Need help picking next revolver

[smoore]

I was in the same boat this past spring.

For $750 I snagged my K-22 Masterpiece (pre-M17) … It's an amazing revolver that I highly recommend.

Nice looking gun. Thanks for sharing. I am having a hard time deciding on the most important features that I am looking for. I guess I probably need too much for one gun. If it was just me shooting it, I wouldn't mind the 6" barrel. I was hoping to have my kids shooting it though. My youngest is 11 and I think the 6" is going to be too big for him. Though he will grow…. I prefer the blued over stainless, I just like the looks of the older style revolver. But I guess functionality should come before that. I would prefer more than 6 rounds, but it is not a deal breaker. I also prefer the square butt style.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[smoore]

If you aren't completely stuck on it holding more than 6 rounds maybe an older S&W Model 43 Kit Gun.
Aluminum frame & cylinder, so feather light, J-frame, most of them are square-butt.

I have been eying a few of those. Simpson limited has some for sale. Just wish I could hold one before paying $1000.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[clang444]

I just found what would probably be the perfect one for me. It is going to be above my price range though.

Dan Wesson Model 22 Pistol Pac .22 LR Blue 8" *ULTRA RARE PISTOL PACK*
currently on gunbroker auction not buy it now. 5+ days left and is over $1500 currently

You really don't want one of these if your kids are going to shoot it. They weigh a ton.

 

[John Patrick]

The current model 63 or 617 should be at the top of your list. No need to spend $1500 for those, and they put shots on target just as well as the older models.

And, fwiw, the 11.7oz weight of the 317 makes it work to shoot well.

 

[smoore]

You really don't want one of these if your kids are going to shoot it. They weigh a ton.

Lol actually that out weighs the kids even shooting, or I would make them lift more weights. [emoji3]


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[smoore]

I had someone send me a message and they have a model 18 they said they would sell.

I am really liking that 43 with the 3.5" barrel. There is a local gun show this weekend. Wonder what the chances are of them having any smiths in a .22 I can get my hands on.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Bumpus13]

Nice looking gun. Thanks for sharing. I am having a hard time deciding on the most important features that I am looking for. I guess I probably need too much for one gun. If it was just me shooting it, I wouldn't mind the 6" barrel. I was hoping to have my kids shooting it though. My youngest is 11 and I think the 6" is going to be too big for him. Though he will grow…. I prefer the blued over stainless, I just like the looks of the older style revolver. But I guess functionality should come before that. I would prefer more than 6 rounds, but it is not a deal breaker. I also prefer the square butt style.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I wouldn't let the barrel length deter you, it balances very nicely.

 

[smoore]

I wouldn't let the barrel length deter you, it balances very nicely.

That's really good to know. That helps a lot. Not having the chance to hold one makes it hard to know that type of thing.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[crazyphil]

I taught a lot of new shooters how to shoot using a Taurus Model 94 .22.
It is a 9 Shot snub nose. Just what you want. Hundreds of students used
it and no issues. I think most of the issues from Taurus is from their
semi-automatics, at least that is what I have witnessed in my experience.

 

[DS-10-SPEED]

I have the 63, 3 617's and the GP100 .22's.

I like the 617's the best, the 4" has better balance but it's no problem adjusting to the longer 6".

 

[smoore]

I taught a lot of new shooters how to shoot using a Taurus Model 94 .22.
It is a 9 Shot snub nose. Just what you want. Hundreds of students used
it and no issues. I think most of the issues from Taurus is from their
semi-automatics, at least that is what I have witnessed in my experience.

There is a 94 Taurus on GB I am watching now. Strongly thinking about bidding on it. I would prefer a smith, or a Dan, maybe even a Ruger, I haven't owned Taurus or Ruger. I did look at a Fe Taurus before and they seemed to lock up loosely made me leery of buying one. I know a lot of people have them and like them though, and it has the short barrel and is a 9 shot blued. Really almost everything I was looking for except the brand. Also never having held it is one reason I was trying to go with something like smith or the other companies. I felt like I would be more apt to get a good gun then a lemon. Maybe I am wrong. Not trying to say anything bad about any company, or anyones favorite gun. I just don't have any real revolver experience besides my 637 and my Dan…


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[smoore]

I have the 63, 3 617's and the GP100 .22's.

I like the 617's the best, the 4" has better balance but it's no problem adjusting to the longer 6".

Nice collection there. I wish I could tell my younger self to buy all of the guns I was interested in then when they were cheaper. Of course I didn't have as much money then to spend.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[smoore]

Well no gun show for me this weekend. My wife and both of my kids tested positive for Covid. I have what seems like a cold, but is probably a mild case too. Don't want to go out and spread it. I was hoping to get my hands on something vs buying online sight unseen. Right now my top ones I am considering are:

model 34 with the 2" barrel
Model 43 with 4" or shorter barrel
Model 18 with 4" barrel
Model 63
Dan Wesson 22 with 4" barrel


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[smoore]

I am trying to figure out what the real differences are between the model 18, model 34, and model 43. It looks like they all were available with the 4" barrel. It looks like the 34 also was available with the 2" barrel, and it looks like the 43 is an alloy frame making it lighter. Not sure of the weights of each or if one is considered better than the other. If they were all available at the same price would one be a better one to get? Sorry I have been trying to read even I can on these. Thanks for the help!


I forgot to mention I am aware the 18 is a k frame and the 34 is a J frame, but pictures make them look almost the same size. Not seeing any in person it makes it harder to tell.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[BC38]

I am trying to figure out what the real differences are between the model 18, model 34, and model 43. It looks like they all were available with the 4" barrel. It looks like the 34 also was available with the 2" barrel, and it looks like the 43 is an alloy frame making it lighter. Not sure of the weights of each or if one is considered better than the other. If they were all available at the same price would one be a better one to get? Sorry I have been trying to read even I can on these. Thanks for the help!


I forgot to mention I am aware the 18 is a k frame and the 34 is a J frame, but pictures make them look almost the same size. Not seeing any in person it makes it harder to tell.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Compare the trigger guard size to the rest of the gun. The trigger guard is about the same size - so it looks bigger on the smaller j-frame.

 

[smoore]

Thanks for all of the help. I am buying a model 34 with a 4" barrel from a fellow forum member. I also am planning on a Dan Wesson 22. Just couldn't pass it up. I am a sucker for the Dan Wesson revolvers. My 357 is the nicest revolver I have shot. Grant it I have only shot a hand full of them, but it the action is like glass. I can't imagine a nicer trigger. It puts my smith 637 to shame, and it has a good trigger in my opinion.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[smoore]

Well I picked up the Dan Wesson today. It is a beautiful gun, providing you like them. Looks to be unfired. 2 things I am not happy with on it though are the factory grips, they are uncomfortable, but I like the color. And the trigger. It is not nearly as nice and crisp as my other Dan Wesson. This may be due to never being fired. It just feels sluggish like walking in mud or something, at least compared to my other Dan. My smith has a better trigger too. I am doing so research now to see if anything can be done to improve the trigger. If not i think it is still going to be a good shooter. I have some snap caps in it now. [emoji3]


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[smoore]

Well I picked up the Dan Wesson today. It is a beautiful gun, providing you like them. Looks to be unfired. 2 things I am not happy with on it though are the factory grips, they are uncomfortable, but I like the color. And the trigger. It is not nearly as nice and crisp as my other Dan Wesson. This may be due to never being fired. It just feels sluggish like walking in mud or something, at least compared to my other Dan. My smith has a better trigger too. I am doing so research now to see if anything can be done to improve the trigger. If not i think it is still going to be a good shooter. I have some snap caps in it now. [emoji3]


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

https://i.imgur.com/A6ES3Qd.jpg


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[smoore]

Does anyone know if the hogue 61000 or hogue 60000 grips will fit the model 34? Thanks


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[BC38]

Does anyone know if the hogue 61000 or hogue 60000 grips will fit the model 34? Thanks


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

That depends on the 34. If it is a round butt, then yes, either of those will fit. If it is a square butt then neither of them will fit. Hogue doesn't make any rubber grips for square butt J-frames.
Pachmayr makes some rubber grips that fit square butt J-frames.
Like the Compac model 03255 and the Gripper 03250 model.