What's a good .22 revolver?

Chiro75

Chiro75

Joined
Feb 4, 1999
Messages
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I want something fun to shoot a lot of at the range. Any suggestions? Do I have to go to a gun show to get a good deal? Google didn't tell me much. I want something inexpensive, but reliable.
 
Good .22 revolvers cost more than good .22 semi-autos.

How much is "inexpensive" to you?

Do you care if it's a single action ? Or are you looking for a double action?

Single actions cost less. The Ruger Super Single Six rules here, Bud's has one with adjustable sights for $377.

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/21_49_118/products_id/49718

Another one that a friend has and says is "alright for the money" is a Heritage Arms. They make several models. Here's one that sold for $131 when they last had them.

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/577/products_id/18426

If you want a double action, S&W makes some of the best to be had, like the Model 617 but are priced accordingly @ $618. The Model 317 is less.

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/39_72/products_id/26307

For the best value in a DA .22 revolver, then Taurus needs to be considered.

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/50_494/products_id/31355

This should get you started.

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Most dealers will order what you want for 10% over cost plus shipping if they don't have it in stock. Gun shows used to be good places to get deals but not so much anymore, seems like the online auction houses like Gunbroker.com are the places to find the deals now.

All things considered to get the best bang for your buck you should look to semi-autos rather than revolvers. For an example a bull barrel Browning Buckmark can be bought for the same price as a Taurus revolver in 22 and the Browning is the better gun by far.
 
Ruger SP101 is made in .22. Kind of heavy. Good if you have an SP101 for a self defense gun.
 
When I started looking at .22 revolvers, I looked at the taurus and the S&W, and IMO the Taurus trigger is...well...junk, compared to the Smith. If you look around on the internet, you will find a lot of folks agree with me on this, even going so far as to say you can't hold groups because the trigger is so bad.

Just my 2 cents...
 
agree tauri have bad triggers but imho S&W triggers have gotten worse the last few yrs, and a trigger job doesnt cost a lot, certainly not enough to offset the price difference between turus and S&W.

my old taurus 92 (~86?) has possibly the worst trigger of any auto pistol i have ever handled lol.
 
The Ruger Super Single Six is the most fun you'll ever have with a .22 handgun (even if it does take several days to empty and reload).
 
Taurus revolver triggers of recent manufacture have a decent pull.

It all depends what you're looking for and how much you really want to spend.

We need more info !

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The Ruger Single Six is the best bang for your buck.
You may want to stay away from the Heritage Arms, they are priced low, but the quality is also low.
If you can afford it, Smiths are nice & the Ruger SP101 is also nice.
 
Shann said:
Ruger SP101 is made in .22. Kind of heavy. Good if you have an SP101 for a self defense gun.
Click to expand...

The .22LR SP101 is out of production AFAIK. They are sized very nicely, however, they are nowhere near as easy to shoot accurately as a Smith & Wesson.

If you are looking for a current production DA, the Smith 617 is the best (if your going to have trigger work done, which they really could use, make sure S&W does it), as long as the grip isn't too big for your hand. I really enjoy shooting the older Smith 17's too- those feel excellent in the hand. If you are looking for a snubnose, the older, steel, (I believe) J-Frame based model feels excellent to me and is way easier to shoot than the new Aluminum Airweight offering.

The Ruger Single Six is an excellent single action. They handle very well.
 
S & W AirLite is my favorite 22LR pistol period. Great handgun! I think my Swiss Tool is about the same weight. I don't know what these run these days because I bought this one right after they first became available but I assume its close to the prices you can find on a Google search unless you have a good relationship with a local dealer.

I also have the 32H&R Magnum AirLite Ti revolver and its great also only I put another set of the same grips on it that come on the 22LR I have. One of the best little six shot snubbies I've owned once I put those grips on it.

The Model 317 22 LR I have will shoot anything from the low powder Calibre bullets, CB short and long, or bird shot, to Stingers. Its an 8 round revolver and I have hunted with it with no problems. I think they make two barrel lengths. Mine is the 3" and I did see the one my brother in law bought years after mine and they have changed the front sites since I bought mine but otherwise its the same and sure shoots the same. You can see the difference in the front sites by a scan here of mine and the link to the new ones.

http://us.st12.yimg.com/us.st.yimg.com/I/yhst-65024585633451_2006_132843434

STR
 

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The S&W Model 317 were $570 or so at Bud's.

The 2" models were the first ones, followed a year or two later by the preferred 3" version.

Every single one I've seen have had an extremely hard double action pull. This is partly due to the light weight/momentum issue with reliable ignition.

If you always shoot it single action, then you're not gaining very much for the extra money the DA costs you over an SA.

Charter Arms also makes an economical DA .22 revolver, but the action, while shootable, ain't anything to brag about.

The link takes you to their 2" version, but they do make a 4" with adjustable sights. Can't find it on Bud's, tho.

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/21_203/products_id/38069
 
+ another for the Ruger Single Six.
 
My Vote...

SMITH & WESSON Model 63 Revolver
50012.jpg

Smith & Wesson Satin Stainless 8 Round 22 LR w/5" Barrel/Adjustable Sights

Model 63 revolver features 5" half lug barrel, 8 shot cylinder, adjustable sights, comfortable rubber grip and frame drilled and tapped for optic mount.

SPECIFICATIONS:
Mfg Item Num: 162450
Type :Revolver
Action :Single / Double
Caliber :22 Long Rifle
Barrel Length :5"
Capacity :8 rd
Safety :None
Grips :Synthetic
Sights :Adjustable
Weight :28.1 oz
Finish :Satin Stainless


...of course this suggestion is slightly biased,since S&W are my favorite revolvers above all


Good Luck:)
 
Last edited:
David E said:
The S&W Model 317 were $570 or so at Bud's.

The 2" models were the first ones, followed a year or two later by the preferred 3" version.

Every single one I've seen have had an extremely hard double action pull. This is partly due to the light weight/momentum issue with reliable ignition.

If you always shoot it single action, then you're not gaining very much for the extra money the DA costs you over an SA.

Charter Arms also makes an economical DA .22 revolver, but the action, while shootable, ain't anything to brag about.

The link takes you to their 2" version, but they do make a 4" with adjustable sights. Can't find it on Bud's, tho.

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/21_203/products_id/38069
Click to expand...


Yeah, about that trigger pull. Mine had liks an 18 pound pull when NIB. Its 11 now though. ;)

Also, out of curiousity I just weighed my 317 AirLite 3" 22LR fully loaded with Stingers and it weighs in on my digtal USPS bought postal meter at 11 ounces. My multi tool weighs in at 10.3 ounces in the sheath. No wonder I thought it was the same or close. Basically it is. :D One thing about this folder. You can carry it all day without worry or notice.

The other thing I forgot is that the aluminum starts to show shiny spots from rubbing in the sheath as you take it in and out and pretty much from the first time in and out. It has not been a problem with either of my AirLite revolvers though and they are two of my all time favorite guns. I had a 44 special in an AirLite in the hammerless model. That was more than my wrists wanted to endure though and I traded that one off. Too light weight for my tastes personally. The 32 H&R Mag is just right though and not really any problem. The 22 is nothing to fuss over at all though.

Good thread. Thanks for starting it Chiro.

STR
 
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