357 Magnum Dilemma

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357smallbore

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I have a new, (yes new) S&W 686. (No Dash) 4in bought in 1984.
Also have a like new Ruger GP100 SS 4in (less than 250 rd ) bought new 1998
Going to give my son one for Christmas. I'm just not sure what one I want to keep. I'm leaning towards the S&W. Only reason is I want to go and shoot it. I love the feel and look of both. The GP is a bit beefer, but can't compare in the smoothness of the hammer pull and trigger pull.
The S&W feels a tad better holding it.
If you had t keep one. What'd t be?
 
In unfired condition...I’d surely opt for the Ruger to keep and allow my son the once in a lifetime experience of firing the first rounds through that pristine Smith. As much as I like the custom Colt 1911 I set aside for my oldest, he fired the first magazine through it and it only comes out when we go shooting together.
 
Depends on your son, really. If he’s anything like my son, give him the Ruger because he can beat the heck out of it.

Like all of us, he will gain more appreciation as he ages and will like grow into wanting Smith’s, Colt’s, Korth’s, etc.
 
You’re considering giving your son a used toy? lol

Let him be the first to play with the Smith, then you can both play with it together.
 
Nice dilemma :thumbup:.

If he’s one to appreciate a gift and treat it well, the S&W.

If he’s like I was when I was younger (It took me a while before I started appreciating what gifts really mean), the Ruger is a rugged gun that will take hard use… plus that gun isn’t unfired so there isn’t as much collector interest in it as-is.

All in all it’s your decision, In sure you’ll make the right one. :)

Stay safe.
 
Give him both and tell him to go shoot them. Nothing sadder than seeing a safe queen all shiny and unblemished. Like old cars which never get driven...just not right!

Give him both, or let him choose.
37yr old revolver never shot.
23yr old revolver 250 rounds total!
Your not gonna miss them.
If he's going to use them give'em to him.
 
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Amazing comments so far......

...... the Ruger is rugged, will take a lot of abuse
in the roughest of circumstances......

.....the Smith is pretty and a wonderful range
toy to be appreciated for decades.
 
First, I just can't comprehend buying a new S&W in 1984 and never shooting it.
You could also just have him come over and let him pick the one he wants to own. I wish I had the chance to own the gun my father had when he worked a security job but it had to be turned back in to the dep't.
Whatever you do, congrats to you. It sounds like you and your son are close. That is a precious gift in life.
 
@357smallbore
You have to ask yourself these questions:

Am I giving it to him because I want him to like the things I like?

Does my son love to go shooting now?

Will he appreciate and enjoy it and will he take care of it?

If he already loves shooting then I agree with @Skylerbone and @Speedo66

If the answers to 1, 2 and 3 are “yes, no and unsure” then I would keep the one I like or perhaps even buy him something completely different.

Normally I would just say, “Do what you want, they’re your guns.” But a couple of times now I have given guns to loved ones only to find that they really didn’t appreciate the gifts.
 
For me it would depend on how much he is into guns and shooting. If he is kind of ambivalent about the whole thing I would probably give him neither and choose something else nice. If he had somewhat of and interest i would pass on the Ruger. If he is really, really into guns I would give him both as you seem to have limited interest in either going by the time you have owned them and the amount you have shot only one.
 
I would keep the Smith. BTW, the Ruger isn't really beefier, its the investment casting that makes it seem that way. It has to be thicker to equal the strength of forged steel. (or so I'm told)

I have shot both and like both but there is just something about the S&W that I like better.
 
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