I'm confused by the excitement (and prices) I've seen here over a .22lr, like a M17, 18, 34 or 35 .

I know they bring a pretty penny, but I don't understand why.
To me a .22 is useless. I understand a well placed shot with anything, even a rock, can kill. But to me handguns are for SD/HD. And no one in his right mind would use them for that.

I'm not trying to start anything by my questions. I'm honestly confused.

thanks

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John 3:17
<><

They're great for target shooting, Ive hunted with them for years (small game) you can afford to shoot them more, great for beginners to learn to shoot properly and just a romp in the woods for some plinking, Pest control , The possibilities are endless. I bet if you gave it a try you'd enjoy it.

The .22 LR is THE starter handgun for anyone wishing to learn how to properly shoot a handgun, it is a valuable teaching and learning tool. Hence many of us, myself included have very fond memories of the humble little .22. Useless?, well many a gray squirrel went into the pot useing my trusty K-22 and endless hour's of fun shooting and plinking as well. Did you ever develop a flinch? Well the twentytwo is the cure. And for a lot of shooting especially these day's with the high cost of ammo and reloading component's the .22 is a God send. These are a few of my reason's for loveing the twentytwo and Im sure other's have more, If you dont have a twentytwo revolver or pistol you are missing out!

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Stay safe people!

Agree with Mule88, I like the 22s. I have a Mod 34 and a Mod 18 that are a lot of fun to shoot. I can proctice with them and get the same feel as my other J and K frames. I can also go out with the grandkids and have a great time plinking , they enjoy it and it doesn't cost a lot.

I have pistols and revolvers that I use for SD and would not even bring out a 22 for that purpose unless it was all I had. However I can understand that others would use the 22 for SD if they are elderly or small and cannot handle the recoil of other SD firearms. The 22 would be better than a stick.

Every firearm has its purpose and the 22 is no exception.

There is no better training implement than a .22 in the same configuration as your defense weapon.

I own conversion kits for 1911's and CZ-75's. I use the aforementioned for competition and have become a much better shooter after practicing with a .22 conversion.

... and it's cheap!

I appreciate the replies. Yes, I have a .22 handgun (a Beretta semi-auto). And I understand about the cost the ammo. That's why I reload my own 38/357 & 223.

Here's a family photo.

I have 2 M10-5s, a 66-2, A Ruger SP101, a Charter & a Beretta Bobcat.

I've looked on Gunbroker & HOLY SMOKES! Some of them are over $1000 and they're selling at that price. That's the part I don't understand.

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John 3:17
<><

The notion of mild report,mild recoil,inexpensive ammo,appeals to many of us who enjoy general plinking and target shooting.SD,being the last thing on our minds.

...and some might command two thousand.While it is a starter caliber for many,it is my favorite,always will be.
There is no connection between the caliber and price.

I've always had an interest in .22 revolvers. I don't really know why, but I always have. So, I've been looking for them at gun shows for at least the past 10 years.

I think there's a few aspects to the recent (past few years) price increases on the S&W revolvers (New and used).

First, the increased cost of ammo has definitely driven up interest in .22's in general.

Second, there have just never been a LOT of .22 revolvers available on the market, new or used, based on my observations. Either people buy and hold them, or there have never been a lot of them manufactured and sold to begin with. (Personally I don't know which is the case).

So, you have a combination of increased interest, and scarcity. I'm no economics expert, but these two factors definitely tend to drive up prices!

Lou

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NRA Certified Instructor & RSO

Shooting isn't about killing.
For every round I fire at an animal I'm huntiing I fire thousands just the for pleasure of shooting.
As for self defence, I hope all your shots aren't killing ...
Those of us who love to shoot all have many .22's and value them equally, or even above centerfire guns for their accuracy, convenience and value.

You'll see many collector-grade or rare guns go for over $1000, and I'd bet the .22s you've seen sell for those prices fall into one or both categories.

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

If all you want is something for CC or SD, then a .22 is not for you... but it is great for training, target practice, cheap shooting and honing your skills. A S&W K frame .22 revolver is usually more accurate than a J frame. A far as costs - a quality S&W .22 costs just as much to manufacture as a centerfire model.

They're likely just as expensive as their centerfire counterparts, because the machining, materials and assembly are basically the same. I don't really understand why the 317 is so expensive though, considering that the 638, 642, 442, 637, are volume guns made by S&W, and they come in at a pretty good price point.

If you want a lot of practice, 22lr is a lot cheaper than centerfire cartridges, and if you think about it, you are actually paying for the gun over a comparable 38 special gun, because you are saving so much on the ammo cost difference.

If you shoot revolver in centerfire caliber, you can practice almost everything, (shooting stance, breathing, grip, trigger pull), with the 22lr revolver for a lot less money. You can't replicate recoil, but the 22 has some recoil, depending on what revolver you shoot it from.

I look forward to the upcoming 3 inch model 63, but in the end, it will probably be too expensive for me to buy new.

Don't know about the ones you saw, but two possibilities jump out at me. One is that you may have come across some guns that have collector value. The other is that for some reason people sometimes grossly overbid on auctions. That's not about rimfire pistols; it's about auctions.

"I understand a well placed shot with anything, even a rock, can kill. ...to me handguns are for SD/HD."

This is so narrow-minded.

I post this with all kindness but can't comprehend that a true handgun fan could consider the .22 Long Rifle and the quality handguns chambered to shoot it to be useless.

If one has a real love of shooting for its own sake, then the entertainment value of .22 handguns alone makes them very desirable and gratifying to own and enjoy. Additionally, regular use of the .22 LR handgun is instructive and invaluable for maintaining and improving shooting skills.

I have a 617 that accurately recreates the feel of my 686. I can have fun with the 617 practicing economically and hone my skills with the 686.

The M17 masterpieces that go for upwards of 1k, I do not understand that, but that is just me.

They are like art. You look at it and decide if you like it or not. If you like, acquisition is the next step. Choice is what makes life joyful. Joe

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Wisdom chases me; I'm faster

Why waste your time with a 38/357 & .223 when a .45 and a .308 can do the job better?

Like someone once said; "If I gotta explain , ya wouldn't understand!"

Or; "If ya don't know , I can't tell ya!"

If a lot of folks want one or more of a model that is desirable the price will be exactly what folks are willing to give. I have 2 and would love to have more but in 6 months I have seen them go from the mid 600's to the mid 800's. I know where a very nice 5 screw has sit for several months at $819.00. No box or accessories. Maybe shooter grades have peaked.

Let's see....I have a 6" 617 6 shot; a 6" 617 10 shot; a 4" 617 10 shot; a 6" model 17-4; a 8 3/8" model 17-4; a 2" model 34-1; a Colt New Frontier; a Ruger NRA Mark II; a Sig Mosquito; a Browning Buckmark; and a Beretta Model 87T...and a Kimber of Oregon Model 82 Stainless rifle, a Sig 522, and a Belgium Browning Takedown .22....some would call it obsession, I call it collecting...and yes, I shoot every one of them

Something about the 'crack' of the rimfire takes me back to when I was 12 and got my first .22 rifle....I will never tire of it

I have a Combat Masterpiece in .38 [Model 15] and a Combat Masterpiece in .22lr [Model 18]. They are virtually identical, except for caliber. Each are original and like new, because I take care of them. Model 18s are more rare than Model 15s and are much more popular for many reasons, none of which are for SD/HD. The entire premise is fundamentally flawed, because scarcity and utility drive prices more than many people realize. It may be difficult to understand, but consider this: Not very many S&W owners are selling theirs, even at the prices you think are too high, and the older guns are often viewed as superior to the new S&W Classics, which can be purchased new at about the same prices.

Mr. Mcgilvray said it much better than I ever could. I'll go with that.

Jerry

22's are cheap, challenging and entertaining. Besides, Smith & Wesson invented it. I certainly own more than I need, but no where near as many as I want. -S2

I am also in love with the .22 rimfire. I have at least a dozen Smith .22 revolvers and one Ruger SP101.22. As to rifles, I have 5 or 6 semi autos and one bolt action. I shoot them all and usually have about 15,000 rounds in stock - mostly CCI SV.

I went out to the farm last Sunday with a friend of mine and his 7 year old son. He brought his BB gun. He shot my Crosman full auto Airsoft gun, the Browning .22 Auto and my 617 10 shot with a red dot sight. It was his first time to shoot a firearm and he had a great time shooting down wood blocks. We then shot the 9mm and .45. What's not to like?

I am always on the hunt for another 617 6 shot.

Ken

It's mostly supply and demand, but it's not altogether irrational.

I recently bid a Model 63 snubnose up to $600 on Gunbroker; the reserve was $700. Now I'm wishing I went for it.

An extended shooting session with my Model 60s costs me around $40; splitting time with that a "trainer" revolver would cut that in half.

The gun would have easily paid for itself in a couple of years.

This pre-18, 5 screw, at about 98% One fine piece, under $500





Ned

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Well my username pretty much gives you my views.

I have a beautiful 18-2, numerous rifles, and a couple of auto pistols. The .22 is one heck of a lot of fun, IMO. It's also one of the more accurate cartridges, believe it or not.

I also own centerfire handguns, rifles, shotguns, etc.

I like them all, but I love 22's!

My carry gun is a .357 but I also carry a 2" J frame in my survival kit when I'm out in the hills. The .22 has fed me a LOT more often than the .357. Ever try to eat a squirrel shot w/ a .357? Not pretty!

I have always tried to have a 22 companion gun for anything that I use for serious. The cheap practice allows one to shoot hundreds of times more ammo and allows a lot of "instinct" shooting practice which is very useful. I have 22 versions of my K and J frames, Colt D and I frames, and lately even SIG has come out with 22 conversion units for their major combat weapons a la the Colt conversion which I also have. I also have 22 versions of the AR and the SIG 556. I save so much money I can buy more guns!
Also, I suspect that anyone with ill intent will get distracted by a cylinder full of 22LR HPs or solids.

Useless? Wow! Nothing could be further from the truth. If I had to have just one gun, it would be a 22 LR. A well placed shot can, and has, killed almost any animal in North America. The one exception obviously is bear. I would take a moose with a 22 however if I was starving. Shot placement is key. If you doubt it, ask most any Maine Game Warden what caliber is used most by poachers.
I shoot far more 22's than all other guns combined, as do many other shooters. That makes it the most valuable gun to own IMO.
In a survival situation you can carry a lot more ammo for a 22 than any other caliber with the possible exception of the 17 HM2.
Well over half my collection is in 22 LR, and I'm always adding more. I'm currently waiting for a Winchester High Grade 1885 Low Wall to arrive, and I bought a Walther P22 Thursday. There are many more in my future!

Well I own a bunch of handguns and I shoot about all the calibers out there but my favorite shooters and the caliber I shoot most is 22LR. I have a K22, Model 17-4, 18-3, 18-4,617, (2) Model 41's, and a Ruger Mark II so I guess I'm really hooked on them.

They are just a blast to shoot and I love handing my Grandson a brick of 22 ammo and telling him to shoot to his hearts content. Where else can you have that much fun for less then $20.

If I was forced to keep just one handgun it would be one of the above 22's.

Another wonderful thing about .22s is they don't always intimidate the fairer sex. Had quite a few great dates taking a gal out to a secluded spot for a day of shooting .22s. I also knew a few guys that tried to impress a girl by handing her a .357 or .44 mag blaster , only to totally turn her off to guns , and them.

Surely you jest. You have led a sheltered life, a weekend with a K-22, 617,or 18, and you would be in love.

How could you not love this for a nice stress free evening. Model 18-3

I guess that some or most of the postings above give a feel for what's going on. Aside from the fact that .22 revolvers, autoloaders and single-shot pistols are useful for practice, less expensive to shoot than centerfires while giving most of the benefit of practice, and considered by most instructors to be superior for certain phases of instruction and continuing practice, they also remind many shooters of pleasant times in their youth, both while handling an unloaded pistol, and while actually shooting it. Others have pointed out their actual utility in other circumstances.

Their popularity should not be surprising. That said, I own only seven, and see no immediate need to change the situation.

One of my favorite times as a kid was like described above. 1000 rds of .22 400 acres and 4 22 pistols. Way better than sitting in the house watching movies!

Something everyone should keep in mind. I have been telling the Quack this for years. Burnt gunpowder is an antidepressant. .22s are used for maintaining a basic dosage. Larger cal. are used as needed.Beware!!!
It is VERY addictive.

I'm in total agreement with all that's already been said. I love .22s and have quite a few of them.
I have one Model 18 that the previous owner had modified. White outline rear sight, red ramp, polished trigger face and a really nice action job. Obviously it was meant to be a practice piece for its centerfire brothers. I give this gun complete credit for teaching me how to properly shoot a double action revolver.

I think my original post was harsher than I meant it to be.

I cut my teeth on 22s as a Boy Scout back in the early 70's. That was one of the many reasons I looked forward to summer camp. I went to a place called Camp Sinawa on beautiful Pigeon Lake in Wisconsin. Heck the main reason I joined the army was to get to shoot more cuz I had such fun with the 22s.

The part I still don't get is the price tag on some of the 22s I've seen on gb. To pay $700 - over a $1000 to me just seems like wayyyy too much.

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John 3:17
<><

Back when us older guys were in the service , many base armories had .22LR converted 1911A1s. Ya could usually go and shoot as much as ya wanted , but real .45 ammo was sparsely alloted , usually for qualifications only.

In 1972 a 22lr bolt action rifle at Boy Scout camp had me hooked. Bought my 13 year old a walther 22lr semi in OD green, then bought my 9 year old a S&W m17-3 six inch since he got burned by big brothers semi throwing brass. A Marlin model 60 for the wife quickly followed by a M&P AR15-22 for me rounds out the choices at the range. Everyone goes home with a big smile.

While I have guns for SD/HD/CCW, my primary reason for shooting is because I enjoy it. I like shooting a variety of guns, and as much as I love to shoot my .357 magnums, I honestly can't afford to shoot them as much as I like (I know, I should reload, but I just don't have a space to do it in). That's where my .22's come in. They are fun, just as challenging, and a whole lot cheaper to shoot.

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"I'm your huckleberry."

I love the .22. Handguns and rifles and books and articles about them. Even the ammo and ammo boxes are interesting to me. I used to hunt squirrels with one. Also great for target practice. And what better way to unwind than with a .22 and a couple boxes of shells. While I respect differing opinions, the way I was brought up, guns aren't just for killing. But, I have to say, I wish more people shared your opinion of the .22! They'd be easier to find and easier on the purse!

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Misty

I love 22 revolvers and pistols and of all my handguns they get shot the most just because it's just plain fun and cheap shooting. I love taking my grand kids out with a 22 revolver and a brick of ammo and telling them to "Have At It" and they shoot until they are done for less then $10.00.

I concurr with gunlovingirl that I wish more people didn't like them because that would leave more for me and at lower prices.

I only have one .22LR revolver, a 63 no-dash I bought new when they first came out. It's the reason I have not yet made the move to reload! Shoot all day for zip.

While recently re-thinking my SHTF stash, I remembered to include the 63 in my "get outta Dodge" kit. "I'll be needing it for squirrels and such."

P.S. I would NOT want to be downrange of one either!

Basically, they're fun. But, until about 15 or so years ago, they accounted for more nonmilitary human deaths than any other caliber.

Is it the BEST caliber for self defense, obviously not.
But the .22 has always been a "right tool for the right job" kind of gun.
-If you have kids, it's a great caliber to start them off with so they don't pick up bad shooting habits.
-They are great fun to shoot and are still cheaper than your average reload in any larger caliber.
-They also put small game in the cook-pot better than any larger caliber.
-They are also pretty much indestructible since it's pretty much impossible to "Hot-load" a model 17.
A true classic.

I use to have to have the biggest and the baddest of everything from guns to motorcycles. Now in my later years I find that I am content with less. While I have all the big and bad stuff I am gravitating towards smaller (much smaller). One of my favorite guns is my RWS .177 pellet gun. I have gone full circle and happy with that decision. What's next? A motorscooter perhaps???

Your main sticking point seems to be the cost of a S&W revolver and they certainly have gone up in price this past 18 months. The reason for their surge in price is because center fire ammo is very expensive and dufficult to come by. You can still get 22LR ammo fairly easy and a brick is just less the $20 for most brands.

The other way to look at it is that whatever 22LR S&W revolver you buy will out last you so even on if you own one it will last forever. There are shooter grade 22's out there in the 90 to 92% condition that still can be found for around $500. I paid $500 for a Model 18-4 at the spring Springdale show and it's a 98% gun. You certaily won's find one these days for less then that unless you are lucky and buy one from someone who hasn't kept up to the current market.

For just plinking fun I've seen several semi auto Ruger Mark II's for sale locally in the $200 to $250 range and they are great shooters and very accurate and reliable.

18-4 bought at spring gun show for $500

Not only will I never part with my 63 no-dash, but after reading this thread, I dug out my 28 year-old Marlin 60 from the back of the safe. I gave it a good cleaning, purchased 1000 .22LRs in various brands, and will head to the range this week with both. I don't have all I would like, but I'm happy with what I have!