What am I looking for? Gift for best man...

[Dgreno]

I am getting married in a few months and my father is going to be my best man. I would like to get him a revolver of some sort with some nostalgic value. I was thinking an older Smith or Ruger but I dont know what to look for. .357 would be ideal but .38 spl is also an option. I am looking for something with a 3 in barrel in a J frame package for a smith. For a ruger, maybe a security six or an earlier model GP100 with 4 inch barrel. I am also undecided on nickel, blued, or stainless. What do you all think?

[def4pos8]

Hey there! Congratulations!! In just a few more weeks you'll join the rest of us in misery. I've been at it for thirty years.

Your potential choices cover a lot of ground. I do like my 3-inch, Smith Model 36-1 but it's sort of strange in that, since I'm a big guy at 6'2''/235lbs and have large hands, I had to purchase a larger grip to hold it properly. The grip is a Hogue done in tulipwood. The grip greatly improves shooting comfort.

Concealment isn't a problem.

Ammunition is touchy in that it likes "old school" loads like 4 or 4.5 grains of Unique under a cast, 158 SWC or a 158 Hornady XTP. Light bullet and/or warmer, "+P" loads don't do as well.

Smiths like mine might be tougher to find than a GP100/Security Six. The Rugers would be more flexible with ammunition and, in stainless steel, easier to see grunge while cleaning.

Choices! Good luck with the gift . . . and your marriage!!

[Grayrock]

Isn't Smith & Wesson bringing out new old models? How about one of them? Is cost a factor? If not, how about a nice Python!!

[Dgreno]

I am looking at a maximum of $500. If that helps...

[19-3Ben]

Ruger Speed-Six 3"bbl, fixed sights, round butt... yeah. that's the ticket.

Oooohhhh.... if you get it cheap enough, spend the extra to send it to get professionally reblued. Sending it to Ford's guns for a master blueing job will give it a finish that is unreal.

[Geezer59]

With a 3" barrel, I prefer a K-frame over the J-frame. One good example I found online is this one - I do dearly love my Model 13 round-butt!

[19-3Ben]

Wow that thing is beautiful. mmm....

[Chev.James]

I like the S&W Model 66-1, with the pinned barrel and recessed chambers. This revolver is like a fine watch. They don't make them with this quality any more. You can usually find one on Gunbroker. I've looked at gun shows and never have found one with the pinned barrel and recessed chambers.

Another idea would be to get him one of the Webley Mark VIs, like Indiana Jones used in "The Last Crusade." Find one that has NOT been altered to fire .45 ACP. The .45 ACP rounds are like proof loads in the old Webleys. They're not making any more of these revolvers, either!

[DrLaw]

Being a lawyer, I will give you the best advice that you have paid for here.

Keep the gun and give him the girl. You'll never regret it in the long run.



The Doc is out now.

[Gambit]

I think that something somewhat unique, that would always be remembered as unique, such as a Bond Arms Derringer, would be just the ticket!



I'm sure that whatever you decide will be a wonderful gift and well appreciated.

[Brian Williams]

Find a nice S&W 65, 3" are around and very worth it.
Have his name engraved on the back strap and them name your first child after him guaranteeing a place for him to pass it down to.

[19-3Ben]

Being a lawyer, I will give you the best advice that you have paid for here.

Keep the gun and give him the girl. You'll never regret it in the long run.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA. First laugh of the day goes to Dr.Law.

[sadp40]

9mm largo. brand new in the box. box had only been opened by me when i bought it. paper still on it and the mags.
it was cherry mint. gave him 200 rounds of largo for it also.
he still has it in march it will be 20yrs ago.
he still has the pistol, i still have the wife.

[Loosedhorse]

I am looking for something with a 3 in barrel in a J frame package for a smith.

How's this?

(Borrow the rest of the $$$.)

[mitchshrader]

how does an unfired (I think) 4" 19-3, sound?

3T, P&R, Cocobolo..no tools or box..500$ including shipping to your FFL..

I may have heard of such a gun hunting a new home...

and fwiw *I* am hunting a steel frame 3" J-frame..

[george29]

Dallas gun show in a little over a week, plenty of nice guns for that price range.

[Nematocyst]

Find a nice S&W 65, 3" are around and very worth it.

As an owner of a 65, I second that.

And you can find them for considerably less than $500 with extra left for special additions, like new grips, a tune up or ...

Have his name engraved on the back strap and them name your first child after him guaranteeing a place for him to pass it down to.

Great idea. Personalize it.

[Ignatius]

Wouldnt an old double barrel shotgun be a "suitable" gift for your wife's father????


the whole "shotgun wedding" thing.....am I the only one thinking this?

[Mickstix]

And you can find them for considerably less than $500 with extra left for special additions, like new grips, a tune up or ...

Show me where you can find 3" model 65's for less than $500.. PLEASE!!! Those 3" SS S&W's have gone through the roof!! Nice firearms too! But they are expensive these days!!

GEEZER, nice find!! Did you get that one or was is just an example ya found??

[Dgreno]

Wouldnt an old double barrel shotgun be a "suitable" gift for your wife's father????

Kidding aside, I am asking about a gift for my father. I am still undecided. The model 65 looks like a winner but the only one I could find under $500 was only only in about 65% condition... The quest continues.

BTW, I am leaning towards a blued GP100 4 in.

[Nematocyst]

Those 3" SS S&W's have gone through the roof!! Nice firearms too! But they are expensive these days!!

Gees, I guess I got mine just in time. That was over a year ago. It was from a batch of used 65s obtained by a store, retired from prison guard duty. It had a few scratches, and needed a replacement hammer spring ($35), but was still less than $500.

Well, OK, good luck.

[AJumbo]

Dgreno- first ask, who IS the best man?

Best friend from the best years of your (single) life? Split his last beer with you, more than once? Used to hold your hair out of the way when you threw up? Was OK with you dating his ex-girlfriend? Knows where the bodies are buried, 'cause he helped dig the holes? Colt Peacemaker, .45, 5 1/2", nickel, with just a little tasteful engraving, to include his name on the backstrap.

Your intended bride's older brother, chosen in an effort to mollify those elements of her family who aren't completely "sold" on you despite your obvious intelligence, charm, and good breeding?

Mossberg 500.

[juliadavid]

Ruger Speed-Six 3"bbl, fixed sights, round butt... yeah. that's the ticket.

Oooohhhh.... if you get it cheap enough, spend the extra to send it to get professionally reblued. Sending it to Ford's guns for a master blueing job will give it a finish that is unreal.

Any Christmas sale do you know?