.22lr auto or double action revolver

I've had better luck with my Mark II than my revolvers. Had a S&W model 63 that just didn't group as well at 25 yards as the Mark II. It seemed to have two charge holes mis-aligned. It also leaded up pretty quickly.
The Mark II (NRA/WBR commemorative) is just a real sweet gun, reliable and very accurate. With Mini Mags or Std Vel., it's a true tackdriver.
Look into a Mark II, you can still find used ones for half the price of a S&W.

This little Rossi 511 kit gun shoots under 2" groups at 25 yards from sand bags and RWS target will tighten that up to close to an inch. My Mk2 shoots better, but hey, it ain't bad! I carry it in the field a lot when I'm bow fishing and I shoot it a lot at the range. Great DA practice and quite accurate.

My Mk2 had a 2x LER scope on it when I bought it. I was going to put the fixed rear sight back on it, until, that is, I shot it with the scope. I decided I liked the optics. The thing shoots bulk pack ammo to 1" at 50 yards and it's fast on the steel plates, too.

.22lr auto or double action revolver

Click to expand...

If you have a S&W 642 and are looking for something similar how about a used S&W 34 2" RB? A S&W 317 2" if you wish new and don't mind the price! There are too many .22 auto available to list them all but I am a big fan of the Ruger MK II myself. Given how scarce they have become lately there must be a bunch more just like me!

a good 'companion/training piece' to the j-frame airweight 642 .... the airlite 317 ('chief's special'/exposed hammer). S & W now advertises a 'centennial' version (hammerless/enclosed hammer, like the 642) as well. Closest approximation to the size/weight/handling of your 642.

Click to expand...

I have a 317 boutht new and cannot recommend them, they are not worth the price Smith charges. Poorly fitted and finished. Mediocre accuracy. Poor sights. Very expensive. One of the few guns I've ever regretted buying. It has single handedly made me unwilling to buy any new Smith. For nearly the same money get a very good cond. M18 or any older Smith that strikes your fancy. Far far better choice unless you plan to carry it alot. For a little less you can find a mint Walther TPH (Interarms version).

Only a couple of problems with the Ruger Mark IIs:
1. They're so accurate and reliable, they tend to get a little boring
2. The 'jacknife' lever thingy that you have to fool with to R&R the bolt can be tricky to get back in
I've got a pair of MkIIs and like the light-barreled target model the best.

That said, a friend had a Mk II 22/45 with a bad case of trigger slap. As I recall, a trip to Ruger didn't completely fix it.

The S&W Model 617 could be a good choice if you're looking for a DA revolver. I'd go with the 4" barrel over the 6". I've got the 6" and have never shot it well. It's too heavy and the balance is off from what a .357's is.
Bob

I was just out shooting my my K22 revolver and my DW 22 revolver.

I can say that 22 revolvers are a joy to shoot and a lot of fun, but....

Since most of us will not pick up the spent case, you might as well take the 22 Ruger and let the brass fly! I own a Ruger 22 MK1, Beretta 87t and 2 S&W 41's. I can say if you are interested in something to beat around with, the ruger is good but heavy. The 87t is lighter but the trigger is not as good. If you want raw accuracy but you have to feed it standard velocity ammo, get a 41. Just you can't really feed a 41 any old thing.

You may not be able to get both right away but one of each is obviously the ONLY correct answer to this question. They are so different and both so much fun that I could not see myself without at least one of each.

The 10 shot 617 would be a superb plinking gun but don't pass on a nice used 17 in all it's luxurious blued 6 shot goodness if one should show up.

For semis there's any number of answers. It just depends on your budget. The new or used Rugers and Buckmarks are all excellent. But for some reason I ended up with two S&W semi autos, a 422 and a 2206. These have been a total delight to shoot and immensely reliable with less than maybe a jam in 200 to 300 rounds. And maybe not even that often. They are just both so reliable that I don't recall the last time I had a jam out of either of them. The odd fail to fire thanks to mass produced bulk ammo but even those fired when loaded again and hit on a different point of the rim. So if you trip over one of these options I would not turn your back on them too quickly.

Which to get FIRST? Well come up with a short list of which you want. Any chance of getting out with a local group and try a few options out to see which you like best? That would narrow the field quickly. From there just carry your money around in a "secret" spot in your wallet so you can pounce on a semi or wheelgun deal when it appears. Then start saving for the companion other gun to go with it.

And a hearty "HELL YEAH!" to the earlier suggestion of getting yourself into reloading for your center fire guns. Not only is it a pretty decent hobby of its own but it sure does cut down the cost of shooting. Maybe look into joining in the fun at some IPSC or IDPA or other club matches in your area. Good times and good company and a healthy day out in the great outdoors is never a bad way to spend a day.

Both my SW17-3 and Beretta 71 get brought to the range everytime I go because they are a joy to shoot and cost pennies for the ammo.

i like and have both, i do not recommend charter arms, daughter bought a 22mag in a 2in and it tumbled with all brands as close as 10 feet away. charter was no help wih shipping and the dealer was as crappy, so we traded it back to the same dealer at the next show we saw them at. all we lost $$ wise was what the ship charge would have been to send it back.

The obvious (to me) answer is to get at least one .22, probably both, and a reloading press with dies for your 9mm and .38. Both of them are easy as can be to load for.

In fact, I don't even have a .22 revolver presently because I load for my .38 revolvers.

.22 Ruger MKII I've had since I was 22 (seemed the right age!) is my .22 pistol, and fully satisfies every time I take it out. It was my only gun for what seemed like a long, long time. If I had to cut down as far as I could go, I'd keep my .22 Ruger and my 642, at least.

get one of each. you'll like the variety

Get a Ruger MK II, Browning Buckmark or Ruger Single Six if you want a revolver.

there are cat people and dog people, and those who like both

if you are "cat" people (semi-auto), any Buckmark or Ruger MK
(or a S&W 41, if you are rich cat people)

if you are "dog" people (revolver), S&W K-17 or similar

plenty of other good choices in both cats and dogs, but very few better choices

in a revolver go with the smith 617 10 shot are in a auto get a ruger mark II

In my opinion, if you're going for a .22 handgun, if you want an autoloader go with a Ruger or Browning Buckmark. They seem to be the most reliable. The SIG Mosquito, Walther P22, and S&W 22A seem to have a lot of malfunctions (just from what I've personally witnessed). I don't have any experience with .22 revolvers other than single actions, so I can't help you there.

I am a BIGGGGG fan of the Ruger .22lr auto's my personal favorite is my Mark II government target but you can get a regular mark II a Mark III or a 22/45 all are quality guns.

I also have a Sig Mosquito and mine is one of the reliable ones but I know some guys have had issues, although the more recent ones seem better.

A Colt Woodsman 1st Series for an Auto or a S&W 34 for a revolver

The only two contenders in my eyes are the Ruger MKIII and the S&W 617.

The Buckmark is a good gun, but It just doesnt have the heft or bomb-proof durability the steel frames offer.

Ive always been a revolver guy, My favorite .22 is my S&W Pre-34 .22/32 Kit Gun. It's small light and accurate.

I would buy a MKII and a Used Kit gun.

Rimfire

For rimfire I would go for a revolver.

I shoot target sometimes with guys from the local club and they are always clearing the fail to fires out of their buckmarks while I just zip along with my Hi-Standard .22lr revolver.

Autoloader: Bersa Firestorm

Revolver: S&W 317 Airlite (snubbie or kit gun)
======================================================

I love my Bersa. I had 2 out of 4 FTEs when I first got it brand new... but I've sent at least 500 rounds thru this thing without any failures since that first clip. Can't recommend this gun highly enough.

I don't have the 317 yet, but I have a feeling that that's the gun I'm gonna get soon. I was looking for a .38 or possibly even a 3" .357... but there's just too many downsides to them, I just don't see the point.

22LR FTW!!

I have a Beretta. Light, accurate, well made.

I keep thinking about a revolver myself. The Colt Trooper, S&W 617, K22's seem to catch my eye more than anything else.

The round count on this target was about 250 at 15 yds.

The .22LR semiautos I've owned have been too finicky about ammo for my tastes. These include a 22/45, an MKII, and a Firestorm (plus a Savage 64 and Marlin 60 in the rifle category).

To shoot really cheaply, your gun needs to be OK with the really cheap bulk ammunition. In your situation, I'd get a steel Smith & Wesson revolver and eliminate feeding and ejection issues right from the get go.