thinking about a 22 revolver. clue me in.

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pauli

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up until earlier today, i'd been pretty set on getting a 6" sig trailside to replace my p22. however, it occured to me that i should probably look at revolvers, too, given how much i enjoy shooting my model 13.

with that in mind, there is a strong appeal in a 4" model 17 to match it, but those effectively do not exist around here, and 617's appear to be priced for bizarroland (and i think they've got locks, and even the example on s&w's website appears to have three different levels of polish on the gun o_O).

i'm open to anything, more or less, and want to know what's out there.

i've seen single sixes for around $400, heritage and rohms for $125, and a few others at one price point or the other - which is unfortunate. there seems to be *nothing* in the $200-300 range for 22lr revolvers.

i've seen h&r and great western revolvers; can't remember the prices, but i didn't know much about them one way or the other, so i'm hoping someone here does.

i was making a list of what my preferences were in a potential purchase, but they exactly add up to a model 17, near as i can figure. or more precisely, a 4" model 13 with pachmayrs in 22lr.

i'm looking at anything under $450 right now. what should i keep my eye out for at shows, or should i just focus on the trailside?
 
Single Six will be a collector's piece.

Taurus makes some good rimfire revolver I am told, but I have never been a fan.

Colt Officer's model is a fine piece (and may be my next gun)
 
I shoot my 617 more than any other handgun, and I have a number of handguns. I have the 10 shot model with 6 inch barrel. It's a really, really fun gun and very accurate. A single action .22, while it might have its place, would be an exceedingly poor substitute.

And with a .22, there are no tactical or defensive considerations, so I wouldn't worry too much about the lock. I have four S&Ws with locks. Surprisingly none have self-destructed or jumped out of the gun and tried to choke me or anything like that.

I think you should easily be able to find a 617 for under $500. For my money there is no finer .22 revolver in production.
 
For a S/A i would go with a Ruger Single Six.

There just isn't much to select from in the new gun market. The Taurus 94 isn't a bad gun if you can get past the very heavy D/A trigger pull. I just couldn't see owing a D/A revolver that i didn't enjoy shooting in D/A. I traded mine in on a Springfield XD40.

The used gun market is a different story. Since you seem to like the S&W K frames that would be my first choice. I have an 18 i bought new in 1977. It's on my list of never get rid of guns. If you want something a little smaller look for a S&W J frame kit gun. I have a 63 i bought in 1980. It's also on my never get rid of list.

Now if you want a classy little shooter find yourself a Colt Diamondback. They are fantastic guns.
 
I have a Tauraus 94 I bought new about 6 or 8 years ago. It's a decent gun for the money. The trigger is heavy, but has smoothed out with use.

I also have a S&W Model 18 I bought used a year or so ago. I prefer the Smith as the trigger is MUCH better and the gun seems to be more accurate. It does have a problem where the cylinder won't turn once the gun starts getting dirty. I could probably get that fixed. For now though, I just try to clean it before each range session.

Hunt for a used Smith 17 or 18. I bought my 18 for $300. I was told it was a good deal by others at the time. They are out there, just start looking.
 
S&W J or better yet, K frame 22lr revolver would be tops but can be hard to find and pricey. $450 or less should get you in a nice used one though.

22lr revolvers tend to be expensive it seems but look around. If you do not mind a SA revolver, look at the Rugers, I want a Bearcat, they seem nice and handy.

I got a NIB Charter Arms pathfinder 22lr 3" for $150 in 2003 and it is more than serviceable.

My one example of a Taurus 94 sucked but others report good results.
 
Taurus 94.

the 94 I have is 5.5" blued nine shot and I added Hogue wood monogrips. Ver nice little shooter. Had to dry fire it like 500x before I liked the trigger, but now it's lovely. Shoots very well, and cost $230.
They make it in 4" and stainless. The 941 is .22 mag, but it shoots LR nicely, also.
 
It's hard to beat a 4" S&W 63. I have one, and it's second only to my Python, in my "favorite revolver" catagory. I found this pic of a nice example of one (not mine) on the internet.



nero
 

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I would be tempted if you have a Model 13 that you like to get a .22LR K frame. Right now on Guns America there are 2 Model 18's that are 4":

http://www.careerbuilder.com/JobSee...rt_Title&Job_DID=JER1FR65J1M064BN6JS&ipath=PS

http://www.gunsamerica.com/guns/976591887.htm

for $400-445. The action would be like the 13 in terms of leverage and mainspring type and feel. If you could find a Colt Diamondback in good shape for $400 buy it and run. They are nice but most seem to be around $700+ these days. At gone time Colt made full size Trooper Mk III's I believe in .22LR but as with most Colts they will be a lot more pricey. The final solution would be to find a Dan Wesson Model 22 which is also a medium frame revolver. The Model 18 I have is one of my "keepers".
 
Got a couple of S&W kit guns (I- and J-frame, depending on the age) and a pre-model 18 (k-frame). I can't recommend them enough. Mine will never be sold. . . at least in my lifetime.
 
Pretty hard to beat a nice little S&W. I have had my M18 since 1982 and like it better every day.

A m17/617/18/K-22 is as good as it gets and your grandchildren will be shooting it long after you're gone. They will appreciate your good taste and strew flowers on your grave.
 
My vote goes for a model 17 or 18 S&W. The single action Rugers are nice and used ones can be had for around $200 but they don't reload as fast and easy as the K Smiths and the trigger pull isn't as nice. The J Smiths are a lot tougher to shoot accurately compared to the K's. The Colts are all expensive these days. Start going to gun shows and you should find one for under $350. I have seen guys bring them in for $250. I bought a 6" 48 22 mag with an extra 22 LR cylinder mint in the box for $325. It shoots so well with the LR cylinder that I sold my 6" 17 ($325). I still have a 4" 18 though.
 
Don't overlook Dan Wesson .22's. I have several S&W .22 revolvers and a MOD 41. I also have a DW MONSON .22 6 in. HB., and a 4 in. half lug barrel with small and target grips. Well made, very accurate, underappreciated gun.
 
I would try to locate a Colt Trooper Mark III in 22 in either 4 or 6-inch barrel depending on your preferences. Even though they didn't sell well at the time they were made and manufactured (mostly) in the early 80's. They were nice well made, accurate, and good shooting revolvers. I would find one and shoot the heck out of it.
 
Dan Wesson would be cool too though I seem to have the sole lemon DW 357mag mod 15 in the world.


I stupidly passed a 6" one at $250 2-3 years ago. Local store had one at $350, sat for like 2 months but now it is gone.
 
I got my Single Six new for less than $400 with shipping and transfer fees, Sporting Arms out of Texas. The only other .22 revolver I've tried is an old High Standard Sentinel, so I'm not a judge of the other ones you mention. However, I very much enjoy my Six.

jmm
 
Whatever you decide on in terms of the specific gun, I would buy a well made 22 revolver that has adjustable sights and might be considered a target grade gun. Examples are > Colt Mark III, Colt Trooper, Colt Officers Model Match, Diamondback, S&W K-22 or similar, or S&W Model 617. Buy a quality gun and you will shoot and use it for life.
 
If you really like your 13 so much, it may be worth it to keep looking for the kind of 617 you like. The newest ones have locks, but there are plenty of Used or NIB models floating around out there. Perhaps haunting Gunbroker or Auctionarms for a couple weeks might net you the perfect purchase? $450 doesn't seem impossible, and even if it's $499, maybe you'll decide that a few extra bucks isn't too bad for a gun you'll keep for life.

Try running a search on THR for "617" to figure out your decision, particularly IRT choosing the 6-shot model or 10-shot model (same size, just different cylinder), etc.

If you just can't find the perfect 617, I'd vote for a Single Six. Outstanding single action. Maybe $100 more than the cheaper versions, but pick them up side-by-side and see how it compares to the competition.

Good luck,
-MV
 
I can recommend both the Ruger Single Six and the Taurus 94.
I've had friends recommend the S&W .22's, but they have been out of my price range. I am sure they are good guns, though.
-David
 
I had never really seriously considered a 22 lr revolver, because I liked the Ruger MKII autos so much. The revolvers seemed very expensive in comparison as well. That all changed when I started to practice my double action shooting with my S&W 357s and wanted a lighter recoiling practice piece. I got a couple used S&W 617 revolvers. One is a 6 shot and the other is the newer steel cylindered 10 shot. It is nice to be able to grab one of them on the fly when I don't have any reloads ready to go. I really like them. I warm up with them even when I take the full powered big brother 686 out too. I figure if I am flinching with the 22 I won't be doing any better wasting the larger caliber bullets.
 
For some reason, DA .22 revolvers are... sigh... boring. Not to say they don't do a job of work, they surely do. They just seem so blah to me. If I were in your position I'd get the Ruger Single Six. It's a lifetime piece and has some western flair that keeps it from inducing narcolepsy.

Comes with a .22 Mag cylinder, it's actually pretty lively. :)

YMMV.

StrikeEagle
 
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