[Eightball]

So.....lately, I've been thinking that this Christmas, I'll pick myself up a nice .22 revolver. I've been waffling with trying to find a used Ruger Single Six (though they're impossible to find), an Uberti Stallion (seem well made, but not a Single Six), or a used S&W 17 or 18. The more I think, the more confused I become. I generally want a good-quality .22 revolver, but not some 8, 10, or 12-shot monstrosity. And I'm not sure if I should put more of my efforts into trying to find a decent double-action model, try to find a good stainless Single Six, or just go for the Uberti (which seems spiffy, and is certainly in my price range).

Thoughts/opinions?

[Dave B]

I think the S&W 17 is the best. Not the cheapest, but by far the best. Try the trigger on one.

[Brazos]

Since you seem interested in single actions look at US Firearms. They have a couple of nice single action .22's. I think their website is www.usfirearms.com.

Brazos

[CajunBass]

I've got a Smith & Wesson 17, and a Ruger Single Six. Of the two the Model 17 is the better shooter. I like the Single Six, but it's while not quite apples and oranges, it's pretty close. (I will admit that my Single Six is a fixed sight model which probably hampers it somewhat. Adjustable sights might make it more of a even match, but I think the 17 still wins.)

Another to think about if you can find one is the Dan Wesson 22. It a pretty even match with my 17 for shooting. The Dan Wesson is a bit bigger and heavier than the Model 17, and the Model 17 has target sights, the DW has an adjustable red insert, ramp sight, giving a very slight edge to the 17 IMHO. The 17 fits my hand better too, but that's an individual thing. The DW might fit you better.

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

I agree with you. Revolvers should be be six shots. ;) :D

[The_Shootist]

S&W 617 pre-lock, 6" bbl, 6 shot. My first handgun, still have it and its not going anywhere.

[Eightball]

I agree with you. Revolvers should be be six shots.Oddly enough....I don't have a 6-shot revolver still. 7-shot 620, 5-shot 638, and an 8-shot antique .22 Iver Johnson...

[22-rimfire]

The Freedom Arms single action is one of the very best in 22 rimfire. Expensive.

I don't own a Single Six, but I by far prefer a double action revolver in 22 rimfire. They are easier to load and unload. If you want a 6-shot DA, I would suggest the Smith Model 17 or 18. Colt Diamondbacks and the Officers Model Match are excellent as well. The perfect new acquisition would be a 95-96% Smith or Colt. At that condition, you'd never be afraid to shoot them due to some shadow of being a collector which tends to be focused on the 98-100% guns.

[Eightball]

At that condition, you'd never be afraid to shoot them due to some shadow of being a collector which tends to be focused on the 98-100% guns.Trust me--unless it's some super-rare, pristine, one-of-a-kind (of the type that I could never afford to, much less desire to own), I shoot everything I own. ;)

[Radagast]

I have a liking for the Ruger Single Six. I sold mine to finance the purchase of a S&W 617 for my dad and regretted it for 5 years. I recently bought a second hand S&W Model 18. It's obvious that it isn't as durable as the Single Six (required a tune up from the local S&W distributor) and the accuracy so far is not quite as good (but that may just be me), but If I was restricted to owning just one the Model 18 would win. I still want a single six one day, but other toys and other bills take priority. FWIW I do not like the 617. Accurate like a laser beam but the balance with the heavy underlug is wrong in my hands and the wide trigger and hammer just aren't 'right' for me.

[skoro]

Best I've used is a S&W Model 18.

[wyohome]

I only have one, a K-22 Masterpiece. I like it a lot.

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y156/Deaver/IMGP0790.jpg

(it is the bottom one ;) )

[Naphtali]

"Best revolver" kind've focuses your choices to one manufacturer. The best revolver - quality, materials, accuracy - without dispute is either Freedom Arms' M83 in 22 LR or Freedom's M97 in 22 LR. Your choices become those of frame size, revolver weight, and accouterments wanted.

The downside is "best revolver" costs - well, just like it's the best.

Hope this helps.

[bhp9mm]

i think the one to have is a 617 10 shot

[Guillermo]

Smith model 17 and the Diamondback are the best in my opinion

[armsmaster270]

I vote the K-22 Masterpiece

[woad_yurt]

The S&W is the nicest, I have to admit. Expensive, yes, but it is the Cadillac of .22s.

[hayes1966]

Dan Wessons are very highly rated. I just picked up a S&W Model 63. Real nice gun .. don't know what took me so long to get one.

[sheephearder]

Have to go with the S&W 17, also like the single six and the Dan Wesson. If you can't get them all start with a 17.

[Baba Louie]

Several "Best" come to mind. "Best" for what? Your call.

Colt Diamondback, Trooper MkIII, Frontier Scout, Officers Target

S&W K22, 17, 18, 34, 63 (buy an older model when and if possible)

DW

Ruger Single Six

Never owned or shot a Freedom Arms, but hear they're... nice.

[savit260]

Colt Officers Model. That was my choice when it came time for a .22 Revolver. This one is from 1943

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c337/savit260/rnadom%20stuff/IMG_0328.jpg

[RidgwayCO]

Around $2000 will buy you a Freedom Arms Model 97 that will shoot like a dream, locks up like a bank vault, gives you the joy of ejecting .22 brass one-at-a-time (and then loading them the same way), and will outlast your great grandchildren.

For less than half the price of the Model 97, you can get a 617 10-shot (with or without the IL) that shoots tiny groups in targets with boring regularity, ejects and loads 10 rounds at a time, will let you practice your double-action trigger pull, and will outlast your grandchildren (at least).

Isn't choice great?

[sw282]

My little S&W 34

[danbrew]

Without a doubt the S&W 617 4" 10-shot. IMHO.

[au2183]

S&W K-22, or Model 17. No contest.

[rWt]

How do you compare the Colt Officer's target with the S&W K-22 Masterpiece or Outdoor?

I'm considering acquiring a fine specimen from the grand days of American manufacturing for target shooting and field/plinking carry.

Thanks!

[Brian Williams]

I personally prefer the S&W 35-1 that I have. It is a J frame and a 6" barrel with target sights.

[22-rimfire]

If you could find a 95% Colt Officers Model Match, I would choose that one for general use. If everything is collector grade that you find, I'd get the Smith Model 17 for this application. Either is a very good choice. In general I would give a slight edge to the Colt for accuracy, but most could never exploit the true accuracy potential of either. Hence, they are essentially equal.

[snooperman]

I will take my Dan wesson any day over any S&W 22.

[wanderinwalker]

Radagast,

What did the 18 need, if you don't mind my asking?

I picked an M-18 up last winter, and, ummm, I think I have a Single Six still somewhere... :scrutiny: Mine is a -4, made in 1982, and looked well cared for and not heavily used. It's still well cared for, but for some reason always looks like it has been to the range recently! :p The DA trigger could use to be tuned up, but it's the only way I fire it now too. It locks up tight as a drum on every chamber and is in excellent time. IMO if one wants a nice .22LR sixgun, there are the K-frame .22s and then everything else, having never been lucky enough to fire or handle a Colt.

Now for commonly available and inexpensive, the Ruger Single-Sixes are awesome. I really like mine with the .22WMR cylinder in it for a woods bumming gun when plinking isn't on the agenda. But in pure .22LR mode, I'm positive my S&W is more accurate. Now if only I could remember where I put the Ruger...

[oldfool]

the Ruger Single-Six is a great little plinker
the Freedom Arms single action is hands down the best single action
the (original) Dan Wesson's were great, but better known for 38 bullseye competition, along with the S&W k-38s of course
but "best of all world's", no contest... S&W k-frames
(and you can shoot a lot faster and reload a lot faster than those FA guys !)
;)

6" K-17 :)
if you are lucky, find a excellent condition one, and have the dinero, 6" K-22 Masterpiece
(never bet against somebody w/ a K-22, if it's a revolver contest, no matter what the other guy has)
if you like "smaller", 4" model 63 j-frame
(if you want to shoot 22WMR too, just buy a K-48 also, no cylinder swapping required !)

PS
nothing wrong with the more recent crop of 617s and new model 5" 63s either
can be had in six shooters

[Colt Smith]

Another vote for K-22

[Big Bill]

I have a Ruger Single Six convertable. I love the way it handles and shoots. Here's my model 6029:

http://www.ruger-firearms.com/products/newModelSingleSixConvertible/images/10629.jpg

[black_powder_Rob]

know I will be laughed at for this but I find that my Heritage Rough Rider (the target model) is one of the best 22 revolvers I have handled and it is very accurate. I shoot it at 25 yards with open sights and keep all 5 shots in (sometimes just touching) the circles.

attached is the target that i use.

[SharpsDressedMan]

If money is no object, take a look at the Colt Diamondback (out of production, but still around.) Next is the S&W K-22 or Model 18. A Ruger Single Six is indestructible, and available in stainless. All are lifetime guns.

[Radagast]

Wanderinwalker:
It spat lead occasionally and the trigger would not return forward every time. It still has an issue with getting the cylinder to close properly once it has heated up after a couple of hundred rounds. The double action is very nice, around 6 pounds. I'll take it back to the S&W service center in the next couple of months and see if I can get it sorted out.

[K9american]

It's the only .22 revolver I own, so it's my favorite. :D

http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa224/66k9s/ColtSAARight.jpg

http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa224/66k9s/ColtSAALeft.jpg

http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa224/66k9s/ColtCase.jpg

[hinton03]

One of the few guns that I would never part with; my S&W M63 has been my constant woods companion since 1985. When flying helicopters for the Army in Alaska it was always in my helmet bag with 200 rounds of ammo.