.22 revolvers?

[Cleatus]

Hello, I am looking to buy a good .22 revolver. I am not too familiar with the models of revolvers that are out there and am trying to gather information and opinions from fellow shooters. My main concerns are quality and accuracy. I like fine sights because I think the large blocky sights consume too much of the target and therefore reduce my ability to hit a small target. I would like to have more than 6 shots but would sacrifice this option for accuracy and good quality. I found a H&R 1956 Model that has a swing out cylinder and a 6" barrel. Does anyone know anything about this brand of gun? Are they any good? I would prefer a 4" barrel but a 6" would be ok too. I mainly want to use this gun for plinking and carrying with me on a trap line. Thanks.

[44 Man]

I have an H&R 999 that I paid $125 for.  This is the one with a 6" tip up bbl and it is and excellent shooter.  In fact it is the gun I go to when I have a critter in the yard that needs attention.  It packs well in a good holster.  Also an old charter arms pathfinder with a 3" bbl.  Paid only $100 for this one and it shoots well also.  I does have rather blocky sights though.  Probably a better compact (for trap line) one would be a Taurus small frame .22.  I believe it is the 94.  You could also consider a Ruger Bearcat.  I have one of these also and you don't even know it is there.  You know, now that I think of it, I have never had a .22 revolver that hasn't served me well.  If you like that one, buy it and enjoy it.  If you find that another would serve you better, buy that one also.  Keep the old one around to teach the grandchildren with someday.   Good shooting.    44 Man

[Majic]

Just a question, but why shouldn't a novice want a revolver or a double action trigger?

[richp41]

If you can find a good S&W K22 at a gun show, you'll have an excellent, accurate gun that will last longer than you. Mine is 47 years old, shot in competition for years and will still hold better than I can shoot anymore. It's swallowed many tens of thousands rounds and never needed any repair or adjustment. Last time I shot it I put up a 12" x 12" cardboard square and hit it 17 out of 20 shots at 100 yard standing and unrested.

[Tony]

I have two 22 revolvers that I just love. Although both are not made any more, if a person can find a good used one at a decent price you will have a good revolver. The first is a Colt New Frontier with a 7 1/2 inch barrel. This is an extremely accurate firearm so long as I do my part no matter what kind of ammo I have put through it. My second is an FIE sheriff's model with I think about a 3 1/4 inch barrel. I also have a spare cylinder for the 22 mag. This is good revolver, even though it is not as accurate as my Colt, it is just plain funtional and tough. The Heritage Rough Rider 22's resemble the old FIE firearms, they might even be made by the same company that made FIE.

[coltfan]

Two thoughts here. First, if it is legal to carry a semi-auto with you when checking the trap line, you might want to consider going that route. While working up some test loads for my contender, I took my sons Ruger single six to shoot while allowing the contender barrel to cool. When I got home I decided the least I could do was to clean the Ruger, since I got it dirty. What a pain in the butt scrubbing all those tiny holes in the cylinder. If you have a semi auto you just clean the bore and your done.

If you are not allowed to use a semi-auto, then I would recommend the Ruger single six. The interchangable cylinder also allows you to use .22 mags, not sure if they would be an advantage on the trap line or not. The Ruger is available in stainless, and all of the single sixes I have ever shot were very accurate.

[myronman3]

well i am going to recommend the taurus tracker in 22lr.  accurate, light, low maintainace, more than 6 shots(,  and very well built.   for the dollar,  best buy in my opinion.

[jterrio]

I have a Smith & Wesson model 17 with a 6" full underlug barrel. It has a target hammer and trigger. It has always been a good shooter. I even have some speed loaders for it. The term "speed" kinda looses its meaning when you try lining those tiny bullets up with those tiny holes.    It made for some good laughs at the pin shoots.

Before that I had a stainless Dan Wesson with a 4" and a 6" barrel. They both had the Ventilated Heavy shrouds. I really liked the gun and the versitility of the interchangable barrels. But the gun wouldn't fire double action so I sent it to the factory. It came back 3 months later with the same problem.   :x  I sent it in again. While it was gone, I happened to be talking to the dealer that sold it to me explaining that I wasn't happy with Dan Wesson service. He took ownership of the gun and gave me full credit toward another gun.   :grin:  The Smith was sitting there for the same price. Again, it was a real nice gun, I just had a problem with that one.

[Questor]

It depends a lot on what you want. A S&W 617 is a great gun, but it's quite heavy for a .22.  A Ruger single action is a good gun, but it may not fit your hands because it's so small and light.  Taurus and S&W make some nice double action guns that aren't as suitable for target shooting as the 617, but are easier to carry.  Handle a few of them, and buy the one that feels best.  Don't overlook the semi-autos, like the Browning Buckmarks. They are good too.  

Whatever you get, make sure it has adjustable sights.

[bayrunner]

Hey Cleatus____I have a S&W Model 34 Kit Gun . 22 cal. 4 inch. barrel .It's ,accurate,compact, great sites ,what else can you ask for. Don't know if they still make them new,check into them..THANKS BAYRUNNER