22LR DA Recommendations?
- Thread starter MP5
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Since you have boxed yourself in with Taurus I will not mention that I've bought several like new S&W K22s for under $400 in the past years. Usually closer to $300 or 350. I feel there is no finer 22 DA than the S&W preagreement K22. YMMV
sm
member
Don't forget the OLD S&W model 18 ....
Quantrill
Member
Older S&W K-22 would be my choice. Quantrill
Doug444
Member
Ah, the typical "Taurus 
" responses. Sheesh.
I've got 3 of the Taurus .22 revolvers: 2 941's (.22 Mag) and 1 94. The 2" 941 is, indeed, not my most prized possession. The trigger is HEAVY in DA, and if you try to lighten it with a spring kit you get light hits and mis-fires. But it is light, and in all reality, any gun is better than NO gun.
The 94 and the other 941 are both stainless versions with 4" barrels, heavy underlug version. And both are head and shoulders better than the 2" 941. The 4" 941 is the most accurate and smoothest shooting of them all, and it's actually pretty good. Ammo's expensive, of course. The 4" 94 is not bad for a plinker (which is what I bought it for) and to teach newbies about revolvers. I use it to teach my Scouts (15 and up it's OK with BSA) basic handgun safety and marksmanship. And this one really likes the Winchester Xpert bulk pack HP's, which are cheap.
I personally would like a slightly larger grip on all of mine, but that's a minor issue considering the primary use of these tools.
Of course, others will likely have other opinions.
" responses. Sheesh.I've got 3 of the Taurus .22 revolvers: 2 941's (.22 Mag) and 1 94. The 2" 941 is, indeed, not my most prized possession. The trigger is HEAVY in DA, and if you try to lighten it with a spring kit you get light hits and mis-fires. But it is light, and in all reality, any gun is better than NO gun.
The 94 and the other 941 are both stainless versions with 4" barrels, heavy underlug version. And both are head and shoulders better than the 2" 941. The 4" 941 is the most accurate and smoothest shooting of them all, and it's actually pretty good. Ammo's expensive, of course. The 4" 94 is not bad for a plinker (which is what I bought it for) and to teach newbies about revolvers. I use it to teach my Scouts (15 and up it's OK with BSA) basic handgun safety and marksmanship. And this one really likes the Winchester Xpert bulk pack HP's, which are cheap.
I personally would like a slightly larger grip on all of mine, but that's a minor issue considering the primary use of these tools.
Of course, others will likely have other opinions.
steveno
Member
S & W K-22 or S & W M-63
Dave Markowitz
Member
Look around and see if you can find an older K-Frame in .22, either a K-22 (later the Model 17) or a Model 18, which will have a 4" barrel.
Brian Williams
Moderator Emeritus
Look for a S&W 34 or 35 or a K22
Gunrunner
Member
Same as said by many before me, make it a S&W. They just cant be beat.
gunslinger387
Member
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It is often overlooked but I really like my SP101.
popeye
Member
I've got a 4" K22, a 6" K22, a 6" mod 17, and a 2" mod 34. The Taurus equivilants of these will cost as much, (new) but I will guarantee pride of ownership, and resale value will not be the same as a S&W .22. Anyone with any interest in revolvers should have at least one S&W .22. I do have a Dan Wesson Monson .22 w/ 4 and 6" barrels and I must admit in the 6" heavy barrel config. it's pretty darn accurate
Jeff Timm
Member
Another vote for the Ruger SP-101. It MSRPs for $505, but if you shop around $400 or so is possible.
Geoff
Who had his annexed by his wife.
Geoff
Who had his annexed by his wife.
El Tejon
Member
S&W M17, the Henry Bowman Special.
Peter M. Eick
Member
What about the Dan Wesson 722? changeable barrel lengths, multiple sights, built for 357 cartraiges? I like mine a lot because it is big, heavy and for me quite accurate. (50 shot groups, 15 or 25 yards, I am not sure right this second).
Eric Bryant
Member
I like my Taurus 94 in 4". I've found that swapping out the trigger return spring for a Wolff 6-pounder while retaining the OEM mainspring works very well for lightening the single-action trigger pull. The double-action pull is still on the heavy side, but lighter than stock and in my opinion much smoother.
It's inexpensive, accurate, and fun to shoot - not a bad choice for $250 or so. I'd rather have one of the various S&W rimfires that are out there, and eventually I'll stumble across a deal that I'll jump on. But until then, the Taurus will keep me happy.
I'd also like to get an SP101 at some point. I'd probably obtain a second cylinder and ream it out for .22 WMR. It'd be nice if it had a higher-cap cylinder, since there's plenty of material there for more rounds without sacrificing any strength. As it is, 9 rounds seem like way too few for plinking with the Taurus
It's inexpensive, accurate, and fun to shoot - not a bad choice for $250 or so. I'd rather have one of the various S&W rimfires that are out there, and eventually I'll stumble across a deal that I'll jump on. But until then, the Taurus will keep me happy.
I'd also like to get an SP101 at some point. I'd probably obtain a second cylinder and ream it out for .22 WMR. It'd be nice if it had a higher-cap cylinder, since there's plenty of material there for more rounds without sacrificing any strength. As it is, 9 rounds seem like way too few for plinking with the Taurus
Nick96
Member
When I was looking for a .22 DA revolver, it was to be used as a cheap ammo understudy for my 2.25" .357 Ruger SP101. Ruger no longer makes a 2.25" barrel .22 - so the Taurus line was the only one (for a reasonable price) that was similar. I was looking at buying new. The S&W's were nice - but expensive. The Taurus' were more in line price wise - but the feel just wasn't quite right. Fortunatally, I ran across an older used 2.25" Ruger SP101 in .22 (like 10 minutes before I was going to by the new Taurus for about the same price). There was no comparison between the used Ruger and the brand new Taurus. The Ruger is a much superior gun. So that's what I have - and thousands of rounds later - I'm glad that's what I got.
One thing you will find about a .22 is that it will get shot alot. Ammo is a fraction of the cost of centerfires, and they are just plain fun to shoot. You will literally shoot thousands of .22's for hundeds of centerfires. So while one may be tempted to go with a lower quality .22 than a centerfire - I think the opposite is best. The .22 is going to get used a lot more - and if you are not satisfied with the quality or performance - you will become disappointed rather quickly.
So as most of the previous posts have indicated - if budget is a factor - I'd consider a used S&W (or Ruger) over a new Taurus. There really is that much of a difference.
One thing you will find about a .22 is that it will get shot alot. Ammo is a fraction of the cost of centerfires, and they are just plain fun to shoot. You will literally shoot thousands of .22's for hundeds of centerfires. So while one may be tempted to go with a lower quality .22 than a centerfire - I think the opposite is best. The .22 is going to get used a lot more - and if you are not satisfied with the quality or performance - you will become disappointed rather quickly.
So as most of the previous posts have indicated - if budget is a factor - I'd consider a used S&W (or Ruger) over a new Taurus. There really is that much of a difference.
K-22 or M18 S&W. One of the few bargains in this world for the price you will pay. You are guaranteed a lifetime of pleasure and your kids and grandkids will probably thank you for it as well.
After shooting borrowed K-22s off and on as a kid I finally bought a M18 about 1982 and set it up identically to my duty gun. Have had it 22 years now and shoud have gotten it twenty years before that.
After shooting borrowed K-22s off and on as a kid I finally bought a M18 about 1982 and set it up identically to my duty gun. Have had it 22 years now and shoud have gotten it twenty years before that.
mhdishere
Member
I've got a S&W 617 (Stainless version of the K-22 with full lug barrel) that I LOVE. The thing shoots like it's got eyes, it's MUCH more accurate than I can appreciate. I paid about $400 for it quite a few years ago, but you could probably pick up a used one for less than that.
ACP230
Member
Smith Model 18.
I have had mine for 10 or 12 years.
It had too light a spring at first and misfired with some ammo. After that was taken care of it's been a great revolver.
I found out this spring that it really appreciates Wolf Match Target ammo.
I paid around $325 for mine.
I have had mine for 10 or 12 years.
It had too light a spring at first and misfired with some ammo. After that was taken care of it's been a great revolver.
I found out this spring that it really appreciates Wolf Match Target ammo.
I paid around $325 for mine.
nitesite
Member
Model 18-4
$300 out the door one year ago this September, so it's within your price range. Mine had two tight chambers that made extraction difficult, but that's now remedied. I think one like it would make a great revolver for your needs.
Problem is finding one in like new condition. Few of these come up for sale, but you can find one if you're diligent.
Good Luck!
$300 out the door one year ago this September, so it's within your price range. Mine had two tight chambers that made extraction difficult, but that's now remedied. I think one like it would make a great revolver for your needs.
Problem is finding one in like new condition. Few of these come up for sale, but you can find one if you're diligent.
Good Luck!
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For revolvers, I'm normally a Smith fan (J-frames mostly).
But, for a medium sized .22 plinker, I love the 4" SP-101.
I've also had a Taurus .22 that was a great shooter and had a sweet trigger...just didn't fit me as well as the Ruger.
But, for a medium sized .22 plinker, I love the 4" SP-101.
I've also had a Taurus .22 that was a great shooter and had a sweet trigger...just didn't fit me as well as the Ruger.
Ala Dan
Member in memoriam
Got to go with my friend sm on this one:
a old 4" barrel Smith & Wesson model 18
I have sent thousands of rounds downrange with one of these, that
I bought NIB in 1971 for $209. Its too bad I didn't have enough sense
to keep it!
Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member
a old 4" barrel Smith & Wesson model 18
I have sent thousands of rounds downrange with one of these, that
I bought NIB in 1971 for $209. Its too bad I didn't have enough sense
to keep it!
Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member
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