.22 Revolvers - Comments on S&W and Ruger?

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I have a 60 year old K-22 that I shoot every week. It is by far the most accurate .22 hand gun that I own, and the most fun to shoot. I have owned and shot Single-sixes. but there just isn't any comaprison, to me.
 
While I am a pretty big Ruger fan as others have mentioned the Single six is not the most accurate 22 with the 22LR round. This is mostly due to the fact that the bore is .224 to accommodate the 22WMR instead of the normal .222 for the 22LR. The Paco Kelly’s .22 tool will remedy this but it's a pain.
 
Gator said:
I've had two Single Sixes and one Super Single Six and sold all of them. They are great guns, but it gets tiresome loading and ejecting the cases one at a time over and over. That's a lot of work for every six shots! Maybe I'm just lazy, but with the S&W's I get to shoot a lot more.
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I think this advice is worth heeding! Single-actions are fun guns, but I would recommend selecting one of them only in larger, center-fire calibers. Considering the cost of shooting these larger rounds, the extra time and effort of loading and ejecting cases one at a time actually makes sense.
 
It may be a pain for some, but I love the Ruger Single-Six. I haven't noticed it's being less accurate than my other revolvers, but they're lightweight, anyway, so perhaps a heavier revolver would give increased accuracy. I am going to get one of those Paco accurizers, though. Great investment.

I already have a Ruger Mark II and with a Single-Six it should make a difference.

RugerSingle-Six_10a.gif

RugerSingle-Six_5.gif

Rugers_MkII_SS_3-1.gif
 
While I am a pretty big Ruger fan as others have mentioned the Single six is not the most accurate 22 with the 22LR round. This is mostly due to the fact that the bore is .224 to accommodate the 22WMR instead of the normal .222 for the 22LR. The Paco Kelly’s .22 tool will remedy this but it's a pain.
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I just cannot buy into this one, especially after breaking out the calipers a while back. Most 22lr rounds are the same diameter and quite a few are even larger in measured diameter than 22wmr rounds. Most 22wmr rounds I have measured have been right at .223 while the 22lr jump anywhere from .222 to .226 and that variance can be seen in as little as 5 round groups from the same box of ammo.

Having found these results, I am thinking the 22wmr is more accurate from a SS simply because of the better uniformity in the bullets....which again, is why the PACO seems to help as well (it simply makes all the bullets uniform in dia.). Also, not sure on this one but it seems to make sense to me, the 22lr bullet in a SS has to travel a bit further before it hits the rifling, this may be a factor as well...I do not know.

I would also like to add that these are simply the results I have found the theory I have based upon those results.

Additionally, this is simply not "the rule" when it comes to SS guns as I have know several peeps that their particular SS shoots better in 22lr than they do in wmr, in fact one of them will be at our Wyoming THR get together this year.

Noidster
 
I think you're right on, Noid. I paln on getting one of Paco's systems just because of the ability to make hollowpoints, but it's one of those things where you don't know you've got a problem until someone says you do.

In all fairness to such, I'm sure there are some real primo shooters who could benefit from a slightly larger bullet, but I'm far from being that good. I was born with a benign tremor, so I'm a poor shot, but I've seen people group .22LR Mini-Mags into tiny groups at 25 yards using my Single-Six, so it's an individual matter.

I'm glad people like Paco Kelly are around, though. I sure wouldn't buy one of the Accurizers just to squeeze out a touch more of accuracy from a Single-Six, though.
 
I have a S&W Model 617 6" 10-shot with a red-dot sight. It's very accurate. I'm not a good shot but with cheap bulk ammo, I can hit the end of a 12 gauge shotgun shell at 25 yards fairly consistently. Very nice gun with a high recommendation from me.
 
I had bought a used Smith "Kit Gun" many years back...oldest son has it now. IIRC I was the 3rd or 4th owner. Still a great shooter.

I bought a 'previously owned' Bearcat, but it was just a fraction too small for my Ham Fists with Sausage Fingers...AKA Fat Hands.

Now have a Single-Six...wayyyyy up on the Fun Gun list. Pretty darn loud with .22Mag ammo, though
 
Hey Kentucky Blue, what are you planning to DO with this .22 revolver? Plinking, packing, woods-walking, small game hunting, casual target work, formal competition...what?

Give us a general budget & loose shooting agenda & we'll FILL this thread with suggestions, rationalizations & friendly mutual eye-pokes.
 
Gawd, how lazy can ya get if ya gripe about loading single actions? Don't even THINK of getting into cap and ball if you don't like single actions for THAT reason. :rolleyes: The old K22s were fantastic revolvers. I wouldn't pay the money for a modern Smith in .22, not worth what they cost, not even close.

I sorta wish they'd put adjustable sights on the Bearcat. That's a cool little gun. :D I don't know that they still make it, brought it back some years ago.

I like my little Rossi 511, shoots sub 2" 25 yard rested groups with about any ammo and RWS target gets near 1". Not bad for an inexpensive kit gun with 4" barrel. It's not made anymore, either. The DA sux on that gun, but the SA trigger is pretty awesome. I shoot that gun a lot. It's an old interarms gun, stainless, and pretty decent fit and finish except that it seems to have a lot of end play built into it for some reason. Never figured that one out.

I think if I get another .22 handgun, it'll be a Ruger autoloader. Them's nice and I've yet to own a real high quality .22 handgun. I sorta owe that to myself, I think. :D
 
If you are in a hurry you ought to be looking at semi-autos in any event.
Any of the models mentioned should work fine and outlive you with minimal effort.
The SA/DA difference is mainly a personal preference issue to me, and depends on the day of the week, phase of the moon, wind direction, etc.
 
Foghornl

I hope you are wearing ear protection when you shoot those loud .22 magnums or anything else. Take care of your hearing.
 
Saw a S & W model 63 the other day on gunbroker auction go for 900 + I could not believe. Not the most accurate or the easiest to shoot. It was new in box but !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 
Just FYI, the Charter Arms pathfinder is a servicable and rugged double action. Comes in 2" and 4" barrels.

Re: Smith or Ruger; why buy one when you can get two for double the price?
 
Got some hard-to-find, not particularly inexpensive options being floated...

So I might as well chime in:
Freedom Arms.
.22RF available in both the model 83 and 97 with standard or match chambers.

I daresay you would not be moaning about the lack of accuracy.
 
It's amazing to me how expensive the decent .22 LR revolvers are, when .22 LR auto pistols can be had for less. Different strokes, I know, just surprises me.

Another option to consider might be the North American Arms mini-revolvers if you're just looking for a trail gun and plinker. You get the option of switching back and forth between .22 Mag and .22 LR with an extra cylinder. The top of the line, long barrel Mini Master with nice Millet adjustable sights is $270 delivered from Buds Gun Shop. I'm dying to get a .22 Mag Pug, but for no particular reason. ;-)
 
Many are surprised at the pricing on 22 revolvers; especially double actions. That is the market condition that got Bill Ruger started in the firearm manufacturing business.

Makes you wonder these days when the suggested retail price on new Ruger Super Redhawks are $1000 (or so I have read).
 
[B]GHOST TRACKER:

I'm considering this caliber for training my grandchildren, ages 10 and 12. My wife has hinted that she may feel more comfortable with the 22 as well, although she shoots my 9mm very well. As far as a budget, I don't want to break the bank, but I don't buy cheap quality guns either. I'd say in the $400-$600 range.

Go Big Blue! We're trying to get a basketball team together and get back in contention for a National Championship.
 
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