one eye joe
US Veteran
GREAT PERSPECTIVE, SPARROWBIRD.......
does a man really need a .22 caliber revolver?
- Thread starter mg357
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Shooting Padre
US Veteran
It's not always need
It's not about need, it's about obtaining a gun that will serve you. I have a K22 that you will have to pry out of my hands. It's a model 18, identical to my Model 15 .38. I can spend a lot of time training with the 18 at a far less cost than the 15, yet when I transfer to the higher caliber, everything but the muzzle blast is the same. I also enjoy small game hunting with it, as it is as accurate at proper ranges as any .22 rifle I have. So, no, maybe I don't need it. But I sure as heck want it. And I enjoy the @#*+@# out of it!!! Its not always about need. (Don't tell my wife that)
It's not about need, it's about obtaining a gun that will serve you. I have a K22 that you will have to pry out of my hands. It's a model 18, identical to my Model 15 .38. I can spend a lot of time training with the 18 at a far less cost than the 15, yet when I transfer to the higher caliber, everything but the muzzle blast is the same. I also enjoy small game hunting with it, as it is as accurate at proper ranges as any .22 rifle I have. So, no, maybe I don't need it. But I sure as heck want it. And I enjoy the @#*+@# out of it!!! Its not always about need. (Don't tell my wife that)
Horace & Daniel
Member
No. You need 2 or 3.
With the sky-high price of ammo, a .22 handgun makes great sense. If I could go back in time and buy a S&W Model 617 (or similar) instead of the Ruger Mk II I bought, I would do it in a heartbeat.
GB
Member
It is not a question of need. Because in this day and age you probably don't hunt to eat and while a 22 does fill the need of having a gun if you are in a gunfight, it ain't your best choice. It is more of a question of want. Do you want a 22 pistol? Revolver, semi-auto or single shot, they are all fun to shoot. Can you afford one. Smith pistols do seem to cost more than your run of the mill Ruger. My take is that if you want a 22 and aren't spending the rent money or the money for you heart transplant, find one that you like and can afford (bargins are out there!) buy it. When the right one comes along, you will know. It will feel right and it will speak to you. I currently own 3 Smiths (17/18/63) 2 Rugers, a Browning and a Colt conversion. I don't need any of them. None are for sale.
My new 617 has become my favorite handgun....
- I find revolvers more fun to shoot than semi-autos... they have more character, less drama (with the racking of the slide and all), and are just plain beautiful to look at
- Dirt cheap to shoot
- In my hands, it's the most accurate of my handguns
- Understudy to my 686
- Not intimidating for my wife/kids
- Easiest to clean of all my firearms - major issue for this lazy bum
- Will be my goto gun for SHTF/BOB for the combination of concealability, ammo portability, low decibels, and small game suitability. Obviously, another caliber would be better for self-defense, but the .22lr is nothing to sneeze at. All told, if I could only carry one gun, this is the leading contender.
Of course, the original post was of a cost/benefit question. My 617 is highest price I've paid for a handgun so far, but that doesn't bother me one bit since I believe that this gun will also fetch the highest resale price of any gun that I own (outright $ and % of original cost), although I doubt I'll ever sell it. A lot of work went into finding the damn thing in the first place. The constant pride of ownership well more than covers for anything I can possibly lose in depreciation.
After less than a month of ownership, I've already saved enough in centerfire ammo costs to cover a third of the purchase price.
- I find revolvers more fun to shoot than semi-autos... they have more character, less drama (with the racking of the slide and all), and are just plain beautiful to look at
- Dirt cheap to shoot
- In my hands, it's the most accurate of my handguns
- Understudy to my 686
- Not intimidating for my wife/kids
- Easiest to clean of all my firearms - major issue for this lazy bum
- Will be my goto gun for SHTF/BOB for the combination of concealability, ammo portability, low decibels, and small game suitability. Obviously, another caliber would be better for self-defense, but the .22lr is nothing to sneeze at. All told, if I could only carry one gun, this is the leading contender.
Of course, the original post was of a cost/benefit question. My 617 is highest price I've paid for a handgun so far, but that doesn't bother me one bit since I believe that this gun will also fetch the highest resale price of any gun that I own (outright $ and % of original cost), although I doubt I'll ever sell it. A lot of work went into finding the damn thing in the first place. The constant pride of ownership well more than covers for anything I can possibly lose in depreciation.
After less than a month of ownership, I've already saved enough in centerfire ammo costs to cover a third of the purchase price.
one eye joe
US Veteran
Welcome to the Forum, reppans. That's a pair that'll beat a full house......
S&W360Talo357
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I bought a Ruger Mark III 22/45 semi-auto and am glad I did. I don't feel guilty after shooting 300 shots at the range (1.75 for 50rounds)
Heritage Arms has .22 revolvers new for around $150. Haven't shot one and am sure the quality is significantly less than most other revolvers, but for a .22 might not be a bad idea.
Heritage Arms has .22 revolvers new for around $150. Haven't shot one and am sure the quality is significantly less than most other revolvers, but for a .22 might not be a bad idea.
Kavinsky
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if you want to get good at double action shooting on a budget I'd say yes and if price is a concern just go for one of the old H and R's like the 999 top break or a sentinel for a couple hundred bucks
but when it comes to a great 22 revolver look no further than the smith and wesson model 17, I got my hands on a worn beat to hell pre 17 for 450 bucks that I shoot most of the time and its not only a beaute with that patina its also fun to shoot.
hell its thee gun I managed to fire 6 shots out of at 25 yards all double action and nearly put them all in one hole on the bullseye, just one thing though, clean it a day or so after your done shooting as it just starts to seem tedious if you clean it a few hours after you come home from a range sesion.
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three-five-seven
Member
One more person to reply re: 22 revolver
Yes its practical and for all the above reasons that everyone else has stated. A 22 magnum K frame (648) is also good to have too. I have both!
Yes its practical and for all the above reasons that everyone else has stated. A 22 magnum K frame (648) is also good to have too. I have both!
mc5aw
Member
When I'm at the range, I have my trusty .22 snub packed with a box of ammo in addition to whatever my primary shooting revolver is that session. It's a great way to either practice controlled shooting or to simply unwind when the big caliber ammo is gone.
Fred4659
Does anyone have experience with the 43C? I'm looking for a .22 for my wife to learn with and the 43C is almost a duplicate of my Ruger LCR in size, shape and specs. But the Ruger recoil is a little too much for her to start with.
Does anyone have experience with the 43C? I'm looking for a .22 for my wife to learn with and the 43C is almost a duplicate of my Ruger LCR in size, shape and specs. But the Ruger recoil is a little too much for her to start with.
scott625b
Member
Heck yea! The .22 whether a semi-auto or revolver is a great tool for teaching/training and introducing shooting to others. I have seen too many "Macho" guys that want to introduce their girlfriends/wives or other interested party to the sport only to hand them a rotating or semiauto hand cannon that just scares/intimidates/drives the wife/girlfriend away. In my opinion, why not allow for some success and accomplishment for a first-time shooter? They can always graduate up to a larger gun later.
williamlayton
Member
I am late on this--and/or/but---no one needs one. A closet full might be 1 or two too many---on the other hand--build a new closet and keep on keepin on.
Blessings
Blessings
mkk41
US Veteran
Nothing beats a nice afternoon of being out on some nice green grass and hitting a few golf balls , , , with a .22 handgun!
A man or woman needs several .22 revolvers It is nice to have some nice, accurate revolvers that you can afford to shoot at any time and at almost any quantity. .22's get a bad rap from people who only shoot/have shot the cheap ones. A S&W model 17 or 617 (or K-22, 34, or 63) is every bit the superb shooting iron its bigger bore siblings are. I wish I could afford the amount of .38 Spl. and .44 Spl/Mag ammo I'd like to shoot (yes, I reload), but I can't so the model 17's and my 617 get a lot of range time.
It is nice to have some nice, accurate revolvers that you can afford to shoot at any time and at almost any quantity. .22's get a bad rap from people who only shoot/have shot the cheap ones. A S&W model 17 or 617 (or K-22, 34, or 63) is every bit the superb shooting iron its bigger bore siblings are. I wish I could afford the amount of .38 Spl. and .44 Spl/Mag ammo I'd like to shoot (yes, I reload), but I can't so the model 17's and my 617 get a lot of range time.gilroy
Member
Honestly, I own several Smiths in several cals. My K-22 is indeed the most fun to shoot. Knowing I am not spending a months lunch money for a afternoon of shooting just makes it more fun!
You might want to consider a Kel-Tec P32. The difference in recoil between the .32 acp and the .380 acp is quite remarkable. My P32 has been 100% from day one. I don't carry it much because I prefer the .380 but for someone that is recoil sensitive, it's a great alternative.
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