I'm trying to decide between getting a small .22 for plinking at the range, due to the cheap cost of ammo. However, I really would like a .38 snubby for SD as well. How is the .38 airweight for a range gun? I'm not interested in paying the price of .38 ammo, so it won't get used much.
I will use the .22 more often at the range then the .38 laying in the drawer waiting for the BG to walk in the house, which I don't think will ever happen anyway.

I have never had anyone shoot my 642 and say they enjoyed it. They are unpleasant to shoot. Its a belly gun made to be easy to carry not a fun range gun. If you really want a snubbie to shoot for fun look at a 66 or a model 19. They have more weight and will be easier on your hand. They also have better sights and are easier to shoot accurately. They will lay just fine in a drawer too. The light weight 642 and its ilk are for CCW.

BTW this part of the forum is for ANTIQUES, a moderator will be along to move this thread pretty soon also, you want the 1980 to present section.

Thank you and I appologize for posting in this section.
I noticed that after I hit the submit button. I wasn't paying attention.
I do have an old S&W model two (I believe) I can post some pictures of it.

I have a S&W 638 that's a bear to fire with factory grips so I went to a set of Uncle Mikes, Now it's nice & tame. For 22 to use at the range I would look around for a used S&W DA revolver.

a steel "J" frame (models 49, 640, 649, 60) or a "K" frame model 64 snub nose may fit your needs.

If you are going to keep the gun in a drawer and not carry it then size and barrel length is not that big a deal.

For a drawer defense/range gun I would take a look at a 4 or even 6" S&W in 38 Special or 357 Mag. A K or L frame would be the ones I looked at.

If you buy your 38 Special range/target ammo in bulk you can save some money.

If you want to go with a 22LR, again I would take a look at a K frame 4 or 6" S&W.
The 22 will be a LOT cheaper to shoot, and can still be used for home defense.

In truth you need one of each. You could get a K frame 22 LR, AND a K frame 357 Mag, both in the same barrel length, and have a Perfect Pair, IMHO.

For a plinking revolver a S&W 617 or the new Ruger SP101-22 are very hard to beat. For $20 you can shoot till your trigger finger hurts.
Last week the oldest son, my brother and I burned up about 3 ea 550 round bricks through My Ruger LCR-22, AR15-22 (Tactical Solutions Upper), S&W M&P22, MP5-22, and a Ruger MK III. We had a blast plinking.

The son had just picked up the Smith & Wesson M&P22 and the MP5-22 to shoot in our Clubs 2-Gun Match in Rimfire Division.

Three of us blazed away for hours on $20 each.
That my friend is cheap entertainment.

Get a good 22 first. Then start saving up for a 38.
Since you want a combination house and range gun a 4" barrel would be a good choice. In a 22 I would not rule out a semi auto either. The M&P22 the boy just purchased seems to work fine. About everyone I hang out with owns a Ruger MK I, II, III, or 22/45. With a MK III a barrel anywhere between 4 and 6 Inches will work fine. I have the 4" Fluted Hunter Model.
Last but not least. Don't buy junk. Get a good gun, and you will be happy, and keep it forever. I have had my 617 for years, and have no plan of ever getting rid of it. I am on my third Ruger semiauto, I have upgraded a couple times, but I still have a Ruger semiauto 22.



Bob

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ICORE MO2908

I concur with all that has been said except for the recommendation for the Ruger Mark I,II or III. That has to be the hardest gun made to thoroughly clean. Taking it apart isn't too hard but getting it back together is an exercise in frustration. Since this is an S&W forum - stick to their guns. Just my $.02.

Stan Salter

I would suggest a 4" k frame .22LR and .357. Thd reason being if you are not going to practice and train with your HD gun than your 22 should be very similar in size and weight and have the same sights so that the only difference is essentially the recoil.

I would not recommend a snub nose for home defense and I suggest you practice with whatever you buy (for HD), as often as possible so that you are intemately familiar with it.

I have the 638 with CT laser grips. Not fun to shoot much.

For home defense the CT grips are great. I have them on my S&W 1911PD Commander, .45 semi-auto in the night stand.

I also own a few other S&W revolvers. I would put the laser grips on any of them for the nightstand.

For the range it's hard to beat a nice .22. I like the 17, 18 and 4" 617. I also like a nice .38 Special, especially a light target load. Model 14 with the 6" barrel or 15 with the 4" are great. Loaded with full power they will be good for home defense as well.

I bought the 19 for the .357 capability. I shoot .357 very rarely and have decided on .38 or .45 for in the house. If I really want a big bullet, I have a nice .45 Colt 25-13 Mountain Gun. Also good for home defense and woods packing. .45 colt loaded light is great for the range, but you need to be a reloader to afford to shoot it. .45 Colt and .45 ACP cost me the same to reload once the brass is paid for.

The Ruger MKIII 22/45 is a great gun. It is very satisfying to figure out how to reassemble it. My S&Ws do not mind sharing bench space with it at all.

I have a little competition to see which I shoot better on any given day. Both have Burris Fastfire 2 red dots

22/45


617

I would look for a used Model 15 or Model 67 in 38 special with 4 inch barrrel if it's not going to be a carry piece. That gives you enough weight to make shooting it pleasant and it would make a great home defense revolver. A 357 K frame is not all that pleasant to shoot and the ammo is expensive. The 22LR is a great fun gun for the range and a Model 17 or K22 can be had with a 6 inch barrel for reasonable money if you are willing to accept one with some wear.

The 22LR is not a great defensive round but it would work as many people have been killed with 22LR ammo. Another choice is a Ruger mark II can also be found used for $300 or less depending where you live. I saw one in a local pawn shop last year for $235 and I passed in it and I went back the next dayto buy it and it was gone.

An Airweight is a horrific range gun. Especially for someone who doesn't want to pay the price for 38 special, which is understandable.

Sounds to me like a .22 is definitely the way to go for you. Folks suggesting otherwise aren't making suggestions that would fit you.

Get a Ruger MkIII, Browning Buckmark, or S&W 22a.
If you want there's nothing stopping you from using it as a defense gun when you're not at the range.

I concur with the .22 suggestions. My son-in-law has a Buckmark, my Dad a Ruger, and I of course have a 22a. All are good guns, great fun and much cheaper to sharpen your skills!

But the reality is that if you are like the rest of us you will have them all at some point anyway!

I own a 686 and 442 (as well as others) 442 is not any fun at the range IMO. The 686 ALOT of fun but expensive!

I have the most fun at the range with my Browning Buckmark pistol, rifle combo. As others have said the Ruger Mark series is great for plinking also.

Since I have a love for wheel guns I would soon like to get a S&W m63 (curious why that hasn't been suggested yet). I also hear great things about the 617 however I held one in the store to me it seemed a little heavy for a a .22 gun.

.22lr is one of the greatest rounds. You can shoot all day and not worry about how much money you sent down range. You can hunt small game with it. I don't think it is a bad round at all for HD.

Welcome to the forum!

Well you've come to the right place.

The two purposes, .22 range & SD, are pretty different applications for a gun. As much as I've heard people speak of 'plinking' over the decades, I cannot say that I've ever understood it. Whenever I shoot at something, I want to hit it - whether its a target or a log in a creek.

In my opinion, the .22 is a perfectly capable SD gun and I often carry a Beretta Bobcat in .22LR. As much as everybody insults it, I have yet to have anybody offer to let me shoot them with it. So that usually ends that conversation. In fact, you can't even mention the Bobcat on the Beretta forum without the 'caliber queens' coming out in droves to insult you.

As others have said; it sounds like you're fairly new to shooting and I could not possibly make a stronger recommendation (as others have) than the Ruger MkII or MkIII. A new MkIII is under $300 and will last you a lifetime. Of course I'm partial to S&W and would also recommend a older model 34 .22 revolver (about $450 or more - IF you can find one). Also, in new S&W revolvers the 63, 317 and 43c would be very nice guns indeed (I can't afford them myself).

That's a (bad) pic of a 34-1 on the left and a Ruger MkII (standard) on the right. I also have a new stainless MkIII standard but can't seem to find a pic.

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But then, what do I know?

Airweights are "carry often shoot little" guns, they aren't designed for lots and lots of shooting.

There's always the J-frames like the Model 60. I know a lot of people are attracted to the low prices of the Airweight line, since you can get a new one for $350 from places like Bud's. But they aren't range guns. I'm sure they will still last a few 10's of thousands of rounds of standard .38 but they won't be fun to shoot. Heck, my all steel Model 60 isn't very fun to shoot. After a box of .38 +P I was pretty much done, that's why I have a bunch of K, L and N frames.

I know this is the S&W forum, but there's always the Ruger SP101. Same approx. size as a J-frame, but heavier and more suited for home defense and range shooting.

Ruger also came out with the LCR .22, if you can find one.

Any S&W .22 DA is going to cost you, whether it's an old K-22 or a new 617. .22 revolvers are hot right now and priced accordingly. Ruger .22 Sp101's are nearly impossible to find, Ruger can't get enough of them out to meet demand.

I guess this makes me a rarity. I really enjoy shooting my 642. On the range I usually shoot lower pressure practice ammo. When I carry the 642 for self defense, it is stoked with Hornady Critical Defense +P loads. If needed for self defense, most folks experience such an adrenalin rush, the recoil isn't felt and the noise isn't heard. That is well documented and has been my professional experience.

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Retired Police, Life NRA

You & me both!
I wasn't going to say anything but didn't want you to feel all alone.

I have no problem going out and shooting a few hundred rounds through
my 638 or 642, most while one handed point shooting, usually
with smooth wood "magna type" grips & BK Grip Adapter.

With that said, I wouldn't recommend either as a fun range gun to just anybody.

Most of the suggestions given in this thread fill that bill much better.

If I wasn't recommending a .22 for the role being discussed I would
seriously consider recommending something like a M64, or equivalent K Frame..

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Ogy

I have a 442 air weight and it is not fun to shoot unless you put a Hogue monogrip on it. I still wouldn't really consider it fun. I also have an SD9 and it is an excellent range gun at a good price. I have an M&P 22 that has to be the coolest .22 pistol I've ever seen.

The ruger mark series are about the best value in handguns.

I would disagree with you there. The Browning Buckmark costs less very comparable to the Marks. My wife loves hers.

You've got to have a 22.

When I go to the range for fun...I shoot mild wadcutters in my airweights. They are much more enjoyable that way. They are not the type of gun you would enjoy shooting more than a box full of ammo.

Snubbies are interesting guns. They are fun to shoot however they are not the ideal range gun. I have enjoyed shooting k frame snubbies at the range and they are much more comfortable to shoot for 100 rounds.

If ammo cost are a concern you might want to consider a model 34. Nice smaller frame little gun that does a lot things well.

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The American dream is alive

I guess what everyone considers "fun" is different. Don't get me wrong, I'm not a tough guy, I fired exactly ONE cylinder in my Ruger LCR and traded it the same day. The M&P 340 just fits me well. I wasn't looking forward to firing it and to my surprise, it was no big deal at all. I traded my Ruger SP101 TALO for it as I hated the trigger in the Ruger.

If you have the opportunity, fire as many different types as possible. You just might be surprised at what you find comfortable for you.

Good Luck!

Get a .22 lr. Everyone should have one. I got a Ruger Super Single Six Convertible as my first handgun when I turned 21 and now, nearly 30 years later, it is still my favorite handgun. It is stainless, has a weight forward balance and is so reliable and accurate. It has killed many, many things at great distances. There is something confidence inspiring when you throw out a hand full of empty 12 gauge hulls as far as you can toss them and then proceed to make them dance with a handgun.

Someday I'd like to get a Browning Buckmark semi-auto .22 and that is another good choice.

After the .22, the Model 10 in .38 spl. is hard to beat. Mine has a 6" barrel and practically shoots itself. Everyone who fires it loves and can hit what those fixed sights are aimed at. What's not to like.

Get a gun in a round you can master. Practice, and then move up. C.B.

I own both, I use the ruger to shoot bullseye matches every week along with a practice day once a week. Rugers are the most respected guns in their class by people with more than casual experience. Reliable, durable and accurate.