Best .22 Revolver?

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Mad Jack McMad

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Hello people, i'm looking for a new target revolver and don't really know what to get. The only "must be" is that it is .22LR, if it is a no longer produced model or brand new dosent matter. Finding a used good gun isn't hard if i know what to look for and a new gun is always fun. I haven't really thought about price though, if i find a cheap gun i like that's great but if i find a expensive gun i love that's even better and vice versa.

So bombard me with alternative with their pros and cons.
If you know the approximate price for it that's great too.

/Matthias
 
a good old K-22 will probably be one of the best. You can still find them for $400 and up. And $400 is for a rough one with lots of finish wear.

Colt made some good 22 revolvers but I have no idea what they sell for. A lot I would guess.

I have never had a Ruger single six that shot bad. A couple were really good. Plus they are affordable for just about anyone.
 
You about covered it.....you could buy a used Smith model 17 or 617, kinda expensive but very nice revolvers. Or there is H&R, some are 9 shot,High Standard which are 9 shot, Iver Johnson or a brand spanking new Ruger SP-101 or Single Six, or Charter Arms and Rossi brand which you can find new or used.

Most of these will be available used for under $400.00 or so. Most of those listed except the Smith & Wesson will not be as nicely finished or have as good a triggers. They will all make decent plinkers or vermin control instruments some will make great target guns usually the more expensive the better they shoot.

I'm pretty sure all of them will shoot shorts, long, long rifle or birdshot, the Ruger Single Six will also shoot .22 magnums if you get the extra cylinder in the package.
 
The S&W 17 or 617 are both excellent 22s. They have always had a great reputation for accuracy and hold their value well.
 
i have only shot a h&r 949 (it was pretty good) and a few ruger single sixs....i have owned 3 of the ruger ss and they have all been awsome...i currently have one that is absolutely a ack driver.

i bought it last year used for 265 (no mag cylinder)

they have impressed my so much i see no reason to look for anything else....so if i was shopping for a new 22 revolver i wouled get a new single ten for the extra capacity....i think they should run about 450 but i honestly havenot priced them

i would also be open to a ruger sp101 just because it is da....in my current set up because i already have a sa....if i didnt have any def go with single six/ten
 
My Taurus Mod 96(now discontinued) is a very accurate six-shot 6" revolver. It was Taurus' target-model answer to the S&W 17. Benched it can put all six into one ragged hole at 25yds. On Gunbroker they run around $300-350.
 
An older S&W Model 17 or 18 - Very fine double action revolvers that are no longer made like these were. The 17 6" is a great target revolver and the 18 4" is a great all around option. The stainless version of the 17 is the 617.

The Ruger Super Single Six - current production single action revolver with the swap cylinder so it shoots 22lr and 22 magnum. Great versatility for target shooting and field use.

These are the 22 Revolvers I like best. Build quality is excellent, accuracy is excellent, triggers are great and they will stand up to lifetimes of use and then some.

I have the Ruger SS Six and the S&W Model 18...great guns that I will pass onto my kids and never sell or trade away.
 
The following are generally considered the best available without going to something made by Korth.

Colt Officers Model Match (or one of its predacessors)
S&W Model 17 or the current Model 617
Colt Diamomdback
Colt Trooper Mark III
 
I just went through this myself, and after lots of research I really liked the following:

S&W Model 34 (1970's model I think)
I like this gun because it is built on the J-Frame, versus the K-Frame that the Model 17 and Model 617 are built on. The smaller J-Frame is plenty big for a .22 and points and shoots a lot better IMO. The only downside to the Model 34 for me was the fact it was made out of steel and could rust, this led me to the Model 63. The 63 is basically a stainless steel version of the Model 34. I do not like the new S&W aluminium .22's.

I also like the new Ruger SP101 for the same reasons I like the S&W Model 63. I found the S&W Model 63 a littler easier to shoot accurately, although I'm not sure why. In my tests the Ruger seemed to stay cleaner for some reason and I eventually had a couple cases get stuck in the S&W 63, but they were not that hard to get out.

I also looked at a US Fire Arms 12/.22, and thought it was one of the nicest built guns I looked at. Several guys at the indoor range I go to have these and love them. This is a single action gun. Although I think this gun was way better built (finished) than either the S&W or the Ruger, I couldn't fire it well no matter hard I tried. One of the guys at the range had his worked over by a company called Long Hunter in Texas. I was able to fire this one much better, but still not as good as the Model 63, or even the Ruger.

Finally, I looked at a Freedom Arms Model 97 with a 4.25" barrel. This gun was absolutely amazing! Everything was perfect and the gun fired like a laser! I think it was single action, but don't remember. The gun I used cost over $2,000 new so it is obviously in a different class than the other guns. I doubt you could find a more accurate .22 anywhere!

I ended up with the S&W Model 63 and have been very, very happy with it. It rides in the side pouch of my backpack or on my hip everyday when I'm in the mountains or at my cabin. It is fun to shoot and almost as accurate as the Freedom Arms, but was much, much cheaper. It has put plenty of meat in the crock-pot over the last year.
 
I don't know if it is the best but my K22 from 1953 is amazing.

Still would like a Colt Officer's Target and a Diamondback in .22
 
Depends on what you want it for. I really can't say enough about my Heritage Rough Rider. It certainly does not have the finish of higher end guns such as the Single Sixes, but bang for the buck it ranks right up there in my collection with my Mosin Nagant. I paid around $150 for it used with fiber optic sights and a .22 mag cylinder. It is accurate and dependable, I keep it loaded with the mag cylinder for yard varmints and keep the LR cylinder close by for impromptu shooting sessions. I've been very happy with this gun and have no reservations recommending it to anyone looking for a .22 revolver. I also like the fact that because it is a cheap gun I don't feel bad about leaving it in the truck or even lying out in the house on the back of the couch, where it normally resides.
 
I had a 1955 M17, but sold it for some stupid reason.
I have an M18 built in 1972 or so, and I won't make that mistake again.
 
oh god, do I have a new gun to look for at the next gun show ......... :)

My wallet hates this website.
 
I recently bought a Colt MK III. It shoots pretty darn good. I like the fact that it is a full sized gun. This is the first time out with cheapo ammo. I'd guess a better shot using better ammo might cut my group down a considerable amount....Right now, my eyes are peeled for a nice Diamondback at the right price.

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While my S&W M-17 K-22 has served me well over the years, and the M-34/63 Kit Gun has it's place, I don't think any revolver will match up to my blued 4" Colt Diamondback. I had the 6" version and wasn't impressed, but would really like to find a 2.5" companion
 
any/all of the aforementioned S&Ws or Colts, as well as the Taurus 96
my personal favorites are the S&W k-17 and the T model 96

any similar old Dan Wesson would be a great find, also, if you can find one

all the j-kit guns are truly excellent, but I would stick with 6" k size for a 'target' revolver
(better sight radius, better weight, better DA trigger, more handle)
 
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A current production 10 shot S&W 617, either 4" or 6", will run you nearly seven of those Ben Franklins new. That's a bundle. But - it will bring countless hours of range/field fun, entertainment, competition, and even a few small animals for the pot, if so desired. Add some decent wood grips, an SW617 HiViz front sight, and a DS-10 speedloader & base plate - and some WallyWorld Federal 550 packs or 325 AutoMatch - and voila - FUN!

IMG_3904.jpg

Do I regret my purchase? You bet - I wish I hadn't waited so long to buy it! Fun per buck, it's a bargain. Just consider buying what you want once... not 'settling' for something you might be able to 'get by' with. I sold my ten plus year old Ruger KMK-678GC, eight mags, and scope to fund my revolver - I don't miss the case tosser at all. I'd be lost without my 617. But - we are all different.

Stainz
 
any similar old Dan Wesson would be a great find, also, if you can find one
Click to expand...

I had forgotten to mention that in my previous post - and I have a Dan Wesson!

DWs were the choice for IMSA long-range silhouette shooting.
 
I have 3 that I bought many years ago that shoot very well into small groups..

The S&W model 17 with 8.4" barrel, the Colt officers match with 6" barrel, and the Dan Wesson 22 with 6". All great shooters and can be found on gunbroker.
 
Damn...700 for a new 617 :eek:

That makes $500 for an early K22 look cheap since the barrel is one piece, no MIM parts, no hillary hole and the workmanship is outstanding.
 
One thing about Tarus is that they seem to reguire warranty "visits" more often than some other brands. Read around and you'll likely find more stories of warranty work on Taurus guns than any other brand. At least that seems to be what I've seen. Read around and make up your own mind on this count.

Mind you once the bugs are worked out of each individual's gun they seem to be more than happy with how they shoot. And a 94 is such a big gun shooting such a small cartridge that once settled in you'll easily be good for a couple of lifetimes of shooting. The trick is are you willing to live with the risk of something letting go in that first year or so. Apparently they also pretty much need a trigger job right away to get the trigger feel to match the K frame Smiths.
 
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