Classic looking Snub .22s

WestKentucky said:

H&R or NEF guns are overlooked (cheap) but are well made (steel, heavy) and are typically good shooters.

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They're cheap for a reason. The ergos of them are poor, the triggers are very heavy, and spare parts are not easy to come by in the event they need work.

I would gladly spend the extra $50-75 on a used Charter vs an H&R/NEF.

To show the difference between Smith and Wesson I Frames and J Frames:

Both of these are 4" but it shouldn't be hard to picture either in a 2" version, which were made in both frame patterns.

The blued one is a 22/32 Kit Gun Model of 1955 and I frame. Note the shorter length cylinder. The stainless is a Model 63-0, a typical J frame.

Never owned one, but I always liked the look of the High Standard Sentinel.

I have a High Standard Sentinel in 22 magnum. Mine has a 3 inch barrel with a matte nickel finish. Looks a lot like a Detective Special. Great gun. 9 rounds of 22 magnum would likely ruin a bad guys' day.

a 2” ruger lcrx with exposed hammer is likely the easiest new 22lr snubbie to acquire. mine is the hammerless lcr, purchased new 5 or so years ago, long before the lcrx was born. i also have a 3” s&w 317, acquired in partial trade for an awful taurus 94 (da trigger impossible, sa just barely ok). the longer 317 isn’t much more difficult to waist carry than the lcr and i prefer having an exposed hammer, but the lcr is an overall more convenient ccw.

This is just a sample size of one.

My 38 special LCR has an excellent trigger, as does my friend's 357 version.

I was excited to get a 3" 22lr LCRx. The trigger was disappointing to say the least.

Like I said, sample size of one.

Trashyshoots said:

I have thought about an lcr in .22 but the wife and I both carry 642s so it would be an overlap in my collection imo. I really just want a pretty range toy for "betcha I can hit that with a snub"

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finding a “pretty range toy” that doesn’t overlap with a 38 j frame but is a classic 22lr snubbie seems like a unicorn hunt imho. if it were me looking i would satisfy the first two criteria by getting a sub $200 ruger wrangler but of course it is single action only with a 4.6” barrel.

tbob38 said:

How about a Ruger SP101? I have one, haven't shot it yet, trying to build up strength in my trigger finger.

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You'll need that strength. I had one and after two trips to the smith it still had the heaviest sa/da trigger ever. My 357 101 has a fantastic trigger.

I love my S&W M-34 .22 LR snubbie. I carry it with me on all of my dog walks and for hiking in the woods. In a high ride hip holster, I hardly know it is there, except when i need it.

Trashyshoots said:

I know, it's definitely going to be an endeavor for sure. But the 642s are not pretty by any means, they're very utilitarian. Which is fine for a carry piece. Id love a k22 snub (im positive they never made one) or a colt diamondback in 22lr with a 2 or 3 inch barrel, but those are both out of my price range for sure.

I would look into those wranglers if I wasnt sitting on a few single 6s.

So far It seems like I need to track down a 22/32 I frames. That would be so sweet with a 2 inch barrel.

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Those little 2.5" Colt Diamondback 22's are beauties to be sure. I think they are the ultimate 22 snubbie revolver. I have a couple collector grade ones. They were one of the revolvers I watched for all the time back in the 1990-2005 time frame.

The Colt Bankers Special was another snubbie 22 DA revolver.

If I were you, I'd start watching for a Model 34 to come up for sale and see if you can acquire it for an acceptable price. I looked at an as-new nickel one at a show but the price was more than I was comfortable paying at the time. I don't know what they are selling for now, but they generally sell pretty quickly at market prices.

Here you go!

You want a 34-1 like this one here.
4, 5" revolvers and 6" single actions are not snubs.
Sp101s are boat anchors...

I think my Astra Cadix is a classic looking snub.
Patterned after a J frame, it works great plus it's a 9 shot!
Hard to find but they show up on Gunbroker every now and then.