Author Topic: Good First S&W (Read 1028 times)

teamnelson · « **on:** March 21, 2005, 04:38:31 PM »

Normally in our family, the 12th birthday is when you get a first rifle, but my son already has enough long guns (Remington .22, Savage 219 in 30-30 and 16ga.) so I've been thinking about getting him a revolver. He likes my Model 14, and in about 50 years or so he can have it, but in the mean time I was thinking maybe I'd get him a 357 (I've got tons of 38 wadcutters for him to shoot). What do y'all think? Which Model S&W would you recommend?

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #1 on:** March 21, 2005, 06:19:10 PM »

A model 66 is nice. I have one with a 2 1/2 inch barrel and it shoots like a dream. But I would get him a longer barreled one. Not a bulky as a Model 686. JMHO.

HappyHunter · « **Reply #2 on:** March 22, 2005, 01:31:06 AM »

TeamNelson,

Well I would only consider a Smith and Wesson of course.

After that I would want one with the traditional target sights, this will let him develope good skills regarding sight picture.

If the 38 wadcutter is the intended fuel, then a model 14 or 15 would be great.

If .357 is in the boy's future you may want the M19, or M66 (the M66 is often found as a police trade in and the Stainless Steel is very durable). These guns of course will shoot 38 special and .357.

There is nothing wrong with going to a 22lr either, Much fun can be had (and on the cheap) shooting 22 out of a M17 or M18.

If it where me I would go with a M17 in 22lr x 6 inch barrel. If 6 inch is too long I would consider the M18 in 4 inch. The 22lr will give him confidence with K frames and develope good habits and muscle memory with minimal flinch problems. Once the "good habits" are 2nd nature then I would go to center fire and my choice would then be the M14, M15, or M19/M66.

All of these above mentioned guns are K frame. Grip adapters, and various grips will make the gun fit him better. Some attention to this detail will be important.

hth,

Fred

HuntingGuy · « **Reply #3 on:** March 22, 2005, 04:51:27 AM »

Dear I need to buy a new gun :wink: ,

I would take a good lookin at the SW 686 with the 4" or 6" barrel. This is an accurate gun, and if he ever decided to go hog hunting or something of the sort, the 6" would be a perfect set up. It is probably going to give him the groups he wants to see at the range, and when he is of age - he can go hunt with the big 357's. Just an idea

Whatever you choose, your buyin a Smiff... No reason to look back!

teamnelson · « **Reply #4 on:** March 22, 2005, 12:43:26 PM »

Quote from: HappyHunter

There is nothing wrong with going to a 22lr either

He is well on his way to being comfortable with .22 in a revolver, and I thoroughly agree it's the way to start learning good skills. Given the choice, he grabs my Model 14 though - it's not a .22, so it's got the "big" factor. I thought about getting him a single-six in 22 with the spare 22mag cylinder, but I'm liking the idea of a DA and K-frame for him.

There's just two many darn options!

TennesseeNuc · « **Reply #5 on:** March 22, 2005, 04:24:42 PM »

TeamNelson,
A S&W mod. 617 might be a good choice. Kinda pricey for a 22, but it will hold it's value through the years.
Best,
TnNuc

Old Griz · « **Reply #6 on:** March 26, 2005, 09:55:43 PM »

:cb2: I think the 617 (.22) is a great choice. However, if you want him to have a centerfire revolver, don't count out the M-10. I know it's only a .38 and not a .357, but if your son is that young, let him get started on something that is not going to have as much recoil. Plus, if he has to pay for his own ammo, his money will go further. Later, when he gets older and can afford it, let him buy his own .357. By that time he will really appreciate what he's got. Then, someday in the far future, when he's old enough to have grandkids, it will dawn on him what a great gun that M-10 was.

papajohn428 · « **Reply #7 on:** March 27, 2005, 07:21:46 AM »

Old Griz strikes again! Just what I was gonna suggest, a Model 10. It will last forever, won't cost a lot, and there are aftermarket accessories galore if he wants to "personalize" it. The older guns already have a trigger job done, the kind that 30 years of being shot imparts. My duty gun is a 1961 model, the barrel is polished and accurate as I am, only more so. Fixed sights never go out of adjustment, and are regulated for standard loads. It ain't no magnum, nor does it need to be, mine handles +P ammo just fine, on a "now and then" basis. It can also double as a spare house gun, if need be. If you look around, you can probably find one for under $300, especially if you don't mind a little holster wear. I thought my gun was pretty ugly, until I shot it. :wink: Now I think it's gorgeous, with character!

Papajohn

Old Griz · « **Reply #8 on:** March 27, 2005, 06:49:15 PM »

:cb2: I got real lucky and found a M-10 for $175 that looked like maybe 50-100 rounds had been fired through it. No box or paperwork, but I couldn't pass it up at that price! Made in the late 60s and stuck in a drawer I guess. Papajohn you're right about the accuracy. It's terrific with everything I feed it.

Young Nelson is indeed a lucky lad with what ever K-frame his dad gets him.

m-g Willy · « **Reply #9 on:** April 01, 2005, 01:41:54 PM »

I started out with a High Standard High Sierra 22, then got a S&W model 28 357. I could shoot the Smith at least twice as good as the High Standard. (Better trigger,smootrher action all around better gun!)
Soooo, when my son started his handgun shooting (AGE

I started him out with a Smith 17.
very accurate Low recoil,cheap to shoot ,no carrying the emptys back for reloading , all around great gun.
The only problem your boy might have with a S&W 17 is getting it out of his old man's hands :wink: --be safe --Willy