NEW 22 revolvers

[peteinct]

Hi all, I am interested in hearing peoples opinions on new/newer 22 revolvers. I would like to do some plate shooting with it and maybe introduce new shooters to revolvers with it.

I own a S+W model 34 kit gun but the trigger is awful so it doesn't get any use. Should I try to improve it? Any thoughts are appreciated. Thanks, pete

 

[mnrivrat]

Hard to beat that S&W kit gun. Perhaps find a K-frame S&W in .22

Not sure what is bad on your trigger pull, but if your not familiar with the internals the mechanizim is best left to a smith. .22 RF revolvers need a little heavier hammer spring to be reliable with rim fire ammo. The best you will get, I believe will come out of the S&W K-frame guns.

In new guns, you can check out the Ruger SP101, Charter Arms , Taurus, H&R, etc. , but O think most will not have great triggers out of the box.

 

[Fishman777]

Sp101

Unless you've get some insider info, I hate to point out that Ruger doesn't offer the sp101 in .22 lr any longer. They occasionally end up on the used market, but they stopped offering them a few years ago. I wish they still sold them. I would definitely own one right now.

 

[mnrivrat]

Shows you how well I keep track of Rugers ! And possibly why I recommended S&W .

 

[22-rimfire]

You best choices are the following: S&W 617 (4 or 6"), S&W Model 17 (6"), Colt Officers Model Match (6"), Colt Trooper Mark III (4, 6, or 8"), Colt Diamondback (4 or 6"). All except the S&W M617 have been discontinued, but are very good 22 DA revolvers that will have the best factory triggers available without gunsmith work. The larger revolver frames in general have a smoother and lighter trigger.

 

[GunTech]

peteinct

As 34 can be tuned by someone who knows what they are doing. Start with a wolff spring kit. You can do it yourself but only if you feel comfortable with the internals of an S&W revolver. It just takes some gun screwdrivers and a tool to remove the rebound spring helps. As noted, you have to try the springs to see if the revolver will still be reliable.

And action job is a very good idea as well. Some of the revolvers made by S&W - particularly during the Bangor Punta years - can be fairly rough inside.

 

[Carl Levitian]

Just about two years ago, I bought a new S&W model 617 with a 4 inch barrel and 1o shot cyclinder. At first it was a bit rought in double and single action. After about 1000 rounds, I took off the sideplate and flushed it out with a good gun cleaner, lubed it and put the side plate back on. I've been using it at a rate of 1500 rounds a month now, and it's gotten very smoothed out. The single action breaks clean, and the double action is smoothed out 99% with one little rough spot just before the hammer drops.

While not as smooth as my old model 18, it shoots just as well if not a tad better in single action.

I love this gun, and its become my work horse range gun.

 

[peteinct]

Thanks everyone, My model 34 is a bangor punta one besides the trigger it seems just too small for a good grip for me.I would have a gunsmith fool with it as I am just starting to mess with the innards of my 10-22 and finding that a challenge. I have a taste for the large frame 10 shot smoths I bet I could compete against the autos with one of those. pete

 

[theNoid]

I for one LOVE my 617 with 10-shot cylinder. Plus, you can get speedloaders from http://groups.msn.com/Speedloader/ds10speed.msnw

Noidster

 

[tom327]

Don't forget the S&W J-frame kit guns--the model 317 and model 63. The 317 airweight is a nice pocket revolver, the new model 63 in stainless steel with the 5" barrel can serve as a plinker/target/field gun at 29 oz.

 

[Shade00]

I'll take that awful Mod. 34 off your hands. What do you say, $25 + shipping? No one else is going to pay you to ship it to them.

I wouldn't let go of the 34, but if you find it really uncomfortable, you may want to try new grips first. Pachmayrs are cheap and are great for shooting. They will allow your whole hand to grip the gun.

If that's not your cup of tea, then you can always sell it to someone and go for either the Model 617 (which is a fantastic gun, can't go wrong with stainless) or a Model 17. Either one will be fantastic. The larger frame might fit you better. The 17 is going to run you less for a shooter grade since they don't make em anymore, but the 617 is 10-shot vs. the 17's 6-shot.

I like all of S&W's .22s, but if you find the Mod. 34 too small, then the other J-frame kit guns might not be for you.

 

[peteinct]

Shade, I don't believe in selling guns except if they draw my blood like a 45 I had with a spur hammer and no beavertail. They 34 looks so nice it is good to keep even if I don't shoot it much. pete

 

[Waldo Pepper]

The best out of box trigger is with Dan Wesson revolver's, those guns make people sit up an take notice with their double action.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

I don't believe in selling guns except if they draw my blood like a 45 I had with a spur hammer and no beavertail.

Not at all difficult or expensive to install a new grip safety. You can trim the spur a bit, and file a matching groove in the beavertail to allow you to use the original hammer.