Getting out of the semi automatic game....

[Zaydok Allen]

I have thought long and hard today about all your suggestions. I am now leaning hard towards the 9mm LCR and the SP101 .22LR. BUT, I am also kind of swayed by the selling the 9mm ammo and buying a .38 LCR. If I go this way, I will get the LCR-X, otherwise it will be too similar to the 642 I already own.

Joe

A friend of mine bought a 4.2 inch bbl .357, online and the barrel was severely canted. It made me wonder about my 22, and when I looked, sure enough, it is ever so slightly canted as well. It's barely noticeable on mine unless you are looking for it. However, now that I noticed it, it kind of bothers me a bit, even though it doesn't have an effect on the accuracy.

Mine also came with rough chambers. I hand polished them with a bore mop and Mother's Mag Polish and fixed the issue I was having with sticky extraction. My point is that the high demand the last few years caused some rough guns to come out of the shoot from Ruger (and others), so just check her over REAL carefully before dropping the cash.

 

[WestKentucky]

On the revolvers, as much as I would like to have a 9mm revolver, I wouldn't buy one unless I had a 9mm auto. I would go 357 mag and shoot 38s through it. The main reason being that the 38/357 platform gives a lot more flexibility in speedloader and ammunition type (especially in published reloading manuals). I would look at a few smiths, rugers, maybe even an older colt trooper, but I would eventually buy another taurus 66. In the 22lr realm I would be hard pressed to buy anything other than a single action, most likely a bear cat or a birdshead single six if I could find one. Being stuck on birdshead I would defiantly consider the heritage. The finish may not be pretty but their 22s work well and shoot straight enough for what I would do with it.

 

[jdavis123]

Charter Arms has the revolver in 9mm that you should be looking for. It has a special spring loaded extractor that will grasp and eject spent 9mm cartridges without moon clips. Just load and eject as would with a rimmed cartridge. For a .22LR plinker, Charter has a dandy DA .22 revolver. I don't own either one of these guns but, they seem to fit your described needs perfectly.

 

[Joezilla]

Charter Arms has the revolver in 9mm that you should be looking for. It has a special spring loaded extractor that will grasp and eject spent 9mm cartridges without moon clips. Just load and eject as would with a rimmed cartridge. For a .22LR plinker, Charter has a dandy DA .22 revolver. I don't own either one of these guns but, they seem to fit your described needs perfectly.

Too bad you don't have either. Have you shot either? I am interested in the Charter Arms Pathfinder .22 LR, but I cannot find anyone online that has one or has shot one.

Joe

 

[jdavis123]

Joe, Check YouTube. I think that you might find some useful information there.

 

[Taurus 617 CCW]

Joe, have you considered a Ruger Blackhawk convertible revolver? You can get them in 9mm/.357 mag. The 9mm cylinder is cut in such a way that you don't have to use a clip system. You just drop the rounds in and start shooting. The only downside that I can see is that it is single action only. I had the chance to inspect one a customer brought in and was intrigued by it.

http://www.ruger.com/products/newModelBlackhawkConvertible/models.html

 

[svtruth]

Many Here

are much more experienced than I, but, I think if you get your hands on a S&W Modeli 19, you will fall in love. Firing .357 is not arduous, and .38 is like shooting .22
Walnut grips, blued steel, a sonnet in steel
Good luck

 

[george burns]

I love revolvers and 45 years ago started my carrying career with a Detective special. I went back and forth between that and a model 60 for 20 years.
So I am very familiar with them, that said, when the small 9mm auto pistol, "Glock 26,27", came into being, it changed the way self defense techniques were thought of. No matter what combination of guns I tried to carry after that,, I always went back to a 26 or 27, even after selling them on more than one occasion.
I hope this works out better for you than it did for me, good luck.

 

[SlayerOfBunnies]

If you took your 1k rounds to a gun show and sold it at the very fair price of $15 a box, that nets you $300. I'd do that and invest in reloading gear (buy a nice single stage press, great dies and the peripheral stuff you need to reload your .38/.357s). If you already have that, you could get a fair amount of ammo or a modest priced used gun.

 

[Waveski]

svtruth speaks the truth.

 

[sleepyone]

I'm doing the same thing and am down to an XD40 which has a sale pending and my Dan Wesson 1911, which I will be keeping.

My wife and daughters don't care for semi-autos and I have always preferred revolvers.

Good information in this thread. I have 1,600 rounds of 9mm and am mulling over whether to sell them or get a 9mm revolver, but after reading these posts I'm probably going to sell and put the money towards a .357 686 or GP100 4" in stainless for my bedroom gun. I have a 686 Plus 6" in SS with some custom work done to it that is my favorite firearm, but I want a 4" for home protection. I also would not want to lose my 686 Plus to the "evidence room" should I ever have to use it for self-defense. The timing and lockup are perfect and I'm really attached to it.

I 'm currently keeping an LCR .38 and a 642, both in snub nose, which I know are not the best choices for bedroom guns.

 

[gamestalker]

Just from a self defense perspective, the 22 lr isn't really a reliable option, as that round experiences a very high rate of mis-fires, so I would say no go, IMO.

If your going to dump all your AL pistols in exchange for wheel guns, I would at least have one decent CF cartridge to rely on, both for fire power, and reliability. The 38 spcl. is a great SD cartridge, it's accurate, effective, and inexpensive to shoot. But there are multiple options for a good CF self defense cartridge, I think you just need to decide which one suits you best.

I'm not a big fan of AL-ing pistols any more either, but I still have them, and if the stuff hits the fan, I at least have the necessary hardware at my disposal if necessary.

GS

 

[Joezilla]

If your going to dump all your AL pistols in exchange for wheel guns, I would at least have one decent CF cartridge to rely on, both for fire power, and reliability.

I still have a j frame 642 and a GP100. I am just trying to decide whether to go with another .38/.357 or a 9mm revolver. I will be getting a .22LR revolver also.

Joe

 

[Zendude]

What is lacking in your J frame? Are you looking for a 6 shot revolver rather than the 5 shot? Your GP 100 fits the bill for a range gun. I guess I am a little confused on what type of use you are looking for in a new revolver, other than the interest in a 9mm caliber. Keep in mind that you might not find a speedloader for a 9mm revolver.

 

[Joezilla]

What is lacking in your J frame? Are you looking for a 6 shot revolver rather than the 5 shot? Your GP 100 fits the bill for a range gun. I guess I am a little confused on what type of use you are looking for in a new revolver, other than the interest in a 9mm caliber. Keep in mind that you might not find a speedloader for a 9mm revolver.

There is nothing lacking in my J frame. I sometimes wish to carry 2 guns since one is none and two is one. I have my Bond Arms derringer, but I did not buy it necessarily for self defense. I sometimes carry it when driving across the country. Another small revolver such as an LCR in .38/.357 or 9mm would fit the bill nicely.

Joe

 

[J-Bar]

A .22 REVOLVER FOR PLINKING PURPOSES...

...to your original question: Look for an old Smith and Wesson Model 18, the .22 Combat Masterpiece. The adjustable sights and match grade trigger will make it a joy to shoot. Plinking should not be sloppy shooting, and the Model 18 will make you proud.

The Ruger Single-Six is also a good choice, and probably a few bucks cheaper, since the S&W is a discontinued model.

 

[Jlr2267]

Of the two 22 revolvers you mentioned, the sp101 is far and away a better revolver IMO. I have both, and the LCR has a smooth but fairly heavy trigger. The sp101 also has a heavy DA trigger, but can be improved with a lighter spring (Wolff sells a kit) and some polishing of the internals.

 

[Berserker]

I wouldn't buy a traditional single action .22 revolver, to slow to load. I haven't shot it alot, but I bought a Double 9, because the cyclnder swings out. With 44 mag, I don't shoot that fast enough and Super Black Hawk is good.

With regards to SP101, I too got one with bad cyldiners. In 2000 the shells got stuck in. Dealer tried to polish it, and ended up handing me a new one.

The SP101, is not a bad gun, it is solid, but not my favorite. I'd rather buy a used S&W though new J frames are as much as LCR.

 

[Joezilla]

I went to the Lewisville gun show today with the intent to purchase a new revolver. I came home empty handed.

I saw a couple of LCR 9mm revolvers, one for $475 and one for $470. I saw several LCR .22LR revolvers, with the cheapest being $385. I did not see a single SP101 in .22LR. Plenty in .357 and .38.

I could not make up my mind and refused to be rushed into a decision. So I came home and plan to do some more research. I will still have the opportunity to purchase from a LGS or I will wait until we are back in Texas in October. No hurry here.

Joe

 

[Gary A]

Count this as another vote for a Ruger Blackhawk Convertible in .357/9mm, either the original large frame with alloy grip-frame or the new, slightly smaller flattop version. A perfect solution for your "problem".

 

[Zendude]

If you will be using the 9mm/38/357 as a second carry gun for your S&W 642, maybe go with a less expensive one like a Rossi or a Charter. If you want one that is more unique, the Charter Bulldog 44 Special is something different.

 

[Joezilla]

If you will be using the 9mm/38/357 as a second carry gun for your S&W 642, maybe go with a less expensive one like a Rossi or a Charter. If you want one that is more unique, the Charter Bulldog 44 Special is something different.

While that idea may appeal to some, I find as I get older that I do not have time to waste on cheap or cheaper firearms, even for one as a backup weapon. I do not wish to take a chance on getting a bad one, that is why I am looking at a Ruger or S&W. Thanks for your idea though. I appreciate the input.

Joe

 

[Hoppes Love Potion]

If S&W is a consideration, the Model 63 would make an ideal all around .22 revolver. 3" stainless J-frame with adjustable sights. It's a bit lighter than the SP-101, likely smoother out of the box, and can cost close to $700 brand new if you can find one.

A used S&W Model 17 (6") or 18 (4") would also fit the bill nicely. These are considered some of the best .22 revolvers ever, with excellent triggers, legendary accuracy, and a quality of craftsmanship that is missing in all but the finest firearms made today. These can cost $600 - $700 in excellent condition.

Any of these Smiths would give you a lifetime of enjoyment and the extra few hundred certainly worth not having the nagging feeling you settled for 2nd best.

 

[JSH1]

I wouldn't buy a traditional single action .22 revolver, to slow to load. I haven't shot it alot, but I bought a Double 9, because the cyclnder swings out. With 44 mag, I don't shoot that fast enough and Super Black Hawk is good.

Sometimes it is nice to slow things down a bit. That said, the Ruger Single 10 holds ten rounds and the loading gate is large enough to load two at a time.

 

[Damon555]

I did the exact same thing....The only semi I have left is my Beratta Neos....I hate chasing brass!

Woops I lied.....I still have a 1911....that's one gun that will never get sold or traded.