2" .22mag match-up

[Onslaught]

Fellow THR members, I'd like to ask your input on a Christmas present purchase for my father...

Dad wants a .22 magnum snubbie for Christmas.

Well heck, if he'd said "Son, I want a compact .45", I'd have been all over it. But as it is, I don't have any interest in .22 magnums, and I've never felt the urge to own more than one revolver (S&W 642) so I can't choose between the S&W 351 PD or the Taurus 941SS2UL. When I asked him, all he said was "well, whichever, it don't matter... The Taurus is cheaper".

NOW, before anyone says "why would anyone want one of those" or "he needs a (insert larger caliber here)"... He's not recoil sensitive or in need of a self defense pistol, this is just the natural progression of things.

Dad's favorite caliber is the .22 Magnum, followed closely by the .22lr. He already has Taurus revolvers in .357, .38, .32 H&R Magnum and .22lr and a discontinued S&W HEAVY target model in .22mag with the prettiest wood grips I've ever seen.

If this was for me, I'd probably prefer the Smith for the 8oz weight savings (10.5 vs. 18.5), the trigger pull, the no snag rear sight, and the cool fiber optic front sight.

Dad on the other hand said he doesn't care about the weight or the front sight, he usually shoot single action so the trigger won't be an issue, and he probably prefers adjustable sights.

SO yeah, I'm leaning towards the Taurus, but I want to make sure that I'm not missing anything. Dad never sells his firearms, so resale value means nothing either. I know the S&W would be a better pistol overall, but it all boils down to "is the $500 S&W going to be $200 worth better for Dad than the $300 Taurus? Any issues with that particular model I should be aware of? Anything else I didn't take into consideration?

Thanks for taking the time.

 

[grimjaw]

I also like the .22WMR cartridge, and have a revolver and rifle chambered for it. I'd say go with the Taurus. I like the S&W Airweight designs, but IMO, they are a bit overpriced. Hard to find used at a better price. Looks like he already has self defense needs covered with .357. .38, and .32.

jmm

 

[JMusic]

Tel your dad he's not alone. I carry for my mini a North American Arms Black Widow in 22 mag. My wife carries the same. Her bedroom gun is a Smith 651 adjustable sights 4 " barrel 22 mag. Use CCI MaxiMag + V for defense they have higher velocity out of pistols for some reason. You should take a look at the Black Widow if you want a good small shooting rimfire. You can get them with two cylinders, mag and lr. My vote though would be for the Smith I think you can smooth them up better. Good luck.
Jim

 

[DukeNukem]

Hmmm...not in need of a self defense gun...likes to shoot single action. Have you ever sounded him out on what he thinks of a single action gun? Or is he set on a double action snubbie?

http://www.ruger-firearms.com/Firearms/FAProdResults?function=famid&famid=14


If you do decide to get the Taurus, Pachmayr is selling their discontinued American Legends grip for $9.95(TR1-ALS is the one that fits Taurus small frame revolvers.) Might be a nice extra.

http://www.pachmayr.com/Special.html

 

[Onslaught]

Thanks for the input... I plan to order this week, so if anyone has any first hand experience, good or bad, with the 941, I welcome your input.

Hmmm...not in need of a self defense gun...likes to shoot single action. Have you ever sounded him out on what he thinks of a single action gun? Or is he set on a double action snubbie?

Oh yeah, I only listed the double action revolvers in his collection He's got a few Ruger single actions, including a Super Single Six with both .22lr and .22mag cylinders. I get the impression that this will be a "kit" gun like his .22lr snubbie, just with more bang from the magnum rimfire round. "Toss and go" convenience for his fishing trips to all these wierd remote locations. I've seen him going fishing in places so unpopulated and "natural" that he carried an M1 Carbine for protection against bears, alligators, or wild dogs!

Personally, though again I'm a semi man, I see a HOLE in his collection. Dad's got several snubs, so pocket carry is covered from "kit gun" to "CCW", and he's got huge, heavy target and single action revolvers chambered from .22lr up to .30 Carbine and .357 magnum.... But what he doesn't appear to have are any "medium" framed pistols that relate to my "everyday" or "bedside" semi's. I think I may ask him if he's considered a 4" .357 magnum. His birthday's in February, so I'll keep that in mind.