I got a 4 5/8" Ruger blackhawk for XMAS when I was 13 or 14 -- .357 with 9mm cylinder. Made the terrible mistake of selling it. Something like this might be an option as well.
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God gives us free will; the statist tries to take it away
I wanted a 357 or 44mag for my first pistol when I was 12 because I wanted to hunt deer with it. FORTUNATELY, Grandpa put a Single Six under the tree instead. I did a LOT of shooting with that thing with both the 22Lr and 22 Mag cylinders. I quickly learned shooting cheap 22lr at turtles, cans, dirt clods, etc... was more fun than having to spend 4 times more on a box of 22 magnum shells. It was nice knowing I could use the 22 magnum on "critters" with no problem.
By the time I finally got my 357, I knew how to use it.
+1 on the revolver. heritage roughriders are decent for the money. i had one and loved everything about it besides the sights. they took some getting used to but it was quite accurate with both 22 and 22 mag once i figure out the sites. they are also very cheap mine ran me about 140 NIB at a local shop.
Looks like we all agree on a .22 revolver. I'd start with a 4" barrel. My choice would be a Taurus just because he'll out grow it quickly and kids that age don't take care of their things. Wait until he's older to spend the money on a S&W or Colt.
Shouldn't any .22lr revolver chamber .22 shorts, longs or LRs? I would think you would run into the same thing as you do with firing .38sp out of a .357 with rings in the chambers, but you should be able to do it.
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"When a strong man, fully armed, guards his house, his possessions are safe." - Luke 11:21
Whatever you get him, don't forget hearing protection! .22 pistols are pretty damn loud.
Defiently louder than a .22 rifle! Thats for sure!
I'd go with a .22 pistol. Really a single six would be great. But heritage rough rider will be fine also.
But why not a .22 rifle. I'm just giving advice here. He might want a revolver more but I think rifles are good for starter shooters. Or better yet a good air-rifle.
Shouldn't any .22lr revolver chamber .22 shorts, longs or LRs? I would think you would run into the same thing as you do with firing .38sp out of a .357 with rings in the chambers, but you should be able to do it.
Yes you can shoot shorts and longs out of the Ruger single six.
Yes you can shoot shorts and longs out of the Ruger single six.
Exactly. I don't own a Single Six but my dad does, and I know I have shot shorts through it. I own Tanfoglio TA76. It is also a single action .22lr revolver very similar to the Single Six and I have put shorts, longs, and LRs through it as well. I was just pointing out to Coeloptera that the Charter is not the only one that will chamber all 3. I believe that ANY .22LR revolver will chamber all 3 rounds.
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"When a strong man, fully armed, guards his house, his possessions are safe." - Luke 11:21
If you get him the Ruger single six convertable you could hang on to the 22 mag cylinder and give it to him on his 14th birthday, it be almost like getting a gun for his b-day two years in a row.
