Looking for a 22LR revolver

[OrangePwrx9]

Only problem with a Ruger Single Six is that it's boring; tedious to load and unload, boringly accurate. Once you get the hang of them, there's not a lot of challenge to just putting holes in the center of your target. I imagine other Single Action .22s are similar.

I have a Single Six, don't shoot it much because of that. Of course you could practice fast-draw and point shooting, I guess...if the range allows.

That's why a LCRX, 317, Pathfinder, K-22 or other Double Action (DA) revolver would be more interesting. Once you mastered SA, you could move on to DA and then fast DA. You should know the DA trigger on a rim fire is usually a bit heavy, It's needed to reliably set-off the rim fire rounds.

 

[Big_Al]

I'm not a fan of single action 22's, as others have said they are tedious & slow to reload. Also if you have arthritis & stiff fingers they could be hard to load & unload. Look for a used s&w and be happy.

 

[tubeshooter]

If anybody can find a S&W model 317 for anywhere near $300 new or used nowadays, that would be a lucky find indeed.

 

[stonebuster]

If shooting DA is important to you, I'd go with an old Smith 22 if you've got the patience to find one and the money to spend. If SA will suit your needs I agree with others here that a Ruger Single Six is a very good choice. I found a nice old 3 screw(1967) Single Six a couple years ago for $350. Cheap plinking if you don't mind slowing it down by going to a SA revolver. I don't. I've got other guns for faster reloading and I mix it up for longer range trips and not breaking the bank on ammo.

 

[triplebike]

Great replys! Thanks so much. A lot to think about, but I sure do like the looks of the S&W's. I have two very good LGS's near me so now I have some ideas to search for.

 

[AK103K]

If anybody can find a S&W model 317 for anywhere near $300 new or used nowadays, that would be a lucky find indeed.

Well, youd certainly be happier you didnt pay what they are going for anyway. At least with the newer guns.

I picked up what I thought was a nice 317 earlier this year, and quickly regretted it. Around here, they are going for around $550-600 used. I got a pretty good deal on mine in a trade and still regretted it.

The sights they come with these days (weird FO front, V notch rear) really suck, and the gun isnt all that accurate when you do get decent sights on them. I wouldnt bother here. New or used. I traded mine off pretty quick.

I also picked up a nice 2" 63 earlier this year, and while it was salty, I got it for $900 and he threw in a nice NAA Mini for free to sweeten the deal. At that price (and he wasnt at all out of line either), it sat in his shop for about 6 months and no takers. I just couldnt stand it.

Its old school S&W and shoots great. Completely different gun than the 317 and a lot more fun to shoot.

317 on the left, 63 on the right

 

[Pudge]

Only problem with a Ruger Single Six is that it's boring; tedious to load and unload, boringly accurate. Once you get the hang of them, there's not a lot of challenge to just putting holes in the center of your target. I imagine other Single Action .22s are similar.

I have a Single Six, don't shoot it much because of that. Of course you could practice fast-draw and point shooting, I guess...if the range allows.

That's why a LCRX, 317, Pathfinder, K-22 or other Double Action (DA) revolver would be more interesting. Once you mastered SA, you could move on to DA and then fast DA. You should know the DA trigger on a rim fire is usually a bit heavy, It's needed to reliably set-off the rim fire rounds.

I realize unloading takes a little longer, but I load all my revolvers one chamber at a time. I really never understood the complaints about the time spent loading and unloading. The accuracy thing I understand, though. Single Sixes can be shooters for sure. About the only thing you can do is back further from the target. If 25 yards unsupported is too easy, back up to 40.

 

[chicharrones]

I realize unloading takes a little longer, but I load all my revolvers one chamber at a time. I really never understood the complaints about the time spent loading and unloading.

Sometimes loading skinny .22s through a single action loading gate feels like trying to load rice grains into the holes of a salt and pepper shaker. Especially if the cartridges don't drop in freely and need an extra push. I love my .22 single action revolvers, but the ease of access of a swing out or break open .22 cylinder is hard to ignore.

The accuracy thing I understand, though. Single Sixes can be shooters for sure. About the only thing you can do is back further from the target. If 25 yards unsupported is too easy, back up to 40.

Definitely.

 

[RJM52]

...another vote for the S&W Model 17 6" or an 18 with 4" barrel.

As to local shops having them..unless you get real lucky you'll be too old to shoot it by the time you find one. GunBroker is your friend in that there are usually 20-50 of all ages to choose from at any one time. I was just looking at 18s last night and there were a bunch of them for sale.

If you are patient and know what you are looking for you can usually score a good shooter grade gun for $400-600.00...you won't be sorry.

Bob

 

[Garandimal]

Here's a sweet lookin' Used LCRx .22 LR 3" - priced at the top of your budget.

​

...if I don't buy it first.

​

GR

 

[jdavis123]

A few years ago, like the OP, I was looking for a .22 revolver to use for the woods and target shooting. I had my mind made up to get a used S&W 17 or 18 but, seldom if ever does one show up at the LGSs around here. The owner of one shop that I frequent showed me a new Taurus 990 Tracker which I promptly rejected. After a bit of encouragement and a good asking price, I checked it over. It felt about like a “K-frame and with snap caps the action felt pretty good. He threw in a set of Hogue grips and the deal was done. Turned out to be one of the best deals I’ve made. I generally shoot it double action and the action has smoothed nicely with use. I may be lucky but this gun has been trouble free and accurate through countless rounds.

 

[Armybrat]

Don’t know why so many are in such a rush to shoot up all their ammo.
My SS has been putting lead exactly where I have been pointing it for 60 years without a failure....

 

[Old Stumpy]

Don’t know why so many are in such a rush to shoot up all their ammo.
My SS has been putting lead exactly where I have been pointing it for 60 years without a failure....

Exactly. It's the journey that is the most fun, not the destination.
I enjoy loading a SA sixgun and popping out the empties.
I love the Old West too.
So it's the best of both worlds.
Plinking and nostalgia.

 

[ontarget]

Spent some time with my 2 grandsons (10 and 8 years old) today and 3 single action 22lrs. We spent the afternoon shooting up just shy of 500 rounds between us.
No hurry and time well spent.

Don’t know why so many are in such a rush to shoot up all their ammo.
My SS has been putting lead exactly where I have been pointing it for 60 years without a failure....

View attachment 883821

 

[kozak6]

Any pawn shops within a few miles of your regular trips? Stop in and see if the posted prices are anywhere near reasonable. If they are, that's a good sign since the posted prices are negotiable. Even if you don't see a single interesting thing, product turns over quickly. Stop in once or twice a week and you'll see something interesting sooner or later.

The pawn shops I frequent almost always often have the cheap stuff you're not looking for, as well as a variety of High Standards and H&R's. Single Sixes are less common, but I've seen at least a few reasonably priced between $200-300. Never seen a Charter Arms at a pawn shop.

My greatest revolver pawn shop score was a 6" stainless (Monson) Dan Wesson 722 for $250 cash OTD. And that was just last year. It's precisely what you aren't looking for (SO HEAVY), but my point is that there are deals out there.

 

[CajunBass]

I know you said you weren't interested in a Taurus, but I'll throw out a little known one that someone else might be interested in. Taurus used to make a Model 96, which was a more or less copy of a Smith and Wesson Model 17. A K-frame sized, six shot revolver with a 6" barrel, it was the spitting image of a Model 17, except for the trigger/hammer (Most people wouldn't notice those I suspect.) I've owned a couple of them over the years, and they were great shooters. Nice finish, good triggers (not as good as a S&W, but darn close) and nice wood stocks I paid I think about $250-300 for the ones I had, but that was a couple of years ago. The last one I saw was about $400.00. I started to get it, but I've learned my lesson with 6" barrels. I just can't warm up to anything over 4."

I don't know how long Taurus made the Model 96. They don't turn up often, at least not at the one store I shop all the time, but if you see one, don't pass up a chance to give it a serious look just because it's a Taurus. It might fool you.

 

[Varminterror]

If a Taurus steel revolver is off of the list, then Charter Arms should be miles away from conversation.

Personally, I’ve seldom lay enjoyed shooting 22LR single action revolvers, too much time spent loading and unloading, not enough time spent shooting. Among double action revolvers, the GP100 seems nice, until you carry it. On the other end, the LCRx doesn’t tickle me. The SP101 is the right balance of capacity, reload speed, weight, and barrel length for what I want in a belt gun in 22LR.