.22 Revolver recommendations
- Thread starter russp1
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The 617, most any dash number, is a great choice. S&W made lots of them, still is making lots of them. For the same size but in blue you might look for a 17 or 18; S&W cranked those out from just after the end of WWII until the 617. And maybe still make it as the 17 Masterpiece, did the last time I checked. Lots and lots of 17s and 18s out there and they are great revolvers. Good luck.
Here's an interesting one, but don't bother to look for one for sale, there aren't any; 617 Mountain Gun.
Jeff
SWCA #1457
https://flic.kr/p/2onDUTh https://www.flickr.com/photos/194934231@N03/
Here's an interesting one, but don't bother to look for one for sale, there aren't any; 617 Mountain Gun.
Jeff
SWCA #1457
https://flic.kr/p/2onDUTh https://www.flickr.com/photos/194934231@N03/
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mikeruns
Member
Charter Arms has a couple decent ones, Ruger has the LCR in both dao and traditional da, Colt has a new one out, I think Taurus still has one...
On the secondary market, you may find a deal on s&w model 17 or 18 which are my personal faves that I have, I found an early 617 at a show a few years back and paid $600. You may find some on this ste's classified ads and or auction sires or at gunshows locally...gun shows are where I usually have good luck though you may luck into one at a pawn store or used section in a gun store. You should check the manufactorer's sites on the earlier mentioned ones I noted and see what options they have and, I look up vids on youtube to watch other folks sharing their thoughts and opinions. My faves mentioned above can be found in many states of use depending on condition from maybe $500 well used to over $1000 and up for mint in box and variations and collectibilty. Good luck!
On the secondary market, you may find a deal on s&w model 17 or 18 which are my personal faves that I have, I found an early 617 at a show a few years back and paid $600. You may find some on this ste's classified ads and or auction sires or at gunshows locally...gun shows are where I usually have good luck though you may luck into one at a pawn store or used section in a gun store. You should check the manufactorer's sites on the earlier mentioned ones I noted and see what options they have and, I look up vids on youtube to watch other folks sharing their thoughts and opinions. My faves mentioned above can be found in many states of use depending on condition from maybe $500 well used to over $1000 and up for mint in box and variations and collectibilty. Good luck!
63's are nice, but a bit smaller.
rockquarry
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I don't care for pure single-actions either, but that's the way I shoot double-action .22 revolvers. A modern S&W would be fine and they may outshoot the older ones, but I've had very good results with a 17, an 18, an old Model Colt Trooper 4", and a Colt Officer's Model Match 6". All these guns shoot equally well, but I haven't bought a handgun in years and am not up on current costs and availability.
You can go with lesser guns than Colt and S&W and spend less but the latter will old value well and always be more desirable at sale or trade time. That might not be true of the others even if they turn out to be excellent guns. You don't want to buy something too soon then wish you had held out for something better.
You can go with lesser guns than Colt and S&W and spend less but the latter will old value well and always be more desirable at sale or trade time. That might not be true of the others even if they turn out to be excellent guns. You don't want to buy something too soon then wish you had held out for something better.
My vote goes to the 617, such a nice firearm that will last a lifetime, worth some waiting in my opinion. Was rare around here for a while too, but now it's readily available, both 4" and 6". Pretty sure S&W is producing a LOT of these.
I have a model 17and18 along with a colt officers model match. The model18 makes it the range more often than the other 2. I’d go for a 18 or a 4in 617.
If you can find one at a decent price vs. condition, try looking for a K22 Masterpiece, or even a model 17. Any S&W .22 LR it would be hard to find a bad one. Older the better usually, but the stainless models would be better for longevity. Good luck!
Rodfac
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I've got a Smith M63 and a M18...For SA/DA revolvers, I doubt you can do better.
The 3 yr old 63 had a good SA trigger right out of the box but the DA was overweight and scratchy. Too, the gun locked up on day one after 50 rounds or so. During that time, I was sprayed with burnt powder and lead particles due to an uneven cylinder/forcing cone gap (0.004" at top, 0.012" at the bottom). A call to S&W got me a FEDEX shipping label and I had the gun back in ~2 months, all on their dime.
All was made right: new barrel, hand, cylinder and they'd done a pretty good trigger job on it as well. It shouldn't have left the factory in that condition, but they did make good on it in the end.
The M-63's a 3" bbl'd, casual carry piece for me when walking out my pointer pup and as a fishing vest companion. Accuracy with that short bbl. is great; with CCI Mini Mags or Standard velocity running ~1" at 10 yds from my unsupported Weaver Stance. I'm not crazy about the fiber optic front sight, but, contrary to my objection to it, the gun's quite accurate even with the short bbl. Overall, it's a good gun, even with its teething pains.
The M18 was in almost NIB condition when I bought it off GB, for $400 three years ago. No box or nor paper and I was the only bidder. Go figure.
Initially, it had sticky charge holes, requiring a hefty smack on the ejector rod, but some light polishing with JB Bore paste on a cotton bore mop helped with the problem, and the borrowed finish reamer available here on the forum, took care of the rest. BTW, the reaming did not diminish accuracy whatsoever. Both triggers were superb as I received it and its accuracy rivals that of my late '68 vintage Smith M-41. For woods carry and as an understudy for my M-19's, M-66, M-67, M-686, & M-27, it's unbeatable. I truly love the gun....
Synopsis: For a tackle box, kit gun etc., the M-63 with a 3" bbl. is just right and its light weight makes it an easy choice. But for the sheer love of punching target paper or tin cans out to 50 yds or cheap practice for the center fires, the M-18 is the winner.
I found a Diamondback Colt 20+ years ago for ~$400 or so, loved the look of it but found it was just not as accurate as a friend's M-18 Smith. Later, my own M-18 proved to be just as superior to the Colt. They're collector items now...the Colts, and just not contenders as field carry arms, IMHO.
Pics below of each; last pic of my M-18 & Colt Diamondback .22.
Rod
The 3 yr old 63 had a good SA trigger right out of the box but the DA was overweight and scratchy. Too, the gun locked up on day one after 50 rounds or so. During that time, I was sprayed with burnt powder and lead particles due to an uneven cylinder/forcing cone gap (0.004" at top, 0.012" at the bottom). A call to S&W got me a FEDEX shipping label and I had the gun back in ~2 months, all on their dime.
All was made right: new barrel, hand, cylinder and they'd done a pretty good trigger job on it as well. It shouldn't have left the factory in that condition, but they did make good on it in the end.
The M-63's a 3" bbl'd, casual carry piece for me when walking out my pointer pup and as a fishing vest companion. Accuracy with that short bbl. is great; with CCI Mini Mags or Standard velocity running ~1" at 10 yds from my unsupported Weaver Stance. I'm not crazy about the fiber optic front sight, but, contrary to my objection to it, the gun's quite accurate even with the short bbl. Overall, it's a good gun, even with its teething pains.
The M18 was in almost NIB condition when I bought it off GB, for $400 three years ago. No box or nor paper and I was the only bidder. Go figure.
Initially, it had sticky charge holes, requiring a hefty smack on the ejector rod, but some light polishing with JB Bore paste on a cotton bore mop helped with the problem, and the borrowed finish reamer available here on the forum, took care of the rest. BTW, the reaming did not diminish accuracy whatsoever. Both triggers were superb as I received it and its accuracy rivals that of my late '68 vintage Smith M-41. For woods carry and as an understudy for my M-19's, M-66, M-67, M-686, & M-27, it's unbeatable. I truly love the gun....
Synopsis: For a tackle box, kit gun etc., the M-63 with a 3" bbl. is just right and its light weight makes it an easy choice. But for the sheer love of punching target paper or tin cans out to 50 yds or cheap practice for the center fires, the M-18 is the winner.
I found a Diamondback Colt 20+ years ago for ~$400 or so, loved the look of it but found it was just not as accurate as a friend's M-18 Smith. Later, my own M-18 proved to be just as superior to the Colt. They're collector items now...the Colts, and just not contenders as field carry arms, IMHO.
Pics below of each; last pic of my M-18 & Colt Diamondback .22.
Rod
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Amp
Member
Find a 617.
I shoot mine about as well as my 41 at bullseye league.
I shoot mine about as well as my 41 at bullseye league.
.22 Revolver
Many people believe, myself included, that the Model 617 is the finest .22 production target revolver extant. My 617, 10 shot, 6" barrel is a tack driver, but too heavy to carry in the field. A Model 34, 4" barrel is a wonderful kit gun for backpack or fishing tackle box. The Model 63 with a 4 or 5" barrel is the same gun in a more practical stainless. Don't ignore the Ruger Super Single Six in .22LR/.22 Mag (particularly the Old Model 3-screw versions) which are far less expensive than the Smiths , very accurate, and will last several lifetimes Best of luck and good shooting.
Many people believe, myself included, that the Model 617 is the finest .22 production target revolver extant. My 617, 10 shot, 6" barrel is a tack driver, but too heavy to carry in the field. A Model 34, 4" barrel is a wonderful kit gun for backpack or fishing tackle box. The Model 63 with a 4 or 5" barrel is the same gun in a more practical stainless. Don't ignore the Ruger Super Single Six in .22LR/.22 Mag (particularly the Old Model 3-screw versions) which are far less expensive than the Smiths , very accurate, and will last several lifetimes Best of luck and good shooting.
Model 17, Model 18 or K22. Can't go wrong wither either of these
rockquarry
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I'd never recommend a Diamondback if you're looking for an accurate revolver. I've had two 6" guns for many years. While fairly accurate, neither comes close to most of the other S&W and Colt revolvers already mentioned in this thread. And they're outrageously expensive. Diamondback .22s have much more in the way of cosmetic appeal than they do usefulness.
You can’t go wrong with any 22lr from Smith or Colt.
4” 17-6 22lr
6” 17-6 22lr
6” Colt Diamondback 22lr
6” 617 22lr
4” 17-6 22lr
6” 17-6 22lr
6” Colt Diamondback 22lr
6” 617 22lr
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SweetMK
Member
Everyone that shoots this Leupold equipped 617 falls in love with it,,
The scoped pistol is even preferred over this 617,,
AND, age isn't even a deciding factor,, the scope is VERY nice.
The scoped pistol is even preferred over this 617,,
AND, age isn't even a deciding factor,, the scope is VERY nice.
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Yep, S&W Model 617's are fun guns.
Gotta have one, or two, or maybe three.
bdGreen
Tap on image to enlarge.
Gotta have one, or two, or maybe three.
bdGreen
Tap on image to enlarge.
357 shooter
Member
Have a pair of 22lr revolvers acquired in the last few years - a 4" 617-1 and 6" 617-5. The 4" is one of the best balanced revolvers I've ever fired. But I am more consistently accurate with the 6". The 617-5 6" even gives my 41 competition on the target range.
It all depends what you want a .22 revolver for and what your budget is. I've owned a S&W model 17 and now own a model 18 and 63. Be advised, if you buy any of these, you might end up with overly tight chambers that require using a finishing reamer to open up the charging holes a tad.
KarmannGhia
Member
I like the Ruger Single Six and Bearcat, but they are single action. Double action used, I have or had: S&W 34 or 17. Ruger SP101. H&R 999. My 4 inch 34 is my favorite, but the H&R has the cool factor of being a top break. The SP is built like a tank and is stainless. All are great guns.
