Author Topic: What .22 DA revolver* to buy? *[CURRENTLY IN PRODUCTION] (Read 1512 times)

PaladinX13 · « **on:** April 23, 2004, 11:30:26 AM »

I'm itching to buy my first .22 revolver but there's a good possibility I might have to buy one sight unseen, so I'm afraid that excludes most used revolvers. Besides that, I'd like my first revolver to be mine so, even if not in production, New In Box for reasonable prices is okay too. I won't spend over $500 but rather spend close to $300.

I'd be using it primarily for plinking, target, and hunting in that order... so snubbies are out but since I'd bring it with me, a barrel over 6" is out too. If the weight could be around 30oz or lighter (without being too light) that would be good for longer plinking sessions. I have a slight preference for full lug/shrouded ejector rod revolvers for looks.

Anyways, I'm flexible but the above is just to give you an idea of what I'm looking for... please help, thanks!

Jim101 · « **Reply #1 on:** April 23, 2004, 11:48:22 AM »

Ruger single-six combo..............blue or SS. Have had mine for two weeks after reading about all the .22's available....It is truly a great gun, target shooting or varmit hunting.....What a great feeling in your hand , and the .22MAGS are are a real kick to shoot.....

Jim

PaladinX13 · « **Reply #2 on:** April 23, 2004, 11:52:04 AM »

Thanks for the suggestion, I'm definitely looking at the Single Six to own eventually, but I really rather have a Double Action revolver first.

EDIT: From what I can tell, there are only a few options- let me know if I'm missing any contenders:

Taurus Tracker
Taurus 94
S&W 317
S&W 617
Ruger SP101

Not a long list... originally I was favoring the M94, but this forum seems to have issues with Taurus so I want to know my alternative options. Thanks!

docbones · « **Reply #3 on:** April 23, 2004, 04:07:04 PM »

you can't go wrong with the Ruger SP-101, among the various models you have mentioned. While I don't desire to foment anger among the Tauri lovers, I personally am not impressed with that brands quality. I just feel their tolerances are not quite up to my own preferences. The stainless S&W 617 is a real nice gun but I think it is too heavy for my own needs. Nonetheless, if I were to pick a 6-incher, any of the K-frame rimfires would be great and the longer barrel would be better for potentially better accuracy and certainly higher velocity. But, for my own desires, give me the Ruger. The little SP-101s are built to last several lifetimes and I am confident you will find their accuracy to be excellent. My only real gripe is that they dont have a truly adjustable sight. However, once you get used to the little windage adjustable blade, I bet you wont look back.

Docbones

TScottO · « **Reply #4 on:** April 23, 2004, 06:48:55 PM »

A few months ago I bought the 6 shot, 6 inch 617. I don't like the way the action feels on the 10 shooters. This is a great little gun. I've been holding off on getting one of these for 3 or 4 years and after buying this one I wish I wouldn't have waited so long.

I think your decision really depends on if you are truly willing to spend 500 bucks. The 617 is the best gun on your list but it will take 500 bucks to buy. If you decided not to spend 500 the ruger sp would be my second choice. I really don't think you will regret going with the Smith. If you ever wanted to put some sort of optics or red dot on your gun to enhance your shooting or just for fast plinking fun the Smith is also drilled and tapped to receive a weaver mounting rail. I think these rails run about 10 or 15 bucks.

Be Safe,
Scott

swifty · « **Reply #5 on:** April 24, 2004, 09:24:36 AM »

I recently shot in a fun pistol match at our range. I borrowed a S&W
model 17 which had a 1 power scope on it. The trigger had been worked on to have a 2 pound pull weight. The gun was absolutlely a pleasure to shoot. I placed in the middle of the pack of shooters. The model 17 is no longer being made but S&W has the model 617 which is in stainless steel.
You might want to reconsider the revolver option and get a nice semiautomatic in case you get the itch to participate in competitions. The semiautomatic load with clips which are a lot easier to loan in a hurry.
Whatever option you go with, you might want to get a good trigger job to reduce the pull to a little over 2 or 3 pounds. With a light trigger pull you are less likely to jerk the trigger. If you decide to get a red dot sight, I would strongly encourage you to check out the Ultradot scopes on the web. They are not a lot more $120 compared to $70-80.

357mag · « **Reply #6 on:** April 30, 2004, 11:43:22 AM »

I will second the single six. Even though it is a single action they are inexpensive, shoot well, and have a lot of add-ons available. You won't win matchs with one but it will account for its fair share of cans and squirrels. I have several other double actions and have found that I rarely shoot DA so it really isn't worth the extra money for one. If you want to hae the fun of shooting rapid fire than you absolutely need DA, but if you find that with your other guns you shoot mainly SA than the single six is a great choice. Plus I have found that I can make a box of ammo go a lot further with a SA. Takes a little longer between rounds but you don't really notice it until you look at the 200 rounds you went through instead of 600. Not that .22 ammo is expensive, but saves a little money each time out.

Steve P · « **Reply #7 on:** May 14, 2004, 10:50:59 AM »

OK, so don't get the single six....but you should!!

I also have a Dan Wesson. Accurate and predictable. Double action as you wish. (But you will probably shoot it single action anyway.) Has removable barrel system so you can order different length barrels and shrouds. Worth the money, but NO single six...

I have a couple smaller double action .22s. They were worth the couple hundred bucks, but I would and will grab my 4 5/8" single six over them every time.

Good luck with your choice.

Steve

TNrifleman · « **Reply #8 on:** May 24, 2004, 12:55:48 PM »

The S&W 617 with either a 4 or 6" barrel is a great choice. I have a 6", and love it.

Old Griz · « **Reply #9 on:** May 26, 2004, 07:53:03 AM »

:cb2: I, too, have the 617 in 6" but it's a 6 shot as well. It is amazingly accurate, but it is expensive. After reading what others have written, it seems like the 6-shot owners are happier with their 617s than those with the 10-shot guns. Maybe it has to do with the steel verses aluminum or alloy or what ever the 10-shot cylinders are made of. I don't know why S&W charges more for the .22 on a K frame than tfhey do any other caliber? ( I guess because they know they can get it.) I really think it's the finest .22 on the market--second only to the Freedom Arms.

I also have a SP101 .22, the 4" and it's a lot of fun. I put a scope on the 617 for serious hunting, so if I grab a gun just for fun it's either my SP101, or my .22 Bisley -- depending on wheather I'm in a DA or SA mood. Some days you shoot so much your fingers on the left hand get tired of ejecting those dead .22 shells out of the SA gun.

I couldn't find a leather holster for the SP101. Hated to have to buy nylon, but that's what I wound up doing. A nice gun like that deserves leather.

One's better for killing critters, the other for killing time. You'll have a lot of fun with either.

Oh, and as for Taurus, I bought ONE. And I'm still trying to get rid of it. :bye:

dpastor · « **Reply #10 on:** May 26, 2004, 11:59:28 AM »

Paladin

Your namesake used a Colt, but for this thread, my two cents are as follows. I purchased a SP101 .22 4" bbl for the wife. Here in California, new .22 revolvers are expensive or not available due to CA's State "safety testing" expenses. I found it used, therefore pronounced "safe". On a scale of 1-to-10, I would rate it 7, right behind my Taurus .44 Special.

Pro: Accurate out to 25 yds or so, solid feeling, mechanically very good.

Con: Solid means heavy for a twenty-two. Poor mechanical advantage when cocking single action (double action is good) may give a sore thumb. Be careful if substituting lighter spring, go easy or misfires will result.

Dave

Old Griz · « **Reply #11 on:** May 26, 2004, 01:26:57 PM »

:cb2: Hey Dave;

That Ruger hammer spur IS sharp and prickly. I lightly filed it down a bit so it would be easier on the thumb. Ruger and S&W could both take a lesson from Colt. Man, they've got great, wide (and NOT prickly) hammer spurs!

Good shootin' yawl.

Keith L · « **Reply #12 on:** May 26, 2004, 01:31:56 PM »

"I don't know why S&W charges more for the .22 on a K frame than tfhey do any other caliber? ( I guess because they know they can get it.) "

I may as well become a business lecturer here as well as on T/C Handguns.

Traditional manufacturing made costs decline with larger numbers. Conventional wisdom supports discounting large lot orders. While that is not true when appling new thinking in manufacturing many companies and people still charge more for low volume items. I bet there are far fewier .22 wheel guns than .357 in K frames.

Old Griz · « **Reply #13 on:** June 19, 2004, 05:30:29 PM »

Hey Paladin;

What did you wind up getting? :cb2:

S.B. · « **Reply #14 on:** June 20, 2004, 05:13:36 AM »

Since the 1930's, there have been more S&W K frame(K22's) revolvers sold than any other make or style. Simply because of their quality and the fact that they work well and have the ergonomics to support good shooting.

PaladinX13 · « **Reply #15 on:** July 17, 2004, 12:51:49 PM »

Quote from: Old Griz

Hey Paladin;

What did you wind up getting? :cb2:

Well I worked it out with my dealer, so that I could check out the Ruger SP101, SW 617, and Taurus 94 (he said he'd stock whatever I didn't buy). Then a as I was checking them out, an older woman came in to sell her husband/son's (I forgot which) S&W M18. I asked if I could check it out and it was love at first sight.

The dealer bought it from her and turned around and sold it to me a little under Blue book. I'm very happy with the purchase and the gun and the dealer's definitely made a customer for life with his excellent service!

Anyways, thanks all for your help in deciding.

Btw, in handling the guns, I liked the 617 the best, but I liked the blueing on the 94 over stainless (lucky with the M18, I get both!) and 317 next. The Ruger was nice but just not my taste.