Glenn R. McMannly
Member
.22 WMR LCRx
None finer.
None finer.
.22 wheel gun with a decent da trigger?
- Thread starter Shibadog
- Start date
It is very hard to get a good DA trigger on a small rimfire revolver , Because the hammer is small and changing the spring results in light hammer strikes. The original HiStandard Sentinels had great triggers but a much larger hammer.
I have never figured out why there is an exposed hammer option in every caliber of LCR’s EXCEPT the snubbie .22 LR. Why not?
Ruger makes good guns, but they have always been a little bit of a strange company, especially when the Old Man was still running things.
I am pretty familiar with most of their product line, having owned many Rugers (rifles and pistols) since the early seventies.
My main complaints over the years are that almost all their rifles and revolvers , with the exception of the LCR and Vaquero series, have always had too many sharp 90 degree corners.
I know about their Lost Wax Casting process and the molds for the molten steel incorporate sharp corners, but I would happily pay a little extra id the factory would spend a very few extra minutes grinding and machining smoother contours on the actions, frames, and sights.
Looks like there would be a good aftermarket demand for gunsmiths that would do the blending and rounding.
If you will put half of a foam ear plug in the hammer recess in the frame, it will eliminate the chance of damaging the frame or firing pin.
Just remember to remove it when you are done.
After about 2 strikes, empty rimfire cases no longer serve much purpose for dry-firing.
No need for any more dry fire , it’s good.
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I've got a few vintage M18's that after a few minutes on the bench when purchased, have a great trigger - well at least for a rimfire revolver. Rimfire needs a bit more punch than does a center fire revolver.
Find yourself a nice, older Model 17 or Model 18 (up to a "dash 4", w/ the pinned barrel), and getting a Tripple T (target hammer, trigger & grip) would be a bonus ... You'd be hard pressed to find a better double-action .22 LR revolver!
Lobster Picnic
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My 17-3 has a wonderful DA target trigger that is equal to my K-frame centerfires from that era.
The 3" Model 63-5 has a stiff DA trigger and the sights were hard to work with, so my accuracy with it was pretty disappointing. But I thought the overall quality was very good, and the size, weight, capacity and stainless finish are suitable for a lifetime rimfire revolver. It's a keeper but doesn't get shot as often.
I also have the notorious 351c with its off-the-scale trigger weight. 17#? 20#? I do not know, but it takes deliberate effort and skill to keep the gun steady through the long, heavy trigger pull. It is what it is. Maybe someday I won't be strong enough, but at age 68 I'm still good. I consider it maybe the SAFEST pocket gun you can carry; it would be tough to accidentally fire this revolver.
The only other rimfire revolver I have is an old Interarms Rossi Model 515 in .22 Magnum. It's basically knock-off of the 4" S&W Model 651, but the 515 might be even rarer since it was only imported for 1 year, 1992. The action is sloppy compared to a Smith, but the trigger pull is very nice and the chunky sights are excellent.
As for the Ruger LCR, I did own the LCR-22 when it was first released. The trigger was better than a modern S&W rimfire, but the trigger reset took some getting used to, and I didn't like the rattle of the internal hammer block. Other than that, I liked the rugged "plastic" frame and the usable grips, but it was big for pocket carry. One of the few guns I ever got rid of, though I wouldn't discourage others from considering it.
The 3" Model 63-5 has a stiff DA trigger and the sights were hard to work with, so my accuracy with it was pretty disappointing. But I thought the overall quality was very good, and the size, weight, capacity and stainless finish are suitable for a lifetime rimfire revolver. It's a keeper but doesn't get shot as often.
I also have the notorious 351c with its off-the-scale trigger weight. 17#? 20#? I do not know, but it takes deliberate effort and skill to keep the gun steady through the long, heavy trigger pull. It is what it is. Maybe someday I won't be strong enough, but at age 68 I'm still good. I consider it maybe the SAFEST pocket gun you can carry; it would be tough to accidentally fire this revolver.
The only other rimfire revolver I have is an old Interarms Rossi Model 515 in .22 Magnum. It's basically knock-off of the 4" S&W Model 651, but the 515 might be even rarer since it was only imported for 1 year, 1992. The action is sloppy compared to a Smith, but the trigger pull is very nice and the chunky sights are excellent.
As for the Ruger LCR, I did own the LCR-22 when it was first released. The trigger was better than a modern S&W rimfire, but the trigger reset took some getting used to, and I didn't like the rattle of the internal hammer block. Other than that, I liked the rugged "plastic" frame and the usable grips, but it was big for pocket carry. One of the few guns I ever got rid of, though I wouldn't discourage others from considering it.
crasig
Member
I have owned this 1941 model 999 H&R 9 shot, Sportsman for many years, It is extremely accurate in SA, & not bad in DA.
Its smaller more compact version here, could be easily concealed, it is surprisingly accurate for a snub nose.
I am frequently surprised at how fine old technology can be.
Its smaller more compact version here, could be easily concealed, it is surprisingly accurate for a snub nose.
I am frequently surprised at how fine old technology can be.
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cowboy94916
Member
I recently bought a Colt King Cobra 22. Out of the box it was as nice as my long owned, m-18,m-17 and 617. I have owned the latter three so long that i cannot remember, what they were like when new. I am sure they smoothed out after 1000"s of rounds. I had owned a 317 snub, it worked well, but someone I knew wanted it more then i did. I owned a few Colt Diamondbacks but the only one I miss was a 2.5". It was my first DA revolver I purchased and I shot it alot. Memories of the brick of ammo I put thru it on my wedding day before the service still warm my heart. My wife asked me to sell it because it looked to much like a cap gun to kids. I did and bought 2 a ruger single six and a winchester 94/22M. Good news result was she has never commented again on what came thru the door. Still miss that Colt.
Cartwright Jones
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How about this? Taurus .22 magnum, stainless. Has a HAMMER so it can be cocked. If the wife can't cock the gun, nor pull a DA, well, maybe it's BYRNA time!Guys, does (literally) anybody make a smaller .22 mag (or even .22 LR) revolver with a decent DA trigger? I had a nice 351PD, nice to carry, shot accurately SA, but DA was an abomination. My wife could barely pull it through and I couldn’t shoot it accurately DA. Pull was off the scale on trigger gauge. Gunsmith buddy says “ I can get the pull down like a good J frame, BUT doing so will destroy reliability. “. He’s pretty sharp so I let it go. It also had THE tightest chambers I have ever encountered on any firearm. I had an old yellow box of Winchester .22 Mag that absolutely NOT chamber, and the rounds that would chamber would start sticking after a few cylinders had been fired. Annoying, but I could have lived with that, but that trigger pull. Anyway, anybody know of ANY brand that’ll work? Looking for something for her to carry here on the farm. Thanks!
OP
Wife’s got a nice EZ, but that’s not the hot ticket for snakes
. Please-don’t EVER say Byrna-those are. Without ANY question the biggest POS’s ever sold! We travel by camper, a lot. And I try to avoid breaking the law, so we rarely go to NY state or other socialist areas (like Illinois). Wife knows I prefer to be anrmed and want to stay within the law. We’ve a great granddaughter in upstate NY that we love to see. Wife saw the %&@! “Byrna” advertised as “legal everywhere” thought it might be an answer. Since we were away from home for a few weeks ahead of my BD, she ordered it well in advance. On my BD she had it for me. I’d never even heard of these things. Looked like a BIG bore Glock. Anyway, a little homework showed they produced 17 joules of energy (a freakin “joule?). Also, while legal to possess in every state, they aren’t necessarily legal to carry everywhere. (‘besides, they are BIG). Anyway , turns out 17 joules =8 foot pounds of energy
. Sooo, this POS has 1/10 the energy of a .22 short and less than my RWS. 36 air rifle? And this is for self defense? (‘AND it’s $450!) I quickly decided to ship this pos back and called Byrne the following day. “Sorry, it’s been more than 30 days since it was delivered”. I said I just opened the box yesterday! It’s never been out of the box!! “Sorry, but it was delivered more than 30 days ago”. What utter and complete BS. I was seriously steamed at these crooks. After a few days I cooled down and thought, well, stuck with it, m ay as we’ll see how it works. Took it down to my range at the barn, shot a swinging steel plate. Zero reaction/movement of the plate, but the “kinetic energy” ball bounced about 3 yards back. Repeat, same experience.. What the heck? Ok. Let’s try the “pepper balls” which release a “cloud of pepper”. Shot at same plate, most didn’t even break, and the two that did made a TINY puff. Really? That’s IT?
. These things are totally and completely worthless. Let me put on a motorcycle helmet and my Carhart coat and I’ll let you shoot this old man all day long for $5 a shot. Worse, they Look like a pistol, so a thug who is armed see’s you with one you Will get shot! Do NOT ever recommend one of these overpriced pieces of crap to Anybody, EVER. If you know anybody that actually wants one I will happily sell a lightly used one (10 shots) to ‘em for less than 1/2 price!
SGT ROCK 11B
Member
You really need to get a K frame or the Ruger Single Six. Years ago I got my F-I-L the Ruger. That was the only handgun he could manage.
OP
I think you’re right. That old Single Six is tough to beat. K’s are great but bigger than what I want for her. Maybe a Bearcat with .22 Mag conversion?
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