Ease of loading doesn't get much better than this...
http://www.gunblast.com/Cliploader.htm
Yes, I know it doesn't work with revolvers
Wanting a 22lr, torn on options and in need of opinions
- Thread starter trickyasafox
- Start date
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Ease of loading doesn't get much better than this...
http://www.gunblast.com/Cliploader.htm
Yes, I know it doesn't work with revolvers
CraigC
Sixgun Nut
A double action is only quicker and easier to reload than a single action if you have speedloaders. With proper technique, the DA unloads quicker but the SA loads quicker. Net result is a wash.
22-rimfire
Member
Maybe for you Craig. But for me, unloading is a slow deliberate process with single action 22's and if you aren't paying attention, you can skip a chamber without realizing it. So for a person who does not practice quick loading and unloading with a SA 22 revolver, the DA is quicker, safer, and requires less effort.
so, what have you decided, mr. fox?
single action revolvers are just as safe as any other handgun, because safety depends upon the nut behind the trigger.
bearcats are not more difficult to shoot, but require a bit different (lighter) grip than most other single actions. the gun weighs only one pound, and if you grip it hard, you will move the sights. it requires a gentle grip for best accuracy. and, i find, the pinky finger under the grip is the best way to hold the gun. sights line right up with this grip.
fwiw
murf
single action revolvers are just as safe as any other handgun, because safety depends upon the nut behind the trigger.
bearcats are not more difficult to shoot, but require a bit different (lighter) grip than most other single actions. the gun weighs only one pound, and if you grip it hard, you will move the sights. it requires a gentle grip for best accuracy. and, i find, the pinky finger under the grip is the best way to hold the gun. sights line right up with this grip.
fwiw
murf
CraigC
Sixgun Nut
Am I the only one that pays attention to what they're doing???
I do find the Bearcat to be more difficult to shoot accurately. Because of its small size and the fact that SA's are more sensitive to grip variations, it took a lot more work to become proficient with it. The sights make it a bit more of a challenge but are easier to use than say, a Colt SAA or replica.
CraigC
Sixgun Nut
Then your technique could probably use some work.
What baffles me is when you post something that may be a new concept to some folks, rather than asking questions, they just tell you you're wrong. Are we here to learn, or just spew our opinions???
22-rimfire
Member
I am not saying you are wrong with your personal experience as I know from your posts that you are an avid single action shooter. As far as paying attention... well, I do pay attention, but there are times a person may become distracted and "think" you unloaded when you missed a chamber. I know you're supposed to check. But with a single action, that means rotating the cylinder to each chamber and checking versus a glance with a double action.
Of course, you can just shoot them empty every time and if you miss a spent case, no harm done.
mdauben
Member
You might want to consider the S&W Model 317. Its an alloy J-frame with 3-inch barrel and adjustable sights.
Probably not a pants pocket gun, but certainly a jacket pocket (or cargo pants pocket) gun.
returningfire
Member
A Ruger Bearcat or a Colt Scout, used. Can't go wrong with either one both hold value and are both quality firearms.
CraigC
Sixgun Nut
Nevermind.....
BCRider
Member
If slipping the gun into a pocket is a "must have" requirement then it pretty much tosses anything longer than a 4 inch barrel out of the list. And even a 4 inch barrel is a little long for many pockets without wedging firmly from corner to corner and becoming uncomfortable to carry.
I'd suggest you give up on the pocket'able requirement in favour of a compact holster that easily slips onto your belt or perhaps a paddle style that just slips down over your belt. The guns you could more comfortably carry that way are all the sort which are going to do far better for you during small game hunting. The longer sight baseline will most certainly make the gun easier to shoot accurately.
Note that a short barrel gun will shoot accurately. But it forces the shooter to be super critical of their sight picture. Sighting errors that would be obvious on a longer baseline sight picture could be easily missed when looking over the top of a snub nose length barrel.
In my experience having shot short to long versions I'd say reasonably easy to obtain accuracy starts with guns that have a 4 inch barrel and it gets easier as the barrel length moves on up towards 6 and 7 inches. Although anything over 5.5 to 6 inches begins to get tough to pull from a high on the waist mounted holster unless it's a cross draw or has some of the upper front cut away.
I'd suggest you give up on the pocket'able requirement in favour of a compact holster that easily slips onto your belt or perhaps a paddle style that just slips down over your belt. The guns you could more comfortably carry that way are all the sort which are going to do far better for you during small game hunting. The longer sight baseline will most certainly make the gun easier to shoot accurately.
Note that a short barrel gun will shoot accurately. But it forces the shooter to be super critical of their sight picture. Sighting errors that would be obvious on a longer baseline sight picture could be easily missed when looking over the top of a snub nose length barrel.
In my experience having shot short to long versions I'd say reasonably easy to obtain accuracy starts with guns that have a 4 inch barrel and it gets easier as the barrel length moves on up towards 6 and 7 inches. Although anything over 5.5 to 6 inches begins to get tough to pull from a high on the waist mounted holster unless it's a cross draw or has some of the upper front cut away.
trickyasafox
Member
btg3- I live in NY, so using a magazine loader like that could easily put me past 7 rounds quickly whilst in the field and not at an 'incorporated range'. Not to get legal in this thread, but for right now a revolver is a mighty tempting option to those of us in NYS, so much so that I suspect my mkII will be relegated more and more to 'range only' usage.
To murf-
I've handled the bearcats, they are a nice pistol, but a touch small for my liking. I have narrowed it down to the single-10 and the sp101 in 22lr. At this point, I have a slight preference for a sp101, only because I have held other sp101s in the past and they area known quantity for fitting my hand. I have no actual experience with the single 10 or single 6. Hopefully I'll find a shop locally where I can handle them both, and that will be the final determining factor.
I agree that even for my intended purposes, loading and unloading is never going to need to be a 'speedy prospect', and I would be misguided to make my decision on a criteria that really won't impact the intended purpose of the gun.
the price difference between the two is close enough that I will not loath putting down the extra cash for the sp101 if it feels like a clearly better choice.
edited to add- I will admit, aesthetically, the blued single 10 is a hands down winner in my book. That is a sharp looking firearm.
To murf-
I've handled the bearcats, they are a nice pistol, but a touch small for my liking. I have narrowed it down to the single-10 and the sp101 in 22lr. At this point, I have a slight preference for a sp101, only because I have held other sp101s in the past and they area known quantity for fitting my hand. I have no actual experience with the single 10 or single 6. Hopefully I'll find a shop locally where I can handle them both, and that will be the final determining factor.
I agree that even for my intended purposes, loading and unloading is never going to need to be a 'speedy prospect', and I would be misguided to make my decision on a criteria that really won't impact the intended purpose of the gun.
the price difference between the two is close enough that I will not loath putting down the extra cash for the sp101 if it feels like a clearly better choice.
edited to add- I will admit, aesthetically, the blued single 10 is a hands down winner in my book. That is a sharp looking firearm.
James2
Member
Ruger Single Six.
Not really a pocket gun, but you can't go wrong with it.
Not really a pocket gun, but you can't go wrong with it.
Pointshoot
Member
No matter what you decide, I hope you have a supply of 22LR ammo. Its completely out of stock in all our local stores - even little out-of-the-way places that always had it in stock before.
greenmtnguy
Member
Ultimately, you DO have to handle some and find out what is best FOR YOU. But, my present "lust list" is for a stainless steel distributors exclusive Single Six convertible with 4 5/8" bbl. Sadly, tax season responsibilities must be met first..
trickyasafox
Member
22lr is something I thankfully set back in decent supply. Have about 20 bricks for consumption and another 10 in the rainy day ammo can. for every two bricks I shoot, I try to buy three. I don't make a ton of money or I'd try to go one for one, but over the last 5 or 6 years, I've been able to get a bit ahead with this system.
Stainz
Member
I waited nearly too long to get my first really good .22 rimfire. I was sixty 9/08 when I 'took the leap' and bought a new 4" 617. It required the sale of my beloved Ruger MKII and it's eight mags and scope - a real leap of faith. I had owned a few SA .22's - including an old H&R and a new Ruger Single Six - never very fond of them. Sadly, by this time I had tired of SA revolvers. The DA-capable S&W was an unreal purchase. I have tried to wear it out since I bought it, especially after fitting it as shown below - and - not seen - improving it's DA trigger. The DS-10 speedloader and loading plate - and a stash of Federal 550 packs from WallyWorld - combined to help, too.
That is one fine range revolver - fantastic plinker. I, like the OP, kept thinking how much fun pocket carry would be... of course, not with a huge 617. A 317K was thought to be a good choice... until I shot one at the range. The DA trigger feels stiffer than it likely is due to the very light revolver - a SS version, a la the 63, might be ideal. An elderly good range friend had bought one of the then current production new 5" 63's and only got to shoot it one time before his death. I was able to buy it from his estate (Top, below.). If the OP's local laws require a barrel length of >4" to hunt with, it and the new, actually 4.2" long barrel, Ruger 8X SP-101 are your only choices in a smallish frame. I finally got my currently available 3" 63 (Bottom, below.) 11/10. Both 63's are 8-shooters - and Dave at DS-10 has a speedloader/loading baseplate for them, too - as well as one for the new Ruger. The 4" gun in the middle below is actually a 651 (.22 WMR), but an older production 4" 63 would look just like it (... for reference!). All three have S&W '60 Pro' grips, the 5" 63 has an aftermarket HiViz sight, too.
If I could only keep one .22 revolver, it'd be the 3" 63. It is a handy, still pocketable but natural pointing, size. It's DA trigger came better NIB than my 5" 63 - and it's identical lockwork had seen some work - and new springs. The 3" 63, when I A-B-ed with a friend's new SP-101, was tighter grouping and had the far smoother DA trigger, too. The new .22 SP-101's QC and DA trigger are a vast improvement over my older 4" SP-101 .32 H&RM. It would be a nice revolver - if I didn't have my 3" 63. I still suggest the new 3" 63 - and some nicer grips. Sure, it's a lot of money - but it's a purchase you'll make once. Just my humble opinion!
Stainz
That is one fine range revolver - fantastic plinker. I, like the OP, kept thinking how much fun pocket carry would be... of course, not with a huge 617. A 317K was thought to be a good choice... until I shot one at the range. The DA trigger feels stiffer than it likely is due to the very light revolver - a SS version, a la the 63, might be ideal. An elderly good range friend had bought one of the then current production new 5" 63's and only got to shoot it one time before his death. I was able to buy it from his estate (Top, below.). If the OP's local laws require a barrel length of >4" to hunt with, it and the new, actually 4.2" long barrel, Ruger 8X SP-101 are your only choices in a smallish frame. I finally got my currently available 3" 63 (Bottom, below.) 11/10. Both 63's are 8-shooters - and Dave at DS-10 has a speedloader/loading baseplate for them, too - as well as one for the new Ruger. The 4" gun in the middle below is actually a 651 (.22 WMR), but an older production 4" 63 would look just like it (... for reference!). All three have S&W '60 Pro' grips, the 5" 63 has an aftermarket HiViz sight, too.
If I could only keep one .22 revolver, it'd be the 3" 63. It is a handy, still pocketable but natural pointing, size. It's DA trigger came better NIB than my 5" 63 - and it's identical lockwork had seen some work - and new springs. The 3" 63, when I A-B-ed with a friend's new SP-101, was tighter grouping and had the far smoother DA trigger, too. The new .22 SP-101's QC and DA trigger are a vast improvement over my older 4" SP-101 .32 H&RM. It would be a nice revolver - if I didn't have my 3" 63. I still suggest the new 3" 63 - and some nicer grips. Sure, it's a lot of money - but it's a purchase you'll make once. Just my humble opinion!
Stainz
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