Looking for a decent .22 DA revolver

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robinkevin

robinkevin

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Looking for a good .22 DA revolver (full size 4-6" barrel). Like the looks and feel of the Taurus Trackers but have read a lot of bad reviews on them. The S&Ws are out of my budget, looking for something less than $500.

Is there any good options in my price range or should I just go with Ruger or Browning for a good semi?
 
I think either a used or new Ruger SP101 in the caliber .22 LR would suit your needs fine!

They are GOOD quality guns and built like tanks. The gun is built on a .357 magnum frame so it should last a lifetime of shooting fun. 8 shots, very nice!

There are also some inklings of Ruger releasing a 10-shot .22 DA revolver based on the GP100 series. If and when it is released, I'm not sure it could be had for your amount specified but I'm not sure maybe. Something to think about but I wouldn't hesitate to get the SP gun as it is a mighty fine little fellow! :D
 
Looking for a decent .22 DA revolver

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Looking for a good .22 DA revolver (full size 4-6" barrel). Like the looks and feel of the Taurus Trackers but have read a lot of bad reviews on them. The S&Ws are out of my budget, looking for something less than $500.

Is there any good options in my price range or should I just go with Ruger or Browning for a good semi?
Click to expand...

I am privileged to own an older S&W 617, 10 shot that has recently had action reworked because of a heavy DA trigger. No problem with light strikes so far. That is the ultimate 22 to my knowledge, barring some boutique gun that doesn't actually shoot any better.

It seems that "decent" is a troublesome term. I believe that my Browning Buckmark would be a better match for the budget buyer. It is unquestionably accurate, but it, like many semis, is particular about what ammo it will cycle reliably. I use Remington and CCI Mini-Mag that I bought in quantity some years ago. Because of the scarcity of CCI and 22LR in general, I have been shooting up a case of lead CCI that I bought by mistake. At that time I could not shoot lead indoors, so my real stash, reserved for the Browning, is all plated. My recent shooting is all outdoors.

That said, the advantage of a revolver is that it won't care much what you feed it.
 
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I am very happy with the SP-101 4" I bought used but in great shape for $400. I know it will outlast me and maybe even my grandkids. Those Czech Point revolvers that C0unt Zer0 pointed out look very interesting.
 
I have a Charter Arms Target Pathfinder 4" barrel in 22 lr. Nothing fancy but rock solid reliability. Price new is around $400 and it should outlast me. If purchased through Davidsons lifetime replacement guaranteed.

blindhari
 
Charter Arms Target Pathfinder,I have an older one from the 1970s and its a great little revolver.
 
I recently checked out a Taurus Tracker, too. Man, for a .22LR, those things are heavy! Are they built on the .44 Magnum frame?

The same store, however, had a satin-stainless Model 94 nearby. I had one of those back in the eighties and early nineties; used it to teach my then-wife how to shoot, and she used it as a bedside when I ran the night beats. Great performer back then, but I had her keep it when we divorced.

Been wanting another, so I bought the SS one. Haven't gotten to try it out, yet, though. Hasn't been even a month. But, it locks up tight and runs smoothly so far.
 
I like my 4" Taurus Tracker 22. I have big hands and it fits them well. It has given me zero problems in the two years or so I've had it.
 
A used S&W .22 may not necessarily be out of your budget. A couple of years ago I found a used but like new S&W Model 34 with a 4" barrel that's been a great gun. It was priced at $399 and I consider it one of the best finds I have ever come across in a double action .22 revolver.
 
I would keep my eyes on classified ads for a new model Ruger SP-101 or the upcoming GP-100 in 22LR. The upcoming Ruger GP-100 is going to be a 5" which should be a good fit.

Of course there are always S&W's which I know you know about even used they will likely run more than $500 these days unless they are beat up. My last M17 ran me $500 a couple of years ago when I purchased a couple guns together.

I resist saying that you need to save up more money, but that pretty much is the way it is for new guns in 22LR other than Charter. Rossi, or Taurus. I have heard good things about the Pathfinder but I wouldn't call it "premium". An old H&R could be gotten certainly, but like the Pathfinder, I would not call it a premium gun.

The semi-auto's always were less expensive than the better DA 22 revolvers. I really like the Ruger Mark II or III with a 5 or 5'5" heavy barrel. Very good shooting gun! The 22/45's are good too and it just depends on the grip that you prefer.
 
IF you can find a Charter Arms Pathfinder with a 4" barrel, I would buy it. They are a very nice revolver for the money. I have a 2" Pathfinder, and other than the fixed sights being off(Charter fixed this quickly, and paid the shipping both ways)it has been excellent. I have a Taurus Model 94 and the new Ruger SP101-22. I would NOT recommend the Taurus for several reasons. The DA trigger pull is horrible, and the machining of the cylinder is terrible. The Ruger is top notch, but also the highest cost of the three. The Pathfinder has a lower price than the Taurus, a better trigger, and the lock up is superb. The 4" model has adjustable sights, so the issue I had with mine wouldnt happen. Its also made in the USA, the Taurus in Brazil. The Pathfinder might be hard to find in your local gun shop, but the larger online retailers will have them.
 
The H&R 999 (or Sportsman) is a 9 shot, DA, top-break that you can still get at a reasonable price (I got one at a gun show for $225 a couple years ago, and it was at that price all weekend till I came back sunday afternoon and got it).
 
I don't have one anymore, but I'm keeping my eye out for another. An old High Standard Sentinental. Sears sold the same gun under the J.C. Higgins brand BTW.

Nine shot, aluminum frame, sights are adjustable for windage. Both of the ones I had had 4" barrels, but I've seen them with 6". They're about the size of a K-Frame Smith & Wesson. In an Uncle Mikes Sidekick holster, they're about as light as a feather for hiking and such. The D/A trigger isn't a tuned K-22 Masterpiece or anything, but they're not awful either. S/A was not bad at all.

Good little revolvers for not a lot of money usually. I see them from time to time for around $200.00. I've owned a couple but sold them off, both to fellows who said they wanted them for their daughter/wife.

At least that's what they told me.
 
My Taurus Tracker 990 (not 94) is accurate as all get out! I put in a Wolf spring set and shoot it in SA when going for accuracy.
 
That is the ultimate 22 to my knowledge, barring some boutique gun that doesn't actually shoot any better.
Click to expand...
I don't really know what constitutes a "boutique gun that doesn't shoot any better" but the Freedom Arms guns tend to shoot better than most rifles.
 
I've personally never seen a Ruger SP101 8-Rd .22LR revolver for under 500 bucks.

If $20 doesn't make a difference to you then you might be able to pick one up for $520.00 but it would probably be online and then you're paying for shipping and FFL transfer fee.

For what it is worth I handled the Ruger side by side with the Charter Arms and the Charter Arms had better lockup and the SA trigger on both was close with the edge going to the Ruger. The Ruger had a better DA trigger hands down. I didn't think either was as nice as the DA or SA trigger on my daughter's Model 63 - but that is an expensive gun (comparatively).
 
I'll just add to what everyone else has said,,,

Taurus revolvers have a bad reputation,,,
From my experience with two new ones it's a deserved rap.

It's not that they are a bad design,,,
On the contrary, they are very well designed guns,,,
But their quality control in the plant stinks so too many bad ones get out.

It's true that they have a lifetime warranty,,,
So that mitigates the problems a bit,,,
But buying a Taurus is a gamble.

I had a 6" stainless 970 Tracker and it never worked correctly,,,
Even after three trips back to the Florida warranty center,,,
Initially the cylinder spun freely and they fixed that,,,
But somehow they misaligned the barrel.

They fixed that but the front sight fell off,,,
They fixed that and I pawned the gun.

There was nothing initially wrong with a 4" 990 Tracker I bought,,,
But the trigger started to get very difficult to pull,,,
Then it locked up on me completely.

They fixed it and I immediately pawned it.

Now I know many people with Taurus revolvers that work just fine,,,
I came to the conclusion that I didn't check each gun out well enough before I made the purchase/

If you get a good one from the factory,,,
It will probably be good forever.

If you get a bad one though,,,
Taurus will work on it but it won't ever be 100%.

The moral of this story is I might consider buying a Taurus revolver,,,
But only if I could check that particular individual gun,,,
I would never order a new one unseen.

The 4" Ruger SP-101 is a fine handgun,,,
Ruger has a rep for good quality and it's deserved,,,
I have handled/fired a few of the new ones and they worked well.

They all had one thing in common though,,,
They were all over $500.00 new price,,,
They all had very heavy triggers,,,
But very visible front sights.

I bought a 4" Charter Arms Target Pathfinder last year,,,
I like the gun well enough in that it shoots well,,,
The only real complaint is it's metal finish,,,
It's a matte stainless and rather drab.

The finish made the front sight disappear on me,,,
I painted the blade an orange and it's much better now.

All in all it's a nice little revolver,,,
I don't regret buying it at all,,,
But it's not a favorite to me.

A range acquaintance just bought on of the new 6" Rossi Plinkers,,,
I've only put 16 rounds through it but I liked it well enough,,,
Except for that attempt to give it a Python look,,,
The ribbed sights are just plain ugly,,,
Made the gun look cheap.

I did like the fiber optic front sight,,,
It was very easy to see even late in the evening.

About those Alfa Proj revolvers from Czechpoint,,,
I know nothing about them but what I've read.

Basically people are saying they are okay for the price,,,
But certainly nothing to write home to Mom about.

That leaves Colt and Smith & Wesson.

I own a 6" Colt Trooper Mk-III,,,
It's trigger is superb and it's very accurate,,,
But I worry about getting it repaired if it ever breaks.

Colt parts are getting scarce and good smiths even more scarce,,,
And I doubt one will ever find a Colt for $500.00 ever again.

That leaves Smith & Wesson,,,
Models 34, 43, 63, 17, 18 in many barrel lengths,,,
These are the absolute epitome of quality in a DA/SA rimfire revolver.

My modest collection of S&W's are my favorite shooters,,,
In my humble opinion they are without peer.

But again,,,
Good luck finding one for less than $500.00

So for the price you stated,,,
Ruger is right on that ragged edge,,,
Alfa Proj guns have the good price but are unknown quality.

Charter Arms and Rossi come in under your price limit,,,
I think I like my friends 6" Rossi a little bit better than my 4" Charter Arms.

In any event,,,
Happy shopping.

Aarond

.
 
I paid $300 or less for all of my K-frames and even once for an N-frame. Unfortunately, that was 10-15yrs ago and those days are long gone.

If only I had bought more when I got this NIB S&W from the 1970's for $285 back .

IMG_2869b.jpg
 
I had a Taurus and it was a disaster. I had a SW 317 and couldn't get use to the extremely heavy trigger in DA. While not what the OP asked for, I got a Ruger SS Bearcat for 22 plinking and for new shooters to use.
 
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