.22LR Snubbies

Matt Hooper · #1 03-06-2013, 05:02 PM

Hi Folks

Looking for a fun little .22lr revolver that I might also carry. I like both the Smith 43C and the Ruger LCR .22 and need some opinions on each please.

The sights on the S&W are outstanding for a little snubby but the price of the Ruger is certainly compelling. Not a fan of the LCR shake but...

They both feel good in the hand.

Has anyone owned either of these guns? Thanks!

Please, I know the .22lr isn't a good caliber for carry so no need to get into that debate lol!

pipeliner · #2 03-06-2013, 11:19 PM

I have a 43C and really enjoy it. Put about 10000 rounds through a 317 that still works great. The 43C has about 1800 rounds so far. I also have a couple S-W 442's of which the 43C is is very similar in looks and feel. I can carry the little gun in the bib pockets of Carhartt bib overall when out for a woods walk, along with a couple of speed strips, 24 rounds altogether. You won't even know you are carrying it.

mc5aw · #3 03-06-2013, 11:26 PM

The great thing about the S&W .22 snubs is that they are J frames. You can master trigger control, get comfortable with the sights and carrying, etc. then move to a larger caliber J.

M29since14 · #4 03-07-2013, 12:09 AM

I was just shooting my 2-inch Model 34 two weeks ago this evening. I am always impressed with that little gun.

I have seen both of the guns you mention but have not fired them. Predictably, I would buy the S&W. It's not much to look at, compared to my 34, but its not so bad... I guess.

I am sure the other one is a good gun but it is just beyond ugly.

Chris L. · #5 03-07-2013, 12:33 AM

As much as I'd love to have a .22LR J-Frame, the MSRP prices scare me. I don't see why these should be so expensive, especially considering they have aluminum cylinders, another thing I'm not crazy about. S&W ought to do what Ruger did and make their .22LR versions the same price as the .38spls.

Unless I can find one of these used at a good price, I will protest S&W with my wallet and refuse to buy one.

beemerphile · #6 03-07-2013, 12:36 AM

I have owned both. The LCR has a much better trigger. It is DAO, but it is possible to use it as a two stage trigger and set it with a partial pull and then complete the pull to fire. I can shoot pine cones multiple times and walk them down the driveway. I sold my Model 34. I still have the LCR. In fact, I have three: .22LR, .22 WMR, .38 Special.

BobR1 · #7 03-07-2013, 02:09 AM

My brother and I both have the LCR 22's.
I was on the same fence when i bought mine also. The aluminum cylinder on the 43C, and the price difference led to my decision to buy the Ruger.
I have no issues with mine at all.

Get one, and try and wear it out. If you get the job done, buy another one. My accuracy with my 442 has really improved since getting my LCR 22, and firing a few bricks of 22 ammo through it.

Practice reloads with Quick Strips:
Get the Tuff Products Model 1022 Quick strips. They are made to hold 10 rounds. Load them with only 7. Load the quick strip in pairs, skipping a shell between the pairs for cylinder clearance. I also practice speed strip reloads with my LCR 22. I can load 7 rounds and index on the empty chamber quicker than I can load 5 in my 442.
You will quickly see why you need to skip a round between pairs when you try and load a 43c or LCR 22 with a quick strip.

I carry mine in a Lobo Enhanced Pancake.

Bob

kennyb · #8 03-07-2013, 03:02 AM

as mentioned above....try a M34 snub

Green Frog · #9 03-07-2013, 08:54 AM

Why do you limit yourself to these two? I would pick a steel cylinder in any revolver, even a 22. I am biased toward the older J- or even I-framed S&Ws, but would probably be "stuck" with a steel frame and reduced (only 6 shot) capacity. It may sound like heresy here, but my personal lightweight, high capacity 22 is an old High Standard Sentinal Deluxe with 2" barrel, nine shot cylinder, and drift adjustable rear sight. It was my first handgun and seldom sees much use anymore, but seems to fit your description quite well. JMHO, YMMV!

Froggie

David Sinko · #10 03-07-2013, 10:55 AM

I have a 43C and I think it's one of the most important revolvers S&W ever made. You have the proven handling qualities of the J Frame and the incredibly light weight allows for some very unconventional carry methods. I shoot mine out to 50 yards and it's very accurate. The aluminum cylinder works just fine. The plastic revolvers are bigger and heavier and have no appeal to me whatsoever. If you want something that you can carry literally 24/7 and not notice it, this is the one for you. I have owned some of the more popular .22 pocket guns and the 43C is in a league all its own.

Dave Sinko

Dillio · #11 03-07-2013, 11:31 AM

I picked up an LCR-22 about a month ago, and have nothing but good things to say about it. Accurate and fun to shoot. I've already spent a lot of time and a few bulk packs of .22LR plinking away. Great revolver.

Chris L. · #12 03-07-2013, 07:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David Sinko

I have a 43C and I think it's one of the most important revolvers S&W ever made. You have the proven handling qualities of the J Frame and the incredibly light weight allows for some very unconventional carry methods. I shoot mine out to 50 yards and it's very accurate. The aluminum cylinder works just fine. The plastic revolvers are bigger and heavier and have no appeal to me whatsoever. If you want something that you can carry literally 24/7 and not notice it, this is the one for you. I have owned some of the more popular .22 pocket guns and the 43C is in a league all its own.

Dave Sinko

I'm sure the 43c is a good gun for what it is, but I think it's safe to say that many of us don't want or need to carry a .22LR revolver, we just want one as a cheaper practice partner for our .38spl/.357mag versions. There is no real need to make the .22LR revolver cylinder out of aluminum except possibly as a cost cutting measure, but these J-Frames run up to $200 or more then their bigger brothers, so what gives? Ruger did it right by creating nearly identical .38/.357 & .22LR/.22WMR LCR's and keeping them all roughly in the same price bracket.

If S&W came out with a steel cylinder .22LR J-Frame, or at least reduced the price on the current models to 642/442 levels, I'd buy one in a heartbeat.

fdw · #13 03-07-2013, 07:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt Hooper

Hi Folks

Looking for a fun little .22lr revolver that I might also carry. I like both the Smith 43C and the Ruger LCR .22 and need some opinions on each please.

The sights on the S&W are outstanding for a little snubby but the price of the Ruger is certainly compelling. Not a fan of the LCR shake but...

They both feel good in the hand.

Has anyone owned either of these guns? Thanks!

Please, I know the .22lr isn't a good caliber for carry so no need to get into that debate lol!

My wife carries the LCR 22 and loves it .... and is very good with it. Loaded with CCI Stingers... trigger is what sold me and her on the gun.

I shoot it regularly at the range as practice for my LCR in 38.

PS- You can now get it in a 22mag. Saw one today.

beemerphile · #14 03-07-2013, 08:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fdw

PS- You can now get it in a 22mag. Saw one today.

Yes I have one. Six shots vs. eight though. I am wondering why that was necessary. Surely cylinder pressure was not an issue.

pharmer · #15 03-07-2013, 09:04 PM

While I wouldn't consider carrying any rimfire ignition for SD, I just love this little gem. Paid all of $300 for it back in December. Reasonably priced ones (non-collector) are out there. Joe

Bluecoat76 · #16 03-07-2013, 10:05 PM

JUST GET A 34-1 OFF OF GUNBROKER AND YOU ARE SET. STAY AWAY FROM AUTOMATICS IN SNAKE COUNTRY.

Jayhawkhuntclub · #17 03-08-2013, 09:52 AM

I think if you can find an 22 LCR with a fairly light trigger, they are hard to beat for the money. It is the same frame as the 38 LCR and has a stainless steel cylinder. There is a bit of variability in the trigger weights though (unlike the 38s & 357 LCR triggers that are almost always spectacular). I have read of a few that have had extractions issues. But that is true of most/all Smith 22 revolvers as well.

mag318 · #18 03-08-2013, 12:09 PM

I have both revolvers and like them both. The Model 43c is smaller and lighter making it great for concealed carry. The LCR though is my favorite of the two even though it'd slightly heavier and bigger. The Ruger has a better trigger and I like the slightly longer barrel, also I prefer having a steel cylinder. The LCRs are just fun to shoot and they point so naturally, hip shooting is easy. Don't get me wrong the 43c is a fine revolver I just like the LCR better.
My wife bought me an LCR in 22 Magnum for my birthday and it is my favorite LCR out of the 3 that I own. Most scoff at a rimfire for self defense, but I think the 22 Magnum with PDX1s or Critical Defense ammunition make it a viable choice. During my 31 year police career I've seen more people laid to rest with 22s than any other caliber. And for someone who is recoil shy or imfirmed it's better than nothing. I know several active and retired officers who carry these small calibre revolvers because of there size and weight.