Hello all. I just found this forum tonight and it looks pretty good. I went to the range last weekend and shot for the first time in about 15 years!! Now I've got the bug. I am looking to get a .22 revolver to get my feet wet and need your opinions. I am only interested in a new gun (definitely only interested in a revolver at this point). What would you all suggest as far as some reliable, moderately priced .22 revolvers? Thanks in advance!!
New Guy...A question??
- Thread starter ROBSTOY
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El Tejon
Member
Welcome to THR, new friend?
Moderately priced .22 revolvers? Hmmm, I guess it depends on your definition of moderate. Looked at Taurus yet? Maybe a 94? Hey, I don't think they make that anymore. Does H&R make anything?
Be advised that you may do better in the used department. I have picked up used .22 revolvers for $200 to $250 including a Colt Trooper, a Smith 17 and 18 and a 63 (at $260 but it was minty).
Just an excuse to hit the gun shows, estate sales and pawn shops.
Moderately priced .22 revolvers? Hmmm, I guess it depends on your definition of moderate. Looked at Taurus yet? Maybe a 94? Hey, I don't think they make that anymore. Does H&R make anything?
Be advised that you may do better in the used department. I have picked up used .22 revolvers for $200 to $250 including a Colt Trooper, a Smith 17 and 18 and a 63 (at $260 but it was minty).
Just an excuse to hit the gun shows, estate sales and pawn shops.
michaelj1978
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why a revolver? what's wrong with a ruger mkii or iii or a browning buckmark? nice pistols that'll last generations. lots of upgrades for them and will ultimately be more accurate than a .22 revolver, with open sights, red dot, or scope.
and a .22 revolver's a PITA to load/reload
that being said the only .22 revolver I like is the ruger single six.
and a .22 revolver's a PITA to load/reload
that being said the only .22 revolver I like is the ruger single six.
GigaBuist
Member
Here's Jim March's Revolver Checkout Guide: http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=1430
That'll give you a good idea of what to look for.
That'll give you a good idea of what to look for.
Why a revolver...Years ago I had semi and there was nothing but problems!! Last weekend, I shot my cousins Ruger Mark II and I experienced the same thing - failure to load and extract. I fired my dad's revolver and it was nothing but smooth! I guess I am a little tainted when it comes to semi's!
Gigabuist, thanks for the link; I'll check it out.
Gigabuist, thanks for the link; I'll check it out.
In new revolvers you might look at the Charter arms pathfinder , the Taurus Model 94 series for a DA gun. The S&W guns are well above the price you indicate unless you can find a good used one. A good used S&W is about as good as you will get in that $300 range. It would be about that best choice if you can find one .
I shoot a Taurus model 94 . These are 9 shot revolvers and because of the mechanics involved the DA on these is usualy a bit heavier than a lot of folks like. The SA is just fine on them, and they do smooth up in DA as they are shot, but don't ecpect them to lighten up to S&W standards.
In SA guns the ruger is sorta the king of the road with either the Bearcat, or the Single Six models. They also at least used to make a DA revolver in .22LR in the SP101 version if I recall correctly.
A few other guns such as the H&R will be available, but they are not all that popular
I shoot a Taurus model 94 . These are 9 shot revolvers and because of the mechanics involved the DA on these is usualy a bit heavier than a lot of folks like. The SA is just fine on them, and they do smooth up in DA as they are shot, but don't ecpect them to lighten up to S&W standards.
In SA guns the ruger is sorta the king of the road with either the Bearcat, or the Single Six models. They also at least used to make a DA revolver in .22LR in the SP101 version if I recall correctly.
A few other guns such as the H&R will be available, but they are not all that popular
Im283
Member
Ruger New Model Single Six in .22LR/WMR, pick the barrel length of preference
and fixed or adjustable sights. Should be out the door for around $350.
You couldn't go wrong with it.
and fixed or adjustable sights. Should be out the door for around $350.
You couldn't go wrong with it.
EddieCoyle
Member
In my opinion, there's no better .22 revolver than a Smith & Wesson Model 17 (a.k.a. the K22 Masterpiece). You can find a good one used for $300-$400.
I am a Ruger stockholder.
The Ruger Single Six is a fine revolver. I have owned one in the past but I would recommend a S&W Model 17 -- a K-22 if you can find one or a more modern 317 or 617 variation. The Smiths are great fun to shoot and provide great training for eventual use of centerfire Smith revolvers. The Single Six doesn't provide the same sort of transition to, say, the GP100.
Don't just stand there -- BUY SOMETHING! In fact, you should have thought about this and bought the bloody thing twenty years ago!!!!! 
The Ruger Single Six is a fine revolver. I have owned one in the past but I would recommend a S&W Model 17 -- a K-22 if you can find one or a more modern 317 or 617 variation. The Smiths are great fun to shoot and provide great training for eventual use of centerfire Smith revolvers. The Single Six doesn't provide the same sort of transition to, say, the GP100.Don't just stand there -- BUY SOMETHING!
In fact, you should have thought about this and bought the bloody thing twenty years ago!!!!!
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Jim March
Member
I have to recommend buying used. There are EXCELLENT buys in used 22 wheelguns and that round puts very low stress on them when they're decent quality.
A surprising option is the High Standards. I had a chance to handle one recently that was built on a frame size similar to an S&W K-frame, 9-shot, 5" barrel. Well used but very tight, dating to the 1960s. Zero cylinder play in any direction at full lockup, hammerblock safety in good condition. Something like that with slight honest holster wear could be had for $200 or so and would be an excellent buy.
SP101s in six-shot 22LR configuration are...not common, but they're out there. They tend to fetch over $300 used, more depending on area.
K-frame S&W 22s aren't too common but do exist in reasonable numbers. Good guns. There's a target model that's supposed to be just awesome but will probably go for more bucks...I'm not an expert there...
Various Colt 22s are excellent guns, better than any DA 22 made today, but they're a bit...finicky and hard to find a gunsmith for. I would avoid those unless you're willing to do pretty serious research.
22 revolvers of the quality of old are just not being made anymore.
A surprising option is the High Standards. I had a chance to handle one recently that was built on a frame size similar to an S&W K-frame, 9-shot, 5" barrel. Well used but very tight, dating to the 1960s. Zero cylinder play in any direction at full lockup, hammerblock safety in good condition. Something like that with slight honest holster wear could be had for $200 or so and would be an excellent buy.
SP101s in six-shot 22LR configuration are...not common, but they're out there. They tend to fetch over $300 used, more depending on area.
K-frame S&W 22s aren't too common but do exist in reasonable numbers. Good guns. There's a target model that's supposed to be just awesome but will probably go for more bucks...I'm not an expert there...
Various Colt 22s are excellent guns, better than any DA 22 made today, but they're a bit...finicky and hard to find a gunsmith for. I would avoid those unless you're willing to do pretty serious research.
22 revolvers of the quality of old are just not being made anymore.
I second the notion of a K-22. And older 6 shot version is so over built that as long as it is well manintained, it should last forever. I prefer my K-22 with 5 Screws:
These are shooters, not collectors. Both K-22s were made in the late 1940s (i.e. 60 years ago). There's a couple a 'I' frames in there too, from the mid to late 1950s.
These are shooters, not collectors. Both K-22s were made in the late 1940s (i.e. 60 years ago). There's a couple a 'I' frames in there too, from the mid to late 1950s.
ugaarguy
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There were two K-22s post war. The K-22 "Target Masterpiece", which became the Model 17 in 1957 when S&W began using model numbers; and the K-22 "Combat Masterpiece" which became the Model 18. I picked up a VG condition K-22 Target last year in Idaho for a little over $400. However, K Frame prices are climbing.
Like the Colts you mention, nothing made today approaches the quality of these old K-22s; not even S&W's own current stainless K-22, the 617.
Like Mr. March I'll recommend the High Standards. The one's I've handled in the shop have all the halmarks of a well built revolver. Collector interest in High Standard 22 revolvers is minimal, opposed the rather hot collector market for their 22 autos. In the desired price range I think these are the best buy.
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