I agree, Camster. Look at what a clean used 617 fetches--esp. a 4 incher (IF you can find one). I looked for a coupla years, and ended up buying a new one with the lock. I "Plugged" the hole--thanks to Forum member Bullseye Smith, and I've been enjoying it ever since. NO manufacturer currently makes a DA .22LR revolver that compares........

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'Nam 1968-69.DAV,VFW,NRA Inst.

Yeah, when I saw a clean used 617 with lock for sub-500, I went and got it without hesitation. It goes with me almost every range trip. Definitely a great way to increase your shooting skills. I find my 1st 22 pistol, a Ruger Mark 3 does not get nearly the range time, since the 617 showed up.

There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. If your circumstances are such that you can make use of a .22 revolver or semi-auto on a regular basis, you should probably consider getting one or more for the reasons stated in many of the posts above. If your profession involves law enforcement or security service in a dense urban environment, you probably have the training and access to free or discounted ammunition that makes access to a .22 less necessary. In between those two points lies a scale in which a .22 may or may not make sense for a particular person.

Never buy a gun because somebody else thinks you need it. Buy the gun that feels right to you today, and if it turns out you are incorrect in your assessment you can sell it later and buy a different one. When I started shooting and collecting, I didn't know what I was going to like. My heart is with .44s, but I have more .22s than any other caliber. Yet when I go to the range, I find myself mostly shooting .38s. You just never know.

I don't think the OP was asking a question rooted in macho presumptions. Sounds to me like he was asking advice about an acquisition program constrained by available funds. We all make decisions like that all the time, and its natural to want some advice on whether a decision to plunk down some money (or maybe not plunk it down) is a sound one.

Basically I agree with everything everyone has said above. Allowing for the circumstances of each response, there are no wrong answers.

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David Wilson

I am a HUGE fan of the 'understudy' - that is, having a .22 revolver in a comparable setup as your favorite revolver for low cost practice. I've posted targets on a different forum where I show my 100 rounds of .22 (all over the place) and then 6 rounds of .38 right in the center. You are able to practice muscle memory and sight alignment at very low cost.

That said; I think it's a Greek tragedy that a 617 costs more than a 686. I can't afford a 617, or 63 (or any of the 'classics' in .22), do not like anything about the 317, and can't find any good used ones. Sooooo I went with the Taurus. (long story later) I sold it. Now I'm left with a whole pile of non-revolver .22s and looking for a good used 617 at the right price.

Yes, I recommend owning a .22 revolver either if you enjoy shooting it and especially if you shoot larger caliber revolvers.

Truth be told, the way I use it, a 617 will pay for itself within a couple years.

Edit: I recall that, after the election, when there wasn't any ammo to be found anywhere, I could usually STILL GET the (then overpriced) cheapo .22 box ammo. So .22 has that goin' for it.

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But then, what do I know?

Yessir!!!!!!!!!!!!

Me and the family (me, wife, son, 2 daughters two cats and two dogs)is covered

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Forum consigliere

ATTABOY, CAJUNLAWYER ! ! !

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'Nam 1968-69.DAV,VFW,NRA Inst.

THIS. Paulie686.

Yes, everyone needs one. One of the few guns a person needs. Like has been said, they are great training tools. Same feel as a bigger caliber, no recoil, cheap to shoot and accurate. I bought mine about 3 months ago (pre-18) and it has quickly become my favorite gun. Can shoot all day for $10.

Trigger control in DA can be learned and once mastered (if anyone truly masters trigger control) it will help with shooting every handgun you have.

Yes, you need a 22 in your collection. I feel its safe to say all true gun collectors have at least a couple 22s in the safe.Your collection is not complete without one. So tell the wife you have no choice in the matter and go get it and you'll never regret it.

My way of looking at this is: Can anyone really enjoy life WITHOUT a 22 revolver? I don't see how.

GREAT PERSPECTIVE, SPARROWBIRD.......

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'Nam 1968-69.DAV,VFW,NRA Inst.

It's not about need, it's about obtaining a gun that will serve you. I have a K22 that you will have to pry out of my hands. It's a model 18, identical to my Model 15 .38. I can spend a lot of time training with the 18 at a far less cost than the 15, yet when I transfer to the higher caliber, everything but the muzzle blast is the same. I also enjoy small game hunting with it, as it is as accurate at proper ranges as any .22 rifle I have. So, no, maybe I don't need it. But I sure as heck want it. And I enjoy the @#*+@# out of it!!! Its not always about need. (Don't tell my wife that)

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Endeavor to persevere. <><

No. You need 2 or 3.

With the sky-high price of ammo, a .22 handgun makes great sense. If I could go back in time and buy a S&W Model 617 (or similar) instead of the Ruger Mk II I bought, I would do it in a heartbeat.

It is not a question of need. Because in this day and age you probably don't hunt to eat and while a 22 does fill the need of having a gun if you are in a gunfight, it ain't your best choice. It is more of a question of want. Do you want a 22 pistol? Revolver, semi-auto or single shot, they are all fun to shoot. Can you afford one. Smith pistols do seem to cost more than your run of the mill Ruger. My take is that if you want a 22 and aren't spending the rent money or the money for you heart transplant, find one that you like and can afford (bargins are out there!) buy it. When the right one comes along, you will know. It will feel right and it will speak to you. I currently own 3 Smiths (17/18/63) 2 Rugers, a Browning and a Colt conversion. I don't need any of them. None are for sale.

Although I am a late comer to this thread......I did not know that a person could live without a 22 revolver! Then a 44 mag. as second need to gun. I could live without the rest but who wants to!!!! :0

John

My new 617 has become my favorite handgun....

- I find revolvers more fun to shoot than semi-autos... they have more character, less drama (with the racking of the slide and all), and are just plain beautiful to look at

- Dirt cheap to shoot

- In my hands, it's the most accurate of my handguns

- Understudy to my 686

- Not intimidating for my wife/kids

- Easiest to clean of all my firearms - major issue for this lazy bum

- Will be my goto gun for SHTF/BOB for the combination of concealability, ammo portability, low decibels, and small game suitability. Obviously, another caliber would be better for self-defense, but the .22lr is nothing to sneeze at. All told, if I could only carry one gun, this is the leading contender.

Of course, the original post was of a cost/benefit question. My 617 is highest price I've paid for a handgun so far, but that doesn't bother me one bit since I believe that this gun will also fetch the highest resale price of any gun that I own (outright $ and % of original cost), although I doubt I'll ever sell it. A lot of work went into finding the damn thing in the first place. The constant pride of ownership well more than covers for anything I can possibly lose in depreciation.

After less than a month of ownership, I've already saved enough in centerfire ammo costs to cover a third of the purchase price.

Welcome to the Forum, reppans. That's a pair that'll beat a full house......

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'Nam 1968-69.DAV,VFW,NRA Inst.

I bought a Ruger Mark III 22/45 semi-auto and am glad I did. I don't feel guilty after shooting 300 shots at the range (1.75 for 50rounds)

Heritage Arms has .22 revolvers new for around $150. Haven't shot one and am sure the quality is significantly less than most other revolvers, but for a .22 might not be a bad idea.

if you want to get good at double action shooting on a budget I'd say yes and if price is a concern just go for one of the old H and R's like the 999 top break or a sentinel for a couple hundred bucks

but when it comes to a great 22 revolver look no further than the smith and wesson model 17, I got my hands on a worn beat to hell pre 17 for 450 bucks that I shoot most of the time and its not only a beaute with that patina its also fun to shoot.

hell its thee gun I managed to fire 6 shots out of at 25 yards all double action and nearly put them all in one hole on the bullseye, just one thing though, clean it a day or so after your done shooting as it just starts to seem tedious if you clean it a few hours after you come home from a range sesion.

Yes its practical and for all the above reasons that everyone else has stated. A 22 magnum K frame (648) is also good to have too. I have both!

When I'm at the range, I have my trusty .22 snub packed with a box of ammo in addition to whatever my primary shooting revolver is that session. It's a great way to either practice controlled shooting or to simply unwind when the big caliber ammo is gone.

Of all the guns I have owned I still enjoy my SW 617 4" the most. Sometimes it is nice to have no recoil and not feel I am shooting money out of the bore.

Does anyone have experience with the 43C? I'm looking for a .22 for my wife to learn with and the 43C is almost a duplicate of my Ruger LCR in size, shape and specs. But the Ruger recoil is a little too much for her to start with.

Heck yea! The .22 whether a semi-auto or revolver is a great tool for teaching/training and introducing shooting to others. I have seen too many "Macho" guys that want to introduce their girlfriends/wives or other interested party to the sport only to hand them a rotating or semiauto hand cannon that just scares/intimidates/drives the wife/girlfriend away. In my opinion, why not allow for some success and accomplishment for a first-time shooter? They can always graduate up to a larger gun later.

I am late on this--and/or/but---no one needs one. A closet full might be 1 or two too many---on the other hand--build a new closet and keep on keepin on.
Blessings

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TEXAS, by GOD

Nothing beats a nice afternoon of being out on some nice green grass and hitting a few golf balls , , , with a .22 handgun!

I thought I was the only one who shot golf balls with a 22!

John

A man or woman needs several .22 revolvers It is nice to have some nice, accurate revolvers that you can afford to shoot at any time and at almost any quantity. .22's get a bad rap from people who only shoot/have shot the cheap ones. A S&W model 17 or 617 (or K-22, 34, or 63) is every bit the superb shooting iron its bigger bore siblings are. I wish I could afford the amount of .38 Spl. and .44 Spl/Mag ammo I'd like to shoot (yes, I reload), but I can't so the model 17's and my 617 get a lot of range time.

Honestly, I own several Smiths in several cals. My K-22 is indeed the most fun to shoot. Knowing I am not spending a months lunch money for a afternoon of shooting just makes it more fun!

You might want to consider a Kel-Tec P32. The difference in recoil between the .32 acp and the .380 acp is quite remarkable. My P32 has been 100% from day one. I don't carry it much because I prefer the .380 but for someone that is recoil sensitive, it's a great alternative.

In regards to a .22 revolver. Although it is nice to have one around, I no longer keep a .22 LR. I found the early M18-4" was a great shooting weapon, but it is heavy. The M63 was a nice carry gun for camping, but between three of them I had none would shoot as well as the heavy M18 and I just couldn't hit with any of them. Currently I have a Taurus .22 Magnum, just because we all "need" a rimfire. Except I can't work up enough steam to shoot it. Earlier this year I gave one to a friend just because I had never shot it in two years. Then like an Idiot I bought another one. I think a .38 Spl M15/67 or a M19/66 would make a better gun in a gun fight or survival situation. The current semi-auto S&W turned me off when they came out. The first one I ordered for my store was broken as it came in. I never ordered another one for sale. The older M422/622 were great shooting pistols. If S&W still made those I'd be inclined to have one. So do you need a .22? I'd say yes, even if it doesn't get used much.

Same as Above, Yes, That is what my wife used until she was ready to advance to a 38 spl., and that worked out great.
Great for starting any new shooter into the shooting sports.
easy to use and cheap to shoot.
TSRA member.

As our country continues to slide downhill, I think it is key to have both a .22 rifle and handgun. Good to hunt with, ammo is relatively light enabling you to carry more, and they're user friendly, ie no kick and little noise. IF the **** ever hits the fan, you'll be glad you had those .22's and save the big stuff for essential self defense.

Reb

A gunman is a fool not to have a .22.

The question is how many? I like an accurate target gun (S&W M41) and trail, practice gun (S&W M63 4 in). A LOT cheaper these days.

Yes, I think so. I used to also have a M34 2" but sold it. Here are my two essential 22LR pistols, 1953 K-22 Combat Masterpiece and 1988 Beretta 87. I have an extra barrel being threaded for the 87, as well as another target barrel and counterweight to turn it into an 'LB' version.





If SHTF, they're both coming with us!

Rhino

Somehow, the implication seems to me to be that you are a girley-man - a Nancy-boy - if you have and regularly shoot .22 revolvers...



Now, where is my dress - and those heels?

Seriously, some days... you just want to plink - and plink some more. As has been stated/restated - and much more eloquently than I can accomplish - you can have a lot of fun discharging rimfires in a good revolver - and not break the bank or injure your wrist.

Stainz

PS If I had to wear a dress just to shoot a .22 revolver, well, I don't really have the legs, but I can't look much worse than Hillary - or Roseanne...

that was the PERFECT answer.

love my .22 revolvers.

and my high standard victor.

peabody

I don't have a .22 revolver, I guess I need one now I have .22 rifles but that's it

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GO NOLES!!!

My one regret after buying my first .22 revolver, a new 10X 4" 617, was simple... "Why did I wait so late in life to buy one?". Seriously.

Stainz

Stainz, beautiful 22's there, and also, the question should be why would you not want a 22 revolver, I love them.
Eric

I think the question has been answered, but I can't help adding a little more. My question would be more like: "Why every man should own a .22lr revolver".

Although I have maintained a constant flow of firearms over the years of different cartridge/calibers, I have always and will always have a .22lr in my collection. It could easily be the most versatile firearm cartridge/caliber ever created. It may not do any one thing better than another, but it can do a little of everything, even including self defense.

I have always had a Ruger Mark I or II in inventory for years, but there's something about a .22 revolver that is extra special; my first handgun was a .22 revolver. My hands down favorite .22 revolver ever was an H&R 999; I still can't figure out why I sold it, I don't know what I could have been thinking. In any event, if you want a new .22 revolver, don't look any further than a S&W 17, 617, 317, 18, 63 or even the strange little 43C. For me it would have to be a Model 18, though.

I must correct my own comment, the one thing that the .22lr (revolver) does better than any other cartridge/caliber is provide actual shooting fun, for all ages, sizes and tastes.

Yep, A CCI stinger out of a 6" barrel is nothing to turn your nose up at!!

I have 2 pretty old High Standard Sentinel 9 shot .22 revolvers. The 4" is from 1956 and set me back all of $125 nearly 6 years ago. The 2 1/2" is from 1955 and needed a bit of aluminum black when I bought it for $85 about 3 years ago. I found that HKS makes speed loaders for these revolvers, which is kind of nice...I have several.
They are very good range guns and I admit that I occasionally carry one or the other-they weigh NOTHING, and 9 shots of .22 high speed solids will certainly spoil someone's day.

Heresy here, but I liked the Sentinels so much I sold my K .22...the gun shop owner kept it for his personal use AFAIK

(I also own a S&W .22 auto pistol, a 2213...and I am keeping that one.)

mark

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Liberals made the USA