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22 LR kit guns?

mtwarden said:
I've been trying (in vain) to find a decent priced 317. Hopefully persistence will pay off :)
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I only ever seen one in person but it was a 2" model with fixed sights. It felt too small for my purspose. I think the 3" with sights is ideal for what I want it for. If they were less expensive I'd have one by now.

It's one of those guns that you really need to be sure you want otherwise it's a pretty big waste of money!
 
The bearcat is awesome.

Don't look too far down your nose at some of the others. If you turn up an H&R sportsman (model 999) you won't be disappointed:

Mine is the 6 inch barrel. I prefer more barrel for a field gun:

167-2.jpg


Hi Standard made an excellent one, too. Any Smith is going to be dandy- I'm looking for a K frame, myself.
 
I have a few I use depending, a S&W model 10-8 a 38 special, a Ruger Single Six 22lr/mag and the most resent is the NAA "The Earl" in both .22lr and .22mag.

S&W
2316036330033885154S600x600Q85.jpg



Single Six
2054348300033885154S600x600Q85.jpg


The Earl, it has a four inch barrel but is still pretty tiny.
2797640100033885154S600x600Q85.jpg
 
besides the 317 I'm also looking at the 351- .22 mag and weighs in at a scant 11 oz- unfortunately as expensive and hard to find :(
 
My favorite Kit guns are the new 5in S&W model 63, the 4 5/8 barrel Ruger Single Six, the 4in S&W 617, and my Ruger Bearcat. The 617 is big enough that it almost gets out of what I would consider a Kit gun but it is a 22 that is easy enough to pack and it will definitely fill the camp pot when asked :) I have 22 autos but rarely pack them anywhere besides the range. They work, but I like guess I just like revolvers better when carrying a 22 cal handgun. The new Sig Sauer 238 in 380ACP is a neat little auto that will work in the kit gun role. Mine is accurate enough to get ya a small rabbit at 50ft :D There is an old issue of Handguns annual that has a neat article on trail guns. I have reread it hundreds of times and agree with the author that pretty much any accurate and reliable handgun in almost any caliber, can be a "perfect".
 
I'd agree with that assessment for the most part, the other consideration though (IMO) of the "trail" gun equation is weight- .22 rimfire ammunition is lighter than centerfire ammo (costs a heck of a lot less too :)) and takes up less room
 
I'm 50/50 on it. I like my H&R as a trail gun, and have a setup with a nice flap holster, single speedloader, and 50 rounds of boxed ammo.

Still, there are times when I take my K frame .38 special instead. I generally keep it loaded with 147 grain semi wadcutters, but carry one speedloader of +p HPs and one other of the SWCs. Plus a couple loose shot rounds which I would work into the cylinder if I was in bad snake country.

Sorta depends on the environment, but it's mostly just that I love the smoth so much. I have no feelings of nakedness with a .22
 
This bearcat has become my favorite kitgun. When I first got it I could not hit very well with it, seemed so inaccurate. But after shooting many rounds through it and putting some red fingernail polish on the front sight to help my old eyes out I am getting pretty good with it by my standards. I live in the country and have a target set up bout 10 yards off my front porch. I go out every day or so and shoot a couple of cylinder through it offhand. I just shot 6 rounds with 3 touching and all were within 1 1/2 inches. That's good for me.
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w said:
This bearcat has become my favorite kitgun. When I first got it I could not hit very well with it, seemed so inaccurate. But after shooting many rounds through it and putting some red fingernail polish on the front sight to help my old eyes out I am getting pretty good with it by my standards. I live in the country and have a target set up bout 10 yards off my front porch. I go out every day or so and shoot a couple of cylinder through it offhand. I just shot 6 rounds with 3 touching and all were within 1 1/2 inches. That's good for me.
Picture010.jpg
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You don't find it too small? I think they are cute but never held one...they weigh 2x the S&W 317 Hi-Viz but are half the price! I wonder if I would be happy with one?
 
I find that you just have to handle it to see how good it feels in the hand and I have big hands. I also have these other 2 rugers but the bearcat is by far my favorite and gets shot the most.
Picture041-1.jpg
 
hushnel said:
I have a few I use depending, a S&W model 10-8 a 38 special, a Ruger Single Six 22lr/mag and the most resent is the NAA "The Earl" in both .22lr and .22mag.

S&W
2316036330033885154S600x600Q85.jpg



Single Six
2054348300033885154S600x600Q85.jpg


The Earl, it has a four inch barrel but is still pretty tiny.
2797640100033885154S600x600Q85.jpg
Click to expand...

I really like The Earl. My neighbor carries one of those small NAA revolvers in his pocket all the time. Sometimes the best gun is the one you always have nearby.
 
I've held the NAA mini and I found it way too small. I priced the 317 today and I'm having a hard time with the price, $699 plus tax and dros. I don't feel any 22 is worth that much. For reference my new 22/45 was $260.

What are all the compact 22 handguns $400 or less?

Thanks for you replies.
 
I have a hard time stomaching the price of the 317 as well- guy is going to have to find one used (this guy anyways :))

Taurus model 94 can be found under $400
 
I can't do a search to find the post but I owned a 317 and was sorely disappointed in it. I reported it on here months ago. I had a model 17 from the 1980's in 8 3/8 that I loved and hunted with. I had to sell it when I got back home from the service and 30 or so years later I bought this 317. From the factory the bullets were coming out of the barrel sideways, keyholing on the paper. Sent back to Smith, they fixed it so at least the pointy ends of the bullets were headed downrange but it still never shot as well as I expected it should. I also absolutely hated the shallow V rear site. I wound up selling it and buying a Walther P-22 which shot better than the 317 I owned but not nearly the shooter that the Ruger Mk III is. Now I don't mean to imply all model 317's are no good. I could have just gotten a clunker, it happens. But considering the amount of money, time and expense I invested in that gun I expected that it should have shot better.

KR
 
I have been a big fan of the Ruger Single Six in LR & Mag but the majority of the time my favorite has been a lightweight Beretta 70s or longer barreled iteration in the 101T. Recent health issues resulted in my paring down my collection. The long barreled version which delivered great accuracy with lightweight was not quite as handy when I wanted to stash it for more urban carry.
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i think the .22LR is a great gun to have in a survival/bug out situation.. it's still fairly inexpensive to shoot too.. i am debating on saving up some pennies(selling some knives :D) for a Ruger 10/22 rifle...:) i have wanted one for years...
 
Hi Mike, the 10/22 is great rifle but if you can find a used Browning SA-22 it would be close to the same price. It takes down into two short pieces and weighs almost nothing...the ultimate survival rifle!

I'd like to find the 22LR handgun that would be as satisfying to own as this rifle.
 
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