SOLD

[357magnum]

S&W model 63 kit gun, if you can find one.

[The Last American Hero]

My Puma 1873 seems like real good value and is "official size and weight" of real cowboy gun.http://www.galleryofguns.com/genie/D...&mdlno=1873-22

I think they also come with 22Mag cylinder, and that seems like a worthwhile feature.

I always thought the Browning mini-1911 in 22lr was just SO cute. Teach your kids who to handle a 1911 even before their hands get big enough for the real thing. Seemed like a well made gun in the LGS, about $500 IIRC. http://www.galleryofguns.com/genie/D...dlno=1911-22A1 Also comes in "compact" with about 5/8" shorter barrel which I think looks cooler.

Another cool 22/22mag would be Ruger Blackhawk 9.5"

[Target-Ed]

Heirloom/teaching firearms

I taught my nephews to shoot with a Pre-Woodsman Woodsman as in no last round action open type handgun. You had to check the chamber and lock the slide back by hand.
I later purchased a High Standard Sport King 100 with both the 4 1/2 and 6" barrels....the fixed sights were terrific once I put a drop of florescent orange paint on the front sight it had the benefit of a last round lock open eventually traded that for a model 17-4, my friend wanted a semi for silhouette shooting.

Two weapons should be available for teaching a revolver and a semi. Steel framed semi-autos such as Colt Woodsman, Browning Medalist, challenger or similar, High standards are all great.

I like my model 17 would love a Diamondback with a 6" barrel can't afford it right now

[brassburnz]

For a semi-auto pistol, there are several to choose from, but I'm not sure I would want to shoot them that often or put them in the hands of new shooters.

Excluding the European target pistols, here is a list of pistols you could pick up in Arizona probably a lot easier than California.

Smith and Wesson Model 41. I believe they are still currently being produced and they can be found used at reasonable prices. Will be double or even triple the price of a Ruger MKIII, but should retain it's value if well kept.

Browning Challenger, Colt Woodsman, High Standard (Connecticut not Texas) semi-auto pistols, the older the better. Look for the high end High Standards like the Victor, Citation, Olympia, etc. Same goes for the Woodsman family, Match Target, Targetsman, etc. Plain jane High Standards and Colts are fine, they just won't appreciate as much, but you never know.

For a revolver, you want a Colt Diamondback or a Smith & Wesson K22 Masterpiece. The Model 17 is often referred to as a K22 Masterpiece, but it really isn't although they are identical. After the Diamondback and the K22 Masterpiece, just about any Colt or Smith revolver is a sound investment. Just make sure it is chambered in .22 Long Rifle not .22 Magnum or derivatives. .22 Long Rifle ammo is relatively inexpensive and available. The other stuff is not.

This is a pic of my Model 17-6. It has a 4 inch barrel with a full underlug.
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This is a Model 17 with the 8 3/8 inch barrel.
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This is my High Standard Victor (Hartford, CT) .
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Colt Woodsman Match Target
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A pair of Colt Challengers. 4" and 6" barrels.
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[beerman]

Brassburnz has all the heirlooms...you have impeccable taste sir!

[rimfireguy]

S&W Model 41 semi and/or S&W Model 17. My .02

[JMP]

It's really a no-brainer. Folks are getting too caught up on the "keepsake". Start with a Browning Buckmark and don't forget to buy a McFadden Ultimate ClipLoader, which will work with a number of popular .22lrs.

[kelvin232]

ruger

[olhunter]

These.

S&W 617 and Colt Diamondback.

Can't go wrong.

[GreggieBoy]

Ruger Single Six. Mine has the inscription "Made in the 200th Year of American Liberty".

[Essj000]

I'd go with a Mkiii

[350skylark]

Several Rugers come to mind: Single Six, SP101-22lr, 22/45 (or a Mark III).

Rimfirecentral.com is a great resource, lots of info on specific models there.

I agree depepnding on what you want the single six for a revolver or mark III/101 for semi auto is the perfect choice for a life long pistol

[Pally]

Several Rugers come to mind: Single Six, SP101-22lr, 22/45 (or a Mark III).

Rimfirecentral.com is a great resource, lots of info on specific models there.

Thanks for the info on rimfirecentral.com. It's a great site to study up on 22lr models. I'm newly interested in the Bearcat, can't wait to dig in and read up on them.

[dc7rr1]

I think the Colt Woodsman is beautiful.

[63 tango]

1973 with about 60 rounds fired. But, I do not mind putting more through it. You can find unfired examples on GB. You can break it in!

Might be the COOLEST .22 ever made.

This.^^^ Colt Peacemaker.