Best S&W .22LR revolver?

[Tanners Owner]

I own a M63 no dash and M617-6 and recently due to the ammo shortages have rediscovered the joys of shooting these guns. This got me wondering what the team here thinks is the best 22 S&W revolver readily available.

Fully recognize the different models have different purposes, but if you had only one option to satisfy all your 22 wheelgun needs, which one would it be?

For me, it would probably be the 617, though I could be convinced otherwise....

 

[Pine_Worker]

For me, the model 17.

 

[Doug44]

The 617, 10 shot.

 

[jeffrefrig]

Since K22 is no longer readily available, gotta go with the M17.

 

[prairieviper]

The 617, 10 shots, 6 inch barrel is what works for me.

 

[357 shooter]

My 617-1 4" and recently acquired 617-5 6" are the only Smith 22s I have so 617 for me. But I would not turn down a deal on an older 18 or 17.

 

[rockquarry]

Model 18. Just as accurate as the Model 17 and easier to shoot well than the 63 or 34.

 

[Bhfromme]

If we're talking new inventory my vote would without a doubt be the 63.

All time favorite would be the 18.

 

[BAM-BAM]

Well for "there can be only one" ....my 4" 617 no dash.

Back up choice would be an older 4" 18.

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

BEST is the one you own and enjoy. Or your opinion really only matters to you.

 

[studenygreg]

I really like my 617 4". I had sp101 4" that was nice too. I just didn't need both

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

 

[DeplorabusUnum]

I'd been wanting a K22 for awhile. After doing some research, and reading opinions on the forum, I decided to get the 17. But we all know opinions are like... well you know.

 

[clang444]

I voted M18, but any 4" K frame, or maybe a 6" K frame without the full under-lug would do.

 

[mgriffin]

Model 63 for me. It is what I used to introduce my wife, Grandson and Granddaughter to shooting. All steel, 3" barrel plenty accurate for 7-10 yards and for new shooter it has enough weight so the gun don't recoil and scare them away.

 

[Loyaljeeper]

I picked the 43 because it is the only one in current production without a lock.

 

[NYlakesider]

I have a 17 6'' and a 18. While both are very good guns the 18 with the shorter barrel length just feels better.

 

[wproct]

My only .22 double action revolver is my 617-1 with 4 inch bbl. I also had a 617 no dash 6 inch bbl full target & hammer which I sold, sure wish I hadn't done that.

 

[m657]

My 17-3 8-3/8" 6 shot is simply magnificent now and over the past nearly 50 years. I never could get the absolute best groups from the 617-4" yet it has other considerable advantages.


Not ready to concede to geezer peepers, I added a 617-6" and gained considerable group size improvement....the final addition of a Red Dot has made it possible for *me* to make groups 'nearly' as good as the 17-3.


Entirely pleasing, the lot of 'em. I was inspired in Speed Steel by an LEO who demonstrated monthly what one could expect from a well tuned 18, yet after looking for decades, just never came across one locally.



So my choice in the above poll 'for all things' the 6" 617. With Red Dot.

 

[KalamazooKid]

Best S&W .22LR revolver?

If I could only have one, it would definitely be a Model 17, probably just like this one with the 3T's .....

Nice thing is they really are readily available, nicer examples are somewhat expensive however.

They’ve provided so many hours of fun shooting for me and the whole family.

 

[BubbaBlades]

I would choose a Model 17 if I was limited to post 1980 revolvers, however, my favorite .22 revolver is my Model 35 which I think of as a lightweight Model 17.