.22 Revolver, help choosing : /

[Cossack2]

Too bad you ruled out Taurus 94. Mine is much more accurate than the two-cylinder Single six it replaced. (mag shot well but 22 shot patters; which is to be expected form two different diameter projectiles down the same barrel). The 4" barreled Taurus, holds 9, is handy and accurate, a great plinker, woods-walking kind of gun.
 A $12 trigger Wolf spring kit made it's single action trigger a dream at 2.5 lbs. This gun was definitely a bargain at $300. 

[TIMBERTRAMP]

Gdbyrd,don,t know why your so concerned about buying used,it seems a lot of the guns I like aren't made any more, seconding what others have said you can't  have too many .22lr revolvers.I currently have a ruger aniversity, a old bearcat,for single actions for da's I have 2 colt mk3's a 8" 22lr and a 6"22mag., for smiths a k22 6" and a m34 4", like children I try to treat all of them equealy but find myself carrying the bearcat and k-22 the most and backyard plinking with the mk3 22 lr the most. so don't be afraid to buy a "classic" just be careful when checking it out and like a 66mustang you could end up a classic that if cared for could be passed on .-tt

[Autorim]

I would buy the S&W revolver. I have owned .22 single actions in the past and no longer have any. Most of my shooting is just fun shooting and I got tired of poking the empty brass out one at a time. I don't mind it so much in larger calibers. I have S&W revolver models 17, 63, 317 and 617 in 2, 4 and 6 inch bbl lengths. I also have the SP101 .22 which is somewhat hard to find now. I have both iron and red dot sights on various revolvers.

I have no problems with buying used firearms. For just plain fun and field carry, I would try to find a 4 inch Smith model 63. If you are going to hunt with it some, I would buy a Smith model 17 or 617. The Ruger SP101 is the most rugged .22 handgun made IMO, but not the most accurate and it does not have the Smith trigger pull.

Just my opinion, but is based on some experience. My first Smith K-22 was purchased about 1957. My model 63 was about 1980 and I have carried both in a field holster a lot. I have other revolvers in .38,.357, .44 mag, .45 ACP and .45 Colt. I reload and shoot all of them, but the .22's - especially the 4 inch 617 with the UltraDot and the 617 with iron sights - get the most workout. I occasionally shoot one of the 17's, the 317 and the SP101.

Good luck choosing and good shooting.

Autorim

[Sweetwater]

This is neat...

I thought I had it all figured out. 22's are for autoloaders and the rest are for revolvers! LOL ...just the way it was, or so it seemed. Last week I was back in Wyoming visiting family and attending graduation exercises. Had the opportunity to go shooting with my new son-in-law and my daughter. Between us, we had nine handguns. Blackhawks in 45colt and 41mag, singlesix 22, Walther 22, Kimber 45, Ruger 9mm, Springfield 40S&W, Iver Johnson 22 Auto, Ruger MKI 22. It was a great afternoon and when we got home, my daughter said she really liked my Ruger MKI 22 with it's 5.5" bull barrel. I asked if she was putting in her dibs for pass-down. She grinned and said yes. When my wife and I got ready to leave, I put the MKI on my daughter's kitchen table. She asked why I was giving it to her now. I said so we both could enjoy the blessing of giving and receiving. You know I like it and I know you like it and we both know I gave it to you, so use it and enjoy it and teach my grandson gun safety and proper techniques of use and care (He is 18 months old).

Years ago we shot IHMSA with a Dan Wesson 22. It was great and I thought as good as I could do with a Manhurin that I had the use of. If cost is not a problem, I would look no further than the Smith & Wesson. I believe it will prove itself for you over time.

Regards,
Sweetwater

[Country Boy]

I'm about to buy a Taurus 94 .22 but can"t dec ide on bbl. length What are your toughts  on the 4" or 5"

[Tom C.]

I confess I really like 5" barrels. I know it is merely a personal preference, but I feel it does provide nice balance and a little more sight radius without being excessively long. I have a new S&W Model 63 with a 5" barrel and a 617 that I had cut down to 5" that I think is just about perfect. It matches the weight and balance of my 627PC 5" .357. I find I am shooting a lot more .22 ammo than any other caliber.

[Autorim]

Country Boy,

I suggest reconsidering and looking very hard at the S&W revolvers. The 4 inch is a great field carry gun. I have 2, 4 and 6 inch revolvers. I like the S&W 4 inch 10 shot. It is more accurate than I am.

[bilmac]

I have had Bearcats and J frame S&Ws and find I can't shoot them well. About the smallest gun I can shoot well is my single six. I'm sure a K frame S&W would be a real fine gun, I've never owned one in 22. One thing that hasn't been mentioned is the S&W betreyal of a few years ago, I forget the details but it was something about a position they took that only the police should have handguns. Another reason for me why I have sworn off S&Ws

[Country Boy]

I appreciate all your good advise. I bought the Tarus ss-4"  It feels really good and is smoothe in single action mode. Double action is very stiff however in the instruction book you can adjust the hammer tension, looks simple. It may help with the double action pull. Thanks for all your help.

[CajunBass]

Since everyone else has mentioned the Single Six and the Bearcat, I'll toss in a recomendation for the Dan Wesson 22.  You'll have to look for them since they're not made anymore, but man they're good shooters.



I like all three of them.