.22/32 fun at the range

[runscott]

Took these two out to the range for the first time last week. I mistakenly thought the 3" 60-15 .357 would be fun to shoot and planned on giving it to my gf. That would have been a big mistake. I knew the .22 would be pleasant. The .357 was anything but pleasant - 5 rounds of .357 were hell, but 10 rounds of .38 were fine.

I then moved to the .22 - I had not fired anything but .357 and .38 since about 1985 and had forgotten how much fun it is to shoot a .22, but this particular revolver is really a pleasure, and I love the Bekaert-style targets. The SN dates it to 1938/39. It was very nasty when I received it - gunk in all the cracks, brown goo came out of the chambers during cleaning - but looked cosmetically like it had seen little action. I guessed it had maybe been kept in a bag and taken on fishing trips and never (or rarely) cleaned and seldom fired. Double-action was tough, cocking the hammer was tough as well. I fired about 30 rounds in double-action, then tried single. Very, very light trigger that I wasn't ready for. You touch the trigger and it fires. I'm looking forward to taking it to the range again this week.

This is my first S&W .22 - any recommendations on other models to try?

 

[delcrossv]

Here's a selection: K22, Model 35-1, HFT (which you have) and a Ladysmith target.

 

[larryofcc]

Took these two out to the range for the first time last week. I mistakenly thought the 3" 60-15 .357 would be fun to shoot and planned on giving it to my gf. That would have been a big mistake. I knew the .22 would be pleasant. The .357 was anything but pleasant - 5 rounds of .357 were hell, but 10 rounds of .38 were fine.

I then moved to the .22 - I had not fired anything but .357 and .38 since about 1985 and had forgotten how much fun it is to shoot a .22, but this particular revolver is really a pleasure, and I love the Bekaert-style targets. The SN dates it to 1938/39. It was very nasty when I received it - gunk in all the cracks, brown goo came out of the chambers during cleaning - but looked cosmetically like it had seen little action. I guessed it had maybe been kept in a bag and taken on fishing trips and never (or rarely) cleaned and seldom fired. Double-action was tough, cocking the hammer was tough as well. I fired about 30 rounds in double-action, then tried single. Very, very light trigger that I wasn't ready for. You touch the trigger and it fires. I'm looking forward to taking it to the range again this week.

This is my first S&W .22 - any recommendations on other models to try?

Years ago, I bought a 2" M66. Took it to the range and loaded 6 full charge 357 loads into it. Fired it maybe 3 times, unloaded it and sold it. Sindged my eyelashes. Not my idea of fun. Big Larry

 

[runscott]

Years ago, I bought a 2" M66. Took it to the range and loaded 6 full charge 357 loads into it. Fired it maybe 3 times, unloaded it and sold it. Sindged my eyelashes. Not my idea of fun. Big Larry

I have a 4" 19-3 that I can shoot as much as I want with .357. I would have thought a shorter barrel SS M66 would be okay, but my hands are weaker than average so I'll resist such temptations.

 

[larryofcc]

I have a 4" 19-3 that I can shoot as much as I want with .357. I would have thought a shorter barrel SS M66 would be okay, but my hands are weaker than average so I'll resist such temptations.

At 77, I have lost all desire to shoot full bore ammo of any caliber. I just love shooting my 22's, and I have plenty of them. Over 80 at last count. When I do shoot the big bores, I handload them way down for better accuracy. I have a M66-0 4",that I have had for several years and have yet to shoot it. Big Larry

 

[Waveski]

" The .357 was anything but pleasant - 5 rounds of .357 were hell, but 10 rounds of .38 were fine"

Modern metallurgy and engineering has made it possible to chamber a J frame in .357 magnum. That does not mean that it is a good idea , not in my book anyway.

 

[daddio202]

Just trying to recommend other models that are a pure joy to shoot. The 32/20 round is a real good. Kind of snappy but similar to shooting a wadcutter.38 special. Many old M&P 1905 k frames but they are usually rather worn or well used if you find them due to being a common cartridge close to WW1 time frame. Also 38S&W (not 38special!) is a different round not really in use now days. Many victory and pre victory models made to chamber this round for WW2. Both older models but a lot of fun to shoot and ammo in both are easy to find online.

 

[H Richard]

Any of the 32 Long revolvers, especially the Pre 30 and 31 and the 30 & 31, are so much fun. Serious enough firepower that you could carry, but a great plinking round. In the K Frame (K32 through 16-4) is a real *****cat. Inherently accurate.

 

[delcrossv]

Any of the 32 Long revolvers, especially the Pre 30 and 31 and the 30 & 31, are so much fun. Serious enough firepower that you could carry, but a great plinking round. In the K Frame (K32 through 16-4) is a real *****cat. Inherently accurate.

+1. Couldn't agree more. There's good reason for the I frame .32's long term popularity.

Gratuitous photo:

 

[Green Frog]

Any of the 32 Long revolvers, especially the Pre 30 and 31 and the 30 & 31, are so much fun. Serious enough firepower that you could carry, but a great plinking round. In the K Frame (K32 through 16-4) is a real *****cat. Inherently accurate.

Years ago in the old Shooters.com Forum I first encountered the term, "woods walking gun." The little I- and J-frame 32s and 22s definitely fit this term to a "T." They define the very essence of fun gun, and can ride along at hip or shoulder, totally unnoticed until need or desire calls them forth. Field, range, or woodland, they are a great companion all the time!

Froggie

 

[runscott]

Thanks for all the recommendations - I look forward to an early 2020 revolver search to check out some of these recommendations.