Which .22LR Revolver

[BlackHand1917]

I am currently thinking of purchasing a double-action .22LR revolver. I would love to get a Smith and Wesson, but they are far too costly for my current station in life.

In terms of reliability, which would be better, a "small-frame" Taurus or a Charter Arms Pathfinder?

Thanks!

 

[Jim K]

I would be patient, look around and hope to find a used K-22. Barring that, I would probably go with the Taurus. I know of intermittent QC problems with Taurus (and I like to "buy US), but on balance between the two, I would go with the Taurus vs. the Charter.

Jim

 

[flipajig]

If your set on a double action wait and save your pennies and get the smith. I just sold a taurus becouse i wasent able to get it to shoot. personaly i love my ruger single six. ive got both cylenders 22mag and 22LR.

 

[Meeteetse]

Save for a double action S&W if you have time to be patient. I bought my first in 1967 and have never regretted it. If you like single actions, Ruger is the way to go and fairly inexpensive for the quality you get.

If you are in a hurry, check the gun shops and pawn shops for a good used S&W. Sometimes you can really find a good deal.

 

[Ruodo]

How about an old H&R revolver? I think a lot of them are 9shot .22 DA revolvers. Check out gunbroker for them at really low prices.

 

[jad0110]

How about an old H&R revolver? I think a lot of them are 9shot .22 DA revolvers. Check out gunbroker for them at really low prices.

Another vote for an H&R. You can pick one up (used only) for $50-150, depending on condition. They are no S&W K-22, but they are decent, under rated guns IMO. I do not own one, but know a couple of guys who really enjoy theirs. To my hand, they seem to be between the size of a J and a K Frame S&W.

I did not have a pleasant experience with the Taurus 94, though many others enjoy theirs. The Taurus 970 Tracker seems to have a better reliability record, though it the shortest barrel length is 6.5", IIRC.

 

[Stainz]

I know money is tight everywhere. I also know that buying a Taurus is at best a crap shoot as to whether you get a good one or not. Then there is the parts availability issue - and service 'down the road'. I guess that explains why my pusher has a 4" Taurus 94 (9-shot) for ~$360 in SS - and the 4" S&W 617 (10-shot) is $670. Of course, the S&W is a larger framed revolver.

I finally bought a new 4" 617 last summer. It cost more than my new 6" 629 did just a couple of summers earlier - but it was worth it. Sell something else - scrimp and save - but get a new(er) S&W - you'll be a lot happier. I have a deep-seated regret over buying mine. I'll be 61 next month - why did I wait so long to buy it??

Stainz

 

[Mr. Bojangles]

I have a Taurus .22 snubby and it has been absolutely excellent. I know a lot of people have had problems with Taurus, and everyone I know who has a Taurus semiauto hates it.:banghead: I really havn't heard too many awful things about their revolvers, though.

 

[BlackHand1917]

Hey, thanks for all the input folks. Just yesterday I shot my father-in-law's very old Revelation (High Standard) nine-shot .22 snubby. The DA trigger wasn't the best, but it was an amusing little blaster. I know Ruger used to make a SP-101 in .22. I think they should consider making another DA .22 revolver. With the current shortage of centerfire pistols ammo, Ruger would sell a lot of guns if they marketed it at a reasonable price-point (more than Taurus and Charter and less than S&W.)

 

[snooperman]

SW&W model 18

I have a S&W model 18 and a K-22 and they are available on Gunbroker.com or at gun shows. They are fine, will last a life time. Snooperman

 

[au2183]

I vote for the SW K22 as well. I have several, from 1938 up to a 2009 617, and they all shoot more accurate than I can. I also have a model 18 4", but my favorite is the K22 Masterpiece. I just like the balance of that one best. They all have the smoothest trigger that I've ever felt. Find yourself a K22 17- used. You won't be sorry. You should be able to find a real nice used one for the 500-600 range. Take care of it, and it will just gain in value year after year.

 

[moewadle]

Please try to be frugal

and save your shekels and get a Smith and Wesson....you will not be sorry. And, people are right also, you might find a nice used H&R double-action...haunt the pawn shops, gun shops, and gun shows. Watch the internet. There are reasonable deals out there.

 

[3446]

At the club I shoot at, the guy that always wins the .22 revolver classes shoots a Taurus Tracker with a 6.5" barrel. A couple of the guys have 10 round S&W 617's that no one can hit the broad side of a barn with. Go figure!

 

[BCRider]

I've shot two double action .22 revolvers so far and both had the most hellish DA pull I've seen in any revolver. This was a S&W 34 kit gun and my own High Standard Double Nine. Apparently this extra strong trigger pull is pretty standard with .22 revolvers. If the K framed S&W .22's provide the same trigger pull as the .38Spl then I'm all for going for a K frame .22 revolver.

Those other two I mentioned are so heavy a pull that they are effectively single action revovlers with hand ejector reloading.

 

[gunut]

You can also keep your eyes open 4 a used [out of production] Taurus 96...a close copy of the older S&W 17

 

[wrs840]

I own a S&W model 63 and a Taurus model 94, blue, 4".

I like them both... A lot.

My wife doesn't like the Taurus because of the stiffer DA trigger-pull.

I barely notice. I have stronger fingers, I guess...

Les

 

[Hawaiian]

I have a Ruger SP101 in 22. It is a great gun that will outlive me by a long time. Keep your eye open on the secondary market.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

If you can find a used S&W M63 it will probably cost you no more than a new Taurus. The cost of a used M63 is low because they are still in production. The M63 is a really nice shooting .22 revolver IMO.

If not I've heard good thing about the Charter Arms Pathfinder.

 

[NGIB]

I have 2 right now, a S&W 617 and a Dan Wesson. The DW was less than $350 and is as nice as any S&W. I have 2 & 4 inch barrels for it so I can change it around depending on my mood. Here it is as a snubby...

 

[SeanSw]

I have a pre lock 6 shot 617 and a late 80's Taurus 96. I love the 617. It will follow me to the grave even though it is an absolute brute for shooting .22. It's heavier than my 6" ruger .357. The older Taurus is a prime example of just how well they can make a revolver if they put their mind to it. Beautiful blue finish, light target trigger and a smooth action.

If you're pinched and you want to buy new I suggest giving Taurus a try. You may get a lot more for your money. Mine has been eclipsed as a duplicate in the collection and I'm finished advertising it for sale because I'm always told "No one would pay that much for a Taurus". If someone wants to pay twice, maybe three times, as much for a S&W be my guest.

 

[AppBrookie]

Search this forum under Taurus 94, you find some people that love them or someone like myself that went through two brand new out of the box 94's that did not work. Fortunately, my dealer handed my money back after the second dud. I saved my money and bought the Smith 317 3in. and have been very pleased.

 

[Sauer Grapes]

Yeah and they shoot like a 50 -150 dollar gun. I have a 929, and it is a piece of crap. Trigger sucks in double action. They just aren't that great. Buy something of quality and keep it forever. I will sell mine pretty soon. Once you shoot a good revolver, it is tough to settle for second rate stuff.

 

[LTR shooter]

The Taurus 970 Tracker seems to have a better reliability record, though it the shortest barrel length is 6.5", IIRC.

Seen a few listings for a 4" Tracker , don't think they have been out long.

You can also keep your eyes open 4 a used [out of production] Taurus 96...a close copy of the older S&W 17

I took a chance and at $239 picked up a 96 a few weeks ago and it does look a lot like an old 17. But no one will mistake the SA trigger for a K-22 Masterpiece. Had a lot of misfires the first time out. Found out the mainspring tension on this model is actually adjustable. After a little adjusting the misfires were greatly reduced. A little more tension and I should be good to go. Accuracy is quite good.

 

[contender]

what can i say........i have a smith and wesson appetite on a high standard budget.

the high standards ain't pretty, but from past experience, i like them a lot better than h&r's or taurus 94's......

given a choice between the taurus 94 and the charter, i'd try the charter simply because i ain't been down that road yet.

don't care to travel the taurus 94 road again but that is based on my experiences. Not meaning to trash any brand.

 

[Shrinkmd]

617 is the best!