I am thinking a 3" or 4" 22 revolver might be fun to shoot at the range or for plinking.

I already have two longer barrel .22s inbound. The first is a spiffy 35-1 with an 8" barrel. EDIT: oops! six inch barrel. And a model 17-6 that comes with a scope...I don't know if I would use a scope since all my shooting now is at 25 yard indoor ranges.

What to buy?

Perhaps an alloy gun like the 317, but what frame to get? Maybe a 4" K frame model....would that be the 63? The 35-1 is a J frame. An L frame revolver in .22? Is there one.

I am particular to Smiths. I know there is a SP101 chammbered in .22 but.... I like S&W.

So what is your favorite fun .22 revolver under 5 inches.

Trolley

Take a look at a model 18 (4" K-22) My favorite plinker.

I love my 317 kit gun, I'm also thinking about picking up a new 63 kit gun to keep it company...

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Any accuracy problems with the 317? It got a poor review from Nutnfancy on YouTube. It was nearly a 20 minute review. Maybe he had a bad one. It happens. How about you? If I did not think it might be a good gun I would not have mentioned.

Thanks.

Trolley

No problems with mine but it is a pre-lock 317-1 so no idea if there's any issues with the new ones but I don't know why there would be. The trigger is a tad heavy but that's expected from a rimfire revolver. I think the 3" kit version is perfect for a .22, ymmv.

Either a 4" model 18 or 63 would seem to fit your checklist. Some find the extra weight of the K frame makes it a steadier shooter, but larger stocks on a J frame can make up for this.

By the way, an 8" model 35-1 would be quite the rare bird .

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

Most fun short .22 I own. Paid $300 for it last year. Joe

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Wisdom chases me; I'm faster

never seen a 35-1 with an 8 in bbl. try a 2in bbl model 34. one of my wifes' favorites.

I was in the same boat and wanted a shorter barreled .22. I purchased a new S&W 63-5 3" barrel. Not cheap, but I have no regrets. Let my wife try it at the range and finally got it back 250 rounds later. All stainless steel.

[IMG][/IMG]

You will need to get one of these MrTrolleyguy, it has a 3" barrel. Don't worry, the whole family will like it!!!

Ken this may be the one for me. I have cruising the web looking for one since I read your thread.

Trolley

I bought a Model 63 Kit Gun for my wife had some work done to it by Jim Hoag and put a pair of Spegel's (Birdseye Maple) on it for her. She absolutely loves it, so do I when i get a chance to shoot it...

Mike

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I have a model 63 that I added target stocks to. It shoots great and it's very accurate.

I looked in all the spots where I saw them for sale and did not see any. I hear they can be hard to get a hold of. You could PM me if you want the phone# of where I got mine and see what is going on.

The new kit guns are great on the hip in any environment. Mine has run fine for thousands of rounds.

Here's my 34-1, 4" J frame. Shoots great. If I were buying a new one, it would be the 3" 63.

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But then, what do I know?

I dream of an early 2" model 34

Hard to beat the three inch 63

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JR

I had a 317 and sold it. It was just too light for me to be able to shoot it reasonably well.
Recently I bought a 63, 3" and like it a lot better.
My favorite though is my 4" 617.
If you want a smaller nd lighter gun, I think the 63 is hard to beat. If a larger size fits your plan, the 617 is a real nice gun.

Get a 18 4". Mine is a 4 screw and it's a tack driver. Can't miss.

You can't do better than a 4" 617. It is one of my favorites.

Ok, I know you like Smiths, who here doesn't? But I recently bought the new Rossi Plinker 4", half the money, very impressive. I'm not a a Rossi or Taurus fanboy, but it's got a nice blue job, SA and DA trigger are are as good as my 2 Smiths(a 581 and a new production Classic 29-10, both 4", blue. As for durability, time will tell, as the lock work is not identical. Don't overlook this little gun, especially if you're on a budget, it's appears well made, full length barrel shroud and vent rib, FO front sight, about $350 OTD at Cabelas, if you can find it. Weighs 29 ozs., also made in 2 and 6" models. I think this revolver will give Smith and Ruger a run for the money. Tolerances are tight, ejection is fine with W-W, R-P and CCI, haven't been able to find Federal to try it. The fact that it it isn't stainless is fine by me. The sights are great for my old eyes, weight is perfect for me, grips are comfortable, trigger is fantastic. What more do you need?

Another vote for the 3 inch model 63. We like ours and it is a good compliment to our model 617.

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Dean
NRA Life Member

The kit guns are so nice, hard to pass up.
The 2" ones are amazingly accurate and have a nice "heft" to them.
I'll even admit to carrying mine, loaded with Velocitors, from time to time.

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-jwk-
US Army '72-'95