Double Action 22lr

My uneducated guess is that a decent revolver cost about the same to manufacture, regardless of the chambering.

Barbaroja said:

My uneducated guess is that a decent revolver cost about the same to manufacture, regardless of the chambering.

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Howdy

That is correct.

Some shooters are under the impression that since 22 rimfire ammunition is usually less expensive than centerfire ammunition, a 22 revolver should be less expensive to make.

Here is the mechanism of a Smith and Wesson Model 17-3, a classic 22 rimfire target revolver.






Here is the mechanism a Smith and Wesson K-38, a classic 38 Special target revolver.






Other than the size of the holes in the chamber and barrel, there is very little difference in the complexity of the two.

That Ruger is not a horrible price for a quality 22 DA revolver IMO.

I bought my S&W 17-3 two years ago for $600 OTD. I searched for several years before I found one at a price I was willing to pay.



Like every other firearm, the last two years have not been kind to firearm prices. Since 22 RF is still relatively inexpensive to shoot, there is a bit more demand for 22 firearms.

Howdy Again

I paid $125 for this S&W Model 17-3 22 rimfire target revolver, brand-spanky new in 1975. Of course that was a long time ago.






This K-22 Outdoorsman left the factory in 1932. I got it for $600 a few years ago because none of the other collectors were interested in it because of the wear to the blue over the years. I have quite a few 22 revolvers, but this old girl is the most accurate of them all.

I handled one of those new $1K S&W .22s and was not impressed. You're better off for less money finding a pre-war Colt or S&W .22 like the one above, or for about $2K you can get a 1960s Korth that will spoil you for any other revolver.

I didn't realize the Smith's had gone up so much, but I guess everything has.
My 617 was under $700, but that was about 5-6 yrs ago.
It is a good shooting gun with one of the smoothest out of the box double action triggers I've experienced.
I've been wanting an older 17 target, but those continue to climb.

I have several S&W .22 LR and .22 WMR DA revolvers, along with a pair of lesser priced Taurus 94 (.22 LR) and 941 (.22 WMR) revolvers.

The fit, finish and triggers of the Smiths certainly stands above the Taurus guns. The Tauri are serviceable kit guns, but nowhere near as refined.

You can still buy Taurus and Charter DA rimfires for much less than a comparable Smith/Ruger, but I doubt they’ll be as nice.

Stay safe.

I got my M617 earlier this year for $820. It's more than I wanted to pay, but there weren't any better options. I agree with v8stang289 especially about the SA trigger, but I worked on the rebound slide and now the DA pull is just so sweet! I like this gun way more than my 1982 M63. No regerts.

v8stang289 said:

I didn't realize the Smith's had gone up so much, but I guess everything has.
My 617 was under $700, but that was about 5-6 yrs ago.
It is a good shooting gun with one of the smoothest out of the box double action triggers I've experienced.

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Indeed!

blackd24 said:

regardless, still looking for a double action 22 revolver as I think it would be a fun range gun.

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I bought my S&W model 63 in February 2020. My LGS charged me $725, but I think the MSRP was around $800.

I replaced the front sight with a green fiber optic sight after trying several different sights as I do not like the red ones.

I bought this model 17-3 a few years ago for just under $600. I paid too much according to some but it was my money, not their’s. I will never sell this gun. It’s a keeper.

Pat Riot said:

I bought my S&W model 63 in February 2020. My LGS charged me $725, but I think the MSRP was around $800.

I replaced the front sight with a green fiber optic sight after trying several different sights as I do not like the red ones.View attachment 1034280

I bought this model 17-3 a few years ago for just under $600. I paid too much according to some but it was my money, not their’s. I will never sell this gun. It’s a keeper.
View attachment 1034286

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Are those Altamonts on the 17? They look great!!

Stay safe.

Pat Riot said:

I bought this model 17-3 a few years ago for just under $600. I paid too much according to some but it was my money, not their’s. I will never sell this gun. It’s a keeper.
View attachment 1034286

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Very nice. There should be no second guessing in that.

Diamondback is now producing the Sidekick which is DA/SA. Price is about $300, but it’s a cast zinc frame. If you want a small 22lr DA/SA consider an H&R 929 9 shot. They are all steel and the 1974 and later models have a transfer safety ignition similar to Ruger so you can carry all 9 rounds. HKS even makes a speed loader for it (same as the Taurus 94). They came in 2.4”, 4” and 6” barrel lengths. You can find nice ones for under $300.

My Dad bought a Hi-Standard double nine model W-100 in 1957 for $59.00. It's a nine shot double/single action western frame revolver. It has a swing out cylinder so speed loaders can be used. They also made one called the sentinel that was more modern looking (at the time). They are still available on gun broker from about 160 and up.

The days of cheap revolvers is over. I paid about $600 for my 617 many years ago. It's one of the few guns I've kept over the years and will never get rid of it.

You should be able to find a Model 18 for around $500 if you are lucky. Ruger's 22 revolver is real nice. If you want an inexpensive 22 and don't mind single action Heritage Arms make the Rough Rider for under $ 200.

S&W 17 from 1959.

Riomouse911 said:

Are those Altamonts on the 17? They look great!!

Stay safe.

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Yes, those are Altamont “Ropers”.
Glad you asked. To be honest, they weren’t on the gun when I bought it. It came with almost new looking factory target grips. I apparently never photographed it with those grips or I would post a photo.

SterlingBullet writes:

Diamondback is now producing the Sidekick which is DA/SA. Price is about $300, but it’s a cast zinc frame.

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Correct, same type of frame as the single-action Heritage Rough Rider guns. The Diamondback is very similar to the old High Standard Double Nine, which itself had an aluminum frame, if I'm remembering correctly. The new Sidekick looks to be a promising knock-around gun, well-suited for trail, tackle-box, or glovebox duty. Being as I already have three single-actions (two of which are convertibles), two double-actions in .22LR, and one in .22WMR, I (probably) won't be getting one of these, though.

Some of the more expensive out there are 22 revolvers. A High quality item that gets shot 5x more than other Calibers… Probably is worth the investment

Seen a S&W 18 tapered barrel k frame 22lr , with Diamond grips other day. Good condition $680. The price is there because longevity is there. That thing was old, probably had 10,000 rds thru it…. And can handle 10s of thousands more with no problem. That’s worth the money in my opinion.

OP -

Back in 1999, I wanted to buy a DA 22 revolver. However, I didn't want to pay the $600 or so price tag for a Smith since I just wanted a general plinking revolver.

I settled on purchasing a new $200 Taurus Tracker Model 970 - seven shot. It is the only Taurus I own but I have to say it is very accurate. I did polish the trigger parts and changed the hammer and trigger springs to lighter springs. I also changed the handle to a decent sized target wooden handle.

This thing is now a real contender. Single action trigger break is 2 3/4 pounds and cocking is butter smooth. Does everything I wanted in a DA 22 rimfire revolver. I'm overly pleased with it, especially given the price.

It's also quite a handsome piece.

Pic:



Bayou52

blackd24 said:

Seeing a few used Taurus online for around $350-400. I wish they were still in production for that amount.

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They are. They started production on the 942 about a year ago, I have one and an very happy with it. The Taurus 94 was useless with about an 18 pound trigger, and hard to cock hammer.

I got mine on sale at PSA new for $325 in Stainless. They are just hard to find.

https://www.fleetfarm.com/detail/taurus-942-22-lr-matte-black-revolver/0000000352772

Had me a Diamond back 22lr 6”…. colt. Sold it, got a 17-6 S&W that shot better and money towards some Diamond Earnings for the Mrs. Don’t miss the Colt

I wish my Ruger was $600. I think I paid more like $800 in 2020. It's been fun though.