DM~
Member
I prefer an older S&W M-17 or 18. I've been useing my M-18 since i bought it new in 1975 and it's still accurate and going strong!
DM
DM
Best .22 Revolver?
- Thread starter Mad Jack McMad
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Lightsped
Member
I too am looking for a .22lr revolver. I already have a Ruger Single Action .22lr. I'd like to get a .22lr snub so that I can practice more with the short barrels that are similar to the 38spl I sometimes carry.
Which S&W models are the .22lr snubs? Something not too old would be good, but it doesn't have to be brand new....
Which S&W models are the .22lr snubs? Something not too old would be good, but it doesn't have to be brand new....
NelsErik
Member
Can anyone tell me the benefits of the S&W Model 17 or 18 over the S&W Model 34 or 63?
Thanks!
Thanks!
shooting4life
Member
I would get a s&w 17 or 617
shooting4life
Member
And if you want the best/most accurate 22lr ever made you would get a freedom arms 252
The leaf spring powered action is smoother, lighter and more amenable to tuning. The larger frame size allows better geometry for better trigger control...also for easier reloading
22-rimfire
Member
You had said "target revolver" which for me means your are looking for something that shoots real well rather than being the smallest 22 revolver available. But the S&W Model 18 (4") is a very good choice. There are some 4" M17's around that were made during the transition between blue and stainless and M17/M18 > M617.
I also was not that impressed with the 6" Colt Diamondback in 22 in terms of shooting over the 4". The blued 4" Colt Diamondback is my favorite 22 revolver. Oh I own all the flavors of Diamondback (or most of them) from 2.5" to 6" in blue and nickel finishes in 22. The 2.5" D-back 22 are very pricey if you can find one. They are pretty much a collectors gun now. But the 4" is my favorite for general purposes which is about all I shoot 22 revolvers for.
The M17 and M18 Smiths are very good, and I only purchased them after the Diamondbacks started getting so darn expensive. Most people will shoot either the M17 or M18 better than the M34 or the newish M63. But the smaller framed Smiths are very nice and appeal to me a great deal.
The Freedom Arms single action is probably the cat's meow of single actions in 22. You pay for it however like all quality stuff.
If I were looking for a 22 for "target", then the Colt Officers Model Match would be very high on my list. But I tend to prefer 4" 22 revolvers overall. Like ColtPythonElite, I find the Colt Trooper Mark III a very fine full sized 22 revolver (available in 4", 6", and 8" versions).
Ruger has just recently introduced the SP-101 in a 4" barrel (4.2" I believe) which may be a good option for general shooting. But it is no S&W M17/617 or Colt Officers Model Match.
I also was not that impressed with the 6" Colt Diamondback in 22 in terms of shooting over the 4". The blued 4" Colt Diamondback is my favorite 22 revolver. Oh I own all the flavors of Diamondback (or most of them) from 2.5" to 6" in blue and nickel finishes in 22. The 2.5" D-back 22 are very pricey if you can find one. They are pretty much a collectors gun now. But the 4" is my favorite for general purposes which is about all I shoot 22 revolvers for.
The M17 and M18 Smiths are very good, and I only purchased them after the Diamondbacks started getting so darn expensive. Most people will shoot either the M17 or M18 better than the M34 or the newish M63. But the smaller framed Smiths are very nice and appeal to me a great deal.
The Freedom Arms single action is probably the cat's meow of single actions in 22. You pay for it however like all quality stuff.
If I were looking for a 22 for "target", then the Colt Officers Model Match would be very high on my list. But I tend to prefer 4" 22 revolvers overall. Like ColtPythonElite, I find the Colt Trooper Mark III a very fine full sized 22 revolver (available in 4", 6", and 8" versions).
Ruger has just recently introduced the SP-101 in a 4" barrel (4.2" I believe) which may be a good option for general shooting. But it is no S&W M17/617 or Colt Officers Model Match.
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Steve CT
Member
Dan Wesson 722, I shoot mine with 2", 4", and 6" very regularly. Be prepared to pay $450 and up, worth every penny.
agent89
Member
- Joined
- Jul 1, 2010
- Messages
- 58
I have a model 18 smith, nice piece. Hate to say it but .22 is somewhat boring to shoot these days. It is so heavy for the round that I flinch a little because there is no recoil to speak of. Still I love it as a fine older smith revolver. Mine has the uncle mikes rubber grips on it, otherwise stock. The new ruger sp101 in .22 is a nice looking piece!
Win1892
Member
My model S&W 63 suits me just fine as does my High Standard Double Nine
olafhardtB
Member
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- May 8, 2011
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- 393
22 lr revolver
I have two kit guns, a s&w 34 & a s&w 317. For targets I would pick the 34. For carry I would pick the 317 if the choice was between those two. For just blasting I take both. I love them both. I prefer small revolvers and my attempt to wear out the 34 has gotten me use to J frames
I have two kit guns, a s&w 34 & a s&w 317. For targets I would pick the 34. For carry I would pick the 317 if the choice was between those two. For just blasting I take both. I love them both. I prefer small revolvers and my attempt to wear out the 34 has gotten me use to J frames
oldfool
Member
BC
I do not disagree with anything you said there, but I did not see anyone recommend a Taurus 94 (unless I missed it twice reading thread)
nor would I recommend
FWIW,
the old model Taurus 96 is a very different gun (don't think they have made them in a very long time now); it's a k-17 'clone', as another poster said above, and a worthy one
oldfool
Member
what 9mm said, and as I mentioned above
"better sight radius, better weight, better DA trigger, more handle"
(although I think the k-18s are all 4" models ??)
I do love my 4" old model kit guns (model 63 and 651), and I do believe they have equal accuracy potential to my 6" Ks (k-17, k-17, k-48, t-96), but the extra barrel length and weight/size is simply more 'shootable friendly' on targets, IMO
in DA mode, there is a very significant difference between the J trigger and K trigger, as 9mm said. You need to shoot them side by side to truly feel it, you know.
Rare few small frames have as bad a DA trigger as a Taurus 94, and the S&Ws J triggers are decent, but a J is not a K
Acknowledged, many revolver target shooters shoot SA mode only
but if you shoot DA, it matters
Nothing beats trigger control for "on target"; a good trigger is a real good place to start
I don't think I have ever shot a revolver with a gosh awful bad SA trigger. Wish I could say the same about DA triggers.
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Guillermo
member
as far as the query
Please understand that there is nothing that a J frame does as well, let alone better, than a K frame except conceal.
Please understand that there is nothing that a J frame does as well, let alone better, than a K frame except conceal.
DM~
Member
NelsErik
Member
Thanks to everyone for the answers to my question.
I guess my criteria plays a huge roll in what the best gun for me is. I bought mine to function as a typical "kit gun" and pretty much am either carrying it with me (most of the time as a secondary gun) or within easy reach at all times.
I'm saving for a Freedom Arms though...
Anyhow, thanks again!
I guess my criteria plays a huge roll in what the best gun for me is. I bought mine to function as a typical "kit gun" and pretty much am either carrying it with me (most of the time as a secondary gun) or within easy reach at all times.
I'm saving for a Freedom Arms though...
Anyhow, thanks again!
woad_yurt
Member
No one's mentioned convertible H&R 676s. I have one with the 7.5" barrel and it's a very, very, very accurate gun. It's a got a pretty nice trigger pull, too.
Gordon
Member
Well my first real hand gun was a Kit Gun snub (M34 2") and I still have it almost 50 years later- the blue is worn in spots.
I have my Dad's 1955 Colt Officer's model Match Target and it is in good shape after 10s of thousands of rounds thru it. I also bought a prewar one a few years back that is exquisite but needs to be kept perfectly clean to work.
I have a beautiful K22 from the early 60s which is very accurate and has the target hammer and trigger. Also a Model 18 4" that is my favorite plinker.
My "best .22" is my Diamondback however. It is amazingly accurate and gorgeous!
I have my Dad's 1955 Colt Officer's model Match Target and it is in good shape after 10s of thousands of rounds thru it. I also bought a prewar one a few years back that is exquisite but needs to be kept perfectly clean to work.
I have a beautiful K22 from the early 60s which is very accurate and has the target hammer and trigger. Also a Model 18 4" that is my favorite plinker.
My "best .22" is my Diamondback however. It is amazingly accurate and gorgeous!
roaddog28
Member
To me when anyone mentions target revolver I think about single action with a barrel length of at least 5.5 or more. And target ranges are 25 yards or more. Anything less is a range toy in my opinion. So if I am looking for target revolver I think anything from a S&W 17 to a freedom arms. Throw Dan Wesson, Ruger Single sixes and like the old H&R Sportman. Few people can really shoot accurate at those distances double action. If you thinking double action then it would be the S&W 17. K frame to me have the best double action trigger.
I once had a H&R 649 5.5 length barrel and this revolver was very accurate shooting single action at 25 yards. The double action trigger was horrible.
Good luck,
Howard
I once had a H&R 649 5.5 length barrel and this revolver was very accurate shooting single action at 25 yards. The double action trigger was horrible.
Good luck,
Howard
Whole generations of PPC and Bianchi Cup shooters...who held tight groups at 50 yards...might disagree with you
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