Best (cheap?) DA .22 for shooting "quiet" ammo?

[PaladinX13]

I've got loads of subsonic and below .22LR (and Short) ammo since that's what I primarily shoot from my rifles and I was thinking of getting a revolver to plink with. Prices and features on revolvers vary a lot and this would be my first handgun (possibly only- but I don't shoot a whole lot to begin with). My first instinct was that a Kit or UltraLite gun would be ideal- but they seem expensive (if I'm going to be using weak ammo). How much does barrel length/weight matter? If I'm using such ammo should I just try to find the cheapest servicable gun?

I dunno, help me out! Thanks!

 

[Josey]

CHEAP! Used Taurus 941 22 with 4" barrel. BEST! Colt Trooper 22 with 4" barrel.

 

[Nick96]

Of the current brand new production models that I see with any frequency:

* Taurus - probably the greatest variety of barrel lengths & finishes available. Reasonably priced. Quality is generally okay - there seems to be a bit of varience from gun to gun. You really need to physically inspect and operate the one you want to get though - don't pay up front & special order. What you get may not be like the example you may have handled.

* Ruger SP101 - very stout, good quality & priced a bit higher than the Taurus. Some find it heavy for a smallish frame .22. Windage only adjustible rear sights. Only six shot cylinder (most others are 9 shot).

* S&W - they have small light frame and big heavy frame versions. All are premium quality - and all are much more expensive than the Taurus or Ruger.

On the used market there are many different models. Probably the least expensive but of good quality are the H&R's. Of highest doller & quality are S&W's and Colts. There are also Dan Wessons. Not sure if they are still in production - but lots of good press about these revolvers.

Just a suggestion about buying a .22 DA revolver. Get the best you can afford and that really suits your likes & needs. A .22 is going to get shot a lot (like thousands of .22's to hundreds of center fires). The ammo is so cheap and they are so much fun to shoot - you will likely end up shooting it more than any other DA revolver. So if there is something about it that doesn't suit you - it's going to become irritating very quickly.

 

[tbeb]

Look for a used, old model--usually identified with an unshrouded ejector rod-- Charter Arms Pathfinder. It has an adjustable rear sight, and capacity is 6 rounds. Empty weight with 3" barrel is about 18 1/2 ounces. I think it also was made with a 6" barrel. A blue one in excellent condition should cost about $150.

Between a Smith & Wesson or Colt or Ruger, I would probably go with a used Ruger SP-101, even though its rear sight is only adjustable for windage. I choose that because I like double action revolvers, it is a good gun, and it will probably cost less than a S&W or Colt.

 

[PaladinX13]

Thanks for the tips! I'm checking out the inventories of the gunshops around me... if I can't find a good value or what I want I might have to purchase new. By the way, why doesn't Colt make the Diamondback anymore? (I was researching it and it's an expensive rarity now)

 

[Thirties]

I'm sorry to say it, but there is no such thing as quiet ammo in a hangun, and especially in a revolver.

I shoot Colibris and Super Colibris in a 20" rifle (BL-22) and it is completely silent. I tried them in semi and revolver handguns -- need to wear ear protection.

 

[PaladinX13]

Don't worry, I have no illusions about how "quiet" it will be, it's just that I only buy those types of ammo so I'm wondering if there are any related considerations when buying a revolver. Super Colibris will probably not reliably cycle an auto so a revolver seems like a fun and versatile choice.

 

[prisoner6]

I know you specified DA, but you may not want to rule out a good SA like a Ruger Single Six. These can be found very reasonably priced used and are quite nice little shooters. But, SA may not be your thing.

 

[aug e. dog]

My experience shooting colibris and super colibris out of revolvers is that they are pretty quiet. Not silent, but pretty quiet. Maybe I've lost too much of my hearing, but I did not feel I needed hearing protection. The revolvers I've used were a Ruger Single Six w/ 6.5" barrel and a Heritage Rough Rider w/ 4" barrell. Speaking of decent, inexpensive .22's, the Heritage fits the bill, although not a double action. It's not as nice as the Ruger, but it's performance is more than acceptable given its price.