Shopping for my dad, need some suggestions

[brighamr]

My dad left for 18 months out of country (church thing). He had mentioned before he left that he was thinking of buying a 22 cowboy revolver for plinking, "something like a single six". After talking to him more, I think he really wants a double action, that looks like the single six

Any thoughts? something reliable, 6 inch bbl or better, double action, 22 cal.

I want to buy it and have some custom grips made, with some engraving on the bbl and frame. Kind of a welcome home present. your thoughts are appreciated!

 

[Jim March]

Well H&R used to make critters like that. Not half bad guns, although not considered "high grade".

Overall though, I think you should either go DA or SA. If SA, the Single Six is still the benchmark. DA, I'd look for a good used S&W K-Frame, or maybe one of the 4" barrel SP101 sixshooter 22s.

 

[Virginian]

Good advice from Mr. March. You might be able to find a used High Standard Double Nine in real good shape; they were 9-shot double action 22s that looked pretty single action. A friend had one and it actually shot pretty well, in SA mode. But that 'might', might be difficult.
Correction: there are 2 that seem in pretty good shape on GunsAmerica and some more on GunBroker; one near mint, and costs like a Colt !

 

[brighamr]

thanks for the suggestions guys! I'll continue to search the auctions.

 

[wnycollector]

yep H&R 949 looks like a SA, but it da/sa.

If you budget allows, S&W 34 is hard to beat!

 

[22-rimfire]

A better alternative is simply to look for a classic double action. I would keeps my eyes open for a 6" Colt Trooper Mark III or Smith Model 17. Both are high grade DA six-shooters. The Colt Officers Model Match would be even better.

 

[bannockburn]

brighmr

You might also want to consider one of the old High Standard DA .22's that were styled to look like a SA revolver. Some of the models were convertible to .22 Magnum with an extra cylinder. All of them had Western sounding names, like the Long Horn, the Double Nine, the Hombre, and the Durango. Most were available in blue or nickel finish, with differences primarily in grip frame material and barrel length. These were great plinkers and still turn up for sale occasionally at gun shows.

 

[woof]

Has he ever shot a single six? If not you should set up that opportunity for him before being so sure the double action will be that important to him. A single six is hard to beat. BTW, I'm not a Ruger fan even. My single six is my only Ruger but I love it.

 

[Dismantler]

I really like my Single Six. You can shoot inexpensive .22 LR's all day, and keep it loaded with .22 mags for defense.

The .22 mag is not considered a defensive round, but if it was all that I had I would not feel too sorry for myself.

I was shooting at the sandpit with both rounds out of my Single Six. At 40 yards the LR's were bouncing off of a thick aluminum frying pan, and leaving dimples in it. The .22 mags went through it.

 

[Majic]

Might be a good idea to wait till he gets back and take him shopping rather than putting a lot of money in a handgun now since it seems it's not really sure what type of gun he wants.

 

[brighamr]

Well, considering it's a SURPRIZE I'm definitely buying it before he gets home. I appreciate all the suggestions, especially about the older firearms. Budget is no concern (he's my dad), besides if i buy him one he doesn't "love" there's nothing stopping me from buying another one (stimulating the market).

Thanks again everyone. I'm going to do a bunch of gunbroker shopping and hopefully a few gun shows. We'll see what happens.

 

[koja48]

Get a Single Six . . . DA can be fun, but I'd venture to say most plinkers shoot their DAs SA when they're serious about trying to hit their target (and I include myself among this group). The Ruger is a fine piece.

 

[Shawnee]

+ 1 for the Single-Six.

 

[Rugerlvr]

I love my Single Six.