Fellas,

I need your help. My father in law is looking for a .22LR Revolver for shooting, not collecting.

Now I'm not the big of a Revolver crack, so I kinda need your advise.

What is a good shooter in .22LR and how much does he have to spend?

I appreciate any help

__________________
Jorge

I don't think he can go wrong with a 10 shot 617. Very accurate gun and the 10 shot means fewer reloads. I recommend the 4" over the 6" due to better balance.

S&W revolvers have seen a major price increase over the past couple of years and today he can exect to pay from $500 for a worn looking shooter to $700 for a like new model 17 with 6 inch barrel or a model 18 with 4 inch barrel. Or he could buy a new Model 617 in with either a 4 or 6 inch barrel and pay the going price for a new one with an internal lock and with a warrany.

The all are a blast to shoot and the ammo is cheap so he could do a lot of shooting.

I have a Model 63 5" (J Frame) and it is my favorite range gun. It runs about $700 new so a bit pricey, but if your dad is also looking for a good trail gun the M63 is light enough for that as well. I like the other models mentioned above, but went w/the M63 because all my J Frame grips and other stuff will work with it too.

Just bought a model 617-6, 10 shot, SS, with a 4" barrel at Williams Gunsight here in Michigan. They had some used ones but for about $30.00 more I bought a new one with warranty. Had them put on a fiber optic front sight for another 65.00. I traded in another gun I didn't shoot much to help off set the cost. I have probably put 500 rounds through it since I bought it back in December. Going price at Williams was $689.00 on the box it came in. I think it was listed at MSRP of $829.00 on the S&W website. Walmart has Federal bulk packs anywhere from $15.00-18.00 range for 550 rounds. I really enjoy mine.

Thanks for all the advise fellas.

I will double check his budget and maybe there is one for sale on the board. Wanna make my daddy proud and help him out as good as I can

He lives in California. Souldn't be a problem to own one of the above listed Revolvers, right?!?

Edit: And after looking at the 617 I am getting interested in this model LOL

__________________
Jorge

California does have different gun laws and rules and there is something about an approved gun list so other forum members can chime in and fill you in on what's legal and what's not.

I have a Pre-model 18 Combat Masterpiece which fits my needs for a S&W 22. I'd prefer an older 4" 63, since I like stainless S&Ws better but it's a sweet shooter at 59 years old. Plus 63s tend to be more expensive, I got this one for @$475, IIRC.

I would recommend a 4 or 6 inch K frame, what ever length he likes best.

I would suggest either a model 17 or 18. Finding a deal or setting a price is a matter of being in the right place at the right time. I recently passed on a 4" model 18 that was a shooter for 375 for two consecutive gun shows to keep peace in the house. When I went back to get it...someone had beat me to it. LOL

Prices can go from mild to wild depending on model, condition, grips, original box, etc.

Quality is always worth the wait.

__________________
The American dream is alive

This Model 317 Kit Gun is mine. I have never liked a revolver as much as I like this one. Weighs nothing, like 12.5oz and very accurate. Costs about the same as other new S&Ws in 22lr.

__________________
NRA Benefactor

Model 17 or a 617, hard to beat, when you miss it's not the gun..

Not mentioned yet is the ole' Model 34. It's a J frame, it's lighter, holds 6 rounds. I got mine for about $450 - which is less than any new .22 revolver. Comes in 2" or 4" though the 2" models are harder to find.

My son just loves shooting the 34. Oh, and it's great practice for J and K models in larger calibers.

__________________
But then, what do I know?

Its OK in California..got my 617 6 inch about 8 weeks ago and am loving it. Ammo is cheap so you can get a lot of shooting in for a small price.

If he likes guns more with a retro flair, go with the Model 17, if he leans towards stainless (new style) revolvers, then go with the 617, either 6 or 10 shooter.

IC

I've got 17's and 617's. I like'em all but I just got a 317 kit gun and I'm in love. When its not in my pants at 4:00 it in my hands busting empty shotgun hulls,soda cans or shooting groups off the bench. I'm having so much fun with it I plan to get another. Any smith would make him happy they are all great guns

My collection of S&W .22LR revolvers include, top down below:
T No longer cataloged 5" 63 8-shot with HiViz & 60 Pro grips
M 4" 617 10 shot with HiViz & Ahrends retro target grips
B 3" 63 8 shot with 60 Pro grips (HiViz included)



As the bottom two are available new, I'll address their use. The 4" 617 is a heck of a range gun - bullseye or plinker. It's weight, some 50% more than the 3" 63, makes it a bit heavy to tote. It's larger K-frame lockwork translates to a potentially lighter DA trigger than the smaller J-frame 63.

The 3" 63 is a bit less expensive. Mine came - NIB - with a better trigger than I had achieved after cleaning/lubing, spring changes, and lots of shooting with the similar 5" 63. It's smaller & lighter - begs to be carried. It is nearly as good at both plinking and bullseye use as my 4" 617.

Which would I keep if I could only have one? It's really a toss-up between the 3" 63 & 4" 617. If range trips are indicative - the 4" 617 hasn't made the trip in a while... the 3" 63 gets 'frequent range bag rider' points, however. Tough call!

Stainz

Just got a 63 from Bud's recently for about $605 I think it was. No tax or shipping.

__________________
Bud

Thanks for all the input fellas.

I will tell him

__________________
Jorge

!!!!!!!!! They ain't getting cheaper!

__________________
Forum consigliere

If I was going to buy a new S&W 22, it would be another 317, in
the 3", Hi-Viz configuration. It feels great in the hand, and is
more accurate than I can shoot it. Mine has a smooth DA trigger, and
SA seems okay, but I don't use it much.
That said, all S&W 22's are great deals. JMHO, TACC1.

In California the only legal S&W 22 LR revolvers are the 617 and 317. Also the new S&W model 17. All of these revolvers are very pricely. You might consider the Ruger SP101 22LR 8 shot revolver in a 4 inch barrel. These sell in California for as low as $525 to $550 new.
Hope this helps,
Regards
Howard

I'm looking to add a S&W .22 also. The 3" M63 would go nicely with my 3" M60. So would the 3" 317 for that matter, though being much lighter it would not duplicate the feel of the M60.

I'm also considering the older pre-lock M63 in 4", but they are hard to find.

The 10-shot M617 is really nice, but probably too heavy if my wife and grandkids are going to use it.

I've got a 17-3 that is the most accurate handgun I own. I paid about $350 for it 5 or six years ago. Prices have gone up since then. It is going out in the desert with me today.

It is perfect legal to buy one of the older ones in California if it was here before they started making lists of what you can own. It is also legal for someone to "import" one when they move here. You will find these for sale sometimes as well. Unfortunately, this climate makes the older ones more expensive in California.

I would love a 617 or 317, but my next .22 will likely be a Buckmark if I can find the right one when I have money in my pocket.

I know this is the S&W forum, but I have seen some Ruger Single Sixes for sale lately. If your dad is a fan of single actions...

Chubbs

I love 22s both rifles & handguns. Gots bunches of 'em. If I'm planning a range excursion, I tend to go with the heavier handguns. If I'm planning a handgun hunt with a 22 again I tend to go with a heavier hangun. If I'm planning a rifle or centerfire hangun hunt, in addition to my hunting arm I want a light(er) gun, on my hip, for dispatching game or putting meat in the camp pot, I want something light and reasonably accurate. The 317 Kit Gun is perfect in that role. It's so light I forget I'm even wearing it. And of course, for all practical purposes, the 22lr has no recoil so the gun could weigh 5oz and I wouldn't care. My 317 is becoming such a favorite of mine, that it has replaced some of the roles that I have other handguns for. I wouldn't think twice about using it for my primary arm hunting squirrels or rabbits, although I would prefer it in that role with a 4 or 5 inch barrel.

__________________
NRA Benefactor

I picked up a S&W K master piece revolver in 22lr w/6'' barrel in excellent condition and its awesome. I also have an older H&R 922 and a taurus 94 that don't even come close to the S&W. They shoot ok but lack the S&W quality.

Yes used guns can be brought by the public as private party transfers in a FFL licensed gun shop or at a pawn shop or gun shop on consignment. Both parties have to be present to do the transaction.
A gun shop cannot buy a old handgun from another state that is not on the approved handgun list and then sell it to a customer that lives in California. Here is the paragraph from the Department of Justice rules and regulations on sales of handguns in California.

Handgun Safety, Functionality, and Testing Requirements
No handgun may be manufactured or sold to the public in California unless it is of a make and
model that has passed required safety and functionality tests and is approved for publication in the
Department of Justice’s official list of handguns certified as safe for sale in California. Any person
who manufactures, imports into the state for sale, sells, gives, or lends an unsafe handgun is guilty
of a misdemeanor. (Penal Code § 12125.)
The current list of handguns certified as safe for sale in California is available on the
Bureau of Firearms website at http://www.ag.ca.gov/firearms/certlist.htm.
Exceptions
The prohibition against manufacturing, importing, selling, or giving an unsafe handgun does not
apply to the following:
• The manufacture in this state, or importation into this state, of any prototype handgun
when the manufacture or importation is for the sole purpose of allowing an independent
laboratory certified by the Department of Justice to conduct an independent test to determine
whether that handgun qualifies to be added to the roster of handguns that may be sold in this
state. (Penal Code § 12125.)
• The importation or lending of a handgun by employees or authorized agents of an
independent testing laboratory for purposes of determining whether the weapon meets
Department of Justice criteria to be added to the roster of handguns that may be sold in
this state. (Penal Code § 12125.)
California Firearms Laws 2007 35
• Firearms listed as curios or relics, as defined in Section 178.11 of Title 27 of the Code of
Federal Regulations. (Penal Code § 12125.)
The requirements for handguns to pass safety and functionality tests and to be listed in the
Department of Justice’s official list of handguns certified as safe for sale in California do not apply
to transactions involving the following:
• Private party transfers of handguns occurring through a firearms dealer. (Penal Code § 12132(a).)
• Firearm transfers that, subject to any specified exemption, are not required to be conducted
by firearms dealers. (Penal Code § 12132(b).)
• Sales, loans, or transfers of firearms listed as curios or relics, as defined in Section
178.11 of Title 27 of the Code of Federal Regulations. (Penal Code §§ 12132(c)
and (g).)
• The delivery of a handgun to a licensed firearms dealer for the purposes of servicing or
repairing that firearm and the subsequent return of the handgun by the licensed firearms
dealer to its owner. (Penal Code § 12132(d) and (e).)
• The return of a handgun by a licensed firearms dealer to its owner where that firearm
was initially delivered to that firearms dealer for the purpose of a consignment sale or
as collateral for a pawnbroker loan. (Penal Code § 12132(f).)
• Single-action revolvers with at least a five-cartridge capacity, a barrel length of not less than three
inches, and either:
(a) were originally manufactured prior to 1900 and are curios or relics, as defined in Section 178.11
of Title 27 of the Code of Federal Regulations; or
(b) have an overall length measured parallel to the barrel of at least seven and one-half
inches when the handle, frame or receiver, and barrel are assembled. (Penal Code § 12133.)
The chances of finding a used S&W 22 LR revolver in California are slim and none. I have been looking for a model 18 4 inch for sometime and only found one which was in bad condition. The gunshop wanted $650 for it. For that kind of money I would rather buy new.
Regards,
Howard

I concur. Search for a clean used one without a lock. They are NOT cheap but worth every cent.....

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

I'm of the opinion that J-frames are where it's at when it comes to .22s. I agree with the above post recommending the Model 34, as that's where you get the most bang for the buck. I'm partial to the Model 63, and my 2"-er is my most favorite firearm. Nevertheless, I had to pay through the nose to get it.

I purchased a 617 with a 4" barrel earlier this evening. When straight from the gun shop to a plate shoot for .22 caliber revolvers. The sights were off a bit but after I figured out where it was hitting I managed to do reasonably well. BTW my wife has a Model 63, a sweet J-frame. She beat me the first time we shot against each other: but as I started to learn the gun I managed to beat her the next two times we were paired off. Ten rounds vs eight made a big difference. I will dial the gun in over the weekend and should do much better at the next .22 revolver match. Depending on hand size either the 617 or the 63 are outstanding choices.

There are a couple of K-22s up for auction next month in Irvine, CA but I have a feeling they are going to be pricey.

Chubbs

California is becoming insane when it comes to any type of handgun. Just to clarify fyimo's post...back in 1999 when they were freaking out about what to do in case Bush didn't renew Clinton's "Assault Weapons Ban", they decided to come up with a devastating idea that sounds nice and safe if you weren't really paying attention. They (Feinstein, Boxer and their ilk) passed a bill that said that all handguns had to pass a safety "drop" test, where they drop a loaded pistol on the hammer 10 times from 6 feet and if it didn't discharge, it was approved. That doesn't sound too unreasonable, does it? OK...the problem lies in the small print that follows. The manufacturer has to pay the testing fees, which are insanely exorbitant. Thus, immediately, all handguns not in current production don't make the list because there is no one to pay for the test. So, only those handguns that sell enough to make it worth the mfg's money end up on the list. Further, (and this is really annoying)...bbl length, finish, or anything else that can differentiate one gun from another makes it a whole different test. So, you may be able to buy a blued gun, but not a nickel plated, of the exact same model. You might be able to buy a particular revolver with a 6" bbl, but not a 4" or 2". And, the testing processes are ongoing, so you need to check the approved list constantly. As an FFL, I find that most distributors and essentially all private parties won't mess with California, even with approved guns because of all the paperwork. The only exceptions are that all single action revolvers are acceptable. And, if you want something no longer being manufactured, if you can find a California resident who has what you want, it is still legal to do private party transfers between two California residents even if the guns are not on the approved list. But no unapproved guns can come in from out of state. I hope this clarifies...I know it doesn't help. Depending upon what you decide to do and where your dad lives, I might be able to assist. Sorry to be the bearer of such bad tidings, it exhausts me just explaining it. But, that's my calling in life. I have been told by many who know me that I may be the only one in America who has actually read all the bills in the House and Senate on Obamacare.

Roger that! I had been seeking a 4" 617 no-dash for a while and finally found a like-new one a few months ago for $639. I put a target trigger, hammer and Wolff spring kit in it and it is very enjoyable to shoot. Accurate too!

Ed

Attached Images

	pix808659986.jpg (46.1 KB, 58 views)
	pix392077964.jpg (44.6 KB, 50 views)