From my experience....hands down, no politics, political correctness, lock/no-lock, where they were ever made, or whatever else is being considered....my Smith 22's shoot much cleaner and look much nicer than any of the other throw-away 22's that I have. I have some of the cheap junk (but I must say none of them are Charters) that I use fooling around. I usually clean-out as much lead shavings as I do grime from the cheap ones. You will hear about a bad Smith now-and then, but when you buy another brand.....I think they just reach in a barrel and you get lucky if you get one of the good ones. Mr. Smith....PLEASE continue to manufacture 22 revolvers. I will gladly pay the S&W "tax" to get one.

John, you're obviously a man after my own heart ! That's how I'd trick out the wood on mine.

I'd tend to think that you need one.

Unfortunately I have yet to own one myself. I do have a bull barrel Mk II that's been keeping me satisfied so far, but I know that some day I will own a 4" 17 or 617, just a matter of finding it for a reasonable price.

Real men shoot rimfire. ;-p

no sir you need more than one...

__________________
The American dream is alive

I'm glad someone brought up last weeks incident here in Lilburn, GA. When she was dragged out of her shower and into her bedroom she was able to get to her 22 caliber hand gun. The perp collapsed in her back yard and died later. Now the 22 would not be my choice for SD, but if it's all you have, as in her case, let 'er rip. 22 hand gun: 1, kitchen knife: 0.

If you have pistols and didn't start with a 22 you skipped a major step in your development. Learn to use your sights and shoot first then work on recoil management, etc..

Do I need a .22RF revolver? I will never be without one. I've carried one for SD when I had nothing else. My answer to the age old question, "What would you want if you could only have one gun?" is a Smith and Wesson M-18. Ammo is cheap, you can carry a lot of it, it is available nearly everywhere, it is capable of lethal results on humans and mid-sized game, up to and including deer (I've seen it done). Keep shootin'

Extremely inexpensively fun to shoot. You should have one.

More than one, IMHO.
They're useful for:
Training, cheap practice.
Instructing new shooters.
Handgun silhouette.
Vermin control.
FUN!


17-6

18-4

These are in addition to a Browning and ISSC bottom feeders

__________________
-jwk-
US Army '72-'95

The .22 is NOT a toy! For self defense it wouldnt be my first choice, however I once worked with a friend that was a retired homicide LT. for indianapolis PD. He said the 22 was very nasty to get hit with as it was prone to rickoshay all over in a rib cage.
A .22 is cheap to shoot, doesnt recoil, is quiet, ammo available everywhere, accurate, flat shooting, dont have to hunt the brass to reload and is less "suspicous" or "threating" to be found with.
They are a sweetheart.

Handgun wants generally become needs when their acquisition began hap-hazardly. If you acquire your initial basic S&W handguns in a deliberate fashion, an excellent start would be a Model 15 Combat Masterpiece (.38) and a Model 18 Combat Masterpiece (.22). These represent some of the best value of exquisite S&W craftsmanship and their similarity in size, weight, and features allows for an inexpensive development, or refining of shooting techique, improvement in sight acquisition, and trigger training that could serve any handgun owner throughout a shooting career. It would also provide excellent tools for training the next generation of shooter in the family and a wonderful legacy when left to your heirs when we pass on.

I am waiting for the 43 C to come out. It should be any day now!!

Total up the cost of 5000 rounds of 22LR to 5000 rounds of any centerfire ammo. That's your answer. If you shoot with regularity, that 22 caliber revolver will pay for itself. There is also the fact that they are accurate, lots of fun to shoot, and rather quiet.

I love my 1974 Kit gun!! I couldnt tell ya how many rounds down the pipe.But yes every Man should have a 22 Wheel gun to play around and shoot cans with




Uploaded with ImageShack.us

I have a couple of 22 autos and can not justify a Revolver. I can cast 32 Long {@ 90 grains, $20 per 100 primers [shipped w haz-mat lots of 20,000], and 3 gr Bullseye bought in an 8 lb keg} for cheaper than I can buy 22 lr and have a larger weight and diameter bullet @ the same velocity as a 22 lr out of a 4" bbl.

__________________
Front sight and squeeze

And I think Camster nailed it! Real men don't need to prove they are men by shooting the biggest calibers or wearing sleeveless shirts or tactical pants. I'll wager the tuffest, meanest, dead-shot with any weapon and kick your butt any way you want it done guys on this forum ALL shoot 22's for TP or just plain fun and don't worry about what anybody else thinks about it....

Just my humble opinion....maybe I'm wrong and only wimps shoot 22's....as the poster (or should I say "poser") implied?

.22 revolvers are great. Nobody is complaining about your brass falling down their shirts, nobody is asking you if you're going to keep your brass, and nobody is all up in your business wanting to try out your gun.

I love the 22lr. I have a semi and a sw revolver is on my short list to buy. I have 4 kids that can shoot brick up and smile the whole time.

__________________
6 will do the job!

I say yes. Have a 17-3 thats good for target practice and hunting and a 34 snub that is great to hone .38 Special J frame skills on. Can shoot em both all day for very little money compared to a .38 or 9mm.

The 17-3 is so darn accurate the head shots on squirrels and rabbits are a breeze at 25 yards. The little 34 is just plain fun to shoot and is very accurate for a snub even with its heavier SA trigger.

What you pay for up front will be paid for with the cheap ammo you can shoot in the long run. As others have said a .22 is the best training round for a new shooter. I ruined my wifes shooting skills starting her out on my 3" 66-2 with .38's. She developed a very bad flinch. Fast forward 14 years later when I bought the 17-3 for 350.00 and she turned into a very good shot. Purchased the 34 for he as a carry weapon as I thought she might go back to her old ways but she can now shoot my Moms old 36 snub very well. Love both of them revolvers.

Everyone needs at least one .22 handgun and rifle IMO.

__________________
V/R
Roger / SG

...Did some rapid fire with my 4inch 617 10 shot the other day,loaded with CB longs.What a hoot!

no he doesn't need a .22 handgun he needs several!

If today I was told that I could only keep One revolver, it would be my favorite Model 18. I have shot it more than anything else that I own and has been with me for over 40 years.

My model 17 is the first handgun a new handgun shooter starts out with when they are with me - to answer the question: Yes!

Absolutely not... leaves more for the rest of us.
Seriously though, I enjoy the .22 wheelies about as much as any gun.

In a guy's opinion, most wives / girlfriends don't need 23 containers of facial enhancement products AND 17 containers of hair care products in the shower. Now how is she qualified to pass judgement on YOUR ownership of an additional firearm? After all she looks great in the morning just waking up with a naked face.

Eight years ago, I had to fix a leak under the master bathroom sink. There were 53 BOTTLES of feminine personal care products, hair spray, shampoo, facial cleanser, body cleanser, hair conditioner, ............ , etc. All had been used at least once and all were more than one-half full. Several guys told me that according to the shopping patterns of their wives, mine had just gotten started on getting needed supplies.

__________________
S&WHF 366

To all who say a good quality 22 is too expensive, I have to ask "Why would you think that? It costs just as much to make a K-frame 22 as it does to make a K-frame 38/357. The only difference is the size of the hole in the barrel.

I'll admit I had to swallow hard when I bought my Model 17, but I quickly forgot how much I paid for it when I started shooting it.

I've got other 22 revolvers. Dan Wesson is almost as good, but cost almost as much. Colts cost more. I've never seen a Ruger 22 D/A (I do know they exist), and as much as I like Rugers S/A 22's, they're just not the same. Harrington & Richardson, Taurus, Charter Arms might be ok, but they really just can't be expected to be in the same class.

That pretty much leaves it to Smith & Wesson, IMHO. If you do want a good quality 22 revolver, go ahead, bite the bullet and buy one. Put it on layaway if you have to. You won't regret it.

__________________
John 3:16 .

You need every handgun you can afford, in the caliber of your choice. Many years ago, I had a decision to make about a center fire semi-auto handgun. 1911 45 acp versus S&W M52 38 spl. I bought the M52 because the cost of ownership was less. I had wadcutter bullet mold, dies, brass, etc. A 45 acp needed dies, brass, bullet mold, bullet sizer die etc.

Today, the M52 has been gone for 16 years and I own a dozen 45s including 3 Colt Gold Cups.

Buy what you want, in the size you want, when you can afford it. Enjoy that new to you 22 revolver.

__________________
S&WHF 366

I have a S&W 22 model 422. It is used for a teaching aid as well as a cheap shooter.

There is no need to invest in other .22 handguns in my opinion. With little self defense value, my money could be spent better on other guns.

I have a Speedmaster .22 rifle, a Marlin 39a .22 rifle and two Remington Nylon 66 rifles. Two are scoped and two are not. They are fun to shoot but for real shooting, I prefer to shoot the larger caliber rifles.

Would I do without a .22 in my collection? Nope but I do not want any more.

No, a man doesn't NEED a .22 but, I'm just a 61 yr old BOY!

Let's see:
Colt Scout, 3 Ruger Single sixes, S & W 17, S & W 18 (gave to my niece as a wedding present), Woodsman, Model 41, Ruger Mark II......any others==Oh, a Beretta.

"There is no need to invest in other .22 handguns in my opinion. With little self defense value, my money could be spent better on other guns"

My opinion is virtually the flipside of this.
I have only a few centerfires,.22 handguns are virtually the only thing that I want to spend money on,and I have more than a few.Of all the guns that I own,only one has a secondary role as a self defense gun.

One aspect of shooting hasn't been addressed... fun. Sure, it's fun to watch someone else shoot your loudenboomer - and shed tears. But, machismo be hanged, watching their face as they dot an i with a .22 rf revolver is better. And, carpal tunnel problems, arthritis, pins in the wrist, etc - and you'll love a .22 rf. It's a great way to find enjoyment shooting - when you have a physical reeason to no longer 'enjoy' centerfires.

My most important suggestion re a .22 rf - and this is from experience - is to not wait - get one as soon as you can. I started with .45 ACP - discovered revolvers in .45 Colt - eventually discovered .38 - then .32. Finally, after turning sixty, I bought my first DA .22 rf revolver - a 4" x10 617 - new 9/08. Don't do that! Get one soon - skimp elsewhere - sell/trade as necessary - but get one - soon. All of the reasons are good - ammo cost, especially. Even the local store's ZERO 148gr LWC @ $8/50 cannot compete with 525/550 rd bricks of .22 rf from discount stores at $16 - that's <$.03 per rd vs $.16/rd.

I followed up my first .22 with a LN 5" 63 - bought from a friend's estate. The 3" 63 finally became available just before last Thanksgiving - a keeper, for sure.



Do I 'need' any of them? Which 'one' would I keep, if I could keep but one? Hard questions. I hate to say this, as I love the 617, but that 3" 63, currently widely available, is a complete little package - even if I added the 60 Pro style grips to both 63's - the OEM rubber is fine.

I guess my answer is that every handgun shooter will benefit by buying a DA .22 rf revolver.

Stainz

Unfortunately due to financial distress these past few years I had to sell a late 50's or early 60's model K-22.

I do still have a Ruger MkII that I've owned for close to 30 years and it still gets quite a bit of range time, often I will shoot it alongside a Compact Aluminum framed .45acp or Commander sized 10mm.

A mag in each then I switch, when I start with the inevitable flinch caused by heavy recoil the .22 quickly gets me right back on track with fundamentals.

I think a man should have both the revolver and semi...in .22. Not only for inexpensive fun, but as invaluable shooting aids.

Nice guns Stainz!

Does a man really need a .22 caliber revolver?

I've been reluctant to weigh-in on this discussion; mostly because I think that I know the answer to it and I don't really want to admit that some of the things that I consider to be important aren't really necessary. Heck, I went without a K22 for over 50 years! (But never without a 22 rifle; thanks Dad.) Then with a bit of age, I gained something that some people think resembles wisdom and I stopped fighting all that minimalistic BS. I'm much happier for it too. I know a few crazy, cantankerous and miserable old geezers that do not own K22's. Don't be like them; pursue what makes you happy. -S2

I bought a Ruger 22 (a FlatGate) from my uncle when I was 13 and have had at least one 22 revolver ever since (51 years). My Model 17 no dash was my gift to myself upon graduating from college (it was $60). My Model 34-1 was my motorcycle companion in the 70s and 80s. My Model 18-4 was almost a gift at the end of a many-year quest for one. And yes, there have been more Single Sixes and BearCats and the odd H&R, too. I still have most of them; and the ones that are gone I remember fondly. They remind me of a thousand adventures and friends who have gone on. Days in the woods, on the prairie, on long trips and in tented camps. I pity those poor souls who have never owned 22 revolvers.

Every affluent shooter with good taste and above average marksmanship should have at least one.

I settled for a favorite rimfire revolver after a long search.

You only need a 22 if you enjoy shooting and will shoot it. Otherwise, put your snubbie or whatever in the nightstand if it makes you feel safe. Practice with a 22 and a little with your home defense gun will do wonders for your shooting ability.

What the heck is that next to the hammer? A full-auto selector switch? Don't tell me it's a safety? Is the world really coming to an end on the 21st of this month???

John

__________________
- Cogito, ergo armatus sum -

Let me join in if today I was told I could only keep one hand gun it would be a S&W revolver, my favorite the K22 Masterpiece. I have shot it more than anything else that I have and has been with me for a life time.

My answer: yes, duh!

Never mind that switch.That's a Korth.Nothing more precision made than that...and no more to be made.
Welcome aboard Andy.

As a Grandfather of several up and coming shooters, I have to say without a doubt, YES to having to own a .22 of some sort. A good .22 revolver, and a good .22 rifle are worth their weight in Gold when it comes to teaching youngun's how to shoot..and to see their faces when they touch off their first round is absolutely wonderful. Once they have fired their first, there is no stopping their enthusiasm and the willingness to learn proper shooting techniques, and to progress to larger calibers as well. I would not trade the experiences for all the gold you could give me...JMHO of course.

__________________
PREDATORMASTERS

My .22 revolvers serve multiple purposes:

1) Fun
2) Training
3) Teaching others to shoot
4) Fun

Not necessarily in that order. Does this constitute *need*? You be the judge.

"Does a man really need a .22 caliber revolver?"

Oh, great! Now there are Communists on the Forum. Nobody asked that question after the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor, did they?

Oh yes, everyone needs a .22 revolver. There are too many grouse, squirrels, and bunnies out there to not need one.

__________________
Vaya con Dios

22 rimfire class in Steel Challenge and Bianchi now. A Bianchi match normally uses 200 rounds per match. Which would you prefer, buy 4-5 boxes of centerfire or spend about $5 for .22?

We also teach new shooters using our .22s. Low recoil, lighter weight, no "scare" factor...
Plus fun to shoot!

You need at least one in each barrel length:

__________________
Jim
Many K and N Frames

And if you get nuts you can add a 48 in each barrel length too:

__________________
Jim
Many K and N Frames

In a word, YES.

For the reasons posted above, most men who own one find the need to have more than one and I think that's the best answer there is. They are just that good.