Cheap .22 revolver

[whm1974]

I'm planning on going to a gun shop soon and one of the things I'm looking for is a .22 handgun. Now I notice from looking though www.gunsamerica.com there are cheap .22 revolvers from RG industries and others for like $90 or so. Now are these even worth the low price? What about other guns I may run across that have low price tags but I have never heard of?

-Bill

 

[JBP]

The company went out of business in 1986 so I doubt if you are going to find any parts if you need them. H&R although not in the same class as S&W and Ruger made some real nice .22s IMHO. My first wheel gun that I bought over 25 years ago and still shoot is a H&R 922. It is as accurate as my Ruger Single-Six. They are out of the handgun business as well but parts are plentiful (except for my 60 year old Trapper model).

 

[Okiecruffler]

My first pistol was an RG

I still have it, mainly because I couldn't live with myself if I passed it on to anyone else. In it's defense, it's never failed to fire, but a more inaccurate pistol has never been made. We're talking 6-8 inches at 10 yrds.

 

[P95Carry]

I had one of these -- Charter Arms Pathfinder. I bought it used ... WELL used and it was sloppy - hard to put right. Would like to have tried a tighter one.

However - I have to say - it was the best feeling small revo ever ... and accurate enough. Just could be there are a few around even now .. or maybe even it is still made. Can't cost too much at all.

Old and poor pic ... sorry.

 

[Nick96]

I'd recommend getting a better quality .22 revolver. In the cheap catagory, as previously stated, the old H&R's were about the cheapest .22 revolvers around with any useful purpose. Never had a Charter .22, but did have a .44 & .357 - both of which were okay - so these may be worth looking at.

My recommendation would be to restrict your search to S&W or Ruger .22's (new or used). Both are high quality. And both will prove to be more satisfying purchaces thousands of rounds and years down the road.

 

[Majic]

Bill, you went thru this same thing several weeks ago. You will get what you pay for. Save your pennies and get a used quality revolver or you may be cussing the money you wasted on the low quality ones. In this thread you will most likely hear the same answers as before.
You have gone from saving for a $200 to $300 model to looking at $100 specimens.
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=91530

 

[Stainz]

Forgive my hypocracy here... I am a dyed-in-the-wool revolver fancier. In fact, my only evil-bottom-feeder is a Ruger MKII .22. Even if you can afford a new ten shot S&W 617, which is a very nice revolver, I'd get a MKII first. You just can't have any more fun plinking than you can with a MKII, whether it is a bare-bones blued 4" or the Govt Comp 6 7/8" top-of-the-line model, and some cheap ammo (Federal Lightnings - my MKII loves them - $7.90/brick!). They range new from a bit over $200 to $400 at my local dealer. Extra mags, and they come with two, are economical and readily available. And... talk about dependable - and ready and available hop-up goodies - they are super. No, I am not opionated at all...

The only dissappointing time I have ever had at the range with my MKII was the day I forgot my magazines. They are not so much fun as a one shot... Yeah, I know, the range's store actually had new ones on the wall... but I am frugal (cheap) - and I already had eight. Fortunately, I had my revolvers - and proper ammo... Even a bad day at the range is fun...

Stainz

 

[Turkish]

If you're in Phoenix I have a High Standard Sentinel Deluxe, 6"(I believe, I'm at work right now, might be 8") that I might be willing to trade or sell for the right price. I've seen them on some of the auction sites for as high as $300, but I would let mine go for $120. It does have some blueing worn off on the cylinder and frame from the cylinder rubbing on it but other than that it's in great condition. VERY fun little pistol, pretty accurate too. If you're interested PM me, if you are in Phoenix I would have no problem letting you test it out at the range.

 

[whm1974]

Bill, you went thru this same thing several weeks ago. You will get what you pay for. Save your pennies and get a used quality revolver or you may be cussing the money you wasted on the low quality ones. In this thread you will most likely hear the same answers as before.
You have gone from saving for a $200 to $300 model to looking at $100 specimens.

I'm already cussing myself for passing up a HS Sentinal... Gunsamerica has also listed used Charter arms trailbrazers(not really what I'm looking) for $100 to $150, are you telling to pass those up?

If you're in Phoenix I have a High Standard Sentinel Deluxe, 6"

Sorry I live in IL

-Bill

 

[farscott]

.22LR Dan Wesson revolvers also can be found for very little money. I just saw a blued Monson-produced sample in about 95% condition at a local dealer that came with both the four-inch and eight-inch barrels, the tools to swap barrels (feeler gauge and multi-function tool), and the case for $275. I bet the OTD price could be even lower. DW revolvers seem to have no resale value.

 

[whm1974]

DW revolvers seem to have no resale value.

Can't see why. I'm going to wait until I can send to spend $300 before I looking around at a gun shop. I may not spend that much, but...

-Bill

 

[Jim K]

IMHO, an RG revolver is worthless at any price.

If you want a DA revolver, look around gun shops and gun shows (also auction sites, but careful of buying sight unseen) for a good used S&W K-22 or Kit Gun. There are also some Colt DA .22's around, but they are scarce. Ruger DA .22's are less common, but good.

For a SA revolver, Ruger is unbeatable; the Single Six and smaller Bearcat are very good. I would avoid foreign copies; some are fine, but some are junk and it is not easy to tell the difference.

For automatics, the Browning and SIG Trailside have devoted followings, but my own preference is for the Ruger .22 auto. Used Rugers are easy to come by and rarely have anything wrong with them.

Jim

 

[nitesite]

Try and expand your focus beyond revolvers. IMHO there is no better .22 handgun for an affordable price than the Ruger Mark II. Two grip styles/angles are offered. Used examples can easily be found for well under $200. Probably closer to $150...

Extremely accurate, tunable with sear/trigger from Volquartsen, and just a hoot to shoot.

You gotta spend much more than $150 for a decent .22 revolver from the major manufacturers.

 

[whm1974]

You gotta spend much more than $150 for a decent .22 revolver from the major manufacturers.

I'll probley end up doing this... My problem is I have a low paying job. While I can save enough money to get almost anything I want, I'm not willing to spend money on just a name. I am willing to buy use and to wait until I come across something better. I also refuse to pay an arm and leg for something just because this is the only gun dealer in the area.

It seems to me very people will sell thier .22 handguns if they need money, they sell they other guns first...

-Bill

 

[The_Antibubba]

H&R 999

I had one of these. It's a break-top, so ejection was very easy. Trigger is a little heavy, but overall, it was very enjoyable.

 

[Majic]

I'm not willing to spend money on just a name.

I can understand the crunch of spending your pennies when things are tight (we all probably have been there once or twice in life), but in the gun industry it's realy not about just a name as a status symbol. The name brands means quality. That includes a very good gun, easily serviced in many places, selection of accessories (holsters, sights, grips, aftermarket improvements, etc.) you just don't find in the low quality models.
You can buy a used quality .22lr today, take reasonable care of it and sometime in the future the kids will have a ball shooting Grandpa's gun. Some of the low quality models won't make it a year or two even if bought new. I have a Colt OMT in .22lr. It's still shooting with the best of them and it was built in 1938. She's no stranger to a brick of ammo neither, she earns her keep not just a safe queen.
The semi-auto route may be the way for you if you just can't save for the revolver. Some are lower in cost and still high in quality.
My point in all this babbling is to get a quality handgun. When times are tight and the pennies are short that low quality gun you bought could have you cussing and you haven't finished shooting the first brick of ammo. Now is not the time to waste your money. Get the most value for your dollar.

 

[Flatfender]

Cheap New Guns: www.heritagemfg.com

Not bad little guns. I bought a couple years ago for my young children to plink with instead of my Rugers, Colts and S&Ws. They now shoot the Rugers, Colts and S&Ws instead of the Heritages.


Cheap used guns: I see good used Ruger Single Sixes for a little more than a new Heritage. The Ruger shoots much better and will last way longer than the cheapies.

I bought a used Ruger Mark I Standard semi-auto w/3 mags for $150 less than a month ago.

IMHO, Life is too short to use cheap guns.

 

[whm1974]

I'm not looking for a SA revolver. It will be awhile before I can get to gun shop so hopefully I can save enough to get something decent.

While I want a revolver, I will pick an auto, maybe even both if I can afford it.

-Bill

 

[nitesite]

Bill~~

I wish you the best in your quest for a quality .22LR handgun. I am sure that, whether used or new, the fact that you are being patient will bring you very satisfying results.

The great thing about those .22s.... once you own one, it doesn't take much to feed it! I really enjoy the .22 handguns that I own, all three of 'em!!! (And none cost really all that much).

nitesite

 

[P95Carry]

All you have to bear in mind is ...

"A brick of .22lr is about the cheapest price you can pay for a days worth of grinning."

 

[Mark whiz]

for a nice little .22 pistol - check these out:

http://www.heritagemfg.com/index.shtml

They've had some pretty decent reviews.

 

[Majic]

"A brick of .22lr is about the cheapest price you can pay for a days worth of grinning."

You still remember that one.

 

[whm1974]

I wish you the best in your quest for a quality .22LR handgun. I am sure that, whether used or new, the fact that you are being patient will bring you very satisfying results.

The great thing about those .22s.... once you own one, it doesn't take much to feed it! I really enjoy the .22 handguns that I own, all three of 'em!!! (And none cost really all that much).

The reason I'm being patient is due to the fact I have no money. The fact that .22s are cheap to feed is a reason I want a few. The first gun I brought should have been a .22 instead of a .38... Oh well...

I got a bonus check today(payday every other friday) and I'm also getting a little overtime. I'm taking my change and throwing it into a 39 oz coffee can I have sitting here, when it gets full I'll go shopping.

-Bill

 

[nitesite]

WHM1974~~

I understand the situation you find yourself in more than you know. I spent many years as a newbie cop and then a volunteer enlisted Regular Army soldier. It pained me to have access to so many cool weapons and yet be unable to afford a nice one of my own. Add a wife and newborn son and it was an impossibility for many many years.

Just the fact that you desire a .22 revolver makes us brothers, because I yearned for one for a long time. I finally snagged one a year ago and I am proud to own it. But before I owned the Model 18, I bought a Ruger Mk II pistol and (although it lacks the 'romanticism' of a blued revolver) it is the .22 handgun that I shoot most often. It cost me then, and would still cost, half what a decent revolver now goes for...

Accuracy is excellent, cleaning is a ten-minute procedure (can't do that with a revolver) and it isn't picky about ammo.

nitesite

 

[whm1974]

I shot the 22/45 at the range I go to, and I'll buy either the 22/45 or the mark II but I don't know if I like the new Mark III.

-Bill