I took my (new to me) Third Model Perfected 22 to the range today and, no surprise, it shoots very well.

I hope that I'm functioning half that well when I turn 95!

However, forcing the rounds that last 1/8" or so took quite a toll on my thumb.

I was wondering if just closing the action and letting the leverage of that long barrel do the work is feasible.

Before trying it, I thought I tap into the knowledge base here rather than do something stupid.

As always, thanks for your help!

You have an Olympic Chamber, a piece of soft pine cut in a shape you find comfortable is a good choice. Actually about any kind of wood, sanded smooth, and shaped so it is comfortable in your hand (and thumb) will make things more enjoyable. I could just about imagine an exotic piece of Rosewood, with a leather thong to attach to your wrist, being a part of your shooting kit.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

Great suggestion. Thanks!

You clearly can seat the round by simply closing the barrel. Best case: The gun will fire the first try---most of the time. It will almost always fire the second try. Worst case: The accuracy will suffer all the time. It may well be the most accurate gun you own, but it won't be as accurate as it could be. I'm told inconsistent ignition (caused by incomplete seating) is the cause of the decreased accuracy.

The use of the "pusher" recommended by H Richard is the best bet.

Most of the "Olympic Chamber" guns carry serial numbers above 10000----and most were shipped after 1920. If you would be so kind, please tell me the serial number---and the shipping date (if you have it).

Many thanks!

Ralph Tremaine

I just wish mine had an Olympic chamber. It is accurate, but no more so than my K22's. Mine is also a 3rd model, but with a 2nd model 8" barrel fitted. The trigger in both single and double action is the smoothest trigger of any handgun I have ever handled. Ralph, if you want to list an earlier one, it is s/n 8694 which shipped July 1917.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

No, I'm just trying to figure out the "Olympic" guns. There was a time when I thought I had them figured out---not in any great detail; but close enough for government work. I didn't.

I thought I had the change from the early to later guns (those with what I'll call zero lead/throat to those with one about .025" longer) pretty well bracketed (as respects serial number). Then a long throat gun pops up way before it was supposed to----supposed to according to me. The other way to say it is there are short throat guns with numbers way higher than they're supposed to have---again, supposed to according to me. I have concluded there is no clearly defined break point between the two guns----but I keep looking for it anyway. It's a disease.

Ralph Tremaine

I spent a little quality time with it at the range today and my impressions are:

- It is indeed quite accurate
- It seems to be sensitive to different ammo
- Like my M41, the more expensive the ammo, the better

The serial # is: 100xx and, according to a helpful forum member, the DOM is either late 1921 or early '22.

I am blessed to own a number of fine 22s (K-22s, Brownings, a Diamondback, etc) and, truth be told, my Ruger MKlll w/ a red dot will outshoot them all with bulk Wal Mart ammo.

What you said is up at the top. What I heard you say is YOU can shoot your red dot sighted Ruger better than any of your other .22's. I'm responding to what I heard you say. Feel free to have me flogged.

In MY opinion, ALL of the S&W SS's are poorly weighted, poorly balanced, and poorly stocked----compared to more modern guns. Accordingly, they are more difficult to shoot----more difficult to shoot than modern guns. (They are also poorly sighted compared to modern guns, but I don't care about the sights----here and now.)

I have tested examples of all the S&W SS's------as carefully and as best I could without a machine rest. They are EXTREMELY accurate---which is to say they produce very small groups----all ten ring----all the time. And that's what the regular, everyday S&W SS's do. The "Olympic Chamber" guns (both of the 3rd Models and the early Straight Lines) produce all X-ring size groups----all the time. These tests were done at 25 yards, and 25 rounds were put through each of the guns. The ammunition was Aguila SE Super Extra (subsonic), selected because it's what I had on the shelf. No exhaustive, fancy ammo tests were performed.

I don't know how these SS's stack up against more modern guns, simply because I didn't (and don't) care. My objective was to determine how much better the Olympic guns were. They're A LOT better.

Ralph Tremaine

I can shoot any of my .22 handguns better with a red dot sight. Would you consider 1/4" groups at 50 ft. with a 617-6 and or a 17-4 with a red dot to be better than your Ruger? My IZH 35M (with a red dot) does better than that.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

I want to apologize to all of my fellow collectors for my snarky comment about the Ruger. I don't know what got into me.

Yes, it does shoot really well, particularly with the red dot, but the reality is that it's just a collection of stamped parts with no beauty, art, or aesthetic appeal.

The old Colts, Brownings, Smiths, and (even) Dan Wessons are a joy to handle, to look at, and to appreciate.

Plus they shoot pretty damn well.

I plead temporary insanity.

You likely caught your temporary insanity from me. If you keep it up, it will become full-time insanity.

At a point in time, about 20 years ago (when I couldn't find any of the S&W's I lusted after) I began a Ruger collection. (I grew fond of Rugers way back when----when I was a shooter, and I couldn't afford S&W's.) My goal was to acquire one each of all the "Old Model Single Actions" (1953-1973)----in all calibers, all barrel lengths, and the variations which interested me. I now have all of them----see "full time insanity". And yes, most have cast frames and aluminum grip frames, but they're pretty nice guns---and some of them are VERY nice guns.

And as far as your "collection of stamped parts with no beauty, art, or aesthetic appeal" goes, it started an empire!! And if memory serves, that empire grew from nothing----and never borrowed a dime along the way. All of which is not too shabby----compared to pretty much anything you might wish to compare it with.

Keep on keeping on!!

Ralph Tremaine

Ralph,

I have a love/hate relationship with mine.

It shoots like a dream (particularly since I installed the Volquartzen trigger), but field stripping it for cleaning is a wrestling match that always leaves me sweaty, pissed off, and exhausted.

You are correct, though, Bill Ruger build one hell of a company off of this pistol.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with a Ruger, I have several, but regardless of the make, I can shoot better with a red dot. My old eye's just can't line up the sights as well as putting a 3 moa dot in the middle of a target.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

Actually, I have the same red dot on a Smith 41. It will shoot as good as the Ruger IF I feed it really good ammo.

Guys,

By way of atonement for my ill-considered dumping on beautiful old high end 22s, I bought another one!

Just picked up a stunning Browning Medalist (circa 1970) complete with case, tools, weights, etc.

First stop was the range and it was a joy to shoot: accurate, great trigger, flawless action, and did I mention it is beautiful?

The Ruger is going to stay in the safe for a while.