What's a good 22LR revolver?

[HIPOWER]

Hi folks. I'm thinking of adding a 22 revolver to my collection for plinking and perhaps to use on my trap line this year. I want something small, reliable and durable. Won't be for intended for accuracy, just nailing tin cans with my son and maybe dispatching a 'coon here and there at close range. Of course I'd like quality but I also don't really want to invest too much cash in a lowly 22 revolver. I don't see many 22 revolvers in the local gun shops so I thought I'd ask your opinions as to what are the best options. I already have a Ruger MkII so I'm definitely thinking revolver this time. Your thoughts? Thanks.

 

[Shane]

The Special Edition Ruger Bisley (stainless) .22 LR is VERY NICE, slightly pricey though for a .22. I love mine.


Since you appear to be looking at a value deal, give the standard blue Ruger Single-Six a look, or the Ruger SP 101. The NEW S&W's are pricey, but if you can find a USED 617 or similar model give one of those a look too. IMO, YMMV.

 

[Okiecruffler]

I don't have one, and I've never shot one

but alot of people really like their Hertiage Rough Riders.

 

[coldshot03/04]

I have a Heritage Rough Rider. Not as fancy as a Ruger. But just as darn good. I have the 22lr/22mag version. I love this little single action cowboy gun.

 

[usp_fan]

Here's another vote for the ruger single six.

You can get it in any flavor you might want, stainless, blued, fixed sights, adjustable sights (super single six), bisley or standard grip frame, and barrel lengths from 4 5/8" to 7 1/2 I believe. My blued 4 5/8" anniversary model is quickly replacing my sig trailside as my favorite .22 plinker.

--usp_fan

 

[Thirties]

Hipower, the Ruger guns folks have mentioned are nice revolvers, but for what you are looking for, check out the old H&R guns. They made a "Trapper" model with a skinny 6 inch octagonal barrel that is very very accurate, light, simple and exactly what you seem to be looking for. If you find one with some rust on the barrel, but otherwise OK, you'll have youself a perfect piece at a (hopefully) good price. I don't think you are looking for a collector's item. Try looking at the used guns a gunsmith might be selling.

There are a lot of very overpriced used .22 revolvers out there. I know -- I bought a S&W model 18 for way too much money. I just wanted one to go with my model 15.

Don't mistake an old gun's value as a shooter with a high price. For what you want, I would never suggest a S&W model 18.

 

[ACP230]

I am very fond of my Smith Model 18. It isn't being produced any more but Smith makes other .22 revolvers.

I have seen a few Colt New Frontier .22 and .22 Magnum revolvers for sale on websites recently. I have a .22 LR version. It is a nice-looking handgun and quite accurate. They are more expensive than Ruger Single Sixes, but might be worth the extra cost.

There are a few .22 Colt Diamondbacks around too. I always liked the look of that gun, but never managed to shoot or own one.

 

[V-fib]

I have a Taurus 94 snub. 9 shots,adjustable rear sight. Very accurate at 7 to 10 yards. Has been very dependable for me.

 

[Airboss]

S&W 63

My $0.02 worth on what you need/want look at a model 63 Stainless in 4" 22/32 Kit gun handy and takes a licking and keeps on ticking

 

[TallPine]

What's a good 22LR revolver?

That's a little bit like asking "what is a good front wheel drive car?"


SA or DA ???

If SA, Ruger Single Six or Bearcat by all means.

But if you don't want to spend that much, the Heritage Rough Rider is a good cheap knock-around gun. I have probably put 3000 rounds through mine. Nothing wrong with it except I have to check the grip frame screws every now and then as they loosen up.

Still ... someday I want to get a Single Six ...

 

[Majic]

H&R's old 999 is a good one. The Diamondbacks mentioned earlier are good but pricey. The Troopers are good for a lower price, but still probably beyond what you want to spend.
Dan Wessons are excellent when you find them. Most can be bought for around $200 with some shopping.

 

[Standing Wolf]

There are a few .22 Colt Diamondbacks around too. I always liked the look of that gun, but never managed to shoot or own one.

Warning! Colt Diamondbacks are addictive!

 

[4v50 Gary]

The 4" Colt Diamondback is my favorite. But they're pricey.

I have a Ruger and a S&W M317 Ladysmith. I wish I had waited for a year for the 3" bbl version.

Don't overlook the Ruger Bearcat. It's small, light and a lot of fun. Accurate enough too.

 

[P95Carry]

Single Six vote here ..... love this thing!! Even better is ability to change cyl's and shoot 22 mag. Loading is a chore I admit but . shoots so well I forgive that!

 

[Hkmp5sd]

Everyone needs at least one Ruger Single-Six in their collection.

 

[Coot]

P95Carry , That's sure a nice looking revolver. Does it shoot both the LR and WRM equally well? Don't the two rounds have slightly different diameteres?

 

[P95Carry]

Coot ........ Yeah, there is a slight difference I think ... too lazy to look up exact figures. ... but - all is taken care of with the relevant cylinder and throating. It is not recommended to use the mag cyl for for 22lr.

At 25 yds I have it sighted such that the 22 mags go right where they should and then if shooting .22lr, find it very close ... close enough anyways.

 

[Coot]

"Memo To Self: Time to buy a Single Six."

 

[Majic]

Coot,
The bores of Super Single Sixes are sized for .22mag, but the .22lr works just fine in them.

 

[firestar]

The best .22lr revolver has to be the S&W K-22 or M-17. I have one with a 6" bbl (1958) and it is a fine gun. It is one of those guns that brings a smile to your face when you pick it up. It just feels like pure quality. The SA trigger is really nice and easy to shoot well with. I don't shoot it as much as my semi-autos because most .22lr revolvers with get hard to load after 50-100 rounds and I like to shoot 200-300 .22s in an afternoon and I don't like haveing to force the bullets into the chambers when it gets dirty.

I can also shoot better with the Ruger MK-IIs than with any revolver so accuracy is better for me as well as speed of loading and reloading. It is kind of a pain to only have 6 shots in a .22lr.

 

[10-Ring]

I've had a Taurus mod 94 for several years & it has proven itself to be a reliable little gun. But, if I were looking to upgrade, I'd go w/ a S&W Target 617

 

[farscott]

K-22 Masterpiece

I think the S&W K-22 Masterpieces (later known as the M17) are great revolvers available at relatively low cost. In the past month, I have stumbled across two, a five-screw built in 1948 and a four-screw from 1956. The asking price for the pair was less than the MSRP of the present M617, so the prices are right. These revolvers are also lighter than the present model since they lack the full-lug barrel. I really like the older barrel style since it is lighter.

These revolvers are great examples of S&W at the top of their game. Each revolver has an adjustable trigger stop, the actions are very smooth, accuracy is amazing, and the fit is a wonder to behold. There are no cost saving production methods used, so the front and rear straps are serrated, the barrels are pinned, and the steel is nicely polished. There are no internal locks to mar the appearance, and there are no MIM components. The 1948-model has a 1/10-inch wide front sight that allows very precise shooting while the 1956-model has the 1/8-wide front sight that is a bit easier to pick up in the rear sight notch.

Yesterday I put around 200 rounds of Winchester Dyna-Point through the five-screw model. I had no issues with hard loading or extracting. My first six shots at fifty feet could be covered by a quarter. Not bad for a 53-year old revolver.

 

[Majic]

I think the S&W K-22 Masterpieces (later known as the M17) are great revolvers available at relatively low cost. In the past month, I have stumbled across two, a five-screw built in 1948 and a four-screw from 1956. The asking price for the pair was less than the MSRP of the present M617, so the prices are right.

The M617 is way overpriced in my opinion and most going prices for K-22s in very good condition are in the $300 to $400 range. This about what other makers charge for their new models. So the K-22 is not, nor ever was a relatively low cost revolver. It has always been a top of the line specimen priced accordingly.

 

[farscott]

I agree that the M617 is quite expensive. When I meant "relatively low cost", I was referring to the cost of the M617. Sorry for not being more precise.

I do think the asking prices of the K-22's are starting to increase. This might be a reaction to the high prices of the M617 and the addition of the locking mechanism.

 

[chaim]

For a relatively inexpensive but quality .22 revolver my vote would be for the Taurus 94 or Taurus Tracker in .22 for a DA or a Ruger Single Six in SA (personally I'd prefer the fixed sight version). The SA Colt New Frontier seems interesting as well.