? A Good DA gift for Father

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conan2010

New member
I would like to get my father a nice double action revolver for his birthday. I guess that what I would like to get him is something cool, yet practical for self defense and concealable personal protection. He already has a little Bersa he carries but I would rather he had an option for something more reliable in a DA revolver.

The budget would be under $500.

I have looked at various Smith's and Taurus revolvers. They seem to have the biggest selections.

Thanks
 
One of the basic S&W J-frames with the alloy frame fires .38 +P and are less than $400. Plus, they only weigh 15 oz, and are time proven.

Taurus might be $50 less, but the S&W is a better bet.
 
Well, some of those j frame worry me in regards to being light and having too much recoil. I just wonder if a S & W 317 in 22lr would possibly have any self defense benefits.

Model 60 might be where I end up. I want something light, but I don't want so much recoil that it wouldn't be fun to shoot if he wanted too.
 
A Model 60 sounds like a good solution. Nothing says you have to shoot .357 Mags out of it, you know. IIRC, it weighs about the same as a Bersa .380 (my Bersa weighs in at 21 oz), which should be acceptably heavy enough for comfortable shooting of standard pressure .38 spl without being too heavy to comfortably carry.
 
My S&W Mod 60

My S&W Mod 60 weighs 22.5 ounces empty. There's very little recoil with standard .38 special rounds and not much more with +P .38 special. .357 magnums make it kick pretty hard.
 
First you are asking the wrong people. You should pose that question to your father and he should choose what revolver (if he even want a revolver) suits him. Just because you have certain ideas doesn't mean your father agrees with them.
 
I recently picked up a Taurus 85UL blue for $249 brand new. It's a great little CCW for the money and it handles 38+p ammo just fine at 17 oz. For that kind of money you could get him a nice holster to boot.
 
Gee Majic, what a great idea to ruin a surprise. Thanks for the input.

Applekev, I have looked at your Taurus already and they look really cool, and I think my Dad would get a kick out of something like that that looks a little different.
 
Consider a M60 with the 3" full lug and target sights. The current version is a .357, but obviously .38 Spls. will work fine. Mine is the older .38 Spl. model and a fine gun it is. Weight is about 27 ounces as I recall. It's probably one of the nicest little compromise guns ever built by Smith.

Another thought would be a 3" K frame of some sort, ranging from a Model 10 to a M13/64/65; or M19, or M66 in 2 1/2". My daughter picked up a used 3" M10 square butt and loves it. I sort of like it myself.
 
I probably put too much thought into this. Therer are just too many to choose from and I don't think there is a perfect gun, given all the options.

I am thinking 3" barrel more.
Still like the M60, SP101 and several Tauras. I might be avoiding the lightwieght version and go with something that will be fun to shoot.

If I could afford a Python .357 that's exactly what I would get. nickel plated to boot.
 
If it isn't going to be used for carry, I would go w/ the Ruger GP-100 in a 4". If it is going to be used for carry, the Ruger SP101 in a 3". Both can handle 357 mag just fine, although the GP-100 more easily. Plus, they are both well under your price range and you can use the rest to buy some ammo for him.

BTW, you are a great kid for a father to have. I hope my two kids buy me guns when they get older!:)
 
Gee Majic, what a great idea to ruin a surprise. Thanks for the input.
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A greater surprise would be to get your father a revolver and then find out that he just doesn't want one or the one you chose. Handguns, in fact firearms in general, are personal choices. Purchase something he doesn't like and you will have wasted money.
Take him with you to the gunstore to buy ammo or something. While there have him look thru the cases at all the choices in revolvers. Then you will have an idea of what catches his eye. Remember you are buying it for him so your opinion on somethiing means nothing. One choice may be cool to you, but he may think it's the silliest thing in the world.
 
conan2010,
I was originally going to post a comment like Majic's 1st post. A person's carry choice is usually a personal one. After thinking for a few minutes, I'm glad I kept my mouth shut. He may or may not decide to carry it, but I'll bet it becomes a treasured piece for him. I know the one that my Dad gave me is my most cherished posession. Maybe he uses it for a nightstand gun. What's it matter? I'm betting to him, your opinon DOES mean something. Hell, you're thinking about your old man's well being. My hat is off to you. You sound like a heck of a son. ;) Good luck in your quest.

BTW, Smith Bodyguard. :D
 
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