Looking for a .22 Revolver

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kingpin008

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Ok Fellas (and ladies) -

I'm looking for a nice .22 revolver. I already have a few .22 semiautos (Walther P22 & Ruger MKIII) but I'm wondering what my options are for a decent wheelgun.

My criteria for said wheelgun would be as follows, in no particular order -

Preferably under $450
DA/SA
No teeny sights (or at least the ability to upgrade 'em later without the help of a 'smith)


Not that tough I guess. I'm mainly looking for a gun I can take with me to the range when I'm with a new shooter. My girl has her own 642, but I don't feel comfortable handing a complete newbie a .38 right off the bat. I have the semiautos for when they're more comfortable with shooting and want to try a new system, but nothing in the revolver category to get their feet wet, so to speak.

It'll also be my first revolver, if that makes a difference in your recommendations. Doesn't have to be "target grade" or anything, just a nice, solid, reliable gun.

Thanks ya'll!

*please forgive if this is a little rambly, it's well past my bedtime* :rolleyes:
 
New, a S&W 617. Used a S&W 17 or 18, or the pre-model number K-22 Target or Combat Masterpiece. Ruger has also made runs of the SP-101 in 22 LR from time to time. The old Colt Officer's Target model 22s are also fine guns, but harder to find. There are cheaper alternatives, but those are amongst the best in terms of quality and craftsmanship.
 
Another vote for S&W 617. Super accurate, great trigger, and it will last a lifetime. I have the 6" 10-round version with countless thousands of rounds through it and it still works and looks like new, but with even smoother action.
 
I also like the S&W M617 but new it's way over the set budget.
If this revolver is for practice in order to fire the M642 well then a M317 would probably be a better choice. Again, new will shatter your budget so you will have to look for used.
 
Thanks for the replies everyone.

I wish I could afford a 617, but at the price listed on S&W's site (800+) there's no way I can swing that. I know S&W isn't exactly a rare brand, heh - what kinda prices do you think I could find for new 617's in shops, knowing that dealers actually charging full MSRP is unusual?

The 642 is my girl's, and the .22 I'm looking for wouldn't be a practice gun for it - we're both pretty good with it already. I just need a .22 wheelgun to offer new shooters something to start out with rather than handing them a semi-auto that might be a little overwhelming. Of course I'd be shooting it regularly too, but ya know what I mean.

What about Ruger? I don't necessarily mind SA-only. I have a MKIII semi-auto that I love, but I have no idea how their revolvers fare as far as quality goes. And what about price? I know I can find the info on their site, I guess I'm looking for advice from folks who have priced 'em/bought 'em first-hand.
 
A new 317 - J frame S&W 22 will probably put you $100 over budget once shipping & transfer fees are factored in http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/26286. I bought my used K-22 for $400 when I was out in Idaho, but used S&W prices vary greatly dependant on your location. Any of the other .22 LR S&W revolvers are usually good values on the used market as well. A 617 should run about $50 more than a 317, again with shipping & dealer fee added http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/26307.

I've yet to run across a bad Ruger revolver - they make great wheelguns. If you can find an SP-101 in .22 LR it's a great revolver. If you decide to go single action the Ruger Single Six is an excellent revolver and easily in your budget new http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/70101.

I've never ordered from Bud's, but they're a good price reference.
 
kingpin008,
Like I said in my above post, if you are looking for a practice gun for the M642 then the M317 is perfect. S&W had a 1.875" barrel model which is the same as the M642. You will have to look around for a used one since new they will run you over $500 and they List for $672.
http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/...angId=-1&parent_category_rn=15704&isFirearm=Y

**EDIT**
ugaarguy beat me to it and posted while I was writing!! LOL
 
Heritage Arms Rough Riders are a knock-off of the Ruger Single Six, and can be had for less than $200 out the door. Most either swear by them or swear at them. Never shot one myself, so I can't say.
 
If I had realized how enjoyable my .22 revolver would be, I would have never hesitated in purchasing one at any price. I own an older Taurus model 96 which is very nice and recommended if you can find a good example, and I also own a pre-lock S&W 617 which is worth every penny. These are not guns you'll tire of and the right price and model are worth saving for.
 
With your budget in mind, I would look for one of the following in used but excellent condition: (1) Colt Trooper Mark III 4" or 6" in 22; (2) Smith & Wesson Model 17 or 18 (K-22 Masterpiece) which can be found in the stated price range and they are excellent guns. I bought a 4" Model 18 earlier this year for $350 which was about market at the time. (Like everything else, you will see a fairly wide price range depending on condition. Some price the Model 17's in the $500 area.) The Trooper Mark III's are excellent accurate revolvers on par with the Smith. Other Colts to consider if you find in the price range are Officers Model Match, original Trooper, or Diamondback. All are excellent but tend to run more than the Trooper Mark III's in excellent condition (sometimes a lot more). The gun doesn't need to be a museum piece, just something that functions correctly and is easy to shoot safely. I would avoid any small frame 22 revolvers.
 
Picking up a 617 on Tues. just over $600 NIB,:what: but worth it to me because;

-I can't find a good used one K22, 617 or otherwise!
-It is stainless.
-nobody has jacked with the internals yet.
-You get the usefull and much sought after internal lock:barf:
-they are readily available.

If you are on a budget and can find onethere is not a thing wrong with the old S&W 22 revos, they are superbly accurate. In fact most people like them better than the 617. I cannot comment on other mfg's because I have not shot them, but I think it would be tough to go wrong. Suggestion; one huge bennefit if you are in an urban area is the ability to shoot Aguila powderless ammo in your residence. They are messy, so no carpet, buy or make an air filter, and have fun.
 
My buddy has an older Llama 6" (IIRC) 6-shot 22LR that is very nice to shoot. The only problems that I know he's had were keyholes after he didn't clean it for a few months...... Cleaned it up and it started shooting straight again. I'm sure he got it really cheap but I've been unable to find one. I'm in the market for a cheap 22 revolver and they are hard to find for less than 300 bucks. :mad:
 
You CAN find Smith 617's in that price range if you shop around the used market.

ALSO take a look for a Smith 63's. They are 4" 'Kit guns' that don't have a full underlug but do have adjustable sights. They are SWEET and built on the J frame. They are becoming more collectable (read here good investment) and can be found under $450 if you shop around.

I have a 617 and a 63. BOTH ARE GREAT GUNS!!!!
 
Hello Everyone! This is my first post.

Kingpin, I own a Ruger Single Six exactly like the one linked to by ugaarguy.

Great gun! I have used it to teach all my children to shoot and I always carry it while hunting.

They are extremely well made and real pleasure to shoot.

If you have no problem about a SA, I'd highly recommend one.


Cheers!
 
Ok, what exactly is a "kit gun"? I've seen them mentioned a few times, and have NO idea what they're all about.
Click to expand...
Kit guns are J frames - S&W's smallest current frame size - with adjustable sights and 3" or longer barrels. They offer a combination of the weight savings of a small frame with the larger adjustable sights & longer sight radius commonly seen on larger revolvers. This combination proved popular, making these the ideal revolvers for your fishing/hunting/hiking/camping gear, or kit as our British neighbours would say.
 
I was going to recomend a taurus more bang for your buck.but if you like the smith and wesson but not the price you can look for a dan wesson in 22lr for around $300 buck's.
Plus some of them come with interchangable barrel's all the way from 2inches to 8 inches.
Good luck
 
22 SA Revolver?

Why not consider a good Single-Action? Check out Heritage Manufacturing's [www.HeritageMfg.com]revolvers. Very good quality at a good price.


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The Ruger single six is probably the best all round teaching revolver. The triggers are quite good, they are not barrel heavy like the 617, the grip is small and the reach to the trigger is not too long for a lady or a kid. The single action is also a good safety factor, whern the newbie realises it can't go bang while the hammer is down they feel more confident while handling it. The slow reload process also prevents hubris and speeding up, which can lead to accidents in the untrained.
I sold mine and my Ruger semi auto .22s to finance a 617 for my dad. He dosn't regret it but I sure do!
 
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