Want a .22 revolver. Need advice

[searcher451]

It's tough to beat the quality and reliability of a Ruger, IMO. And it's tough to top the classic lines and solid feel of the Bearcat, a great little pistol.

 

[mcdonl]

That's pretty laughable.

You dont like yours?

 

[Virginian]

What has amazed me are the threads that have been on here with people raving about the Heritage revolvers. I am not saying threy don't work, but they look and act exactly like what they are; very inexpensively made handguns. In single action .22s, the Colt Peacemaker and/or New Frontier steel framed versions are terrific handguns, but costly, and the Ruger Single-Six has to be what everything else is forever judged by. You can get a used one and it will still outlive your grandchildren. They make them in about any configuration anyone could possibly want; fixed sight, adjustable sight, stainless, blued, short barrel, long barrel - and they all work great.

 

[skeeter_08]

I always wanted one, so I just bought myself a S&W 617 10-shot revolver with a 6" bbl. This was expensive, but I feel it is worth every penny for what I paid for it. I figured there wasn't another firearm that I own that would get as much exercise as a .22 LR wheelgun, so I figured I'd better get a good one. This is a seriously fun gun that everybody can and wants to shoot and the ammo for it won't ever break you.

Another choice I liked for a .22 LR wheelgun was the Taurus 94 revolver; I could have had one with a 4" bbl., but I wanted one with at least a 5" barrel and those had a long backorder. So I went with the 617 - skeeter_08

 

[matt_s07]

I have a MKIII and it is a great gun. Never jams and shoots anything I feed it. It's just something about a revolver that makes me happy. I figured that a 22lr would be cheap to shoot compared to a 357/38. I eventually will have both, but thought the 22 would be a better bet unless I find a 357 that I have to have. I think the responses settle it, I will be patient and wait for a Ruger. They have yet to let me down.

 

[RoyalScam]

I love my 617 4in barrel...expensive but I have zero regrets about it.

 

[Antihero]

Wow, is that pawn shop still in business? They got hosed. LOL!

Actually its a chain store called Pawn 1 with bunches of locations, so it actually is still around.

I was shocked when they offered me that much, i mean it was in good shape and everything but i was expecting something like $60. Needless to say i jumped on it.

 

[TUBBY1]

Sw17-8

There are many good 22 revolvers but this one is mine. I have sw17-8 10shot with crimson trace. Love it

 

[Craig_AR]

I have had a Heritage RR for about a year and love it. I have both semi-auto and wheel guns, like both types, but prefer wheel. I had been shooting a S&W 642 (.38) and 66 (.357) and wanted a .22 revolver. Reading and shopping a lot, I determined that, buying new, I could get a S&W for about $600, and Ruger for ~ $400, and a RR for ~$200. I also agree that when comparing those there products, higher price does bring higher quality; you do get what you pay for. That said, Heritage is not low quality; it is very much a decent and enjoyable fire arm.
So... I recommend you balance a realistic budget, and how strong the desire to have a .22 revolver now or later. Also, decide whether you want to buy new, or shop used. I wanted lower cost and "now." The RR met my needs and continues to do so.

 

[Hunter123]

I got a 22/22mag ruger single action revolver and have loved it. I have killed quite a few rabbits with it. I would also consider buying snake shot. I live in Arizona and have killed 4 or 5 ratlers with it.

 

[Antihero]

That said, Heritage is not low quality; it is very much a decent and enjoyable fire arm.

Maybe the newer ones are but man the older one i had sucked. When the screw holding the ejector rod shroud is made of such soft metal it strips the threads off from the recoil of a 22 its a low quality gun.

I will say though that i contacted Heritage and they sent me out a new one very quickly. With that in mind i may pickup one in 32mag someday just for fun if i can find one cheap.

 

[ijosef]

I've always wanted one of those old H&R 9-shot .22LR revolvers but used prices have jumped quite a bit recently. I wonder how they'd stack up against modern offerings by Ruger and S&W.

 

[futuremodal]

Taurus 94 SA/DA

I have a blued Taurus 94 9-shot SA/DA revolver with a 5 inch barrel that I just love. Shoots lr's, longs, shorts, shotshells, tracers, colabri's. I recently broke down and ordered a Crimsontrace laser grip that cost almost as much as the gun itself, but it should make target shooting more enjoyable.

 

[22-rimfire]

I've always wanted one of those old H&R 9-shot .22LR revolvers but used prices have jumped quite a bit recently. I wonder how they'd stack up against modern offerings by Ruger and S&W.

I had the H&R 999 Sportsman. It was my very first handgun. I liked it a lot at first until I started comparing it to the more expensive Smiths and Colts. At that time, I considered Ruger in the same genera of H&R, but today I feel they make a better revolver. I don't care for their centerfire semi-auto pistols, but love the Mark II and III in 22LR.

If H&R and High Standard were about equal as far as I'm concerned at the time. (Yes, High Standard made revolvers.) Today I feel Ruger makes a better revolver. Smith makes a substantially better revolver than the H&R's. It depends on what you are looking for and how you gauge value. There is nothing wrong with buying a used H&R revolver. There is nothing wrong with buying a Heritage Rough Rider over a Ruger Single Six. You just need to understand that the higher priced product is generally be better made and better fitted. The important thing is to buy something and learn to shoot it. You can always buy another something later if you choose a lower priced firearm.

A new Smith 617 is in my opinion a much better revolver than the discontinued Ruger SP101 in 22. I hate the triggers on the SP, but they always catch my eye and have considered buying one many times.