New .22lr revolver...which one...?

Which new .22 revolver?


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I also own a 6" 617 and have to agree with Driftwood. The thing is too heavy for a .22. Thought it would make a good trainer for my L-frames, but the balance is different and the trigger is way heavier. It is nice to look at, but that's about it. Too pretty and heavy to rattle around with and no fun to shoot. Mine is the pre-lock 6-shooter.

I'm not into heirlooms; at this point I'd be happier with a Charter Arms Pathfinder.
 
I also own a 6" 617 and have to agree with Driftwood. The thing is too heavy for a .22. Thought it would make a good trainer for my L-frames, but the balance is different and the trigger is way heavier. It is nice to look at, but that's about it. Too pretty and heavy to rattle around with and no fun to shoot. Mine is the pre-lock 6-shooter.

I'm not into heirlooms; at this point I'd be happier with a Charter Arms Pathfinder.
Never took a liking to the Pathfinder, but I did consider getting one at one point. The general weight and balance is one of the dominant reasons I chose the S&W M63. I am comfortable with larger framed DA 22 revolvers, but I have those already. I wanted something that was easily shootable and more comfortable to carry in the outdoors while still being effective.

Added: At one time I was dead set on getting a 6" M617. I had 6" M17's already. But the 617 certainly has a different feel. I never really liked the 6" Colt Diamondback in 22. It is a desirable collector gun now. Much preferred the 4" 22 Diamondback 22.
 
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I've been debating this same question for a long time!

I own a S&W 617, 6". Nice gun, but it is a BRICK! I really don't enjoy shooting it. It is heavy and honestly.....boring to shoot.

I am down to the S&W 63 3" and the Ruger LCRX 3". As much as I would like the 63, I think that I will probably go with the Ruger. It is like $200 cheaper. I can use the difference and stock up on ammo. It is also lighter. This gun will be a "Kit" gun. It will ride in a day pack, or stuffed in a backpack. It may get tossed around, used in crummy weather, etc. I don't want to worry about messing it up.
 
My Ruger LCRx 22lr was very disappointing to me. The trigger was terrible. I was surprised. The trigger on my 38 special LCR is great.

Of the inexpensive DA 22lr revolvers I've owned that might be considered a kit gun, my 2" Charter Arms Pathfinder is my favorite.

 
S&W Model 17 or S&W Model 18.

Generally, the Model 17's had 6" and 8-3/8" barrels while the Model 18's had 4" barrels.

Towards the end of the production life of these revolvers, the barrel length distinction got blurred a bit as one or the other Model got discontinued and/or reintroduced.
 
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the eary charter arms revolvers were pretty good revolvers, I bought a mint charter arms path finder 6" in .22 mag, 3/4 the size of the k-22 and lighter and i like it when you may need a little more power than a .22 lr gives. bottom revolver is the charter .22 mag and the top is a S&W k-22.
 

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I'm picking up my new Wrangler tomorrow. Why? I have plenty of .22 handguns including a super single six, a Frontier Scout and a Colt New Frontier. I have to see what a Ruger sa has missing to sell for a third of its big brother.
 
I thought about them, but I'm concerned that the quality is spotty.

Their customer service is excellent. Of my four CA revolvers, I bought three used and one new. The only one that gave me problems was a used one traded to my LGS by someone who very likely knew it had a problem. CA fixed it for free. I would have not hesitate to buy another CA revolver if one tickled my fancy. Their triggers are a little bit odd and feel kind of like an old-fashioned toy cap gun, but they are not stiff and I shoot them decently. They are light, which is nice if you're going to be toting them around for one reason or another.
 
i recently put 200+ rounds through a ruger wrangler. wow, i highly recommend the wrangler if a single action revolver meets your needs. $179 from smga.com including free shipping is a true value.
 
If you have any cowboy in your blood whatsoever, you should at least look at the uberti models.
They have full size SAA clones that have 12rd capacity.
Shorter CMS 12rd models
Traditional 6 rd full size SAA
All beautiful color case hardened.
 
If your goal to to get a .22 LR that will become a family heirloom, the S&W model 17 is the obvious choice. I would suggest a 17-3 or earlier version. These models come in various barrel lengths as well as with optional target triggers, hammers, and stocks. The quality of the older guns is unquestioned and the value will increase with time. For your purpose, select the best example that you are able to afford. Extras like the original box, tools, and paperwork will add addition value.
 
Howdy Again

You really have to decide what you want your 22 for. I think S&W K frame 22s are terrific. The K frame was developed way back in 1899 as the perfect size for a six shot 38 caliber revolver. Putting a 22 on the same size frame makes a perfect target revolver, in my opinion. A nice hand filling gun. Notice that ugly Model 617 did not make this group photo because I don't much like it. And it is too muzzle heavy. But these K-22s, and the Model 17-3 on the right are perfect 22s to me.

Model%2017-3%20and%20K-22s%2002_zpsseajrhvu.jpg




Then there is this 8 3/8" Model 17 that I picked up a couple of years ago. Super accurate, but kind of heavy with that long barrel.

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The Model 63 on the other hand is a much smaller gun. Also known as the 22/32 Kit Gun Stainless. This gun, along with its blued steel cousin the Model 34 is built on the smaller J fame. The J fame (and it's predecessor the I frame) was designed as a five shot (not six) 38 caliber revolver, or a six shot 32 caliber revolver. Changing the caliber to 22 Long Rifle allowed the cylinder capacity to be increased to six. They are called the Kit Gun because they were a perfect size to slip into a fisherman's tackle box. 22/32 because of the frame size. Great as a knock about woods gun, easy to slip into a pocket. Not so easy to slip a K frame 22 into a pocket. It can be done of course, but they are better in a holster.

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So part of of your decision has to be what is the purpose of your 22 revolver? I much prefer a K frame. A good handful, and I find them to be very accurate. My K frame 22s get shot much more often than my J frame Model 63 because I don't live someplace where it is practical (or legal) to knock about the woods with a revolver and shoot at anything I feel like. If I did, might slip my Model 63 into my pocket more often. But I'll bet I would hit more tin cans with a K frame than the J frame.
 
Ruger Single-6 rt.jpg
You may not like the single action Ruger Single Six, but it is a well balanced handgun that has the ability to take both LR and Magnum ammo. This particular one enabled me to put a LR round through a squirrel's throat at 10-12 yds. despite shooting with no support from my left hand. And, while the Magnum ammo is no good for "woods carry" defense of larger 4-legged animals, it is still very effective on the 2-legged ones. :evil:
 
.....boring to shoot.

I'm not sure what you mean by being "boring to shoot". Personally, I've yet to shoot a boring gun of any kind. My accurate and easy to shoot Model 617 is anything but boring to shoot. I love an accurate firearm that benefits greatly from having a really good trigger pull-like the Model 617 is blessed with.
 
I voted other.

For less than the price of a new 617, I scored a K22 Target Masterpiece. How can it not be great with a name like that?

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I was going to say, none of the above, get an older S&W or Colt, preferably pre-war. Now THAT will be a family heirloom. Here's my 1932 Colt Officers Model in .22. At the range yesterday it shot a six shot .43" group at 30'. Pretty sure the older ones will be worth more in 10 years, and the nice thing about .22s is you really won't wear them out.

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S&W Model 17 or S&W Model 18.

Generally, the Model 17's had 6" and 8-3/8" barrels while the Model 18's had 4" barrels.

Towards the end of the production life of these revolvers, the barrel length distinction got blurred a bit as one or the other Model got discontinued and/or reintroduced.
This is true. I believe S&W discontinued the M18 and then started making 4" M17's. I have a 4" M17 with a full underlug. It is quite a nice gun.
 
I'm picking up my new Wrangler tomorrow. Why? I have plenty of .22 handguns including a super single six, a Frontier Scout and a Colt New Frontier. I have to see what a Ruger sa has missing to sell for a third of its big brother.

I may buy one too. I have a New Bearcat, and I have owned a couple of Single Sixes, but these Wranglers are interesting. For the price, it would be interesting to see how they hold up to a lot of shooting.
 
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