Thinking of picking up a .22 cal. 6" Revolver for plinking, etc. All things considered, accuracy & quality would be my #1 priority. I've always wanted a K 22, but I don't know if that's considered one of the best or if S&W still makes them. My brother-in-law has a Ruger single action that he says he's a much better shot with than his K 22. Just looking for opinions. Thanks,
An accurate .22 cal. 6" Revolver?
- Thread starter sjcslk
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dalv
Member
look for a used Dan Wesson - I just picked one up for $300 and it shoots great. Has interchangeable barrels available and cylinder gap adjustment to fine tune.
DW's won numerous matches and are known for accuracy.
CZ has taken over the name but new are $1000. If you look around you are bound to find one - or check the internet brokers.
Good Luck
DW's won numerous matches and are known for accuracy.
CZ has taken over the name but new are $1000. If you look around you are bound to find one - or check the internet brokers.
Good Luck
If you always wanted a K22 go with that, though it will not be cheap. Dan wessons are nice if you get a good one, but the prices don't tend to be anywhere near as cheap as they were just a few years ago making them not quite the good value they once were. Expect a price of between 400-500 for the 22 models which are less common than the 357's. Rugers single six is a nice gun quality wise but not particularly known for accuracy due to a bore on the large side for 22lr so it can shoot 22 mag. as well.
rainbowbob
Member
I own a anumber of S&W revolvers. The M 17-3 is a new favorite. Beautiful looks and feel and accurate as I can point it.
rikman
Member
K22 is nice, on my list....I love my S&W 617 and accurate it is.
I like revolvers, and particularly rimfire revolvers! But I do not enjoy reloading or shooting single action revolvers.
A S&W K22/M17 is as accurate as it can get and will not break the bank. I am partial to the older models.
If you want to upgrade from a K-22, it is getting much more expensive for a little more performance. You will need a revolver that uses roller bearings for the trigger mechansim, such as the MR-73 or Korth.
A S&W K22/M17 is as accurate as it can get and will not break the bank. I am partial to the older models.
If you want to upgrade from a K-22, it is getting much more expensive for a little more performance. You will need a revolver that uses roller bearings for the trigger mechansim, such as the MR-73 or Korth.
CajunBass
Member
As much as I like my Single-Six's, they're not in the same class as my Smith & Wesson Model 17-3. If that's what you've wanted, get one. They're not getting any cheaper.
Now the Dan Wesson 22 I've got can hang right there with the 17-3 as far as shooting. The finish isn't quite as nice as the 17, and it's a bigger, heavier gun. The Smith & Wesson also has target sights that I like a little better than the red insert/ramp sights on the Dan Wesson. I give the edge to the Model 17, but not by much.
I've considered selling the DW as I consolidate my rather motley collection of Smith & Wesson's, but as my wife keeps reminding me..."they don't make them anymore."
Now the Dan Wesson 22 I've got can hang right there with the 17-3 as far as shooting. The finish isn't quite as nice as the 17, and it's a bigger, heavier gun. The Smith & Wesson also has target sights that I like a little better than the red insert/ramp sights on the Dan Wesson. I give the edge to the Model 17, but not by much.
I've considered selling the DW as I consolidate my rather motley collection of Smith & Wesson's, but as my wife keeps reminding me..."they don't make them anymore."
Carl Levitian
member
You need to get the K22.
I wanted one for a long time, but was put off a bit by the high price. I asked myself, was it really worth all that?
I finally did bite, and now I regret waiting so long.
YES, it is worth the money. It's THE nicest revolver I've ever owned, is super accurrite, and is such a pleasure to shoot it's now my favorite gun to shoot. I should have bought one years ago!!!
Carl.
I wanted one for a long time, but was put off a bit by the high price. I asked myself, was it really worth all that?
I finally did bite, and now I regret waiting so long.
YES, it is worth the money. It's THE nicest revolver I've ever owned, is super accurrite, and is such a pleasure to shoot it's now my favorite gun to shoot. I should have bought one years ago!!!
Carl.
oldfool
Member
the old Dan Wessons were very good indeed, as were the old Colts
neither is all that easily found, nor cheap
your best bet is the S&W k-22, k-17, k-18, 6" barrels preferred, cost in the $500-$600 range (and up for the oldest models in really great condition re: "collector status" pricing)
in currently manufactured models, that translates into the S&W 617
the newly manufactured S&W so called "classic" line, I dunno, never shot one
but suspect they are not quite up to the performance quality of k-17s, for example
in SA only revolvers, there are the very excellent Freedom Arms models, pretty stiff pricing
if you own your own island nation, money unlimited, there is always Korth, of course
$500-$600 is pretty much the name of the game for a high quality 22 rimfire revolver, patience req'd to hunt up a good older model
if not that patient, try to find a S&W 617 somebody will let you try before you buy
PS
for me, k-17 rimfires and k-48 WMR woobies
lots to love about 'em
(the Rugers are good fun guns, but just not in the same class as the old Dan Wessons, old Colts, FAs, and S&W Ks)
neither is all that easily found, nor cheap
your best bet is the S&W k-22, k-17, k-18, 6" barrels preferred, cost in the $500-$600 range (and up for the oldest models in really great condition re: "collector status" pricing)
in currently manufactured models, that translates into the S&W 617
the newly manufactured S&W so called "classic" line, I dunno, never shot one
but suspect they are not quite up to the performance quality of k-17s, for example
in SA only revolvers, there are the very excellent Freedom Arms models, pretty stiff pricing
if you own your own island nation, money unlimited, there is always Korth, of course
$500-$600 is pretty much the name of the game for a high quality 22 rimfire revolver, patience req'd to hunt up a good older model
if not that patient, try to find a S&W 617 somebody will let you try before you buy
PS
for me, k-17 rimfires and k-48 WMR woobies
lots to love about 'em
(the Rugers are good fun guns, but just not in the same class as the old Dan Wessons, old Colts, FAs, and S&W Ks)
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Ala Dan
Member in memoriam
An old S&W K-17 has always been on my "want list"; but thus far has evaded me. 
hardluk1
member
If you can find the DW that is a great shooter . CZ still has some accesores and parts and works on them. You can get custon sight inserts thu the Dan Wesson forum site. There are also that make custom grips that can be accessed there. One guy is makeing barrels and shrouds but think its limited to 357 for now but maybe he mod up a flat side shroud for someone. For that 400 + dollars I would still look at a DW first.
dickttx
Member
My first .22 handgun was a used 617-4 I bought a few months ago at a horrible price. Added a 10 shot speedloader and 100 round blocks. Talk about nice! Don't even think about the price anymore.
Colt Smith
Member
Just in case no one has mentioned it yet.......S&W K-22. 
steven58
Member
my S&W 6" mod. 17 is superb!
I picked up an early 80s vintage gun that was sold as "used" but was actually NIB with the original 1983 sales receipt included (sold for $300 ish back then).
In single action it is as accurate as my S&W mod. 41 7" target pistol".
You won't go wrong with this revolver!
PS My Ruger Super Single Six is nice but not even in the same zip code accuracy wise. The combination of the .22 Mag compatible bbl and the long lock time keep this in "plinker" territory.
I picked up an early 80s vintage gun that was sold as "used" but was actually NIB with the original 1983 sales receipt included (sold for $300 ish back then).
In single action it is as accurate as my S&W mod. 41 7" target pistol".
You won't go wrong with this revolver!
PS My Ruger Super Single Six is nice but not even in the same zip code accuracy wise. The combination of the .22 Mag compatible bbl and the long lock time keep this in "plinker" territory.
CraigC
Sixgun Nut
Lots of talk about what is and isn't accurate but so far no clear definition of what anyone, including the OP, considers "accurate".
I would consider any .22 revolver as "accurate" that prints into 1.5" or less at 25yds with preferred loads. Both my .22 Single Sixes and both my K-22's are that accurate.
I would consider any .22 revolver as "accurate" that prints into 1.5" or less at 25yds with preferred loads. Both my .22 Single Sixes and both my K-22's are that accurate.
sixgunner455
Member
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Get the K22! A K22 or 617 will shoot better than most people are capable of.
Of course, the same is true of the Ruger Single Six ... And the Ruger's usually cost less. But if you can afford the K22, and that's what you've been wanting, then there's no reason to compromise. They still make them (617), so it's not like they're impossible to find, new or used.
Of course, the same is true of the Ruger Single Six ...
And the Ruger's usually cost less. But if you can afford the K22, and that's what you've been wanting, then there's no reason to compromise. They still make them (617), so it's not like they're impossible to find, new or used.
steven58
Member
Craig,
To quantify accuracy: From a rest, single action, with Federal Champion 40 gr. HV solids, my 17 will put 6 shots into a 1/2" group at 25 yds. That's with my "flyers" counted.
Off hand at 50 yds. we hang 20 oz. plastic soda bottles by the neck with a strip of duct tape. I aim for the brightly colored caps and hit about half the time.
The ammo used is what I happen to have bought in bulk (5,000 rounds) for general purpose use in all of my .22s. In the hands of someone who can actually shoot, with ammo selected for it this revolver is capable of doing much better.
My 4 5/5" stainless Super Single Six will do 6 shots into 1.5-2" at 25 yds. under similar circumstances.
So, for my personal pigeonholing, I consider the Single Six to be plinker grade accurate and the 17 to be target grade accurate.
YMMV.
To quantify accuracy: From a rest, single action, with Federal Champion 40 gr. HV solids, my 17 will put 6 shots into a 1/2" group at 25 yds. That's with my "flyers" counted.
Off hand at 50 yds. we hang 20 oz. plastic soda bottles by the neck with a strip of duct tape. I aim for the brightly colored caps and hit about half the time.
The ammo used is what I happen to have bought in bulk (5,000 rounds) for general purpose use in all of my .22s. In the hands of someone who can actually shoot, with ammo selected for it this revolver is capable of doing much better.
My 4 5/5" stainless Super Single Six will do 6 shots into 1.5-2" at 25 yds. under similar circumstances.
So, for my personal pigeonholing, I consider the Single Six to be plinker grade accurate and the 17 to be target grade accurate.
YMMV.
BlindJustice
Member
I've got the S&W 617 6" Bbl 10 shot cylinder w?Hogue grips in
Coco Bolo wood. More than one person has called it a beauty at the range. It's accurate as well. My first handgun in the '60s was a
S&W MOdel 18 K-22 COmbat Masterpiece.Served me well on the farm in
my teens for keeping the cottontail population culled, rattlesnakes etc.
No the K-22s aren't cheap but compared to the lesser priced handguns
of my buddies back in the day none of those have kept/increaed in value on
the used market today.
Randall
Coco Bolo wood. More than one person has called it a beauty at the range. It's accurate as well. My first handgun in the '60s was a
S&W MOdel 18 K-22 COmbat Masterpiece.Served me well on the farm in
my teens for keeping the cottontail population culled, rattlesnakes etc.
No the K-22s aren't cheap but compared to the lesser priced handguns
of my buddies back in the day none of those have kept/increaed in value on
the used market today.
Randall
CraigC
Sixgun Nut
Steve, I would say that your K-22 is exemplary and certainly not typical. Yours shoots as accurately as a fixed-barrel auto and that is all but unheard of with any revolver that is not a linebored custom or Freedom Arms. Mine certainly do not do that well.
robctwo
Member
The neighbor and I were at the range today. Clay birds on the hill at 35 yards.
I was shooting my 4" 617 and 18-3, he was shooting his brand new 6" 617. We were breaking birds with regularity. Not every shot. Also cleaning up the small pieces.
My Ruger Single Six sits home most of the time. Not as accurate and a pain to eject those empties.
I don't have the 17 yet.
I was shooting my 4" 617 and 18-3, he was shooting his brand new 6" 617. We were breaking birds with regularity. Not every shot. Also cleaning up the small pieces.
My Ruger Single Six sits home most of the time. Not as accurate and a pain to eject those empties.
I don't have the 17 yet.
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