Recommend a cheap .22 'everywhere' gun

[Mightee1]

I’m looking for a cheap and reliable .22 revolver to ‘just sorta have around’ and need some suggestions. Something that could be tossed in the toolbox of the truck or in a tackle box or bottom of a backpack without much care or frequent cleanings would be ideal. I don’t really care about how it looks or if it gets scratched and banged up (I baby all my other guns). Just hose it down with Rem Oil and toss it aside at the end of the day.

I’m looking for a revolver because it can also shoot .22 shorts, subsonics, or birdshot if needed, which makes it much more versatile than an autoloader in .22LR only. The gun would not be used for SD (unless I’m in a real pinch), mostly to dispatch small critters when my usually CCW gun be a little too much.

I was thinking that something along the lines of a Heritage MFG Rough Rider or a Charter Arms Dixie Derringer would work. I would also consider anything used that fits the bill.

Is there anything out there that you all have had success with in similar usages that I should look at?

 

[oasis618]

I'd check out Taurus. They have a wide variety of offerings in .22 revolvers and very reasonable prices.

 

[22-rimfire]

I would look for a used H&R or Charter Arms revolver for this use. A new one.... probably the Rough Rider, Taurus, or Charter Arms Pathfinder.

 

[thunder173]

I have an old H&R 929 2 1/2 snub belly gun in .22LR that serves that very purpose. Popped a LOT of bunnies, squirrels,...and a few other critters with it over the years.....if you look around they can be found pretty cheap.

 

[ScratchnDent]

I have been really happy with my Heritage Rough Rider. It has a great trigger and has been 100% reliable over 3 years of hard use. It' my "yard work" gun that I wear constantly while working around the property, mowing on the tractor, cutting up trees with the chainsaw, fixing fence, etc.. As an added bonus, it also came with a .22 Mag cylinder, so it's really quite versatile, all for under $200.00

 

[RonBernert]

I just bought a pre-transfer bar H&R 949 5.5"barrel for a whopping $83.03! Shoots like a million bucks!!

 

[woad_yurt]

Another vote for an old H&R. Prowl Gunbroker for a while and you'll find some very affordable bargains. I got one for $49.00 once.

 

[Triggernosis]

Ruger Bearcat in stainless would be good. It's really small and not too terribly expensive.

 

[MCgunner]

You can pick up an all stainless Rossi M51, M511, M515, or 518 (all pretty much the same, 4" kit gun, for a couple hundred bucks or less if you look around. They're not plentiful, but they're not rare. Mine (a 511) is quite accurate and easy to take along outdoors.

 

[DMZ]

I have been abusing a blued 4" Taurus Model 94 for some time now. It kind of grew on me...so now, I clean it once in a while.

I did not buy it as an investment or keep sake. Strictly a utilitarian revolver that will shoot anything from a CB short to a Stinger. And, it is more accurate than my old Single Six.

 

[searcher451]

+1 on the Ruger Bearcat. I saw a NIB blued model advertised the other day on the Northwest Forum for $299, which is a terrific pirce on a terrific pistol. The Bearcat has often been described as mechanical jewel. It's all of that, IMO.

 

[joeq]

I have a Heritage rough rider and it has been reliable. I have the 22 lr cylinder and the 22 mag cylinder. It's a good little revolver for about a hundred bucks.

 

[rmfnla]

I think $49 for an H&R beats $299 for a Bearcat any day, esprcially for a beater!

 

[fluffi]

Best beater 22

Hands down favorite 22 to abuse/neglect and still last several lifetimes is the ruger single six.lots of steel,usually accurate, and accessories readily available.A good used older H&r would be my second choice.The bearcat is nice but may not fare as well at being abused.

 

[Armored farmer]

My vote goes to Ruger Single Six.
With both cylinders you can shoot any .22 ammo.
I have had one for 33 years. It's "corners" are literally worn off from holster wear. I couldn't begin to guess how many bricks of ammo has been through it.
You will wear out before it does.

 

[GEM]

Bearcat - I had a Taurus which became a Bearcat.

 

[Armored farmer]

I’m looking for a cheap and reliable .22 revolver to ‘just sorta have around’ and need some suggestions. Something that could be tossed in the toolbox of the truck or in a tackle box or bottom of a backpack without much care or frequent cleanings would be ideal. I don’t really care about how it looks or if it gets scratched and banged up (I baby all my other guns). Just hose it down with Rem Oil and toss it aside at the end of the day.

I’m looking for a revolver because it can also shoot .22 shorts, subsonics, or birdshot if needed, which makes it much more versatile than an autoloader in .22LR only. The gun would not be used for SD (unless I’m in a real pinch), mostly to dispatch small critters when my usually CCW gun be a little too much.

I was thinking that something along the lines of a Heritage MFG Rough Rider or a Charter Arms Dixie Derringer would work. I would also consider anything used that fits the bill.

Is there anything out there that you all have had success with in similar usages that I should look at?

Is there anything out there that you all have had success with in similar usages that I should look at?

Something else to look at is a Ruger .22 auto. MKII, MKIII, 22/45

With extra mags, it is quick to load/unload, deadly accurate, very reliable.
I have had a MKII with bull barrel for nearly 20 yrs that is my truck gun. It rides in the console with 3 mags, 100 rounds, a compass, folding knife, and a flashlite. It gets shot alot, cleaned little. Never had it apart.
If you want to "dispatch critters"....I urge you to get one of these. If you want to scare them....anything will do.

 

[oneounceload]

I have an old H&R 929 2 1/2 snub belly gun in .22LR that serves that very purpose. Popped a LOT of bunnies, squirrels,...and a few other critters with it over the years.....if you look around they can be found pretty cheap.

Had the same gnu years ago - easy to shoot, but I liked the longer barreled ones a little more. They should be relatively cheap on the used market

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Now that the Ecker family is back at Charter Arms their revolvers can't be beat for the price. (since you are asking about inexpensive)

 

[Ala Dan]

On The Cheap Side-

you will find the Hertiage Rough Rider .22 caliber revolvers~!

 

[DMZ]

If I was out in a boat fishing and say my pack went overboard and sank;

If my Bearcat was in it I would cry.

If my Taurus 94 was in it I would shrug.

 

[welldoya]

I have a gun I use exactly as you describe. I keep it in a bucket in the boat when I'm fishing on the river to shoot cottonmouths.
It's an old High Standard Sentinel that I paid $88 for back in the 80s. You should still be able to find one for $150 or so. One advantage is it's a 9 shot. Plus it's double action.

I think mine is the R101.
But the Rough Rider would be a good choice too. Academy puts them on sale a couple of times a year (usually Black Friday for sure) for $99.95.

 

[otcconan]

Ruger Single Six.

 

[OldMac]

Single Six for durability, accuracy, and reliability. Slow to reload.

 

[BCRider]

Guys, he did ask for CHEAP options for some rough and tumble use. To my mind that let's out the Single Sixes as being both too expensive as well as far too nice a gun to risk getting thumped around and perhaps stored where rust would be an issue from time to time.

A couple of cheap options that I've currently got in my own collection are an Iver Johnson 9 shot top break and a Hi Standard Double Nine swing out hand ejector style 9 shot. Neither will win you any accuracy contests but they shoot well enough to serve for plinking and some critter work. And although both are listed as single/double action guns the double action pulls are heavy enough that they are best used as "rapid loading" single action guns.