.

 

[joe44va]

My 60-15 pro 3" is easily my favorite handgun. I carry it, I shoot it, I love it.

 

[Baggy Wrinkle]

My first revolver was a Model 17-2, .22 rim fire my Dad and I jointly bought new for Christmas 1963. I still have it and still love to shoot it. And, it still looks great even with a little muzzle wear from holster and cylinder turn line. It is a true heirloom. Due to it's K-frame size and small caliber it is relatively easy to shoot well by a novice. My second revolver is a pre-WW2 M&P .38 special that was Dad's service revolver. Still have that one, too. Looks good, shoots good with cheap ammo. Buying new now, I would consider a Model 63 .22 with a Model 60 .357 to follow in a number of years. This pair has a similar symbiosis to my 17-2/M&P pair. In fact, I have that pairing also and love them.

 

[reddog81]

I would think central Texas would have some great gun shops but I could be wrong... Call around and check - it much easier than driving.

If your looking for something to carry to model 60 would be a great choice if your looking for something to take to the range the 27 or 586 would be a better choice. Stainless is a great metal for carry guns or for guns that get shot a lot, but blued guns are definitely better looking.

 

[SilentKnight]

Model 66 stainless was handed down to my son after 22 years of service. Still looks great and shoots great. The blued version would be the Model 19. He has owned it for 10 years now. Good luck.

 

[Lou_the_welder]

We are talking about something - in the flavor of 357 magnum. I dont shoot model 27s or 28s. And I shoot! Get him a 586!

6" blued!

Do you want it light enough for him to shoot at an earlier age or heavy enough for him to respect the FIREARM given to him. ( im just saying, my kids are gonna have to lift those suckers im leaving to them; and by that time will learn to shoot them)

Edit. My first response was a 4" blued. But i had too much stuff racing in my head

 

[bftx]

Thanks for the replies everyone! A blued gun takes a bit of extra care, maintenance, but it's worth it.

The Model 19 is also very nice, if I could find it new in box at a shop, I would strongly consider.

I was debating between a Colt 1911 or a S&W Revolver to commemorate his birth/pass down to him, but I think I'm leaning towards a revolver. This is something that I will shoot the heck out of, keep it maintained, and pass down to him.

I'm amazed at how hard it is to find a new blued S&W revolver at a gun shop. That Model 60 3 inch Pro Series has really got my eye, the extended wood grips, 3inch barrel make that gun. It has the perfect proportions.

 

[Toblerra]

Why not go with a 3" 686? It's the same as the 586 but in stainless, proportions are good. Personally the full barrel lug looks better in my opinion, check out this video. If you're bent on a blued revolver though, you can't go wrong with the 586, I know I love mine!

[ame]https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Nn2XX81_kPU[/ame]

 

[S&W SS Revolvers]

SS or Blued...a 686 or 586 is WONDERFUL!. After many years and rounds you can always refurb at the factory or otherwise. The one we have in 6" is especially LOVED.

The .357 is so versatile...in a 586 or 686 it's the difference between kapop (.22) .38 and popkbang (.357)...

Just choose and move on. I agree the blued guns are much prettier...it's the USA (your choice) and won't be your last gun so get one. Dad's old (1958) Ruger .22 Single Six is real thin on blue and after many thousands of rounds will remain so. It earned every one of em'

Someday I'll own a S&W run out snub with a few stops in the USA to folks who will customize that baby...it will have new life made just for me...

 

[R*E]

Do you really need an excuse to buy gun???

 

[Sconnie]

Since you are talking a current offering you might want to visit a couple local gun stores that appeal to you and ask them if they can order one and for what price. You are correct that they don't find their way into gun cases in large numbers but they can be ordered by the LGS.

And if you ask, who knows they may have one in the back that they just haven't found room in the case for.

I have a itty bitty gun shop in a town of 3000 people near me and they have one up for sale on Gunbroker. Doesn't do you any good of course but the point is you might want to search Gunbroker for a 586 in the advanced search limiting it to Texas.

I peeked just now at the Texas listings and saw 7 listed. Some of those are new and the seller may have a store that it is sitting in waiting for a buyer online or in person. Worth a look at least. And you get an idea of the asking prices. Not necessarily the selling price but some place to start at least.

One listing for a 4 inch version is in Waxahachie. Says it is new in the listing. And there are others too. I would advise patience but I never listen to that advice either.

 

[Sconnie]

That Model 60 3 inch Pro Series has really got my eye, the extended wood grips, 3inch barrel make that gun. It has the perfect proportions.

Missed this part. So here on the S&W Forum I believe it is customary to tell you to buy them both! It is always fun spending other folks' money. Sounds like you have put your hands on a Model 60 so that may be the better way to go for a first gun but decisions, decisions...

 

[model70hunter]

I may have missed it but, if you get a 19 it is generally suggested to play/practice with 38's and carry with 357's.

I've owned 5 or 6 19's. I have a 686 in 4" new and came with the lock. I still like it. It is stoutly built and can handle 357's but also can be used by younger ones in 38 special.

I helped dad pick out a 357 many years ago. I worked him into an early 586 in 6". He loved it and shot it quite a bit. My Bro got it. Dang.

I actually looked at many gun shows for one and did not find one. One day an LGS had a new 686, I just bought it thinking I would use it until I found a 586. Search over, I am happy with the 686.

Then there are the double blind and mute hogs that luck into them. One day my bro called he bought a S&W 357 in stainless he said. I made him put his reading glasses on, it was a 4" Nickle 586 no dash. And he would not sell it to me. His teenage daughter shoots the heck out of it, box after box of 357's. She wants it and will get it someday. Your son should be able to handle the 686 with 38's as it is heavier and will absorb recoil.

A K22 is nice too. With anything bring earmuffs for both.

Hope you find the one that works for you.

 

[KF-NYC]

You may want to try a Smith and Wesson K frame revolver. Many of the K frame revolvers are no longer in production, however, you can purchase them used. One of my instructors has a S&W Model 64 with a 2.5 inch barrel. It has really nice smooth trigger and I enjoyed shooting it. In fact I shot it well immediately which is more than I can say about my shooting with a J frame revolver. Another nice K frame is the S&W Model 66 - you might be able to find one with a 3 inch barrel. With either of these models your shooting should progress rapidly. J frames are difficult to learn to shoot well - most folks would have to put a lot of rounds down range in order to obtain a decent level of shooting with a J frame. Good luck.

 

[DevilDog72]

I have 2 Mdl 19's, a -4 2 1/2" snub that is my EDC and has a lot of character, blue almost gone and probably could use a refurb. I have carried that revolver for over 10 years now regardless of weather or activity. The other is my 19-8 4" bbl it is my woods companion and every now and then my open carry choice. Both guns are blued and will be passed down to my grandsons.