Hunting .22lr Pistol or Revolver

[dispatch55126]

I'm thinking about adding a .22lr pistol to my collection for small game hunting. Simplicity and accuracy are my two criteria and I've been looking at Ruger. I use to have a 22/45 and liked the action but didn't like the grip so I sold it.

A Bearcat or Single Six would fit the bill for simplicity but I don't know what their accuracy is. The MKIII is plenty accurate but takedown is a PITA plus you have the added requirement of magazines.

Ideas?

 

[Avenger29]

I am not a fan of single action revolvers and prefer a double action revolver. But that's just me, plenty enjoy the SA revolvers.

The Ruger semi-autos are good, once you get used to the takedown/reassembly. Be advised that one of the popular mods for the 22/45 is to add 1911 grips to it. And the Ruger Mark III (not 22/45) has a lot of grips available for you to choose from. The Browning Buckmark is also a fine choice.

 

[6x6pinz]

I have had a lot of success with the Buckmark in 7.25 hi viz sights. Very accurate and reliable, simple to maintain. I have been working with the Ruger single six and the Heritage Arms revolvers. The Heritage had an appeal to me as it has a safety and can be safely carried with all six rounds loaded. The Heritage comes in 22lr and 22mag for when a little more power is required.

 

[Avenger29]

I have been working with the Ruger single six and the Heritage Arms revolvers. The Heritage had an appeal to me as it has a safety and can be safely carried with all six rounds loaded. The Heritage comes in 22lr and 22mag for when a little more power is required.

As far as I know, all Ruger revolvers now have the transfer bar safety that makes them safe to carry with all chambers loaded. And Ruger will install the bar for you if you desire it (or even if you don't if the gun gets shipped back to the factory)

 

[lloveless]

I started hunting with an Iver Johnson 6 shot and 4 inch barrel in .22. Then a High Standard revolver with a 4 inch barrel. Now have a Ruger Mark 2 with 5.5 inch bull barrel that I dearly love. I have a spare 10 rd mag for it. I have tried freinds single sixes, but I just can't get into SA revolvers. It is either a DA revolver or my Mark 2.
ll

 

[NotSoFast]

I started out with only target practice in mind and increasing my shooting efficiency. So I bought an Advantage Arms 22lr conversion kit. So if I was to go hunting, it would be with what I have. While it is only a 4" barrel, it would be good for close work. I'd be bringing my 22 rifle for longer range than, say, 15 yards.

 

[Guillermo]

There are sooooo many great choices to fire a 22lr from. Some GREAT revolvers from smith, colt and dan wesson. The Buckmark is a bargain. (I own 2)

My absolute favorite, an early 60's Smith model 41. Accurate as a laser and as sweet as nectar. One of my 3 favorite guns with a 100% Python and a silly expensive handmade shotgun.

 

[woad_yurt]

How about a 676 convertible? I have one with a 7.5" barrel and it's a monster tack driver in LR or WMR. The trigger is nice and it kills Single Sixes in the accuracy department. But, it's also DA, which is a handy, handy feature.

It does not have the finish level of a Smith or a Single Six but it's a hell of a shooter for not too much cash. If I could only have one rimfire handgun, this'd probably be it. The one below was about $200-$225 or so.

 

[mustang_steve]

If you can find one in good shape, a 6" S&W K22 is a good way to go. They are a little pricey, but man are they accurate.

 

[MutinousDoug]

I like your consideration of the Ruger Bearcat. I have one that I take backpacking. Offhand accuracy suffered from vertical stringing until I replaced the hammer spring with a lighter (Wolff, I think) one. Groups are still slightly bigger vertically than horizontally but plenty good for grouse or rabbit head shots out to 12-15 yds.
Sights are hard for an old guy like me to see but it is significantly lighter to carry than the Single Six. I wouldn't trade it for anything less than a S&W Kit Gun.

 

[BlindJustice]

For a single action I'd get a Single Six - aren't Bearcats limited in barrel len. options? a Single Six w/5 1/2" barrel has a nice sight radius for accuracy and it would be more like a Blackhawk should you want to move
up to a centerfire Single Action.

I have a couple of S&W Double Action revolvers, in centerfire as well as
my first handgun was a S&W Model 18 K-22 Combat Masterpiece which being
young and dumb is long gone.... I replaced it a couple years ago with a 6" bbl. 617 which is great for warming up at the range & plinking but they are spendy however I plan on passing it along to G'kids I am looking though for a MOdel 34 or 63 pre-owned Kit gun .22 on the small J frame.

S&W's sure keep up at the top of the used market

Randall

 

[Brian Williams]

I would opt for a Ruger Single Six Hunter, it comes with scope rings and they can be very accurate.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I agree a Ruger Single-Six is a very good .22 for hunting. I didn't know about the Hunter, that sounds even better.

If you're set on a DA revolver the S&W M617 would be a good choice.

 

[b.thomas]

Nice thing about the single-six is it usually comes with two cylinders, one for .22 lr and one for .22 win mag. The mag cylinder will give about 50% more muzzle velocity........nice thing for hunting.
Both my long gone Single-six and current S&W 617 were/are very accurate handguns.

 

[kludge]

Simplicity and accuracy are my two criteria and I've been looking at Ruger. I use to have a 22/45 and liked the action but didn't like the grip so I sold it.

Buckmark

 

[JohnBT]

I have my father's old Model 17 with an 8.375" barrel and a 2x Burris scope and it's much more accurate than my 1990-ish 4" Model 17.

My Single Six is good, but the big Model 17 is better, although the '72 Ruger has a cleaner, lighter SA trigger pull if you can believe it. It's an honest 2# factory pull compared to the 17's 2.5#.

Depending on what you're hunting, how about a Model 647 in .17 HMR? It's just a stainless Model 17 for all intents. This is with an UltraDot on it, but I like a 2x scope better. My father bought this one too. (He's still alive, just got too old to shoot much at all at 87.)



It's all what you like and what you can find that feels right.

I had an early 22/45 that was very accurate. The 5.5" bull barrel model iirc. They aren't hard to pull down and reassemble.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

I have several .22 pistols, including a Ruger MKII, a Colt Officer's Model Target and a Colt Woodsman. The latter two are about tied for accuracy, but I shoot the Woodsman better and that's what I hunt with.

The Ruger MK II is not a bad gun -- but the Colts are better. One of the key faults of the Ruger automatic is trigger backlash -- the trigger keeps moving after the sear releases. One good way to fix that is with Mole Foam (TM), available in the footcare section of any drug store. Cut a small square and stick it to the backstrap behind the trigger. Adjust for thickness until the backlash is eliminated.

 

[BCRider]

Until you're able to shoot Minute of Nickel at 15 yards I think the shooter more than the gun is the limiting factor. Special target pistols can shoot cloverleafs at 20 yards but it isn't just any average pistol shooter that can let them deliver the goods.

Things like grip and trigger feel to the shooter come into play far more than barrel accuracy. Really get whatever option you like and that fits well and then do some trigger work on it, if needed, to fine tune it to your own preferences. Then practice... a LOT.

 

[BUFF]

The Heritage revolver lr/mag isn't bad IMHO..I was leary of purchasing one, but am glad I did...would us it for about anything around the farm. Seems accurate enough and way less than a single six. Save the big bucks for big calibers IMO..

 

[DNS]

Ive got a used Heritage thats fun and my snake/truck gun.

Beretta Neos are a hoot, reliable, and easy to mount optics too.

My favorite is a Harrington Richardson 949 much like woad yurts 676 but holds nine rounds, no mag cylinder, and is mostly a safe queen

Mike

 

[InkEd]

Get a gsg. Nothing strikes fear in the heart of a squirrel like an assault rifle clone. Plus you can still look tough with a.22

 

[batmann]

Ditto the Super Single Six 'Hunter'. You can not only mount a scope, but you have the option of shooting .22M with the extra cyl.

 

[earlthegoat2]

IMO the only revolvers worth a lick are the Smith 17, 18, Ruger Single Six, and the Colt Diamondback.

In the autoloader department, though I like how the MK series shoots they strip like a bugger so I will put my money with the Browning Buckmark if I am buying new. It holds a little more true to the High Standard design as well. Speaking of High Standard why not get one of those. Or maybe a Browning Challenger or a Colt Woodsman.

 

[CajunBass]

I like the Ruger Bearcat, but I don't think of it as a "hunting" gun. It's a gun a carry with me when I'm hunting, but not one I'd "go hunting" with.

For hunting most any of the other should do. MK III, Single Six, Smith & Wesson, Dan Wesson, Browning...Just find one you like.

 

[Peakbagger46]

I have killed a lot of bunnies with my 4 5/8" Single Six. I plink at sillouette targets out to 75 yards or so with it and find it to be very accurate.

The trigger left something to be desired, but using the "Poor Man's Trigger Job" seen on Gunblast.com made it pretty darn good.