Double Action .22 suggestions?

[Lucky Strike]

Well i really want a .22 revolver for cheap plinking, maybe some varmint hunting and after seeing 3:10 to Yuma when it came out I was all excited about getting a single action.

After some research I settled on a Single Six (5.5" barrel) and was just waiting till I saved up enough money. After a trip to the indoor range and rental of a Colt Python it made me second guess the single action decision and explore what's out their in DA land.

So, i'd like some suggestions on a .22 DA (4" barrel or longer)....something that's in the same price range....$325-ish.

 

[22-rimfire]

I recommend that you look for a Smith & Wesson Model 17 (usually 6" barrel) or 18 (4" barrel) that is slightly used and it will run around $450-$550. New Smith Model 617's run around $600. Take a look at the Smith Model 63 though. http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/...d=10001&productId=63570&langId=-1&isFirearm=Y

I know these are more than your budget, but you will appreciate the quality in the long run after you see people buy and sell their Taurus, Charter, Rossi, and other revolvers and you still have one of the best available.

Added: You will be hard pressed to find a DA revolver that comes close to a Colt Python in 22 caliber. The best are the ones I've mentioned along with the older Colts that have been discontinued.

 

[Rex B]

Well, in new guns, I know of only one choice: The Taurus 94 series.
Nice guns, double action, variety of barrel lengths and finishes. Good sights.
They run about your price range.
More than that and you can get a S&W
Below that maybe a H&R. A mint 949 should be not hard to find for $200.
it's a 9-shot DA/SA "cowboy" style revolver. Does not have a swing-out cylinder like a S&W does.

 

[Lucky Strike]

Hmmm.......yeah just can't get above the lower $300 price range (mostly cause i'm also saving for a .357 and would rather put the extra money into that purchase).

So it looks like my choice will be between a Ruger Single Six and a Taurus 94 or 970

decisions, decisions...... i'm pretty sure i want a DA now but Taurus' iffy reliability reputation makes it a tough choice...the idea of getting a lemon though is something i don't want to experience

 

[Lucky Strike]

What's the consensus on the 94 vs. 970? Is one particularly better then the other?

 

[Majic]

Don't be afraid to look at the used market. You can find some quality ones in good shape for the price tag you want to see. Worn finish means nothing if the revolver is still tight. A lot of .22s are well used but still in very good shape. In fact a lot of shooters would prefer to find the older guns rather than getting a new one

 

[Onmilo]

While I am not a great big fan of Charter Arms revolvers, this company has a .22 caliber version called the Pathfinder which is an adjustable sight, six shot revolver I have seen in two inch, three inch, and four inch barrel versions.
The three inch guns seem to be the most common on the used gun market.

These are fairly decent handguns and usually sell for under three hundred bucks.

Rossi had a nice .22 revolver out at one time.
These seem to have dried up since Taurus and Rossi merged.

Too many issues with Taurus pistols to garner recommending them.

 

[Quoheleth]

This is not a flame...

...but before you buy a Taurus 94 or 970, pick one up. Feel its balance.

Then pick up a S&W.

You won't believe the difference in the SW. Night & day.

Taurus 970 seems to have a good reputation, but TO ME it felt very muzzle-heavy and not enough grip. I was expecting more like a GP100-size grip to balance that heavy muzzle. It wasn't. I didn't buy...and I am glad I didn't because I was thinking of ordering one sight-unseen.

For <$300, you're either going to have to go used S&W, new Taurus, or other brand (Rossi, et. al.). Personally, if you can't find the S&W, I would either get the Ruger SA or get a good semi-auto .22 - either a Ruger or a Browning.

My 2 cents...

Q

 

[Legionnaire]

Lucky, given the options you're considering, I'd opt for the Single Six. I have both a Single Six and a Taurus 941 (Taurus 94 but in .22WMR). The fit and finish on the Taurus (which I bought new) are fine, and it shoots quite accurately. But its DA trigger is very heavy, and from all I've read about these revolvers, there is no easy way to lighten the trigger and keep the gun firing reliably. It's fine when shooting SA, but if you're going to do that, might as well get the Single Six.

Good deals are to be had on the latter. I found a second hand 5.5" stainless convertible for well under $300. The convertible give you the option of shooting .22LR or .22WMR, and the latter would be the better option for varmint hunting. Were I to decide to sell one or the other, the 941 would go on the block and I'd keep the Single Six.

 

[alde]

You can't go wrong with a Ruger Single Six. It will last 3 or 4 lifetimes and will be a good shooter. You can probably get a good used one for a pretty decent savings.

 

[22-rimfire]

Here is my take. If you want a good one, you pay the price. If you want a cheap immitation of a good one, then you get what you paid for. Double action 22's are so much easier to load and unload than any single action. This adds to your enjoyment as you can shoot more. Prior to semi-automatic 22 pistols becoming prominant and Colt really made that happen, competitive shooters chose the Colt Officers Model and Officers Model Match.

The Ruger Single Six is a well made firearm. They are not known for their target shooting accuracy. I don't own one as I own Colts. Don't need one and there are enough informed statements by folks here on the forums that I don't need to buy one just to find out what I already know. But, I have to admit that I almost bought a long barreled single six and at the last minute changed my mind as I was paying for a couple other revolvers at the time. The Ruger Single Six are plinking and hunting guns. But the Colts were better in every department. The rest are immitations.

[Colt observed how popular the Ruger Single Six was in the mid-1950's and decided to scale their SSA down to 22. They made a better fitted and more accurate single action 22.]

Money is always a big issue. Get the 22 first. Get a good one. Practice and learn to shoot the revolver well. Then buy your 357 mag revolver. You will be a better shooter overall. I would buy both within about a 6 month period of time and you got exactly what you have wanted.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

From www.gunsamerica.com

S&W K22 Masterpiece (Gun Number: 976976652) Classified Ad

S&W K22 Masterpiece .22LR 6 shot 6" barrel with target adjustable sights. About 80% condition, no box..

Seller: Lock Stock and Barrel (FFL Dealer) $375.00

I wish I could find similar buys on Colts, but their prices are sky-high these days.

 

[DPris]

Looks like I'm the only one here who'd vote for a used S&W Model 34 J-Frame.
One of the finest little guns the company made, still around on the used market if you look hard enough.
Denis

 

[Shawnee]

Hi Lucky...

"So it looks like my choice will be between a Ruger Single Six and a Taurus 94 or 970"

That line-up is so lobsided it doesn't present a real choice, Lucky.
Buy the Ruger.

 

[theNoid]

If you don;t mind buying used, there is always the H&R and High Standard offerings in which are great little plinkers when you buy one in good shape, and usually on the cheap.

Noidster

 

[Brian Dale]

"Am I willing to wait a month or two and save up a couple of hundred extra bucks in order to have a revolver that I'll really enjoy for the rest of my life?"

For me, the answer is Yes. I like used Colts and Smiths.