[earlthegoat2]

I am in the market for a 22 revolver and was wondering which to get. I like the single actions but am not to fond of having to unload them one at a time. I want to do some high volume shooting. Im looking for suggestions based on 25 yd accuracy, shot capacity, reliability from users experience, good values that are out there. Any make and model from any year manufactured as well.

This is going to sound strange but I already have a Colt Diamondback 22 so I really dont need to hear about how sweet this gun is. I already know. Its going to be out of commission for awhile though and I need something else for awhile.

[mnrivrat]

If price is no big issue then the K-frame size S&W guns are still likely the best choice . Followed by their J-Frame models. ( I had a 4" Colt Diamonback at one time myself - but they are getting costly these days)

Of the cheaper guns in this catagory I shoot a Taurus Model 94 . If you need a nice smooth and light DA pull, then stick with the S&W K-Frame guns. If SA shooting is what you mainly want, then the Taurus, in my experience with 4 of them, will give good service.

Ruger SP101's in .22 LR may still be found, but not to easily, and that would be a good choice.

Charter Arms also has a SA/DA revolver that is on the cheaper end - I am not familiar enough to comment on them.

[BigBlock]

My vote would be a the .22 SP101 if you can find one...but you'll have to fight me for it. ;)

[CajunBass]

The only two current production D/A 22's I know of are the Smith & Wesson 617 (?) and the Taurus. You probably know about them though. I've got a fairly old Smith & Wesson 17 that's the Cat's Meow. Shoots great, and looks even better.

If you can find one, the Dan Wesson 22 is a great shooter, but it is a BIG gun. About the size of a "L" frame S&W. They're not as expensive as a Smith & Wesson, or weren't when I got mine.

I like the S/A guns too. Sure they're slow to load and unload, but so what? Are you in a hurry to get rid of your ammo?

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b292/CajunBass/handguns/003.jpg

[greener]

S&W makes the 617 and 317. The 317 is the lighter weight model. Taurus has a couple of DA models. Ruger and Heritage make SA revolvers.

Revolvers are generally slower to load than semiautos. I agree with Cajun Bass, why be in a hurry to expend ammo? SA revolvers are a nice, relaxing way to enjoy shooting. Most of the high volume shooters I see tend to lose a lot of accuracy.

[PzGren]

When it comes to accuracy, it is very hard to beat an older S&W K-22 or M17. They can still be found for a reasonable price for the accuracy, durability, and good workmanship that they offer.

http://i189.photobucket.com/albums/z159/Andyd173/preM-17.jpg

[22-rimfire]

Is your Diamondback broke or just moved into the relm of the safe queens?

The Diamondback is my favorite revolver. Everything else is just second best.

In your shoes other than the obvious (another Diamondback), I would probably suggest the Smith & Wesson Model 17 (6") or it's brother, the Model 18 (4"). I have both. They are very good 22 revolvers. My second choice would be current S&W Model 617 (probably 4"). They hold more than 6-rounds now. You'll be happy with them.

In the Colt lineup, you have the Officers Model Match and the Trooper Mark III. Nothing wrong with the Trooper Mark III. Both are very good and consistant with your Diamondback (just a bigger frame).

[swampshooter]

If you want a good shooting older S&W # 17 i have one i'm getting ready to sell, because of age i've quit hunting. From ransom rest mine shot 1 3/4" at 50yds, and has an extremely good trigger. PM me if interested. I'm going to post it as soon as i get pictures taken.

[PzGren]

The Diamondback is my favorite revolver. Everything else is just second best.

Your Diamondback does not compare to this:

http://i189.photobucket.com/albums/z159/Andyd173/Coltrevolvers006.jpg

...and won't get anywhere close to this old Korth. I have long competed in ISSF with a SIG P208. a Walther GSP, and shot all serious guns but $ for $, the K-22 is still a top gun.

http://i189.photobucket.com/albums/z159/Andyd173/Gripsstippled002.jpg

[Stainz]

I had wanted a 10-shooter 4" 617 for quite a while. I finally decided to get a new one - and sold my last bottom-feeder - my Ruger MKII. Bliss!

I had looked at the current new S&W offerings - the 5" 63 and 317 kits were cute, but the J-frame grips were too small for me. It had to be the K-frame, so some larger grips could be tried. Oddly, there was $30 spread between the trio new at the pusher's. I tried the Ahrends square-conversion non-fg cocobolo's my 696 usually sports... nice, but I elected to try a new 'Retro Target' grip from Ahrends - unfinished so I could finish them with a basic (flat) oil finish. My 617 sports them in the picture for comparison. They feel great!

I initially thought of it as a plinker - never a real bullseye piece. I bought a few bricks of Wally World $13.47/525 36gr plated HPs. They are a bit inconsistent - real ammo helps! I may try some CCI Mini Mags before it's over. The revolver got a lighter Wolff hammer and return spring - and a new strain screw, actually a 1/2" 8-32 SS socket head. This permits a little more pre-load be put on the hollow-back 'power rib' main spring (The original had a ground edge... why do they - S&W - do that?), while the OEM screw put too little, as it went into said rib! Anyway, no ftfs - and a vastly improved trigger.

Yeah, I paid $40 more than my new 6" 629 cost me three years ago - but times change. It's a keeper. Like power tools, you can't pay too much for a good one.

http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u307/Stainz_2007/IMG_0951.jpg

Stainz

[ClemY]

The various S&W K frame .22s are great. I have a 17 that I really like plus a couple of 617s: a 6" 6 shot that I had cut to 5", and a 4" 10 shot. The 5" is close to perfect for my needs.

For a little less weight and bulk, the J frame .22s are very nice. I have one of the newer 5" 8 shot 63-4. Terrific gun that weighs around 30 oz, 1 lb. less than the 5" 617-4.

[22-rimfire]

PzGren, it does compare favorably to your OMM. I have one too. Don't have a Korth. I'll get a 617 before I go Korth.

To be my favorite, it doesn't have to be the most accurate. It is a fit thing... a 4" Diamonback 22 is just about PERFECT (size, weight, balance, accuracy, reliability) for carry in the woods.

Nothing against Smith Model 17's and 18's (K-22's). Very good 22 revolvers.

[PzGren]

I'll get a 617 before I go Korth.

...or rather five of them for the same money:).

[Craig_VA]

I had been shootingacouple of .22 semi-autos )S&@ 41 and Hi-Standard 103) for a year, and got the wants for a .22 revolver.
I looked around, and concuded that for new, I could get a Smith for about $600, a Ruger Single Six for about $400, or a Heritage Rough Rider for about $200.
Pretty much for cost savings reasons I picked up a Rough Rider. I got the basic SA model with fixed iron sights. I am enjoying the heck out of this gun. The gate and ejector instead of dropping cylinder slows my reload process. The single action slows my shooting. Together, they actually help me slow down, relax, and shoot better. Even as relatively inexpensive as .22 is, this does save money in terms of not rushing through ammunition just because.
If money were no object, I'd love to have a S&W .22 revolver, and even a Ruger Single Six, with adjustable sights. However, I gotta say, the Rough Rider with iron sights is a fun, accurate, great way to enjoy range time and sharpen my skills.

Craig in VA

[flip180]

Yeah, I'm a single action guy. That's not saying i wouldn't mind haveing a Ruger MK-III hunter or competition but, I love my Single Six.

Flip.

[theNoid]

S&W 617

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y209/Noidster/617a.jpg

[Colt46]

Terrible trigger pull. Gritty action. A real disappointment.

[CajunBass]

CB, I recently added another Ruger Super Single Six to my collection. I got another NIB one with the pretty black grip, blued and 6.5 inch barrel. I love it!

I finally got a NIB Marlin 39A and wrote my comments about that on the Marlin39A thread.

Congratulations on both Catherine. I know you'll enjoy both of them. :D

You can never have too many 22's.

[Ed from Maine]

My nickel plated model 34 snubby is surprisingly accurate, and a real hoot to shoot.

[Brian Williams]

I really like my S&W 35, basically a 34 with a 6" barrel.
I would like to get a Ruger Bearcat to go along with my 35-1 and Colt Woodsman.

[DMZ]

You can never have too many 22's. - CajunBass

Truer words have never been spoken.

[Carl Levitian]

Two years ago I bought a new 617. I missed the model 18 I had sold (like an idiot) back in the late 80's. I know the people say the new ones don't have the fit and finish the old ones have, and they don't. But, this new 617 is a better shooter than my old gun, in spite of my eyes being 20 years older! I don't mind the "hillery hole" as some call it, and the gun has been as reliable as a rock. Being retired and on social security means I have alot of leasure time as well as not much money. So 99.999% of what I shoot is .22's. I and my better half go to the range out at our local Izzak Walton League twice a week, and use up a box of bulk Federals a week. About 2,000 rounds a month. I use my 617 almost exclusivly, and she uses her old K22 her dad gave her as a high school graduation gift. Her K22 is a 6 inch, and my 617 is a 4 inch 10 shot. Niether of us can tell the difference in acccuracy.

If you don't have a 617, you need to try one.

[AlPackin]

S&W Model 17, a great shooter.

http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj300/AlPackin/IMG_1617.jpg

[ClemY]

Carl, I feel your pain. Two years ago I had open heart surgery. I could only shoot .22s. I rediscovered the beauty of the .22. Being retired, money is tight and with ammo costs going through the roof, .22s are looking better and better. My .22 revo collection continues to expand. The latest is a 1958 vintage M17. Beautiful.

[provence]

I've been happy with my Taurus Model 970. It's accurate and fun to shoot. I paid $290 for it slightly used.

[mainmech48]

There's an inexpensive fix for a too-heavy DA pull on a Taurus M94 that's also a DIY proposition if you're semi-handy. I did it on mine several years back and it makes a world of difference.

Brownell's sell a Wolff "Shooter's Pak" spring kit for "small frame Taurus revolvers" that contains a replacement main (hammer) spring and two trigger return/rebound springs for about $12.00.

Most of the excess weight comes from the very stout stock rebound spring. Swapping it for either of the Wolff units will often be enough to do the job nicely.

It took some experimenting to find the best combo for getting the maximum reduction in trigger pull while retaining the most reliable ignition and trigger return. In my revolver I ended up using the stock mainspring and the heavier of the two Wolff rebound springs at first.

This alone took almost 6 lbs off the DA pull. After a couple of thousand rounds I was able to go to the Wolff mainspring and lop a couple more pounds off that and still get absolutely positive trigger return and reliable ignition with all sorts of ammo.

The Taurus action, as most all machines do, slicks up very nicely with some use, proper cleaning and the right lubrication. Shooting a couple of thousand rds of ammo through it makes a huge difference and still costs less than paying a pro to add some 'wear-in' to the parts for you. It's also a lot more fun and does wonders to improve your skills.

If you want a utility/sport RF revolver that's relatively small in size and weight, hold 9 rds, has decent adjustable sights, good accuracy and solid reliability the Taurus 94 is tough to beat, especially for the price IMO.

I've been using mine for nearly 20 yrs now and it's still going strong.

[Mr. D]

I'm a huge fan of the Ruger Single-Six. If you don't have one, GET ONE! Everyone needs at least one Single-Six. They are dead reliable and as accurate as you are.

About unloading one at a time, practice. With a decent amount of practice you can get VERY fast.

~Dale

[don95sml]

CajunBass wrote:
I like the S/A guns too. Sure they're slow to load and unload, but so what? Are you in a hurry to get rid of your ammo?
For the center fire calibers, this makes sense. But for a .22, IMHO, it just takes too much time to load/reload a cartridge that doesn't cost that much to begin with. I'd rather spend the time shooting.

[WAID]

I was somewhat concerned that loading and unloading a single six would be too slow but it didn't take long after I bought one that that concern was put to rest.

[jimk66]

Smith still makes the 617 L frame, 317 airweitht and 63, both are J frames.
I have a 1979 model 34-1, 317 and a Colt (single six) Fronteer Scout with two cylinders 22lr/22mag.
I guess I'm one of those guy's who love to burn amo because my little Colt seems like a pain in the A@#$ to me anymore. lol, I never gave it a thought back in 1966 when it was all I could afford. That little revolver went everywhere with me shooting small game in the fields and woods of central IN. Also did a lot of just plinking.
All three revolvers are great reliable and quality built + a whole lot of fun to shoot. For a real hoot try some 22 shorts thru your revolvers.
JimKhttp://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i138/JimK60/SW34-1.jpg
http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i138/JimK60/SW317J-Frame.jpg
http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i138/JimK60/Colt22.jpg