How low?

[chipmunk]

I would like to buy a .22 pistol sometime before the fall trapping season.  I just started trapping last year.  I only caught raccoons and foxes, which I just cracked over the head with an old axe handle, but I hope to catch some coyotes this year.  I've been around them some and I know I don't want to try to beat them with the stick.  I have a .22 rifle but I trap way out and once you consider all the trapping gear I carry, the rifle is to hard to handle  - even with a sling.  A pistol should be a lot better setup. Since it'll be for shooting trapped animals at close distances, accuracy and follow up shot speed is not important.   The most important thing to me is low price, followed by small size, followed by ability to shoot those quiet .22 shorts.  How low of a price should I expect to be able to find and what type of pistol should I be looking for?  I would imagine a single shot would be cheapest (as they are in rifles) but I have absolutely no experience in pistols.

Thanks

[sachel.45]

heritage makes a single action revolver for around 150 bucks that should work it comes with a .22lr cylinder and a .22 mag cylinder i dont have any experiance with them however but they seem ok. you could also look for a H&R revolver ive got a 929 which has a 2" barrel and holds 9 rounds i've seen them for around 100 bucks used

[spruce]

There's no singleshot pistols made that fit your criteria of inexpensive and reasonably small that I know of.

A couple of revolvers that come to mind are the Heritage Arms "Rough Rider" model and the Charter Arms Pathfinder.  The Heritage is a single action and the Charter is a double action.

The Heritage is the cheapest with MSRP of $150 (give or take) and the Charter is the lightest and most compact with MSRP around $300 I think.

Comparable models made by S&W and Ruger, while much higher quality, are also much higher priced.

There are a few compact semi-autos that are low to medium price, but they won't function with .22 shorts.
Beretta did make a .22 short compact semi-auto, but I don't think they make it any more.

[Keith L]

The Beretta "mouse gun" is still available, is fairly inexpensive (under $300) but I don't think it will fire shorts.

If you happen to trap a yote and shoot it a few times with a short and not have it die I think you may change your mind.  A trapper I know well started with one of the cheap revolvers, and after an unsatisfying season changed to a Ruger semi-auto.

[Shiner]

I have a buddy that has one of the Heritage Arms revolvers and he has shot 100's of rounds through it with no problems. If it were me though I'd look for a good used Ruger Single Six, probably looking at $250-$350 depending on condition but a great gun.

[chipmunk]

Thanks guys.  I looked around on some of your suggestions and I think I have an idea of what I want.  I just wanted to be prepared before I walked into the local gun shop and started talking.  I have no experience with pistols and the guy at the shop is know for being.....well....not the most honest person out there. 

I don't trap enough to make it worth buying a quality pistol.  If I can get a bang at least most of the times I pull the trigger I'll be happy.   I like the Heritage one.  Looks kinda cowboyish (word?) for trapping, but that's not important.  I checked the Charter Arms Pathfinder and it's a bit out of my price range new.  Maybe if I find a used one.  The one thing I did like on their site was the Dixie Derringer.  Lists for $215 and it's way small.  Maybe too small.  Anyone have any experience with one?  Is it small enough to feel dangerous?
 
Keith your probably right about the shorts,  I like the quietness but it's not too important.  I'd prefer to put down a coyote with one loud bang then wound it with a few quiet pops.  LR rounds aren't that loud anyway.

If I remove the "must shoot shorts" restriction, will it put any semi-autos in the $150-$250 range new?  I doubt it but I thought I'd ask. 

I'll most likely end up with something used but I need to know the new market before I buy a used one.  Occasionally the new stuff can be a better deal.

Again thanks!

[mcwoodduck]

I have sound many bolt action guns in the used section that are in the $45-125 dollar range and have seen a bunch of the Marlin/ glenfield autos as low as $25 depending on condition.
I rutinely will buy one as a project and tear it apart.  Clean all the parts.  paint them if really badly rusted and will either paint the stock or refishish it depending on planned use.   I think the last two I bought to fix up were $50 total.  One was in bad shape and hte other looked fine.  with a coat of T-9 spray wax it looked like it just came off the factory line.  the other needed a wire brush and a couple cans of rustoleum flat black and flat olive paint.

[Keith L]

Nice thought but he is looking for a pistol.

You wind up on the high end of what you want to spend, but I have seen them in that price range.  Look in the used pistol case and you may be surprised what you can find.

[spruce]

My personal opinion is deringers aren't safe to carry loaded, are awkward to shoot and reload - at least the examples I've handled.

Taurus makes a .22 auto (model 22B) that's small enough to carry in a pants pocket and MSRP is $248.

If you're considering used then H&R made some low priced revolvers as did High Standard and they were sturdy but plain-jane working guns.

Phoenix Arms also makes a small .22 auto with a low price tag.  Seems as if some people love them, some people hate them, I have zero experience with them so I won't pass judgment!

[Keith L]

Derringers are for shooting someone over a card table.  More than a couple feet away and you have more of a chance hitting your target by throwing it at them.  When carried it is almost impossible to find the handle when needed.

Same goes for the revolvers that fit into a belt buckle.  Save your money and get a gun that will work.

[Ak.Hiker]

After you pick your .22 handgun CCI loads a sub sonic 40 grain long rifle hollow point if you want to keep the noise down.

[GatCat]

I understand that you are looking for a revolver,...but, something you might want to consider in an inexpensive, single shot "youth" type rifle. One is called the Chipmunk" ( appropriate since that is your "post" name). With a 16" barrel, peep sight, and small stock, it weighs about 3 pounds. With it's barrel length,it will be quietier then any handgun, doesn't weigh much more, and is certainly rugged for your use. With any luck you can pick one up for $100. or so. Just a thought.
Mark

[chipmunk]

I've thought about something like a chipmunk. Last time I was at gander mtn there were a bunch of guys buying chipmunks for coon hunting.  One said he was trading in a pistol for it.  Shootin them out of trees is sort of similar to my situation.  I should have asked why he would switch.  Maybe he couldn't hit a coon up in the top of a tall tree?

Thing is...I already have an old remington speedmaster 552.  Maybe I'm just cheap but I think I'd make due with it before spending even just $100 on a smaller one.  My 552 is a really old model and is even lighter then the ones they're making today.  Even with a sling it weighs under 5lbs. 

Of course the chipmunk is alot shorter then my 552.   I bet I could sell the 552 and buy a chipmunk.  Maybe I should think on this some more... 

[Syncerus]

Why not a .22 Contender? You can find them used everywhere and you can always sell it and get your money  back. It's a little larger and maybe a tad more expensive than your suggestions, but the resale and quality will make things right in the long run.

[mcwoodduck]

Sorry.  Figured if he wanted to go cheap some of the 22 rifles would be cheap and he can cut down the stock to make it pack easier.
For a cheap pistol look for an old revolver like an H&R or a ruger single six.
Also some of the browning and ruger autos that are a few years old.  I think I picked up my last used buck mark for around $200.

[cybin]

I have trapped years ago, and found that a revolver was the way to go for me. No live round in the chamber for when you have to climb any. A good used .22 revolver should do the trick, but there is another way to kill a cdog in a trap that I was taught by my uncle.

Take your walking stick--in your case an axe handle--hit the dog on the nose-(hard)-the dog will lay down and cover its nose with its paws--then walk around to the back of the dog and step on its back between the shoulders--put all of the weight you  have on the foot --this will stop the dogs heart. Hold it there for a few minutes---that way you have no blood on the pelt. The first time you do this takes gonaids, but once you do it a couple of times it gets easier--just make sure you stay on the dog long enough to completely stop the heart, nothing worse than taking the dog out of the trap and it come back to life. Works on foxes too.

cybinv

[Rangr44]

How about $250 for a new .22LR/.22Mag convertible stainless steel revolver ?

http://www.gunsamerica.com/981127354/Guns/Pistols/North-American-Arms-Pistols/North_American_Arms_22Mag_Mini_Revolver_Xtra_22_LR_Cylinder.htm

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