[Serpico]

I kind of like those 9 shot taurus model 94s...I really like the snubbie model with target sights...but they have two models, the ultra light at 18 ounces or the regular at 24....can't really decide...any suggestions? I don't think recoil would be much different and would go lighter if there are no real advantages to the heavier one....it's jus for fun plinkin'....thanks

[Ala Dan]

Greeting's Serpico-

I'm not familiar with the 9-shot Taurus, but I do highly
recommend the Smith & Wesson discontinued 4" barrel
model 18. It's only a six-shot revolver, but a whale of
a firearm. They are getting really scarce in these parts
of the world; and are quite pricey. But, if you are in no
hurry and cash isn't a problem; they are well worth the
time, effort, and money you would spend.

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member

[farscott]

I have no experience with the Taurus offerings, but I do have experience with the S&W equivalent, the six-shot M34 with a two-inch barrel and target sights. These are fun revolvers. If possible, check out the used M34 and M63 (stainless version).

No matter which brand you choose, I recommend getting the steel version because the little extra weight is easy to carry and will translate into a steadier hold.

[Stainz]

Forgive me, for I am about to blaspheme!

I have only one evil-bottom-feeder - a Ruger MKII. I have shot .22 revolvers - even thought about that 10-shot S&W 617. My KMK-678GC is so much fun, I may just have to add another smaller version - maybe a 4" tapered tube SS one. Seriously, they are accurate, foolproof, hold 10-shots, and available. They are a tad heavy - but great plinkers. Cleaning, thankfully, is not a common need. Everyone needs at least one - even available in a 1911 style grip as the 22/45.

The rest of my handguns have proper round 'magazines'... okay, so my wife still has a CZ-75... close to 'all wheelguns' here!

Stainz

[maytom]

Check out the Ruger Super Single-Sixes!!;)

[MR.G]

As mentioned above, I would look for a S&W model 18. Getting hard to find but worth waiting for.

[4v50 Gary]

Had a friend buy a Taurus and he had to return it for a new mainspring.

Another vote for the S&W M18 (I have one too!). The Ruger SP101s are good, but the S&W trigger pull is superior.

[mnrivrat]

Just got my 77 year old aunt started shooting handgun - She bought the taurus in blue steel - I can find nothing wrong with them at all and they are very reasonable on the price. If you can't find a S&W for a good price I don't think your going to be disappointed with the Taurus 94 wether you choose the steel or the ulta-lite.

[gbran]

If it'sjust for plinking, don't get the snubbie. Regarding Taurus, I've had some bad ones, but I do have the 941 22 mag 4". I love it.

[Randy63]

I have quite a few .22 handguns and for plinking my pre model 18 S&W is hands down my favorite. A good used Model 18 will cost a few more bucks than a Taurus but it's well worth it IMO.

Randy

[10mmman]

The trigger pull was awful. I had a friend who owned a shooting range- I put Wolff springs in it & told him to loan it to anyone he deemed worthy in hopes of smoothing it out. Never happened. Thousands of rounds later I traded it for a 3" Charter Arms Pathfinder- better but still not "it."

Got all worked up over the 3" S&W 317, got one of those- but it never felt right. Nice & light, action was marginal but it did not shoot with any load I tried. Swapped that for a Pre- 43 Smith (alloy frame/cylinder & 3.5" steel barrel- Much better. I have since picked up a K-22 (early 6" version of the oft above mentioned M18.) Them fellers is right in steering you to an old smith K framed .22. If you have to go light (and I think the M43 is as light as I find steady)- look for an S&W M43, if you want a fantastic shooter that's too fun for words- find a M18.

[biere]

I bought a smith and wesson 317 because I finally found a 22lr revolver made for me. It only has a 3 inch barrel, 8 round capacity, is the air weight material, and does have adjustable sites.

I like the heavy steel 22s for really serious target shooting. I use my 317 as a plinking and rat shot gun and it is always around because it is so light and I like shooting it. The light weight means you get more recoil, but even hot 22s don't have much recoil when compared to decent centerfire cartridges.

The trigger sucks, but aftermarket stuff can help that. I am too lazy and cheap and see the factory trigger as a personal challenge for now, actually I am just cheap.

I can't speak for other brands but I think the light weight materials are perfect for 22s.

[Dave Markowitz]

Another Smith & Wesson Model 18 fan here. I have one and it's an amazingly sweet shooting revolver. The Model 17 (AKA K-22) is as nice, but with a 6" (usually) barrel.

If you like single actions, the Ruger Single Six is the way to go. (Got one of them too. :))

[V-fib]

I have the Taurus 94 24oz. snub. It’s has adjustable sights and is quite accurate. I went with the heavier model only because I use it as a practice gun for my SP101 .357. I’ve had a poor performing Taurus PT-22 which I got rid of but this one has not given me any problems. Since the .22lr recoil is so low I don’t think you would see much difference between the all steel and the UL. :cool:

[Sheldon]

I would like to get one of them S&W 617 10 shot .22lr wheelguns. It would be nice to shoot that cheap ammo and eliminate the recoil to practice my double action shooting. Now if I can find a cheaper used one I would be all over it. New ones run about $600 out the door or so and I have not been able to justify that when I can get a Ruger MKII for so much cheaper. Turner's (a local sports shop) has a special make-up blued Ruger 22/45 with the slab-sided 6 7/8" barrel and adjustable sights for $250 and the 4" or 5 1/2" bull barrelled versions for $200. Too bad wheelguns cannot be made for those prices!!!

[gau5]

Love my 317, even Jeff Cooper likes it.......from his Commentaries

"On the subject of wheel guns, I tend to fancy the feather-weight 22 introduced last year by Smith & Wesson. At risk of sounding loony, I maintain that the 22 long rifle is a considerably more practical cartridge than the 38 Special, or for that matter almost any other handgun cartridge. The advantage of the 22 is that you will shoot it a lot, and thus learn to hit what you are shooting at. While stopping power is certainly an essential of a sidearm intended primarily for defensive use, we must remember that a 22 in a tear duct tends to stop more decisively than a 9 in the wish-bone. Of course to use a 22 in a combat mode, the shooter must be well trained and in total charge of his nerves, and that may be too much to expect. However, as we have often taught, more than half of handgun confrontations are successfully concluded by the appearance of a handgun, rather than the shooting of one. Nobody wants to get shot with anything, and most people cannot tell one handgun from another. The 1911 still constitutes the defensive handgun of choice, and the more sea stories we get back from the wars, the more this point is proven. But in the big picture it is attitude that wins fights. Naturally we want the right equipment, but what we need is the right attitude."

[Sheldon]

The tear duct is an aweful small target to hit reliably on a target charging full speed at you. Shooting for center of mass with the biggest caliber you can shoot accurately sounds better to me. I would not want to rely on the appearance factor of a weapon to stop a potential lethal encounter. I would prefer to know my ammo would stop the threat if it came to a shootout. A .22 lr may do that, but I don't feel it will do so as well as a larger caliber.

[DennisE]

Another vothe for the S&W Model 18! I got one several weeks ago, had my gunsmith look it over and work on the trigger a little and started shooting it. I've got well over 1000 rounds through it now and it is awesome. The best, funest .22 LR handgun I've ever owned and I've owned perhaps a dozen. Now it and my 3" F-Comp always go to the range with me! Dennis

[popeye]

I recently traded in a 17 (dash 6, I think) matte blue 10 shot. That gun and early 10 shot 617's have alum. cyls.. No big deal, just be aware. I think 4" is best full lug .22 S&W. After looooong search I found a model 17, 6" and recently a pre 17, 5 screw 4". I agree they're great guns, but you should buy a Taurus for now, so you can start shootin' and keep an eye out for a S&W.

[SirVette]

What's your defense gun?
An excellent way to go is same in 22 or at least very similiar, though not necessarily the same weight or barrel length.


:cool:

2 Colts

[shotcalla]

I had a 94 and hated it, the DA trigger was soooo heavy, accuracy was OK, but the trigger was so bad you could barely shoot it, oh yeah, it also stopped working after 500 rounds and I had to send it back to Taurus for repair.

I sold it and bought a S&W 617 and have not looked back. The 617 is one of my favorite guns, smooth as silk and more accurate than me.

Spend a little more money and get a S&W.

[foghornl]

Depends on what ya want the .22 for...

Told the wif (Mrs. Foggy) that I wanted the Ruger 50th Anniversary Single-Six.

If a smaller fixed-sight version is what you have in mid, take a look at the Ruger Bearcat.

Can you tell I'm kind of a Ruger fan ? ? ?