What Happened to the Small Frame 22 Revolvers?

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wmgeorge

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I had one in the past and sold. Taurus 2 inch barrel, DA/SA revolver stainless steel and I think the light weight one. Anyway sold one of my rifles and decided to purchase another. Nada, nothing except plastic framed ones, and perhaps maybe a Charter Arms one in town. Buds has nothing, so whats going on? Taurus has nothing on their website. Are small metal framed revolvers a thing of the past?
 
Lots of them used but not too many made new any more.
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Charter Arms makes the Pathfinder.
S&W still makes the Model 317, Model 63, Model 43C.

Rossi (like Taurus) made a very nice one called the Plinkster,,,
But I believe it's been discontinued as well.

Don't sneer at the Pathfinder,,,
I own one and it's a fine working handgun.

Aarond

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So how is the Charter Arms one? I have never owned one and a gun shop in town has new for $325 or so.
 
Other than Charter I don't see many offerings of DA/SA small frame revolvers newly made these days. I looked on GB for S&W model 34 kit guns and there are many listed but not at prices I can afford. Glad I bought mine years ago for $250 OTD from a pawn shop. But its a shooter. There are a couple of pages of the H&R 22 guns. They aren't pretty guns but they usually work just fine. My bud has a model 999 break open and its one of his favorite guns.

https://www.gunbroker.com/Revolvers/search?Keywords=H&R&Sort=13&PageSize=24

If you don't have to have the double action feature there are many good single action guns on the market. The Ruger Single Six is about as good as it gets. The new Ruger Wrangler has good reviews and is a gun I have an interest in. Some will point you to the Heritage Rough Rider but I never will.
 
Well problem solved for me anyway. I found the guy I sold my Taurus 94 to 6 years ago and he wants to sell it back so He can get something else!! Small world. Its sad world when no more metal framed guns in 22 LR are going to be made :( .

Taurus 22 Ultra Lite Is what I had, aluminum frame SS cylinder and barrel, SA/DA swing out cylinder.
 
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Yes Taurus makes some really nice 380 and 9mm small frame revolvers, with moon clips included that would be really nice, but no 22's. Yes I saw the SA one posted above, been there done that.
 
Ruger makes the sp101 22 lr with 4.2 inch barrel.
God I wish the guy who sold me my 94 would have came to buy it back. LOL. I believe you both think its your lucky day.
 
Yes, I am aware of the Ruger, have you seen the price tag and does it come with a 2 inch barrel, lightweight frame and the rest SS my friend? No.

I see complaints about Taurus..... but guess what I have never had an issue otherwise Caplock.
 
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I got this one a couple of months ago for around $500. It's a S&W 317, AirLite, Lady Smith. It's all metal, but you wouldn't think it. The frame and cylinder are aluminum. The barrel is steel lined aluminum. The internals are steel. A pretty nice little revolver that weighs about 10-11 ounces. Eight shots, of 22 LR.

Ladysmith1_zps15egbdio.jpg

Ladysmith2_zpswhfywutk.jpg

I'm not sure when it was made, but the best I can determine it was about 2000. I have no idea if they make anything like it still, but probably not. I don't think it's ever been fired, and I doubt I'll shoot it, but if I still bummed around in the woods, I believe it would be with me a lot.
 
Ruger also has the LCR in 22LR which may or may not fit your criteria, the frame is metal just the grip frame is polymer. Really like mine in 357 although 90% of the ammo is sees is 38 special
 
Well problem solved for me anyway. I found the guy I sold my Taurus 94 to 6 years ago and he wants to sell it back so He can get something else!! Small world. Its sad world when no more metal framed guns in 22 LR are going to be made :( .

Taurus 22 Ultra Lite Is what I had, aluminum frame SS cylinder and barrel, SA/DA swing out cylinder.
Nice! Can we see a photo of this rediscovered gem?
 
Model 34 in very good shape at my local gunshop (on Friday), so it has been a few days. I was tempted. But passed.

I have a couple M63's that I really like. They tend to be my 22 revolver choice these days.
 
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DA revolvers are more expensive than SA revolvers or semiautos. A Rimfire needs a hard hammer blow for reliable ignition which means a heavy DA pull compared to what you can get on a comparable centerfire revolver.
 
DA revolvers are more expensive than SA revolvers or semiautos. A Rimfire needs a hard hammer blow for reliable ignition which means a heavy DA pull compared to what you can get on a comparable centerfire revolver.

I found that out a few decades ago. A friend back then was into .22 pistol competitions. He bought a couple of S&W Model 63s to supplement his match pistols, and tuned down the triggers to where the single-action hammer drop was comparable to his match guns (I mean LIGHT). As a result, in DA mode, the hammer would fail to ignite the primers about 50 percent of the time.

He decided he had one too many 63s, and offered to sell me one for $175. I jumped at the opportunity, and didn't sweat the spring. Actually, I kept the 63 in that configuration for years because it was such a smooth shooter, and just used it as a single-action. I finally broke down and made it a reliable DA, though... :)
 
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