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Favorite .22 Revolver???

C

ceylonc

Eberlestock Dealer
Commercial Supporter
Full Member
Minuteman
Jun 26, 2006
3,475
1
Memphis, TN
I'm in the market for a .22 revolver. Want to use it for shooting with my 9 yr old son, and for walking in the woods (snakes, critters, etc). Finally, it needs to be known for reasonable accuracy with standard velocity ammo. Don't really want .22 Mag, want to stick with .22LR. My father had a H&R 9-shot revolver that he used for teaching me to shoot, but he loaned it to my Uncle & now it is bye-bye for good (I know, MAJOR BUMMER, but nothing I can do about it).

Anyhow, hoping to get some good suggestions here. Budget-wise, I'm willing to consider anything but really don't want to go overboard here. Thanks in advance for the help/advice.
 
Haven't researched revolvers for a while and don't know if they still make them but my personal favorite is the S&W model 63.
 
I enjoy my new model Ruger single action, convertible.
6.5 inch barrel, 6 shot, wood grips, 22lr and 22wmr cylinders.
Prefer the stainless steel models for woods carry.
Gets wet back in the brush, less chance of corrosion.
Also available as 9 and 10 shot, 22lr only, models.

ruger-single-six.jpg
 
Budget?
Barrel length?
Capacity?
Single or Double action?

I'm not a single action lover, so the Single Six and Single 10 are totally off my radar screen, although I love that they are convertible between 22short, 22long, 22LR and 22mag.

The Smith K22s are excellent, but cost a lot of money and hold only 6 shots. At this point, they're almost more of a collectible than a shooter.

The newer Smith 617s are also excellent though not quite as "fine" as the K22, can be had in 10-shot configuration, a big plus in my opinion. Prices vary depending on barrel length, lock/no lock, and cylinder material. They made them with aluminum cylinders and stainless. Personally I'd stay away from an aluminum one. Just doesn't seem like it would last 500 years the same way the stainless will, even with proper care. I gave $550 for a used (but nice) 4" 10-shot, stainless cylinder 617 WITH lock. No lock will set you back at least another $250 and maybe more.

I've handled but not shot the new Ruger SP-line of 22s. They seem nice enough, but only hold 9 shots, and to my eyes, don't look as cool as the full-lug Smith 617. They are cheaper than a Smith though, and probably of no lesser quality.

I've also handled but not shot the Taurus tracker 22s. These were very attractive to me because they can convert between 22 and 22mag, which I really, really wanted. Handling the Taurus, it seemed to be pretty good quality, but between the huge TAURUS TRACKER emblazoned on the side, and the simple fact it was a Taurus, I just couldn't bring myself to buy/try one.

Do you have a stash of 22 ammo we should know about???
 
Last edited:
turbo54 said:
Budget?
Barrel length?
Capacity?
Single or Double action?

I'm not a single action lover, so the Single Six and Single 10 are totally off my radar screen, although I love that they are convertible between 22short, 22long, 22LR and 22mag.

The Smith K22s are excellent, but cost a lot of money and hold only 6 shots. At this point, they're almost more of a collectible than a shooter.

The newer Smith 617s are also excellent though not quite as "fine" as the K22, can be had in 10-shot configuration, a big plus in my opinion. Prices vary depending on barrel length, lock/no lock, and cylinder material. They made them with aluminum cylinders and stainless. Personally I'd stay away from an aluminum one. Just doesn't seem like it would last 500 years the same way the stainless will, even with proper care. I gave $550 for a used (but nice) 4" 10-shot, stainless cylinder 617 WITH lock. No lock will set you back at least another $250 and maybe more.

I've handled but not shot the new Ruger SP-line of 22s. They seem nice enough, but only hold 9 shots, and to my eyes, don't look as cool as the full-lug Smith 617. They are cheaper than a Smith though, and probably of no lesser quality.

I've also handled but not shot the Taurus tracker 22s. These were very attractive to me because they can convert between 22 and 22mag, which I really, really wanted. Handling the Taurus, it seemed to be pretty good quality, but between the huge TAURUS TRACKER emblazoned on the side, and the simple fact it was a Taurus, I just couldn't bring myself to buy/try one.

Do you have a stash of 22 ammo we should know about???
Click to expand...

Some great advice here, definitely have some options to consider so far. Keep 'em coming...

Regarding barrel length, I'd like a minimum of 4.5" but don't want to exceed 6". New or used, doesn't matter so long as a used model is in good shape. Since I learned with a 9-shot cylinder, I'd like to have the same but having 10 shots will be fine for this purchase, too. As far as budget is concerned, I want to stay under $600. I would also like double action, but I'll consider a single action...

If I could find a decent condition H&R, like the one I learned to shoot with, I'd buy it in a heartbeat! I did some searching & am 95% sure the model my Dad used was a 9-shot H&R Sportsman. Great shooter, double action, well balanced, and the grips weren't too for my hands at the time.

Regarding ammo, I fortunately took care of that back after the 2008 election. I'm pretty well set on .22LR & hope my stash lasts a while. Even though I can get ammo from a half dozen distributors at wholesale now, literally NONE is available & there are no published restock dates from anybody. Sad situation to say the least...
 
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I'm a fan of the S&Ws.
Stainless over blued, but I have both.
Target trigger and hammer a plus if you can find them.
Wife has one with the alloy cylinder. No issues but I don't like the looks.

I had a Colt Trooper that was nice and equal to the Smiths. Never should have sold it. They're getting alot for them now so that might put them out of bounds.
 
for me for a single action, ruger single six (with convertable to .22 mag)

for double action, anything smith and wesson, followed by a Ruger sp101, dan wesson, and taurus.


for a youngun's hands, a ruger bearcat is hard to beat.
 
I've got a Ruger single six that I got in 1976. Still shoots great, took my nephews, 9,12, out last week, they had a great time shooting it, both hit a one inch dot at 15 yards on their first shots. Neither had shot a pistol before that day. I used to shoot rabbits with it and was able to put six rounds in a two inch circle when I was out with the nephews. I think it was the first time I've shot it in the last ten years.
 
Ruger single six that's almost 54 years old. No revolver I have shot, even ones from Smith & Wesson have a trigger like the old Single Six. That said I have shot a couple S&W revolvers that shot great. My sister owns a S&W model 351PD that is fun to shoot. It did have a rough trigger pull and I sent it off to S&W and they tuned it up and it shoots great now.
 
I have a 4 inch S&W 617 that I really like. I did a trigger job and replaced the OEM hammer with a APEX mass driver.

It is that or a Colt Peacemaker.
 
I've got a couple of the H&R 999 Sportsman models and I wouldn't get rid of them for anything.

I would also love to get a K22 Masterpiece someday.
 
Another vote for the 4" S&W 617

The Air Lite pictured below is a 22mag

Add a wolf spring kit and it's a dream.

97a2eb89.jpg
 
I like my old S&W K22 masterpeice. When compared to the cost of the new rugers and S&W's there not that expensive, just harder to find.
 
Have a look for a used 4" Colt Diamondback, looks like a mini Python, nice sights. There is a 6" version also.

My first handgun many years ago.

Terry
 
Is this what your Dad's H&R looked like? It's serial number prefix (coincidentally) is the one for my birth year. It doesn't have the timing/lead shaving problems this model often develops. I got this one 14 years ago for $100 and have seen them in similar condition for 3 or 4 times that much today.

H_R_Sportsman_LoRes.jpg
 
Keep looking, those older sportman 999s are still out there. My opioin, Single Sixes are not intersting, Smiths are nice, but the H&R sportman 999 has a much better sight, easyer to load and unload with the break top action, the factory grip is more useful.
 
I'm a Single six guy all the way. I usually carry with the 22mag cyl. while running the dogs or just general in the woods around home. Mine is the blued 6" and about 20 yrs. old with no issues. As for blue vs. stainless, just take care of it! I carry in a leather holster and just make sure to wipe it down when I get home..
 
I own a couple of .22 revolvers, in ascending order of frame size: a S&W 63 kit gun (stainless, 4" barrel), S&W K-22 from 1946 (pre-model 17), and another one I forget the model of but it's another S&W, like a K-32 or Model 10 with a 6" barrel, they all shoot really well but my favorite is the K-22, especially for steel critters. It just feels right. Nicely balanced, solid feel, smooth action. Just found a Colt Peacemaker junior (scout) with a .22 LR and .22 WMR cylinder but probably won't shoot it much, it was for sentimental reasons I bought it. Had one as a kid, eventually sold my guns when I went in the Army in 1976, have more than made up for it since. You can find a good K22/Model 17 for around $600, likewise a model 63. I see them (the 63s) on the auction sites from time to time and they sell FAST. Good luck finding what you're looking for.
 
Hi guys i have a problem with my s&w 617 , my cylinder is broken so my question is if any of you could help my buy a new and send to me? Midway , brownells does ship to my country.
Thanks in advance
 
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