When I was a kid I didn't know there was any such thing as a "good" 22. One of the reasons I never really wanted one was I didn't like the looks of the ones Sears and Wilco sold. Those were Winchesters and Marlin 60's, usually rebadged with a house name. They all looked cheap and flimsey to me.

Then I saw a Marlin 39A. Man, now that was a rifle. I bought one and everyone thought I was crazy for paying that much for "Just a 22." That was a good rifle. Over the years I collected a dozen or more 22 rifles and the same number of handguns. Handguns ran the gammit from Model 17's and 18's to a couple of Harrington & Richardsons.

I've sold them all off now. Well, all but two. I kept a Ruger 77/22 bolt action Rifle, and a 4" Dan Wesson revolver. A nice 22's is a nice thing to have.

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John 3:16 .

My 1st few 22 hand guns were off brand cheapies because that was what I could afford and they were not very accurate.Eventually bought a few rugers and the mark II was better than the single six,so I kept it.About that time I developed a lust for the big boomers and that's where my gun money went.Colts and Smith & Wessons with big holes that were built when I was a kid.I'm still stuck there :-)

I paid $650 for a pre-18 in great shape and I am tickled to have gotten it for that price.
You pay for quality and that is exactly what you get in any S&W 22 revolver with a decent barrel.

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27-2, 66-1, 640 Pro, 10-5

My answer would be for some, shooting a .22 holds no thrill, for some it's too weak a load to be enjoyable. Many people have told me that. Personally, I'm not into .22 revolvers much either, but I love a good autumn day in the woods, .22 rifle in my hand, squirrel hunting with my younger relatives. It reminds me of when Dad used to take me.

I think people think of .22's as an "Extra" and/or a training tool. I was blessed with a K-22 and trust me I feel very lucky that I was but I have had others not understand why it's as sought after as it is.

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This Signature is too Short!

A few years ago my only .22 handgun was a Ruger Single Six that I bought for $65 used in about 1977. Then I found a 17-3 in my LGS for $375. The Ruger was almost rifle-accurate with its 9 1/2 inch barrel, but the 17-3 taught me how well I could really shoot. If I had to replace it, I would pay $500 or even $750 without hesitation.

So my answer to the OPs question: because they've never shot a K-22.

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I need ammo, not a ride.

Fun Guns are what .22s are.

Along with many other calibers and makes.
I have a S&W 22S purchased in 1990, a 1968 Bearcat and just recently purchased a Ruger SP101 .22. None of these guys are going anywhere, I enjoy owning and shooting all 3.

If I like something and can afford it, I buy it, and pay no attention to reviews, otherwise I wouldn't even own a gun.

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Doesn't hasta call me Johnson

I have a small fortune invested in 22s and ammo for them. I love'm all. Model 617s, Model 41, Buckmarks, Super Single Sixes, MKII Comp Target. Plus, wide range of rifles from Cooper, Volquartsen, Kimber, Rugers, Remington, Marlin, Winchester. Have built a number of 10/22s and the sky is the limit when assembling one. Most end up touching a grand and often before glass is considered.

I also like to obtain 22 conversion units when available.

Most certainly an addiction, but you have something to show for your efforts.

YOu need a marvel conversion. Figure $500 for it, perhaps more if you get extra mags. It will be accurate.

I've got an old marlin glenfiled bolt 22 that cost $70 someting 30 some years ago. Still shoots well and accurate. Paid $470 for a MP15-22 this year - nice gun but plastic everything. Attach a sling and the POI changes - like 3". Pure ****, that. THe mossberg version is 1/2 the price but 1/4 the quality.
Prolly gonna get my daughter a 22 for christmer - thinking 10/22.
Plan to trade my mk1 in on a MP22 pistol soon. Would like a revolver but the prices are way up there compared to a semiauto so I doubt it's gonna happen.
If I"m gonna spend $500+ on a revolver I'll put it toward a 686 6" or 629 or maybe a 66 snubby.

But some things make little sense - a lever rifle in 30-30 is cheaper than one is 357 or 45LC. Same gun...

We end every shooting session with a "match" to see who can knock down shotgun shell casings with a model 63. You have to knock one down to advance. We move farther back each round. It's a hoot and it doesn't matter what you did during the day with any other gun. What counts is the "shoot off", bragging rights. .22's are awesome.

Best, Rick

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With the price and quality of the mid-level .22 autos there is just no reason to get a DA revolver. Unless, of course, you really want a revolver, and then they're well worth, but only then.

Some .22s are just, well...Masterpieces! Expensive, but darn well worth it.

John

The K-22 Masterpiece (Model 17): a brief history

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- Cogito, ergo armatus sum -

It always amazes me when I hear of someone that doesn't own a 22lr handgun. They are like a hammer... every household should have one. I honestly don't think there is such a thing as owning too many 22lr's. Revolver, auto, rifles, conversion kits, they all have a place in my heart. In fact I just picked this one up today from my local FFL. And yes, it was over $500, but not by much. Truth is I really wanted the Roper grips for my King Super Target. I do love these old customs though, and I'm sure I'll have this one for a very long time. This one has King sights and possibly a King skeleton hammer. The hammer isn't marked but then again there is a big hole where their logo usually resides.

I truly enjoy my Smith and Colt revolvers......pure quality!

Never owned a .22 handgun and don't foresee ever owning one either.

$500 will buy a lot of reloading components for my .38s. I can't justify $500 to get into "cheap" plinking with a .22 when I can load a lot of light, cheap plinking rounds for my .38s with that money.

If I were going to buy a .22 handgun I'd get one of the quality semiautomatics from Ruger, Browning or even S&W at half the price of the revolvers. Then I'd put the other $250 toward hoarding .22 ammo. JMHO

You're gonna give some of these posters a coronary.
f.t.

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South Carolina-God's country

I have a friend who is a millionaire many times over and can buy any gun he wants. He's in his late 70's and three times retired. Last count,he had over 150 Colt and Smith revolvers........in.22 rimfire! Who am I to argue?
f.t.

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South Carolina-God's country

Try competitive shooting, a $600 gun is dirt cheap, I shoot every week with guys shooting stock .22 handguns that are $2000+. What the H*** is $600?

Here's a nice pair of Colts. The first is a 1960 Officers Model Match and second is a 1959 Model 357. They are the two best revolvers I own in terms of trigger, lockup and accuracy.





The biggest difference is that the .22 weighs a bit more and recoils a LOT less.

I'm a 22 revolver addict. I need help. I just saw a nice 4" M63 and I'm dying to get the thing, but now is just not the right time. If it doesn't sell. maybe in a month or so I will be able to swing it. You don't know how this just digs at me! I want it!

I have a lot of 22 revolvers and a few choice 22 semi-auto pistols. I love to shoot them a lot. That lack the "bomb" of the centerfire revolvers, but I'm past that .... Lied. Oh, no I'm not. I love the thrill of a big boomer but always keep returning to my 22 revolvers.

Just noticed, 20 posts since Feb 2005. Guess I don't have a lot to say, but I do read a lot here.

I bought a colt diamondback for $200 back more years than I can remember.Checked GB a couple of weeks ago, two or three of them went for over $1000!!! Some people seem to be willing to pay that much.

You get it or you don't. Everyone is still allowed their own opinion. I reserve the right to know they are wrong if they don't!! .22's are fun and very functional. I can see how some people have issues with them because they aren't MACHO enough. The same guys drive a monster diesel truck with 38" gumbo mudders on it and it never sees dirt other than the gravel driveway. JMO

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Go big or stay home

Another automobile analogy is that of the $30,000 Chevy Volt or the $40,000 Toyota Plug-In Prius. One can buy a whole lot of Mustang for the same money!

I am guessing the Roosevelt he will be referring to is Teddy! Just kidding, I saw those prices myself!

As one poster put it, they aren't real guns. I use to think that way but shooting a 45 sure got expensive fast. My first 22 was a Colt Woodsman semi auto series 2 and it was a blast. So I bought a $&W 41 with cocking indicator, a pre K22 Outdoorsman and a Colt Officer's Model made around 1950. Go figure.

That sounds like a great guy to know.