i don't care what you go with (though i'm partial to the ruger or taurus, still can't find it in myself to embrace S&W), just make damn sure you're not making a straw purchase.
i know it's a fine line, but technically you ARE buying a gun for someone else. make sure you're aware of that.
here's how we solve that little problem (and you may be ahead of me already, if so, i apologize, i just don't wanna see anyone get into any trouble for an innocent mistake because of assinine laws): take him to purchase it and have HIM fill out the 4473 form. it doesn't matter where the money comes from as long as his name is associated with the purchase. stupid, i know, but it's closer to legal than buying it yourself and then handing it over. of course, if he purchased it for a nominal consideration (say, fair market price of one dollah!, that would be perfectly legal too!