.22 revolvers

[bthest86]

Years ago I had an old H&R 922 .22 that my mom gave to me. It was great little fun gun. Unfortunately it was very old and quit working after extensive use.

Now that I am almost 21 I have the hankering for getting another 22LR revolver for fun and cheap revolver action. Specifically one in the $100 or $200 range.

Any suggestions?

 

[Steven1281]

Ruger single six. I just picked one up, and it's the most fun gun in my collection at the moment. Shoots good groups and is built like a tank too! A little pricier than what you mentioned, but well worth it. Steven

 

[mainmech48]

If you're interested in something NIB, then I'm afraid that there's not much out there within your price range that is likely to stand up under extensive use. About the only one that comes readily to mind is the Heritage "Rough Rider" SA series.

The used market is another story, although it'll almost certainly take some fairly serious shopping on your part to locate a rimfire revolver from any of the major firms that isn't pretty "well worn" for $200 these days. Bump that figure by $50-$75 and that changes quite a bit.

Rimfires generally see a lot more use than centerfires, for obvious reasons. Popular and proven models also tend to hold a fairly high percentage of their retail over the years due to steady demand. Nice specimens of some of the models in the older "budget/working" brands like H&R, Iver Johnson and High Standard have started to appreciate in value as they've aged due to developing collector interest and attrition.

Not to say that there aren't some bargains out there; just that it's going to take some time, effort and luck to find 'em.

Specific models are pretty tough to call, as there is a lot of difference in regional demand and availability to be considered. Some names to be aware of which generally come closest to your $100-$200 range around here with acceptable quality are Taurus, Rossi, NEF, Charter Arms and H&R 1871.

 

[sm]

mainmech48,
Great Post.


What this country needs is the Old Model 18 brought back that sells for $200.

 

[bthest86]

I might just save the extra money and get a good Ruger Single 6.

Checked Rugers site. The cheapest retail for $410. but I'm sure I can find them alot cheaper. Too bad Ruger doesn't make them in double action.

 

[JBP]

Check the auction sites and you will see that there are quite a few .22 revolvers on them with the older H&R's going for the price range you are looking for. I've picked up a Trapper and Premier and they are both great for plinking. I also won a bid for a S&W K22 but that was a bit more.

 

[ronto]

Save your money and get a Ruger (any model you like)...you get what you pay for...I don't believe in buying "cheap" firearms.

 

[ArmedBear]

Some lesser-known options:

Uberti makes a .22 that is an 1873 Colt replica with a scaled-down frame and cylinder.

http://www.uberti.com/firearms/Bisley.tpl

USFA makes a beautiful full-sized Colt clone in .22LR/WMR, but it's kinda steep.

http://www.usfirearms.com/cat/plinker.asp

 

[Vern Humphrey]

Here are some excellent used revolvers from www.gunsamerica.com

Older Colts:

Official Police
GA# 976609338
$350.00
Colt Official Police .22 caliber #1033X 95% 6" barrel 1935 manufacture FFL Required. Pictures available. Buyer pays shipping 3-day inspection Asking $350.00 Highland Gun Shop REDUCED ! price is $350, not $495 !
Seller: HIGHLAND GUN SHOP
FFL Dealer: Yes Area Code: 570

Official Police
GA# 976368144
$275.00
Colt Official Police .22 LR. Serial number 350XX. All original with about 65% metal finish. Grips are correct and in excellent condition. 6" barrel with sharp clean bore. Single action timing is a little weak, but can be corrected.
Seller: DOC’S GUN BARN
FFL Dealer: Yes Area Code: 208

Police Positive Target .22 WRF
GA# 976687765
$350.00
Colt Police Positive Target .22WRF. Serial number 67xx. 1st issue model "G". 6" barrel. Retains 80%+ original finish with most of the wear on the grip frame. Slight ring and bulge about 1" from muzzle, but still very shootable. Chip at heel of right grip panel. Still a very nice early model.
Seller: DOC’S GUN BARN
FFL Dealer: Yes Area Code: 208

Rugers:

.22mag Single Six
GA# 976632083
$275.00
Black single six in good to excellent condition. Composite handle. I will be out of town from Sept 6 to 25.
Seller: LARRY ILG
FFL Dealer: No Area Code: 505

OLD MODEL BEARCAT
GA# 976683208
$249.00
.22 WITH UPDATE KIT INSTALLED STEEL FRAMED 85% BLUE ONE GRIP IS CHIPPED
Seller: BROMLEY’S GUN SHOP
FFL Dealer: Yes Area Code: 641 GA Sales: 510

Single-Six 3 screw Target
GA# 976746646
$325.00
This 5 1/2" blued old model .22LR is in 98%+ condition. It,s been in my safe, un-used for twenty years. There is very slight blueing wear on each side of the muzzle and at the muzzle end of the aluminum ejector rod housing, none on the cylinder, frame or grip frame. Undercut Partridge front sight, adj. rear. No box or papers, just a nice, o

single-six
GA# 976769665
$275.00
Ruger Single-Six .22LR w/ extra .22 magnum cylinder. has adjustible sight and 6 inch barrel with walnut grips. SN 60-06xxx. The gun is in very good condition
Seller: PETE VAN GESSEL
FFL Dealer: No Area Code: 863
Seller: THE SECOND AMENDMENT
FFL Dealer: Yes Area Code: 912 GA Sales: 99

 

[Jim K]

I would look around a bit for a used S&W K-22 (Model 17). They usually run in the neighborhood of $250. Another possibility is the Taurus 94; they are seldom seen used, but the new price is lower than the equivalent S&W.

Some free advice: Don't get hung up on price and buy something that is no good. There are decent H&R's out there, but there are a lot of junk .22 revolvers, RG and the like, that won't hold up and will have to be scrapped after a few rounds. It is better to invest more and get something really good - a K-22, for example, will be around for your grandchildren, our legislators permitting.

Jim

 

[Shawnee]

I would certainly applaud the Ruger single-six or super single-six but if you want a double-action it would be absolutely great to find a S&W model 18. I, personally would prefer the model 18 over the K-22.

 

[runninmike]

If you go used you can find a Ruger Single-Six at a pawnshop in good condition for under $200 and you won't wear it out.

 

[dispatch]

I still see H&Rs at gun shows within your price range. Model 999 Sportsman is probably the best H&R ever made and you may still be able to find one in the $200.00 range. It is a break-top (really fun) 9 shot, most with a 6 " bl. It's a beautiful revolver-very nicely blued with good looking walnut grips. It's a great plinker and you'll get alot of attention at the range. I have owned several H&R's over the years and have never been disappointed with any of them. To bad they don't make them any more.

 

[smousefam5]

You should be able to find a good used Ruger Single-six for very close to your price. An added bonus is that it will probably have a .22 Mag cylinder with it. In that price range I wouldn't consider any other gun. You could also get one of the basic Ruger .22 autoloaders for close to that as well if you don't mind an autoloader.

You would probably have to bump your max by at least $125 to get a Smith.

 

[Pork Fat]

Ditto H&R 999

Sad to hear that they are discontinued. I have a 4" model that is the bee's knees. Fit and finish at least comparable to Ruger. No plastic or aluminum to be found. Nine shots easily cleared and reloaded with the top break action. Decent trigger pulls.
I bought it new a few years ago for the retro look and "Webleyesque" mechanics. I was and am surprised at the accuracy- quite good for me. It saved me from a pack of wild Osage Oranges I encountered in the woods a couple of weeks ago. Ugly green brainish looking fruit, they were asking for it, I tell ya.
I hope the 999 is only on hiatus and not cancelled forever. It is a working piece of Americana and a spiffy all around .22. I would recommend a nice used one for someone looking for something a bit unique.

 

[jad0110]

For $150, I purchased a NIB Heritage Rough Rider Combo, which was 100% reliable and 200% fun to shoot, despite being rather crudely finished as compared to the Single Six. It was also extremely accurate, much more so than my later Taurus 94. My K-22 is even better, but not by much. I sold both the 94 and the Heritage. I don't miss the 94, but I truly regret selling the Heritage, I don't know what the heck I was thinking :banghead: .

I, personally would prefer the model 18 over the K-22.

Shawnee,

Actually, the 4" Model 18 (Combat Masterpiece) is also a K-22. I take it that you prefer the 4" barrel of the Model 18? Though the K-22/Model 17 Target Masterpiece usually comes with a 6" barrel and is the most common of the K-22s, a few were offered in 8 3/8" after '58. After the 4" K-22 Model 18 was discontinued in 1986, the K-22 Model 17 was offered in a 4" heavy barrel.

Hope this helps.

 

[Gaucho Gringo]

I have owned a Ruger Single Six and currently own a Heritage Rough Rider. Both were bought new. This is just my personal preference, I like the Heritage better. I am not sayiing it is built as well as the Ruger, I just like it better. It fits my hand better. It is a fun little gun and I like it's four click action. You can buy two Heritages for the price of one Ruger.

 

[MatthewVanitas]

Since a decent .22LR will last a century, it's worth putting just a little extra into it.

Another vote for the Ruger Single Six, or else the Ruger Bearcat. The Bearcat is substantially smaller than the SS, just big enough for an adult to use. Has fixed "Peacemaker" style sights, and operates just like a traditional Colt.

NIB Bearcats run $325 around here, a little more for stainless steel. Used Bearcats go for the same price as new for collector reasons, so buy new.

The best I've seen this year on Ruger Single Six was $175 (one at a pawnshop, one at a gunshow), but saw plenty at the gunshow today for mid-$200s, including some alternate variations (like the Bisley grip).

H&R builds some neat little things (I have a couple), but I trust Ruger's durability far more, and Ruger is still around to fix their revos.

The S&W DA revos I've tried are a little heavy on the DA pull, since they need a powerful hammer spring to deal w/ .22 primers. This is not an issue with SA revos, so the Rugers have great triggers. I've tried the Rossi and Taurus DA .22s, and they're only okay. The Heritage ones are fun for the price, but for an heirloom I'd drop an extra $75 and get a used Ruger.

Summary: Ruger Single Six or Bearcat. Used gunshow SS for around $250, or NIB Bearcat for $325.

-MV

 

[MCgunner]

I picked up a little Rossi M511 Sportsman kit gun, 4" on a J frame with adjustable sights, at a gun show for $200. It was used, they don't make 'em anymore. But, it's a very accurate little revolver and a lot of fun, quite well built, too, and it's all stainless.

Mine's a DA, but the DA action is pretty rough. The SA makes up for it, though, light and crisp. I don't wish for anything else, but if I ever can across an old Smith K22 target masterpiece for a decent price, I could add one more .22 to my collection. I'd especially like to have a 6" one.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

Mine's a DA, but the DA action is pretty rough. The SA makes up for it, though, light and crisp.

Unless you plan to use it as an understudy for a larger gun for defensive shooting, I don't see a lot of use for DA in a .22 revolver. I've killed a freight car full of squirrels and other small game with my Colt Officer's Model Target and never shot it DA.

 

[LubeckTech]

Where can you find ANY S&W revolver for about $250?
I usually see them in the $450 range!!

 

[mainmech48]

Lubeck Tech: Don't know where you're located, but there are any number of decent old S&W revolvers around here in the $250 range. Mostly some variation on the "K" frame with fixed sights and chambered for the .38 Spl. There is one large dealer within an hour's drive of me who has about a dozen. Most show what I'd call moderate finish wear, but the bores and chambers are VG or better and mechanics generally tight and sound. They have three nice M-13s in NRA VG averaging $265.

Vern: Different strokes, and all that. For myself, even though I no longer need a rimfire "understudy" for a CCW revolver I still do almost all of my practice and "fun" shooting in DA mode. I enjoy the challenge, and it helps me maintain a set of hard-earned skills which still have many practical applications in the field.

 

[bthest86]

How easy is it to find a H&R 999?

There are only two on Auction Arms right now. One of them is over $300.

 

[MCgunner]

Unless you plan to use it as an understudy for a larger gun for defensive shooting, I don't see a lot of use for DA in a .22 revolver. I've killed a freight car full of squirrels and other small game with my Colt Officer's Model Target and never shot it DA.

Yep, I agree. It's a kit gun which is by definition an outdoor gun after all. I do shoot it DA at the range. My thinkin' is if I can hit well with THAT DA, my carry revolvers are a piece of cake! I can hit with it and it certainly teaches you DA trigger control. It is amazingly accurate and just blows my mind that a handgun small enough to go in my hunting coat pocket is accurate enough for 25 yard squirrel shootin', but it is.

 

[LubeckTech]

I should have been clearer I meant any .22 S&W revolver. 38spl S&Ws are great values for the quality and price but .22 S&Ws are a different story from what I've seen. .38spl is a great caliber but unless you reload or are "independantly wealthy" the cost of shooting is prohibitive comared to .22. I've been looking for a good D/A revolver as an understudy to my IDPA S&W revolvers and a used Dan Wesson .22 seens to be about the best value at an average price of $325. Taurus model 94 seems to be a runner up in the $200 - $300 range but I have not heard good things about the DA trigger and reports on the overall quality seem to run hot and cold.