Advice on .22 revolver

[gunslinger387]

9mmepiphany,

I have always liked a gun that was overbuilt especially for plinking as was originally posted. If he was going for a carry gun I would advise against a heavy gun. I would also advise against a 22. In general I am a Ruger fan but when I carry it is never a Ruger, they tend to be a little heavy for carry but for plinking just about right.

 

[gggman]

Here's a K frame S&W .22, my 6" Model 17 with Hogue Rosewood grips.

 

[patentmike]

I just picked up a S&W model 43 kit gun. Only 14 ounces, it's about right for a trail plinker. It only cost half as much as they get for the new model 317.

 

[Serpico]

For around 25 bucks at Sears you can't go wrong....

 

[Marshall]

I have always thought of plinking as shooting pop cans, turtles, frogs, some paper targets and squirrel or rabbit here or there. Considering the great single action of a .22 and using it for plinking, I have to ask the question, why does it have to be a double action?

I think the Ruger Single Six in .22lr which comes with an extra cylinder for .22 mag would be a great plinking revolver. So would the smaller Bearcat.

Just wondering.

 

[paul105]

I have the S&W 317 - the 10 oz, 1 7/8" aluminum version. I bought it as a practice companion to the S&W 340 .357 Mag. I put Pachmayr Gripper Decelerators on it to match the 340. I've come to really like this little revolver. You can really make it hum in double action mode. It's really a lot of fun. Because of the weight and barrel length, it is pretty hard to shoot, but makes you concentrate on fundamentals -- sight picture, trigger control, and follow through.

The .22 ammo I use in it really isn't very accurate, but for my purposes it's fine -- Mostly steel plates and steel popers (human sihloutte, Sp?). The sights are bright silver (aluminum) -- used a permanent marker (from Wal Mart) to black both front and back -- this really helped.

The 3", adjustable sight version might be just the ticket for "plinking".
http://www.swfirearms.vista.com/store/index.php3?cat=293480&item=831378&sw_activeTab=1

I don't have any idea about the durability of these aluminum .22's.

Also have a model 34 -- 4" J Frame, Blue Steel version -- it also has the Pachmayr Grippers. This revolver is a lot easier (vs. the 317) to shoot accurately.

Years ago, had a K-22, 6" -- absoutely loved that revolver -- Loaned it to my brother when I went in the service -- Alas, it was stolen.

Also had a Dan Wesson .22. -- Bought it for the accuracy -- it never proved to be any more accurate than the 4" J Frame M 34 mentioned above and it weighed a ton.

Had a Colt Python (Similar to Diamondback) -- Action is much overrated IMHO. I wouldn't pay premium for Diamondback -- I like the S&W action (and Ruger for that matter) better -- but that's just me.

If I had to choose just one, with no other influences (i.e. 340 companion), I'd go with the J Frame M 34 4" with Pachmayr Grippers -- very portable, as accurate as any, adustable sights, reasonable weight (and just plain fun to shoot) -- why this model was discontinued is beyond me.

 

[malada]

Why not single action? I like the speed and ease of dropping a full cylinder of brass and reloading with full access to the cylinder. I've had an H&R sportman model with 6" barrell and ventilated rib for twenty five years. I have many good memories of my buddies with single actions cursing me because I would shoot nine rounds while they shot six, then dump all nine empties at once, reload and continue to obliterate the target while they where trying to finish poking out there empty brass one at a time and reload one at a time. In my opinion, plinking is exactly when you need a double action.

Be safe.

 

[paul105]

Forgot to mention, that 317 is an 8 shot -- they really go fast

 

[Dienekes]

You cannot beat a nice K frame S&W .22--K-22, M18, and the various permutations. I have been shooting my M18 regularly since about 1982 and only wish I had gotten it sooner than I did. Found another in 99% plus condition at a gun show about a year ago for my son and paid $275 for it.

K-22s often go for less than they should. Jim Supica's Old Town Station seems to have them at very reasonable prices from what I saw in his catalogue.

 

[Marshall]

OK, fair enough.

Then by all means, go for the 4" or 6" Model 617 10 shot with the Patridge front sight.

 

[Litlman]

I have a 6 in. k22 from 1947 and a Colt trooper MK 111 6 in. in electrolosis nickle . Both are sweet. K22's are hard to beat. I'm looking for that S&W m-18 still. Good luck.