Looking for a decent .22 DA revolver

[22-rimfire]

You just have to keep your eyes open for a purchase on a S&W, Ruger, or Colt DA revolver if you are going to religiously stick to your budget. My suggestion is that you save up some more money, keep the money on hand, and buy when you find what you really want. I would certainly be interested in a Dan Wesson revolver that was in good shape if I found one.

I have settled for "less" in the past and have always been unhappy within a year or so. You just keep looking and lusting for that S&W M17 or 617. That is precisely what happened with my very first 22 revolver purchase years ago and I have not regretted making the choice to buy a higher quality revolver. Of course, I had to buy the lesser priced product first to learn. Price is kind of relative. The difference now is that you have a $500 or more budget and in the past, you might have had a $150 budget.

 

[Captcurt]

Craig, that Smith is one of my favorites. I have had a few 17's and a 18 come thru the shop. Unfortunately the wife won't let me keep everything that comes along. The ones that I have shot were very nice.

As for the OP, the New Rugers and Smiths are priced out of reach. Used will usually run over $500 unless they have been dragged behind a truck. The High Standard Deluxe Sentinel is one to look for. The Deluxe had a Steel frame and was also available with a 22 mag cylinder. I had a 4" that was nice. Like a dummyI sold it. The Taurus 94 and the Trackers are about all that is in the ballpark figure. Once in a great while you will see a Smith for $500. If you do, GRAB IT!

 

[chicharrones]

I have a Charter Arms Target Pathfinder 4" barrel in 22 lr. Nothing fancy but rock solid reliability. Price new is around $400 and it should outlast me. If purchased through Davidsons lifetime replacement guaranteed.

blindhari

I think those Pathfinders would make a great knock about plinker/shooter. There is one High Road member (weblance) around here that got one with an 8-round cylinder. I haven't seen one in real life though.

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?p=9038694#post9038694

 

[geologist]

I think that buying a used S&W in good condition gets you a better quality revolver than any currently produced production revolver.

On top, 17-3, on the bottom my 34-1. All three bought used.

 

[Steve CT]

Just sold a very clean Dan Wesson 722 4VH with a scope mount and Bushnell TRS 25 for $500 +transfer/shipping.

I put it up on Dan Wesson Forum at 10 PM last night, had a deal made in 12 minutes. He got a good deal, and so did I.

Dan Wesson is a great choice for .22 revolvers, prices can still be around $500 if you just keep looking

 

[scramasax]

Patience and a diligent search is always the key I finally got my K-22 last week to match my K-38. It was in 98% shape and cost me 1/2 of my monthly disability check. I spend time with a gunsmith helping when I can and enjoying the company when I can't work
effectively. I will point you away from any revolvers made in Europe or any of the old high standards. Parts are not available and service does not exist. Taurus are a crapshoot at best, they at least have a lifetime warranty. Just don't expect stellar service.

There are only two choices for a quality revolver today and they are Ruger and S&W.

cheers,

ts

 

[weblance]

The people who tell you there are only two choices for a quality 22 revolver, have NO experience with the Charter Arms Pathfinder.

 

[22-rimfire]

There are actually four choices (S&W, Colt, Ruger, and Dan Wesson), but who's counting? My experience with Dan Wessons has been pretty much in-store or gunshow handling versus shooting one; but I know they are well made guns and comparable to a Smith.

I have never seen the Pathfinder in a store and only know what I read about them. I do recall a good review by Jeff Quinn (GunBlast) but he pretty much likes everything. My sense is that it's a good 22 revolver with a heavy trigger that is not as nicely finished as the higher end products. The sample could be said of many of the old H&R models like the M999 Sportsman. The trigger thing is sort of relative as even the higher end 22 revolvers will have a heavier trigger relative to their center fire counterparts; smaller the frame the heavier the trigger.

One of my favorites is the Colt Trooper Mark III which when they were new, sold poorly. They are certainly a very heavy duty revolver and when they were available retail were viewed as really over built for a 22 and viewed then as "too heavy". They are essentially designed for 357's and then have a barrel and cylinder with smaller holes.

 

[Ledhore]

Recently picked up a pristine 1947 smith k22 for under $500. They are out there!

 

[Tallball]

A nice thing about 22 revolvers is that for the vast majority of people they are for plinking and casual target practice. Thus, if there is ever a problem with it, the problem is annoying, not life-threatening.

I had an old Ruger Single Six that I eventually gave to my BiL. It happened to be my last gift to him, so I don't regret it, but that thing was smooth and accurate and not too expensive. If someone were willing to go single action, I would highly recommend the Single Six.

I got a Taurus 94 after that. I still have it, but it is small for my hand and barrel-heavy (a bad combo), and the DA trigger is on the stiff side. That being said, it has given me no problems.

I decided to get a full-sized 22 revolver and handled lots of them. Unfortunately, most of them were out of my price range. One day my LGS had a new Taurus Tracker that happened to have an excellent trigger. The price was reasonable and I had something to trade in, so I took it home with me. I have had no problems with it. I love the big sights and big grip.

The 94 is too stiff for my daughter to handle easily and the Tracker is too heavy, so I had a good excuse to do some shopping. I have always heard great things about the old High Standard 22's, but didn't happen to run across one. I did get to handle several old H&R's that felt good. They are smallish-framed and hold nine rounds. Something about the grip angle makes it easier for me to hold than my 94. Their sister company, New England Firearms, made revolvers with the same design, though slightly better finished in my limited experience. I found an NEF that looked practically unfired for $200. My daughter loves it, and it is a fun plinker for me, too. I see the H&R/NEF going for $150-$200 regularly. The High Standards tend to be more like $200-$250. Either might be a good choice for a fun inexpensive 22 plinking revolver.

 

[RealGun]

When I started to shoot my SW 617 DA (circa 1998), I found a very heavy trigger and had my gunsmith work it over.

 

[J-Bar]

I would look for a cosmetically challenged Smith and Wesson model 18 like this one:

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=457262486

(this is not my ad and I have no connection to the seller, just looked at Gunbroker after reading this thread)

I recommend doing without Starbucks for a couple of months and getting a nice old Smith; you will never be sorry.

 

[Normandy]

I recommend that, if you buy a new revolver, steer clear of the Taurus 94.

I was offered a "slightly used" one recently, at an awesome price, and bought it over the phone from "a friend". It was in the box, with lock keys to the internal lock, paperwork, etc. But, when I checked for cylinder stability when cocked, the cylinder would wiggle about 1/4" each way. That revolver is back at the factory now, for new parts and timing.

On the other hand, I have a Taurus 94 from the 1970s, pretty sure, that is blued, has walnut grips, and does not have the shroud over the take-down-pin, and it is one of the nicest handguns in my collection. I have taught several people to shoot with this revolver, and it remains, seriously, like new.

If you can find an older model Taurus 94, I'd say go for it. But a new one? Pass on by!

 

[Saleen322]

Another vote for the Dan Wesson. Prices are steadily going up but you still may be able to find one for $500. Their strong point is accuracy.

 

[Paladin7]

I would echo the comments of many of the folks on this thread... Hold out for a quality used S&W 22 Revolver.

I picked up a Model 17 in 6in for a friend of mine. Price ~$400. Hardly used and it exudes quality. It's a tack driver as well.

A few years ago, I walked into my local gun shop and found a LNIB Model 18, K Frame 4" which I snapped up for ~$400 as well. This gun is amazing.

If you have patience and look around for a while, you will find one. Especially, since most folks these days are after semi-autos.

You cannot find a better quality 22 revolver than an older S&W.

The other option is a Ruger Super Single Six. I have one in 5.5" and it came with the swap cylinder for 22 Magnum. Also, a great gun and built like a tank.

I believe you would be very happy with either the older S&W or the Ruger Super Single Six and both would fit your budget.

Another opinion...steer clear of Taurus. There are folks who have had good experiences with them, but there are also a lot of folks who have had major headaches. To me, life is too short to buy guns from manufacturers who have as many issues as Taurus.

 

[rhinoh]

I own 2 Taurus revolvers bought new- had problems with both, one I fixed, one had to go back and they fixed it -mostly- but they could have done a better job.
Probably never gonna buy another Taurus- unless it is a give away price.
My .22 SP101 has been flawless however!

 

[BLU]

The Ruger SP101 is built like a tank and would last long enough to be a family heirloom, but, out of your price range, (as a new gun, at least). Any reason in particular it has to be double-action?