Small/Tiny DA Revolvers in 22LR

[Onward Allusion]

Already have a couple of NAA Minis. Single action on such a small revolver is difficult in stressful situations. The closest thing that I have found in a DA Revolver in 22LR are some of the really old Iver Johnsons or H&R's. I have a couple of those, too. However, they made 'em for 22 Long and I don't trust the action for concealment.

Does a modern (made in last 30 years) DA revolver chambered in 22LR that can fit in the palm of a small hand exist?

 

[MrBorland]

I saw something last week I never saw before - a S&W DA 5-shot .22 hand eject revolver. Small enough to fit in the palm of my hand, but in perfect proportion to it's larger sibs. It looked like a kid's toy gun. Not surprisingly, it's pretty rare (and older than 30 yrs methinks), which was reflected on the price tag.

 

[MrBorland]

I just remembered the Swiss Mini Gun. You asked for small...

 

[VA27]

Look for the Casull 2000. Bring money.

http://www.securityarms.com/20010315/galleryfiles/3100/3198.htm

 

[Driftwood Johnson]

Howdy

Not modern made, but i picked up this little .22/.32 Heavy Frame target model last year. It shipped in 1923.



Doesn't look too unusual until you compare it to a standard K22.



Then there were the Lady Smiths. Not that silly thing S&W is making today, the original Lady Smiths. Tiny M frame, seven shot 22 Long only, not 22 Long Rifle. Made from 1902 to 1921.

 

[Onward Allusion]

That original Lady Smith is pretty much what I am looking for. Maybe with a shorter barrel, but that's the one... I think Rossi made one like that, too.

 

[Jim Watson]

Unfortunately, the S&W Model M "Ladysmith" is not strong enough for smokeless loads, even in just .22 Long. A friend has one in very good cosmetic condition, but the forcing cone is cracked from HV ammo.

The somewhat similar Rossi is pretty scarce itself. I have read unkind things about its quality, even compared to bigger Rossis.

The smallest reasonably available DA .22 is the .22-32 Kit Gun. But you could then as easily have a .32 or even .38.

 

[sixgunner455]

S&W is still (sometimes) making Jframe-sized .22 revolvers.

 

[Hoppes Love Potion]

The NAA revolvers are the answer to the question. Single action is not an issue. It becomes second nature once you spend enough time shooting one of these.

I practice with the SAO NAA Black Widow and the DAO S&W 351c. The Black Widow can shoot a little quicker, because the 351c has a long heavy trigger, while the BW trigger is very short and light once the hammer is cocked.

 

[RevolvingGarbage]

I just picked up an H&R Young America double action in .32 S&W. Its only a little over an inch wide, and overall about the size of a P3AT. This, like other revolvers of its type sold by H&R reloads by pulling the cylinder pin out and using it to poke out the empties, like the NAA minis sold today. It is slow to load for a defensive handgun, and the ammunition is very low powered (85gr LRN at 680 FPS).

I got mine for $70 from a local shop, but you can occasionally find them for less.

 

[jcv]

Probably the closest you'll come to within the last 30 years are some of the smaller H&R/NEF revolvers. I'm not sure they're palm sized, but they are smaller than a S&W j frame. Some had a swing out cylinder, others required you to remove the cylinder pin.There are plenty of examples on sites like Gunbroker.

 

[MikeJackmin]

I've read that the modern-production, J-frame S&W .22s have heavy DA trigger pulls. This is apparently necessary in order to get reliable ignition from rim-fire cartridges. This can disappoint people who bought the gun specifically because of limited hand strength.

If I wanted a tiny DA revolver I'd probably get a .32, which hopefully would avoid that problem. Even in a light gun, a .32 long has essentially zero recoil and surely hits as hard as a .22 rimfire.

This is probably the best, and lightest of the currently made .32s:

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/12856/Smith+%26+Wesson+431PD+.32H%26R+Mag+2%22+Black

 

[GEM]

Yes, I have or had them. The SW 22 J's like the 317s have very heavy pulls. I found it unpleasant and sold it.

The 32 HR J's like the 432 are very light and the pull isn't bad. They aren't made anymore.

That price makes me happy as I got my 432 for about $315 bucks when they were discontinued and dumped to dealers. Significantly cheaper than the 642s.

I find it a find gun for a pair of shorts on a hot day.

 

[TennJed]

The Ruger LCR is a nice smaller 22lr DA. Might not be as small as you are looking for though

 

[PRM]

Your already familiar with NAAs... have you looked at the Black Widow? Built on the .22 magnum frame, 2 inch heavy barrel, enhanced sights, and over sized grips.

I'm getting 2-3 inch groups with mine at 15 yards. The magnum frame, sights, and over sized grips really change the dynamics of this little gun.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YVHlRwZYXvs

 

[Onward Allusion]

Look what I found in my safe!!!

Yeah, I'm one of those guys with too much crap. I didn't remember I have this - H&R Young American in 22 Long. I knew I had one in mint, unfired condition in the safety deposit box, but completely forgot about this until last week when I decided to clean the safe and update records. Kinda like finding a $20 in a coat that you haven't worn in a while, except this is better.

Pics attached...

- H&R on top of a dollar bill
- H&R on a P32

It's pretty much the same size as the P32, my EDC. I have ran standard velocity 22 Longs through it w/o issues. The H&R will be a BUG.

 

[Gordon]

The little .32 H&R snub was my wife's purse gun for years, kept unloaded under hammer just in case.

 

[flyingtiger85]

NEF R-92



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