.22 Target Pistol

[WeThePeople]

At the range yesterday, my wife said that she would like to have a .22 target pistol outfitted with a scope. Who am I to argue?

We looked briefly at two Beretta Neos at the range and she said that she would much rather have a revolver.

My question: Does anyone know of a .22LR revolver with a heavier 5-6+ inch barrel that I can put a scope on? I'm sure that the beast exists, but I have been unable to find it.

Any thoughts will be most appreciated.

 

[Bullet Bob]

I can't remember the date, someone with a better memory, or the Standard Catalogue of S&W handy will probably chime in shortly, but anyhoo:

I think it was 1993 that S&W started drilling and tapping their revolvers for scope mounts - you have to take off the rear sight to access the mounting holes. You can tell if one you're looking at is drilled and tapped by opening the cylinder and looking at the bottom of the topstrap - you'll see two holes. I can highly recommend their guns, but others have different opinions. I have a *few* S&W .22's, the latest one (at least in the K-frame line) is a 617 10-shot with an aluminum cylinder, it shoots just as well as my 1948, 1955, etc. models, and is drilled and tapped.

 

[Majic]

Since the .22 doesn't generate much recoil the scope base doesn't have to be screwed to the frame. There are several scope bases that clamp to the gun frame and provide a secure mount for the scope.
S&W makes an excellent revolver, the M617, for scoping. The Ruger Super Single Six also is a fine candidate for scoping. Taurus makes several decent revolvers that would fill the task. If you don't mind shopping the used market then you could find several other makes and models made over the years that are excellent for scoping.

 

[Onmilo]

Ruger also produces the Super Single Six Hunter and Bisley Hunter revolvers that come set up with rings and intregal mounts for scope mounting if you like single action revolvers.

The Smith and Wesson 617 is another winning choice and my pick.
A really good base and rings can be purchased for a hundred dollars or just a bit less..

 

[Fumbler]

The Taurus Tracker 970, or one if its variants, would be a good choice.

The 970 comes with a 6" full underlug barrel.
You can get a scope mount that clamps through the vented barrel.

It's not as nice as some guns, but it's cheaper and the one I used to have would shoot 5/8-3/4 inch groups at 25 yards with most ammo off the bench.

 

[Okiecruffler]

Here's mine, discovered the other night by acident while trying to figure out just what mount the rib had been tapped for. It'll come off soon, but I'll give it a spin at least once.