3rdgeargrndrr
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Whats the gun's intended use?
Carry, kit, collectible, range/fun, competition, pest hunter?
Carry, kit, collectible, range/fun, competition, pest hunter?
.22 Revolver recommendations
- Thread starter russp1
- Start date
Pre 17 or 18, K22 model 17 or model 18. Can't go wrong or lose money either. Had 2 617's that were out of time and split bullets. Bought them at a gun show and re-sold them at a gun show. Currently have a 1953 pre 17, a 1978 model 17 8 3/8 barrel and a 1978 model 48.
Green Frog
Member
In first place I list the K frame 22s in blue or stainless, in any barrel length. Which you choose or can find/afford is up to you.
In second place, are the J frame 22s in blue or stainless and whichever barrel length. Probably not quite as accurate, but durable and easy to pack.
In distant third come the (mostly preWar) I frames called kit guns with short barrels or Heavy Frame Targets with 6" barrels. All are pretty old, so parts and maintenance may be a problem. I think of them more as collectibles than shooters.
I just don't list other makes or models because IMHO, they're just "all the others". I do have to mentions longtime love of the High Standard Sentinel series, but they've been out of print for decades, so finding one would be problematic.
Froggie
In second place, are the J frame 22s in blue or stainless and whichever barrel length. Probably not quite as accurate, but durable and easy to pack.
In distant third come the (mostly preWar) I frames called kit guns with short barrels or Heavy Frame Targets with 6" barrels. All are pretty old, so parts and maintenance may be a problem. I think of them more as collectibles than shooters.
I just don't list other makes or models because IMHO, they're just "all the others". I do have to mentions longtime love of the High Standard Sentinel series, but they've been out of print for decades, so finding one would be problematic.
Froggie
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As an all-around .22lr revolver, it's tough to beat a 617.
It will last a couple of lifetimes, is accurate and fun to shoot.
.
It will last a couple of lifetimes, is accurate and fun to shoot.
.
DS-10-SPEED
Member
I have a few, left to right 617-6, 617-0, 63-5, 617-2, GP100, Colt King Cobra. Also have a Ruger LCR snubbie, an ugly little thing but fits and shoots surprisingly well. I had an SP101 but I didn't like the feel of the grip and the wide frame at the trigger. I use the 617's for speed shooting sports, the GP100 took a lot of rework to get it to shoot nice and smooth but the really long DA trigger pull makes it too slow for speed sports, but it's great long range squirrel gun. The new Colt might be a great gun but I only had it in my possession for a few weeks, I had misfire issues and sent it back to Colt, they said they would have to make me a new gun or give me my money back, I've been waiting a couple months to get a new one.
The 4" 617 is my favorite.
The 4" 617 is my favorite.
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Targets Guy
US Veteran
1. K-22
2. Model 18
2. Model 18
Tanners Owner
US Veteran
I'll echo what others said, a 617 is a fine gun that will serve you well. I traded for mine, a 4" 10 shot. I've been very pleased with its accuracy, smooth trigger pull and portability. I shoot it regularly at our local ASI matches, fun gun.
I also have a M63. Another fun gun, but the 617 is much better in terms of trigger and subsequent accuracy- for me.
I also have a M63. Another fun gun, but the 617 is much better in terms of trigger and subsequent accuracy- for me.
Ivan the Butcher
Member
Just to add to the S&W Lovefest, I have a 17-3 6" and a 34-1 4". I bought them both used/like new, at a very good price. Why, because they were hard to extract spent cases from. For about $40 I bought a quart of dark cutting oil and a finish chamber ream from Brownell's, and at about 10 minutes a chamber hand reamed them correctly. You can have it done by a gunsmith (if you can find one that will even look at a revolver), but the 6 year ago price was $60 a 6 shot revolver.
As to non S&W DA revolvers. Dad had a mid 70's Diamondback that wouldn't hit squat! and my brother bought a LCR 22 that had hard and gritty trigger pull from the factory, he did everything but return it and it grouped terrible! (I have only messed with 6 LCR 38 specials, and all had great triggers)
Ivan
As to non S&W DA revolvers. Dad had a mid 70's Diamondback that wouldn't hit squat! and my brother bought a LCR 22 that had hard and gritty trigger pull from the factory, he did everything but return it and it grouped terrible! (I have only messed with 6 LCR 38 specials, and all had great triggers)
Ivan
Rpg
Member
Unless you're going to join the bullseye competition, I'd focus on the M34 and M63 instead of the K frame 22's.
The J frames are very accurate, handy to carry and are the perfect 22 for out in the field.
The J frames are very accurate, handy to carry and are the perfect 22 for out in the field.
For most people a k22 is easier to shoot than a 34 or 63. Cost aren't enough different to use for choice.
AJ
US Veteran
My first 617 was a no dash 8 3/8 inch bbl full target, nice but too heavy. I traded it for another new 617 no dash full target in 6 inch bbl and I loved it, but in a stupid moment sold it to fund another purchase, which I no longer own. Then several years later I bought a slightly used 617-1 with a 4 inch bbl. The 4 inch bbl balances very nicely, but I miss having the full target trigger and hammer, I really like that option. I have considered having that option done to my current 617-1, but the current trigger pull and action is so sweet I don't want to mess with it. The bad part is that both of my previous 617 revolvers had the really nice wood combat grips and the 617-1 had the Hogue rubber grips. I put a set of Hogue wood grips on it that are nice, but not as nice as the Smith & Wesson wood combat grips that was originally used on the 617.
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cd228
Member
I'd save my shekels and watch the gunshows, gun shops and maybe gunbroker. I've got a 617 and 63. Both are great, but I like the 617 for range use, it shoots very nice. The 63 is nice too, but mine needed it's chambers cleaned up so it would eject easily. The 63 is lighter and would be my preference if i need a lightweight carrying .22. The one issue I've seen with 63 size revolvers is sometimes they are too small for large hands.
Amp
Member
Mine too! 41 may get sold.
Lobster Picnic
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The 617 is hard to beat for quality and accuracy.
I'm an admitted old-timer, and I like guns that were made with care and painstakingly fitted.
My personal favorites are these illustrated. Two model 17s and a model 18. They've never made better .22 revolvers.
John
My personal favorites are these illustrated. Two model 17s and a model 18. They've never made better .22 revolvers.
John
Any .22 handgun is a lot of fun. Hard to go wrong with any of them.
But for all around, not specialized, fun a .22 revolver is tough to beat and S&W's are my favorite revolver.
Two of my favorites are my 617-4 6 shot and M17-3. Both are great rimfire revolvers and you couldn't go wrong with either one.
But for all around, not specialized, fun a .22 revolver is tough to beat and S&W's are my favorite revolver.
Two of my favorites are my 617-4 6 shot and M17-3. Both are great rimfire revolvers and you couldn't go wrong with either one.
AJ
US Veteran
I'm an admitted old-timer, and I like guns that were made with care and painstakingly fitted.
My personal favorites are these illustrated. Two model 17s and a model 18. They've never made better .22 revolvers.
John
I have to agree, the Model 17's are a thing of beauty!
