Author Topic: Need some advice to make decision (Read 873 times)

cattleskinner · « **on:** March 26, 2005, 05:12:53 PM »

Currently, I have my Taurus mod.94 in the shop getting fixed for the second time in under 6 months, and needless to say, I'm fed up with it. I plan on trading it in and getting a new .22 pistol. At the gun shop in town, they have two that I'm interested in, and would appreciate you guy's opinion on which to get. There is a 5.5" SS single six that is used for $275, and also a new blued 5.5" MkIII Target for $286. He told me that he would give me $215 on the Taurus, so to pay the difference isn't that big of a deal. I use a .22 pistol mainly for plinking, some short range small game, target shooting, and as a dispatch pistol for groundhogs and while trapping. I want to hear your opinions as to which one would be the best. Out of the two, I would say that the revolver would work because I could put shotshells in it to shoot rats in the barn w/o being limited to a single shot, and the reliability factor, but the semi-auto would probably be more accurate? Let me know whether or not I'm off my rocker, and which you would choose out of the two, because right now I'm at a standstill. Thanks.

~~~Cattleskinner

Jerry Lester · « **Reply #1 on:** March 26, 2005, 06:44:21 PM »

The Single Six in my opinion would be the best/most fun all around gun. I regularly shoot squirrels up to 30 yards with my 5.5" SS Single Six so the accuracy is fine. You'll also have the option of 22 magnums which contrary to what some think, will definately give you more thump for bigger varmints like coons, groundhogs, and such.

Old Griz · « **Reply #2 on:** March 26, 2005, 08:38:21 PM »

:cb2: I have four .22 handguns and three are revolvers, so you can guess which one I'm gonna suggest. Automatics are fine, but I have never liked the Rugers, especially after having one. Jammed all the time. (The one I still have is a S&W 2206 which they don't make anymore. Tis a shame. It's a fine gun.) However, since I have gotten old and lazy, I found out something wonderful about single action revolvers. They are a dream to clean. It's so easy to pull out the base pin, pop out the cylinder, and you've taken it down for cleaning. Takes three seconds if you're slow. Once clean, reverse the process, 4 to 5 seconds. Now that Mk. III is gonna be a real pain in the posterior. Easy to take apart. A true horror to get back together. Some folks will tell you it's easy. God bless 'em, they are like Marinesthe few, the proud. I tried in vain for hours one night and took it to a friend the next day who finally got it back together. That was the second reason I got rid of it. (The jamming was the first.)

OK, said all that. In conclusion, like you stated, you can shoot anything you want in the Single Six and it will not jam on youshorts, longs, long rifles, bird shot, and if it has the other cylinder, .22 mags. To me that's a big plus.

The fixed barrel is gonna be accurate (but so will the Mk. III).

After shootin' clean up is a breeze, and doesn't take long at all.

My very biased advise is to go with the Single Six! Wheelguns rule!

And by the way, glad you're gitting rid of that crappie Taurus! Been there, done that, too! Never again.

gschwertley · « **Reply #3 on:** April 13, 2005, 07:19:17 PM »

Both of the replacements you are contemplating are good choices. I have a Ruger Mark II and two Smith & Wesson double-action rimfire revolvers, so I enjoy the virtues of both.

The Mark II is known to be reliable for most people who have owned them. I am working on my third one, and all the ones I have owned were very reliable as to function, even when filthy dirty. I have said this in two post already on this site tonight, so let this be the last time. The trick to easy assembly of the Mark II is to hold it in a certain position when reassembling it to re-engage the mainspring in the frame. Once you know this, it is no problem. This procedure is in the instructions. Problem is, many owners don't read the instructions or they get a pistol second hand without the instructions. If the latter is the case, Ruger will send you the instructions for free for the asking.

The virtues of having a .22 mag cylinder are dubious. There are few calibers that sit around more at home in people's closets, unused, than the .22 mag. Once you pay for a few boxes of ammo, you'll know why.

Oh, I don't know, but it's only my humble opinion that single action revolvers are more at home in centerfire calibers. I have a couple, a .41 Mag and a .45 ACP/.45 Colt convertible, both Rugers. I have owned others including a Colt in the past. Yes, they are easy to clean, but the wonder of having that nice, easy base pin to pull for easy cylinder removal goes away when you have one of those suckers that won't stay put and backs out under the recoil of firing (probably wouldn't happen with a .22, though, to be honest).

You won't go too far wrong whichever you choose.

Shorty · « **Reply #4 on:** April 14, 2005, 02:31:30 PM »

Another consideration, with a single action revolver, you'll waste less ammo because you'll take more care with your aim, and spend more time reloading! :wink:

TC Shooter · « **Reply #5 on:** April 16, 2005, 04:53:55 AM »

The Mark II is known to be reliable for most people who have owned them. I am working on my third one, and all the ones I have owned were very reliable as to function, even when filthy dirty.

This has been my experience as well. At the moment I own 2 MKIIs and have owned 2 other in the past. Also owned a 22/45. All been extremely good in the reliability dept.

Out of the two, I would say that the revolver would work because I could put shotshells in it to shoot rats in the barn w/o being limited to a single shot, and the reliability factor, but the semi-auto would probably be more accurate?

Have you ever fired any shotshells out of handgun before? The extreme spread, even at every close range , is pretty incredible. At least that was the case when I fired 38 shotshells out of a revolver.

As far as accuracy - my MKIIs will smoke my Single Six. But the SS is still a good shooter. The main drawback of a Single Six or any other Ruger single action is the long creepy trigger pull.

Jim101 · « **Reply #6 on:** April 16, 2005, 08:10:04 AM »

I have an vote for the Single-Six........Can you really shoot shorts out of it?

Jim

TC Shooter · « **Reply #7 on:** April 16, 2005, 08:23:50 AM »

I have an vote for the Single-Six........Can you really shoot shorts out of it?

Yes , with the 22lr cylinder you can also fire 22 Short as well as 22 Long cartridges.

Old Griz · « **Reply #8 on:** April 16, 2005, 10:01:28 AM »

:cb2: Plus you don't have to find out what types of .22 ammo will (or won't) shoot in your gun. They all will!

cattleskinner · « **Reply #9 on:** April 16, 2005, 04:53:53 PM »

Yup, I've shot a lot of shotshells out of handguns before, hence the reason I added it. We shoot the rats in our barn as they scurry from the chicken feeders, so the distance is short (about 10-15ft.). Lately, my dad's been lacking on killing them, so some of them are huge(about 8 or more inches long w/o the tail)...I even thought of getting some 22 mag. shotshells due to the LR shells being a bit anemic on the larger rats. Anyhow, I ended up picking up a MK II competition target model today. It was used but in great shape for $350, and after shooting it today, I'm pleased. My dad has a single six that can still be used for the "ratting" duty. I figured that the mag. cylinder just wasn't worth it to me when the shells are about 7+ dollars per box(I can reload shells for my 223 for roughly the same cost). Anyhow, thanks for all the replys...I appreciate them.

~~~Cattleskinner

TC Shooter · « **Reply #10 on:** April 17, 2005, 05:47:47 AM »

Thanks for letting us know what you finally deicided to buy. The MKII you bought is probably the nicest one they made. I owned one for a while but sold it- wish I held on to that one!

I was not sure if you knew of the limited range of shotshells is the reason I asked in the above post. If you are like me you will probably wind up with a Single Six later down the road. I really enjoy my Ruger rimfire handguns and rifles!