Help finding a .22 wheel gun for my girl

[zx12rider]

My girlfriend just finished her pistol permit class and is going to have her permit soon (dad was a local cop) Anyway after shooting most of my handguns she like my only revolver (curently) a really old SAA Herter's .22. At the class she shot a double and single action .22 and like both over any of my guns or the buckmark they had her shoot also. So now I am searching for a nice double action 4-5" stainless revolver in .22LR. I like the look and size of the Taurus 94 but have read enough negitive press on it to some what cross it off the list. The Smiths that I've seen are either the old K-22 or Fullsize 686 sized guns. I want a some what scaled down frame in a modern package ie full lugged barrel and hogue style grips. Does anyone make a "good" taurus 94?

 

[35Rem]

S&W Model 63. It the J-frame size 22. The currect one has a 5" barrel. YOu can probably find some used ones with a 4" barrel.
The 63 is stainless steel. There is also the model 34, blue steel. These will all be older, used guns that are not in current production.
The Model 63 is a fine gun.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I agree, the S&W Model 63 seems to be what you are looking for. It's a good revolver and shoots well.

The S&W M617 is also a good revolver but like you said, it is a bit big for a .22.

 

[krs]

The Smith & Wesson Model 317 is currently sold, and is, I believe, a ten shot revolver. I've seen both 2" and 6" barreled versions but just because I haven't seen a 4" doesn't mean they don't make one.

BUT.......

If you like the Taurus model you've seen don't hesitate to buy one. I know there's ample opportunity to read negative opinions about Taurus products but the bulk of that has to do with their auto pistols and much of it can be discounted somewhat because Taurus is one of the brands that lots of people like to kick.

Their revolvers are generally very good and in a .22 I'd bet that in a lifetime of usage you'd never have a problem with one of them.

 

[zx12rider]

The Taurus...

Trust me I have had Taurus revolvers in the past and loved the 85's. The look and feel of the 94 is spot on. I handled a new 4" stainless. My issue is that I read the trigger pull is horrible. Granted I don't remember that when I handled the one in the shop. Is there a revolver smith I can send the gun to after I buy it to do a trigger job and tune the action? Can a gun like that benefit from a barrel recrown or lapping? I hear they aren't as accurate as say a buckmark.

 

[krs]

I can't say about those things but I'd be afraid that to send a revolver for trigger and action work would cost as much or more than the revolver cost in the first place.

I have an 85 also and it's a nice little sucker with good snubbie accuracy and as nice an out of the box trigger as most anything else available.

But why think about repairs or modifications now? Buy the thing and see how it goes. The odds are now 100% (your and my prior experiences) that you'll like it fine, and that percentage will hold until someone comes along with a sad story. If there's but one sad story then you'll still have a 66% chance for a positive experience and in todays product environment ...that ain't bad.

 

[camper]

Bought a Taurus 94 two weeks ago and am returning it to the dealer tomorrow. Firing pin is only lightly contacting the very out edge of the 22LR rim and not detonating 90% of the time. On the other hand the 94 UL that I bought 8 years ago has performed very well. Am moving up to a 617.

 

[tgfogal]

My wife loves her 317. It's a 8 shot.
About 11 oz, very light, great for carry. She got the 3".

 

[machinisttx]

IMO, the S&W M17, M18, M34, or M63 are what you want to look at in the older models. The newer one is the M617.

 

[jfh]

Another vote for the S&W 63--at least for a new / current .22 revolver for a newbie.

The 317 3" would be a close second.

Jim H.

 

[crebralfix]

Why not get something in 38 Special (for carry)? The K-Frame with 3" barrel is an excellent choice, though they do make J-Frames with longer barrels (Model 60). Consider the Ruger SP101 with 3" barrel too.

Use really light 38 Special loads while she's learning. Crank them up as she gains confidence. After that, go with +P's for defense.

If the 22 is intended to be a range gun only, then a Taurus may be OK. Their internal fitting isn't so hot, but they look good (so says my gunsmith). 22LR is hard to beat pricewise, and even reloading 38 Special won't get you into the $0.02 per round price. Unfortunately, Ruger discontinued their SP101 in 22LR, so you're kinda stuck between older guns, the S&W 317 and 617, and the Taurus. I would avoid Charter Arms because of quality concerns.

She'll be able to learn just fine on an S&W 617 with 4" barrel. In fact, I recommend it over a revolver with a shorter barrel. The reason is that she won't have the trigger control yet to really handle that short sight radius well.

Also make sure to understand what makes a good trigger:

http://www.grantcunningham.com/good_trigger.html
http://www.grantcunningham.com/blog_files/action_performance.html

 

[Deadmanwalking_05]

Another vote for the Smith M-617

But don't pass up a S&W 34 or an older model 63 if you find a deal on one.

 

[easyrider604]

I may not be answering the OP's question re:.22 revolver, but I agree with Crebralfix.

The reason is, you said your girlfriend will have her permit soon (CCW?) and unless you will spring for a separate carry gun for her, a small frame .38 spl or a small frame .357 should fit the bill nicely.

Your practice ammo may cost a bit more, but how much ammo would she consume in practice? Even a light recoiling 38 spl wadcutter, if that is what she chooses to practice and carry with, will be more reliable and ballistically more effective than any .22 LR load.

The 617 can come later.

 

[tayen2]

I have a Taurus 94 that I got in October, so far so good. I put around 150 rounds through it a week and it works well for me. The only down side is that I wear a bandaid on my thumb if I'm going to be shooting it SA since the surface of the hammer is kind of rough.

I'm a girl and I think it is small enough to be easily hidden by my clothes.

 

[dogngun]

An oldie but goodie:

If you can find one, High Standard made a great 9 shot .22 revolver called a Sentinel, from the '50's till the late '80's, I believe. They have an alloy frame, good triggers and are very accurate and reliable. They are light enough to carry easily even with a 4" barrel. Mine is from the '50's, cost $150, and is right here next to my mouse pad. Use HKS speedloaders made for H&R 9 shot
.22 revolvers - they work perfectly.

mark

 

[Daizee]

If you can find one, a Ruger SP101 in .22LR is a great gun. Heavy, but concealable. And when it's empty it doubles as a blunt force trauma weapon...
It fits smaller hands nicely and dresses up well with some aftermarket grips or grip panel inserts.
And if she wants to upsize to .38 or .357 in the future, it's a no-brainer.

-Daizee

 

[vcs700s]

I also have the High Standard Sentinel Deluxe. It is a great 22 revolver and very accurate.

I highly recommend it. You can find them used for very reasonable prices.

 

[mgkdrgn]

A fellow a couple of threads up has an older NEF 9 round 22 pistol for sale. I have one of those myself (R-92) and it's a hell of a lot of fun to shoot, and would make an excellent trainer.

However, IF she is looking for something in an SD gun, and has a "thing" for .22, might want to move her up to 22 Magnum from 22lr, a LOT more bite to go with the bark.

 

[MCgunner]

Rossi M511 Sportsman 6 shot kit gun.

 

[goon]

I second the Ruger SP-101. It will also be a good understudy for when she's able to step up to .38 Special or light .357's.
My ex-GF settled on a Walther P22 for her first and currently only gun. It's not a powerhouse but it's better than a sharp stick. She keeps it loaded with CCI mini-mag solids - I'd imagine that three or so of those to the chest and abdomen would discourage an attacker.

 

[goon]

I have a Taurus 94 that I got in October, so far so good. I put around 150 rounds through it a week and it works well for me. The only down side is that I wear a bandaid on my thumb if I'm going to be shooting it SA since the surface of the hammer is kind of rough.

I'm a girl and I think it is small enough to be easily hidden by my clothes.

All you need is a file or some sandpaper to take care of rough edges like that.
A few light passes will usually take sharp spots like that right off. I've had to do it on the triggers of several handguns and also occasionally on hammers.

 

[22-rimfire]

If she is going to lug it around in her purse/pocket book, I'd say go with a Smith 317 or the 22 mag version. IF she is going to be shooting it, using it around the house for "home defense" (1), then go with the Smith Model 63 which is a 5" gun on the J-frame. It is smaller than the Model 18, which is my next choice.

(1) Folks say that the 22 is not enough for home defense or self defense. First of all, if you live somewhere where that is a likely issue, buy something larger like a 38spl or perhaps the new Ruger SP101 in 327 mag OR the Ruger LCP in 380 OR a Kahr in 9mm/40S&W. If you are like most of us, the 22LR is just fine (whether they will admit it or not) as you'll never use it for self defense. You can always buy another one later and shooting it is more important than having a larger caliber you dread to shoot and never using it.

 

[zx12rider]

Not a SD gun

Guys I was talking soley a Range/practice gun that was cheap to shoot. I would never let my girl protect herself with a .22. I will also be using the gun to practice more. If she ends up stuck on a revolver I will buy her a Taurus 85UL .38. Currently I have 20 some pistols. She mentioned the other day at a dealer that she likes case coloring (smith limited repo). Does anyone case color a .22 revolver?