Looking for a pin-shooting gun (was: "Search is my friend ....sort of.")

[juggler]

MODS; I was going to post this in the Revolver section, but after my search I noticed that sometimes it was considered to be General. I thought I would get more responses here, so this is where I started.

Winter Pin Shoot is coming up and I want to compete in the wheel-gun class also.

Using ‘.22 revolver’ as my search criteria, I perused the 847 responses in order to whittle down my choices to fit my requirements…..which are;

1. Accuracy
2. Ease of reloading (speed-loading)
3. Trigger feel
4. 4-6” barrel for weight and to improve sighting.

I know “Speedloading” a .22 revolver can be funny and frustrating (especially at temps in the single digits:banghead: ) but as I mentioned, I want to use the gun for pin shooting this winter.

I already have a Smith Model 41 for auto (red-dot sights), and I want to use steel sights on the revolver, for aesthetic reasons.

Any comments about the choices below would be appreciated. I am posting my questions next to the firearm of interest.

• S&W
o Models 18, 34, 35, 43, 63, and 617 in J-frame
o Model 17 in K frame
 I have two Smith revolvers already (.357 and .45) and am leaning towards the purchase of another. Which ones would you prefer to buy used?

• RUGER
o SP101
o Bearcat
o Single Six
 I’ve read that the trigger on these is kind of rough?

• TAURUS
o 94
 Some have commented that Top-breakers will loosen at the sights?

• Dan Wesson
o Models 722 and 22(?)

Though I will keep my eyes open for the H&R Sportsman 999 and the Beretta NEOS, I am not actively searching for them.

And what the heck is this K-22 I kept reading about…..is that the manufacturer?

I am looking to spend < $300 and am in not much of a hurry. I don’t need the gun before January, but want to get it in time to practice a bit. I am also going to go for as much quality as this price range will allow.

I will also be getting the appropriate speed loaders and a brick or three of CCI…..that’s what my 41 eats best and I hope the revolver would digest well. This is above and beyond the price of the firearm.

SO there it is, any input would be appreciated.

 

[Preacherman]

For target or pin work, I'd recommend the S&W Model 617, the current production variant of the original Model 17. I'd go for the 6" barrel, with either a 6-round cylinder (see here) or a 10-round cylinder (see here).

The 6-round cylinder means that the trigger mechanism works much the same as any K- or L-frame S&W revolver, and can be fine-tuned by a good gunsmith to a very nice double-action trigger indeed. The 10-round cylinder employs different cylinder timing, so that a good double-action trigger pull is harder to achieve. However, if you're going to fire single-action most of the time, this isn't necessarily a problem.

Unfortunately, you're not going to achieve your <$300 target with this revolver. I would recommend saving up for one, though: you pay for what you get, and the quality of these guns is very high. Used Model 17/617's are hard to come by, and tend to cost almost as much as a new gun, so I'm not sure that they're an economical option.

 

[pax]

Juggler ~

Truth be told, this one probably would get its best responses in Competition Shooting rather than either Gen'l or Revolvers. But we'll leave it here for now & see how it goes.

pax

 

[c_yeager]

nd what the heck is this K-22 I kept reading about…..is that the manufacturer?

K-22 = Smith and Wesson K-frame .22lr Im not an expert but i believe the family of revolvers that are typically reffered to with this designation are of the pre-numbered variety (before S&W started giving their guns model numbers). As a shooter, rather than a collector, any K-Frame .22lr would be an excellent addition to one's collection, and probably make for a fine shooter.

 

[jobu07]

And what the heck is this K-22 I kept reading about…..is that the manufacturer?

It's the pre-runner to the M-17 smith. Very nicely made guns. I'm not sure you'll find anyone who owns one that doesn't like it.

 

[juggler]

Thanks for the replies. It helps when I go to my local shops if I can give them an idea of what I am looking for.......that is how I acquired a couple of my other revlovers.

Preacherman, how much do you think a 617 would be used? I will look it up on the web to compare to a new price.

Pax, if there are no more responses soon please move this where you think it will get the best results.

Thanks all. Now to price .22 ammo in bulk..

 

[pax]

Renamed thread; will move it later tonight -- if another mod doesn't see this first!

pax

 

[Standing Wolf]

...how much do you think a 617 would be used?

Model 617 prices vary a lot. They're not uncommon, and they're in less demand than K-22s. If you shop around long enough and hard enough, you can probably find a deal.

 

[MNgoldenbear]

If you get one of the M-17 variants, I'd stay away from the ones with alloy cylinders. I've got one, and I think (nothing to back this up) that it's not dimensionally stable as it heats. The empties stick like crazy after 20-30 rounds (10-shot cylinder), and then the fresh rounds stick on loading as well. I think this has to do with temp, not fouling, as the condition disappears in a little while without cleaning if the gun just sits for a bit. Unfortunately, banging out a bunch of rounds is part of the fun of playing with a 22 for me. Looks like the M617s are all in stainless. (IIRC from researching when buying my 686, the "6" prefix on the S&W models indicated stainless.) If this is the case, that would be a good choice. The odds of finding a good K-22 at a good price are probably low. I've never shot one, but heard they are great.

Some odd things on your post--
You said you're looking for a revolver, but mention the NEOS, an auto.
Comment on top-break under Taurus 94 -- I think that's the H&R that's a top-break.
Don't consider the Bearcat or Single-Six if you want to speed-load. They're single-action revolvers that load through a gate. (Unless you want to REALLY challenge your spped-loading abilities! )

 

[juggler]

OOOPS!!

Like I said, most of my info came from the search. I did not follow up on the unusual ones, thinking (correctly) that someone would be kind enough to enlighten me.

I DID discover the gate on the single six and decided that, while it would be impressive as all get-out, I doubt I would ever perfect that particular maneauver in any appreciable time.

Tomorrow I go a-searchin. Thanks for the tips/comments. I will be checking in one more time before I head out in the morning.

 

[JackOfAllTradesMasterAtNone]

I hope you mean "Pin Tops".

And not .22 rimfire on full sized bowling pins. When I thought pins in the title of the thread, I first thought of .45acp. First sentence said "Revolver", so I thought of several quality magnum class double action revolvers. Then as I read the post, you specify .22 revolvers. So my thoughts turned once again. Ruger GP100 or Colt Diamond Back in .22 with four or six inch barrels. But those suggested K series Smiths or Taurus 'look-a-like' should suit you fine. But to stay below $300 for any other than the Taurus might be a challenge.

-Steve

 

[juggler]

Nope, I meant pins.........as in steel. We have a frame with 10 steel silhouettes about 7” tall. We set it up at 30’ and fire upon command. Once your round is over a pull on a rope will reset them.

In CT a winter shoot may involve sub zero temps and several feet of snow…….this method eliminates the need to dig in the snow/slush for brass or pin heads.

I know what you mean, though……..once I shot at pins with a .22 and had the most interesting sound go by my ear. Not something I want to repeat.

I DO have pin heads for practice.

I am also raising my price range. Then I am going to see about bulk ammo.

Thanks again.

 

[JackOfAllTradesMasterAtNone]

Don't shop for bulk ammo just yet...

Settle on the pistol, then break it in. (Yes, even a .22 may change characteristics as it breaks in.) Then test fire different loads through it. High vel, Standard vel, and subsonic if need be. Settle on one or two brands and bullets that feed and fire reliably. (Yes, feed, in cylinder. Some brands seem to be a bit tight.) Then look for case lots that match. I have found that Winchester T22's and Winchester X have very similar tollerances. (Gawd knows I've even been successful with some lead Federals) In bulk box you'll find your cheapest deals. CCI's are suprisingly accurate, but not up to the T22's or RWS. Fiocci's might be a good choice. If you need something a bit warmer, then the Remington Yellow Jackets that are copper clad will do the trick. I'm sure there are others, as the .22 rimfire is the most popular round fired throughout the world. CCI "Blazers" might fire well, but the crud they use for powder, is like glue mixed with sand for the action of your pistol. Most of the people that shoot falling plates with rimfire at our range, (sounds similar to the falling steel pins you're shooting), shoot CCI copper clad RN's.

-Steve