What Happened to the Small Frame 22 Revolvers?

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Cost is a huge factor when looking at DA 22 revolvers. I for one was always curious about Taurus, Charter Arms, and Ruger stuff. I couldn't bring myself to buy a Taurus or Charter Arms 22 revolver. I did buy Ruger's but the old SP-101 did nothing for me; the trigger was always ridiculously strong on every one I handled. The old H&R stuff totally turned me off the cheaper 22 revolvers. I have purchased a LCR in 22 and it's fun to plink with. Been meaning to get the 38 spl version, but haven't to this point. Too many Colt and S&W 22 revolvers.....
 
Cost is a huge factor when looking at DA 22 revolvers. I for one was always curious about Taurus, Charter Arms, and Ruger stuff. I couldn't bring myself to buy a Taurus or Charter Arms 22 revolver. I did buy Ruger's but the old SP-101 did nothing for me; the trigger was always ridiculously strong on every one I handled. The old H&R stuff totally turned me off the cheaper 22 revolvers. I have purchased a LCR in 22 and it's fun to plink with. Been meaning to get the 38 spl version, but haven't to this point. Too many Colt and S&W 22 revolvers.....

You can get a softer spring kit for the .22 caliber SP101 (2011 and later) from THIS guy
 
This is a DA target at 7 yards I fired today. I shot 18 Rds (2 cylinders ) of high velocity 22 LR as fast as I could pull the trigger. Target is 8 inches diameter. This is that 8 year old Taurus that had never given any issues at all. Some DA revolvers cost more.... because they could. Don't get me wrong I have owned S&W in the past, small and large frame revolvers, back in the day before they got greedy.
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Since we're showing pictures,,,

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Patty is a .38 special "Undercover",,,
Laverne is a .44 special "Bulldog",,,
Maxene is the .22 "Pathfinder".

The fit & finish isn't up to S&W's normal standards,,,
But all three guns perform right up to my S&W equivalents.

My only complaint is the front sights seem to disappear,,,
A bit of orange nail polish fixed that problem.

Aarond

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I have found some High Standard Sentinels at gunshows for good prices. I paid $99 for one several years ago, and got my daughter one for $125 last year.

Here's an article Mas Ayoob did on the Sentinel 22.

https://gundigest.com/reviews/gun-review-the-sentinel-22-revolver

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Mine all had the plastic grips.

They do a good job as a kit gun or tackle box gun, and for the price, if they get dropped overboard it doesn't hurt too bad.
 
I love my S&W Model 34 with 2" barrel and micro adjustable sights. It is a great trail packing gun. In a high ride hip holster i hardly know I am carrying it. I've dumped a few squirrels and some sit tight bunnies with it over the years.
 
I have a 3" Ruger LCRx in .22WMR that is also available in .22 LR. With the adjustable rear sights yo can dial it in for your favorite bullet weight. It's highly accurate and fun to shoot.
 
larryh1108

I am very pleased when I picked up my Astra 9-shot .22LR some years back.
Great little snubbie!
If you like the steel snubbies keep an eye out for some of these.
Since it is a Spanish made gun, they don't cost much.

Never knew Astra made a J frame size .22 til today! I would snap one of those up if I ever came across one! Always thought the Cadix line of revolvers were a decent buy in a K frame size revolver.

Thanks for sharing!
 
my early stanford charter path finder .22 magnum, 3/4 the size and weight of a S&W K .22. a good woods walker with a little more punch than a .22 lr.
 

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The Smith 617s are pricey but excellent.

Howdy

The Model 617 is not a small frame. It is built on the K frame which is a medium sized frame. The same size as the old Model 17 and K-22.

This is a Model 617-6.

model617-6_zps562f28e0.jpg




This is a small framed 22 caliber Smith and Wesson Model 63.. It is built on the J frame. This one was made around 1980.

Model%2063_zpsrydehfkg.jpg




Smith and Wesson still catalogs the Model 63. Looks like it is an 8 shooter now.

https://www.smith-wesson.com/firearms/model-63




Smith and Wesson still catalogs the Model 317 22 Kit Gun. Another 8 shooter.

https://www.smith-wesson.com/firearms/model-317-kit-gun




And a blued short barreled J frame 22. Still another 8 shooter.

https://www.smith-wesson.com/firearms/model-43-c




But the days of all the great little I frame S&W 22 revolvers are long gone. This photo shows a K-22 at the top, for size comparison to two I frame 22 revolvers. A pair of 22/32 Heavy Frame Targets below, one with Bekeart grips and one with standard grips.

withk22_zps4aa900fe.jpg




How about an M frame 22 Long Ladysmith? Just kidding, it's not for sale.

Ladysmith%202nd%20Model%2003_zpshllzjqbg.jpg
 
While lots of folks like to hate on the silly lock on them my S&W 63 3" has given no problems in thousands of rounds. I've owned M17's, 10 shot M617's (4" and 6") CA's 2" and likely some I've forgotten but the little 63 makes a good belt gun when woods roaming or such but we don't have anything big to worry about in the woods around here.

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Nice trim little package. JMO.
 
While lots of folks like to hate on the silly lock on them my S&W 63 3" has given no problems in thousands of rounds. I've owned M17's, 10 shot M617's (4" and 6") CA's 2" and likely some I've forgotten but the little 63 makes a good belt gun when woods roaming or such but we don't have anything big to worry about in the woods around here.

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Nice trim little package. JMO.

Nice grips! What are they? My 63 has the factor rubber grips and I'm thinking of uograding
 
When I turned 21, many years ago, the day of my birthday, I bought a new S&W model 63, with a 4” barrel. I still have it and carry it often. It is light enough that you really don’t realize you are carrying it. Over the years it has served it’s purpose as a very fine little revolver to carry when walking the woods. It has always shot very good in single action but double action is a bit on the heavy side. I also prefer to shoot single action anyway but double action is there if you need it. I have considered getting one of the Ruger bearcats with adjustable sights, that came out a few years back and doing some action work,nice grips and finishing work, if needed, Rugers are hit or miss on finish out of the box. That would be the ultimate woods bumming revolver.
 
Here's another .22 revolver that is the same size as a S&W J-frame,,,
Rossi 511.

150415-Rossi_Smith.jpg

The Rossi is on the left,,,
On the right is a S&W Model 63.

You can see that the Rossi is almost an exact clone of the S&W.

This one has a 4" barrel,,,
I don't know if they ever made a snubbie model 511.

The Rossi is a fine performing gun,,,
Pretty much equal to the S&W in performance.

It's my knock-around gun,,,
Kept in a drawer by my work bench.

Aarond

.
 
With regards to the Ruger New Bearcat:
I bought mine about 9 years ago and I also bought a Ruger Single Six later on, along with other revolvers.
When it came time to sell a couple of handguns off, I chose to keep the Bearcat in preference to the Single Six.
The one that I bought is a jewel. Perfect timing, finish, grips, accuracy and owner appeal. Worth every penny.

I find it a little odd when people complain about the cost of one though, compared to cheaper guns. I have certainly never earned much yet I could afford one. And when you consider range fees, ammunition costs, gas, buying and owning and maintaining a vehicle, insurance etc....
If you can't afford to own a Bearcat or any quality .22 revolver, then perhaps shooting is too expensive a hobby for you.
 
I find it a little odd when people complain about the cost of one though, compared to cheaper guns. I have certainly never earned much yet I could afford one. And when you consider range fees, ammunition costs, gas, buying and owning and maintaining a vehicle, insurance etc....
If you can't afford to own a Bearcat or any quality .22 revolver, then perhaps shooting is too expensive a hobby for you.

Good point. Some people think they can buy a Cadillac on a Kia budget and get first class performance from a 3rd class gun. Yes some guns cost a lot but buy quality and you only have to buy once. And 20 years down the road when that "expensive" gun is still doing its job you won't remember what it cost.:thumbup:
 
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