Went to the local range today anxious to shoot my new to me 17-5 4" I have read how these things are the greatest thing since sliced bread and believe me I was buying in. Finally a chance to shoot this gun I get my targets out the firing line is cleared to fire I eagerly rip off the top of a new Federal bulk pack 550 rounds of pure shooting pleasure!! Six rounds deep I am thinking it is going to get better just keep shooting!! I am now four cylinders deep target is at 7 yards got my high dollar splatter targets out the hole is so small I can barely see where I am shooting now the rest of that Federal value pack is staring back at me challenging me to keep going but I blink and lose my resolve for fear I may fall a sleep in the middle of a cylinder and shoot myself in the foot. At that moment I knew it wasn't my game quickly I pull a 586 and load up some .357+P hand loads(if there is such a thing) and I fire 50 rounds as quick as possible the roar of the hand cannon the ripping of the flesh on the grip I am home again and alive. I know you guys swear buy them are you just the guys living in the country and use them for shooting squirrels and varmints and what not is that what they are for?

Has anyone else been underwhelmed by the mighty .22L/R? Are there city folk that have a use for them besides shooting a phone book in your garage please do tell.

Send me all the rimfire pistols you now don't want. BTW, you can keep that pack of Federal bulk 22 LR ammo, and those silly splat targets you shoot at a mere 7 yards.

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Not All Who Wander Are Lost

Ripping the flesh, huh? Don't suppose you would care to shoot the .454 Casull or the 500 Linebaugh? I shoot some big boomers and LOVE to go back to the .22. It is accurate and easy to shoot and doesn't break the bank to shoot it for hours on end. There is a simple pleasure for me in shooting the venerable .22 whenever and wherever I can. I get the recoil thing and loud "BOOM" when the trigger is pulled, but try slowing down and shoot a .22 for what it is. Loads of cheap fun. JMO....and shoot in good health.....

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Go big or stay home

Whoever thinks they need a 22 are the same ones who think they need a Govenor. Give me a break

Send me a pm and l'd be happy to take that .22 off of your hands!

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Isaiah 55:8-9
Phil. 4:13

I can't see the hits at 7 yards why go farther? do you care where your bullet is going or do you just shoot to be shooting.

AllAces I asked for help why do you condemn my distance and target choice? What distance should I be shooting at? what target do you recommend?
For a guy with a whopping 27 post and been a member here for a month you are very outspoken.

Go to the local dump (if rural enough) and shoot cans, bottles, tv's, rats, etc......lots of good clean fun. Been doing it since I was 10 and still love it.

You need "reactive targets. Tin cans, steel (or plastic) spinners, tennis balls, golf balls, .22 RF cases, etc. make up your own game. you can shoot all afternoon for a fraction of any centerfire handgun.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

Okay now were getting somewhere "reactive targets" can't really shoot anywhere in the valley other than a range but maybe that would be better than a paper target. No "Dump" we have a landfill and don't think I would last long shooting there but a very good idea and get what you are saying.

A nice low recoil .22 pistol helps you master the fundamentals of marksmanship before adding the recoil of something more centerfire in nature...

Of course, if you don't need any more refinement, I'm in line for taking that little fella off your hands.

Marc

Marc

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Marc

Hey AA I would feel a little silly with a spotting scope shooting a .22 at 50 yards but glad it works for you.

I had to smile when I read your post. I just said the same thing this past weekend while at the shooting range with some friends. I am not a big fan of the 22lr. I have one rifle and 2 handguns chambered for it. I am considering offering my 17-2 up for trade for something else.

I agree, there is some enjoyment in reactive targets, but even that goes away after 10 or 12 shots.

Anything that is fun to shoot at with a 22lr is much more fun with a center fire.

Kevin

Shooting a .22 is like visiting a foreign country after growing up in Fortyfouristan. They do things differently there. If you get nothing from passport travel except a desire to be back home, you might as well cut the trip short and save your money. Which, I take it, is what you basically did. That's fine. Nobody is going to try to persuade you that some other territory is better than the one you like more.

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David Wilson

Me, I love to shoot .22's and centerfires. Sure they are different, so what, both are fun.

By the way, I do shoot .22 at 50yds and use a spotting scope to see how I'm doing. It's called NRA Conventional Pistol ("Bullseye"). Give it a try sometime, you may find out what a challenge (and fun and humbling) it is. Believe it or not, I don't "feel silly" doing it.

.22's are for plinking cans and other "fun" targets. They are also all about the accuracy.

.22s can be a great training tool. For example, I always take my GSG 1911-22 to the range when I'm taking another autoloader, especially a real 1911. I warm up with the .22 and alternate magazines of .22 and 45. I get a lot more training value for a lot less $$$. I also shoot the 1911-22 a lot to work on something specific, or work a flaw out of my shooting.

Besides that, .22s are a heck of a lot of fun. I couldn't imagine the shooting sports today without .22s.

I love shooting a spruce grouse in the head at about 30 feet with my .22 six shooter (a model 63 ). They're also great for informal plinking at bottle caps and such at family picnics. They are a cheap way to practice and to teach handgun marksmanship skills. They are fun to collect and admire.

I still have fun with bb's & pellets! We use swinging targets. They make them for 22's too. Now my grandkids (6) are enjoying them too!

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I refuse to be a victim.

I wouldn't try to tell you that shooting 22LR pistols and rifles is for everyone because it's not. Sure it can be used to sharpen your shooting skills but from what you said you find it dull and boring and that never really works to sharpen anything.

Anyway there are bunches of folks up here that find shooting 22 revolvers and rifles relaxing and just plain cheap fun and a good way to teach our kids or grandkids how to shoot.

So like others have said I'm sure there's a forum member up that would buy that boring revolver and put it to good use.

Sounds like you just made statements to get reactive answers so you could act like they p****d you off and then got ammunition to p**s back at them.

Personally, I DO need a .22, just like I DO need a .357, a .41, a .45 and my .454.....et al. All are fun to me and all give me pleasure. If it don't float your boat, then stick with what does. Maybe you can find a Rossi that you like!

The .22 was also the first bored through the cylinder handgun cartridge, thanks to those two fellas...what was their name, oh yeah, Smith & Wesson, and any handgun nut should own one just because of that.

I kinda hate to admit this, but I have a Ruger M77 with a Ziess 3-9 chambered in .17. We haven't seen a squirrel around here in years.

Yours for more days afield with whatever caliber we enjoy!!!!

regards

Bill

It's not a matter of need, never has been. You don't need one, you may want one and the reasons for wanting one are as varied as the choices available. If you don't like your .22 then trade it for something you want.

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Regards,
Guy-Harold Smith II

[QUOTE=GypsmJim;136137353]Sounds like you just made statements to get reactive answers so you could act like they p****d you off and then got ammunition to p**s back at them.

Thanks for the diagnosis Doc, how much for the therapy session.

I did actually ask a couple of pertinent questions after I relayed my experience.

Give me a break. .357 Magnum. Why don't you get you a surplus Mosin Nagant or Mauser and break your collarbone with that metal buttplate. Then you'll be telling me something. You'll be telling me who likes whips and chains around here.

Cleaning... (or lack thereof )

On the left, my 9mm Carbine after 100 rounds, on the right, my .22 bolt rifle after 150 rounds.




It's about the same difference between these two as well.



I could care less about recoil.... I don't mind it, but I don't need it. Being able to see the small holes is a pain though.... Shooting white paper with only a small cross or box helps alot.... good for me to 50ft or so.

Course, being able to shoot 10x the number rounds for the same price is nice.

Did anyone read the part where he states that he lives in Las Vegas and there are no "dumps" to shoot at and the ranges really frown on you bringing "reactive targets". He simply stated that shooting a .22 pistol at targets is not much fun.... who doesn't agree with that?? IT SUCKS! Now a .22 rifle long range shooting at targets may be a little more fun but not much. When I was in Maine, 22s were great, Las Vegas.... not so much!

Now for all you people that MISSED his point and questions and just want to talk to insult.... What makes a pee shooter such a great "trainer". You get people to shoot them and then they are not ready to shoot something with some power and a little recoil. Learn with a 38 special or something.... if that bucks too much for you, stay home and bake a cake!

Remember.... Vegas urban shooting is different than rural shooting. Out here shooting a 22 pistol at targets is about as much fun as watching our rocks grow! About the only thing that pistol is good for is driving tacks in that hold the targets for some higher caliber revolvers that actually leave a hole you can see without binoculars. I hope I am never so poor that I have to shoot a 22 revolver. Hey Tubby, sounds like you have a bunch of interest in this gun...... I am sure they will be willing to give you the REDICULOUS price that these are going for. Just give it to me and I will melt it down and make a necklace!

How much for that M17?

617, I have all three of those guns you mentioned. Love them. Thanks for mentioning such historical guns to spruce this post up a bit!

I took a Model 17 4" to the range today but didn't shoot it. Got to talking to another fellow while shooting rifles and ran out of time.

But if I had shot it I would have gotten another session of practicing my basic revolver skills - grip, stance, sight alignment, trigger control and it would have cost me next to nothing.

Which is why I own it. I'd rather shoot my Model 15 or Model 65 most of the time but those boys cost me $ by way of the ammo. So I got me the .22 for cheap shooting.

Also the best way to introduce a newcomer to shooting a handgun. That's good enough reason for me to keep at least one handgun and rifle in .22.

Besides, the 17 is a mighty pretty revolver. It would be one of the last Smith's I would part with.

Attached Images

Model 17.jpg (82.8 KB, 22 views)

I like to shoot cans and plates at 50 yards and further with my handguns, .22s are real nice for this purpose, shooting at close range I've found gets boring fast.

But if you don't like it sell the gun to someone who'll appreciate it and get something stouter, loading and casting .38spl for a K38 would be a cheap and fun plinker with more oomph.

I agree shooting .22's can get boring, especially using a revolver and paper targets. Semiautos and reactive targets are more fun, and cheap ammo is a plus, but I enjoy shooting centerfire cartridges more at paper for sure...

I am new to this forum, so in your mind that does not hol much water BT, but having matching revolvers SW in 22 and .357, even for "boring range work" the 22 is a awesome serrogate for the larger gun. By not getting beat up at the range, the 22 is a great tool and will pay for it self is less than a year in current ammo prices. Of course your opinion is your own, if you find the range boring with the 22 it is for you. I go with my son and we literally have a blast and have our own games we make up with squirel targets. If that makes me less manly than so be it.

I currently shoot the .44 mag with handloads at just .5 grains below the max, and while I enjoy the big flash and bang, even reloading gets expensive. Yeah, I've tried the cheaper plated and lead bullets, but you really have to download those so what's the point in that? I like to use full power premium jacketed bullets for maximum power, speed, and the big bang !

One day at the range, I rented a Ruger mark III and had a blast! I shot a lot of rounds of .22, then switched to a cylinder of .44 mag. It really cut down on the number of magnum rounds that went downrange while still giving me the big bang when I wanted it.

I'm currently actively looking for the right .22 automatic for me (Ruger/Browning/Smith/Barretta), and also for a shorter barrel .44 (Ruger Alaskan/Smith 629 3"-4"). The .22 costs a lot less to shoot, and is just a challenging to try and put bullets in the X ring. You can practice your trigger control for not much money and shoot all day for cheap.

Yeah, it doesn't have the big flash and bang but they're cheap, fun and accurate, and you can take rimfire shooting all the way up to the Olympic level if you're good enough. The Ruger automatic was fun to shoot, but the .22 revolver probably would not be as fun. Besides, that 617 is near twice as much as I would pay for a .22 pistol.

My very first experience with a firearm was with a .22 rifle, as I suppose was the case for many here. This gave me an infinity for this small round. I sympathize with your limited shooting options, I'm lucky enough to live in a rural area and have a back yard range. I agree with the folks who say shoot what you like, no one is forcing you to use a .22. It's your life, enjoy it. But I really love the .22s. I have a Ruger 22/45 (apologies to the S&W forum), a 15-22 and a Model 18-0. The 18 is a perfect match for my Model 15 and lets me practice cheaply. I enjoy the accuracy of the .22 and it is my goal to be as accurate as I can. That is why .22 caliber is desirable, lots of practice for fewer dollars. As was mentioned earlier, even reloading 9mm, .357. and .38 costs me more than somewhat. In the end, each caliber has its place, so enjoy you .44. I have just as much fun with my bang as you have with your bang. Good shooting.

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Endeavor to persevere. <><

I spent summers in West Virginia as a kid, shooting at rats at the city dump with a .22 High Standard. That'll learn ya to be quick and accurate!

You probably don't need a .22 if you have an unlimited budget for shooting centerfire calibers. You probably don't need a .22 if you consistently produce nice, tight, and flinch-free groups at moderate to long distances. You probably don't need a .22 if you never plan to introduce others to shooting. You probably don't need a .22 revolver if you have the double action trigger pull down to a science and never need any remediation. You definitely do not need a .22 if shooting is some sort of expression of how manly or macho you are and that is measured by the violence of the recoil or the volume of the report. You definitely don't need a .22 if shooting to you is about seeing who has the bigger . . . barrel.

In my experience, the guy at the range shooting only ".357+P" is typically the guy with the swiss cheese silhouette target at 7 yards. However, I'm sure there are many exceptions - especially on this forum.

I love my M29, my 40's, 357's, 9's, and snubbies (talk about lively)

I also love being able to quadruple my round count every month for the same shooting dollars I spend, and it keeps my bad habits (we all got 'em) at bay.

As far as not seeing the holes, that is big plus for me, because I am a competitive s-o-b even by myself and one of my bad habits is tipping the barrel down after every shot to see where it landed. Not very good if you are facing a zombie After a few shots of not being able to see the hits, I give up and just concentrate on grip, sight picture, stance, breathing, y'know all that boring stuff

It's like homework, but more funner!

Have a good one

Geez...if you can't group well enough with a 22 pistol at 7 yards to see one ragged hole, forget about shooting handguns period. All you are doing is making a fool of yourself in front of other folks who actually know how to shoot. And give me a break about living in Vegas. Isn't there a big desert right next to that place? What's the matter, the bus doesn't run out that way? Too many episodes of CSI making you wary of finding decomposing bodies outside of your apartment complex? If you have money or a mechanical aptitude you can get a set of steel plates to go plinking with. You can even use that big ol' hairy Magnum on them to make a clang instead of a plink.

Golly gee you some funny folk living down dere in NC dats a goodun bout da desert and dem dere bussses going unto da desert fer finding decompossing folk and shoooting stufs like vermints in the dump or som call it der baack yard I sure wish i waas livving in a duump. riddin my tractor to the five amd dime mus be a reel blast and a hillbillly calling som one else a hillbily is real fun too.

Well, if you're not willing to try anything different, there's no need to post a thread in the first place. Sell it and take a hit, and go lick your wounds.

I have several guns, including a 617 and 67, that I shoot weekly (no, that's not weakly). I always shoot at least 100 rounds through each gun (always DA) and the 617 has made a marked improvement in my shooting (they are similar in weight, balance and grips). I also have a 63 that helps improve my shooting .38 snubbies. My suggestion is to get a .22 closest to the heavier caliber you're going to shoot. It's inexpensive practice.

Why do I need a .22? I don't. That being said, I never go to the range without at least one, a Ruger Mark I. Why, you ask? Simple, it's fun to shoot. I use Shoot 'n' see 6" targets at 25 and 50 yards for most all of my handgun shooting and when I start, I like to put a hole in each one with the 22 just see if I can. I usually put out 4 - 8 targets at one time. This exercise gets me warmed up for shooting .38., .357, 41 mag, 45 ACP, 45 colt and my favorite...9mm. I generally use one target for each gun. Somedays I hit them like I'm supposed to, somedays I don't...so what, the only scorekeeper is me.
I shoot because I like to shoot, I reload so I can shoot more, and I spend a lot of time with kids teaching them the FUNdamentals of shooting. Without my .22's I would have no fun with them. Just last Saturday, My shooting bud brought his boy, age 13 along, so we shot up close to 700 .22 rounds. This was with his 22, 3 .22 handguns, and 5 .22 rifles that I also brought along. And the kid did most of the shooting, his dad and I were reloaders. We never got to the center fire guns.
I started shooting in the '50's with a Win model 67 single shot. as I got older and was able to go out alone with it, I learned the fine art of shooting rats at the dump. I remember my first squirrel. And today, the .22's in my home are just as much fun as they were 60 years ago.
That's why I shoot .22's!! And I'm still looking for the right D/A .22 S&W revolver for my safe.

Boox

What's wrong 617 you have seem to lost your since of humor? If I do sell it I won't take a hit and I have no wounds, now do something constructive like milk the cows or feed the hogs! or get ready for your big day of high school football or whatever you hillbillies do down there. Oh ya and get geared up for shooting your 617 how do you contain your self? I posted the thread to relay my experience I did try something different that's what the post was about remember.

This has gone just about as far as it needs to go.
thread closed.

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Regards,
Guy-Harold Smith II