Looking for a plinking revolver

[BC38]

Where in heavens name can you get an M 10 for under $300. I will send you a money order. How much does it cost to mail it from Bolivia to Florida?

Look for police/rent-a-cop trade-ins.
Buds, AIM, J&G, SOSS, Summit Gunbroker all get batches of them, fewer as time moves on, of course.
Most are ugly but great shooters.

^^What he said^^

No need to send the check to me - you can send it to one of the sellers mentioned above.

Now if you want to send me a check as a small token of your appreciation, or as a finders fee, or for any other reason, I'll happily cash it!

And FWIW, I bought a M15-5 earlier this year at an auction for $190. An exceptional deal to be sure, but deals are still out there to be had....

 

[Capttjk1]

I just bought a NIB S&W 63 about a month ago. Great little plinking gun. I have been shooting a ton of .22Short through it. Lots of fun.

 

[therewolf]

A High-Standard Sentinel (R101)

Nice little 9-shot 22LR. Also shoots 22, and 22short.

If you can find one...

 

[mtgianni]

A High-Standard Sentinel (R101)

Nice little 9-shot 22LR. Also shoots 22, and 22short.

If you can find one...

These show up on gunbroker often. Most are in decent shape as shooters. My two a 106 and a 104 will put 9 22 bullets in 1 1/2" @ 25 yards which is all I ask of them.

 

[SpecRacer]

A High-Standard Sentinel (R101)

Nice little 9-shot 22LR. Also shoots 22, and 22short.

If you can find one...

I seem to remember that they sold a three gun set back in the 60's that were Gold, Silver and Pink. I may be wrong about the silver, it may have been another color. I bet today they are worth thousands in fine condition. I have never seen the set for sale. They were extraordinary.

 

[Bosquebass]

A High-Standard Sentinel (R101)

Nice little 9-shot 22LR. Also shoots 22, and 22short.

If you can find one...

If you don't mind a store brand gun look for a JC Higgins model 88. These were made by High Standard and sold by Sears in the 50's and early 60's. Same gun with a different grip frame. I bought one in a pawn shop this year for $190 out the door. Great little shooter.

 

[frankcr]

If I wanted something for just plinking, I would look at a Heritage Rough Rider with or without adjustable sights. A single action is hard to beat for plinking fun.

 

[Road Rat]

Buds Gun Shop has Model 10's for $317.....there was a code you could put in and drop that to $287 but I don't know if that is still available....Free shipping also.

No one has mentioned the old Harrington and Richardson nine shot revolvers. But, they would probably be more than a new Heritage (bought my last 3 for under $200 OTD with both cylinders).

 

[SpecRacer]

If you buy a .38 from Bud's it was possibly involved in shooting Butch Cassidy.

 

[rwsmith]

Second the model 10...

No matter what age and as long as the internal works are good. Doesn't matter how beat up. Just get a 4" barrel and not a snub. The snubs are super fine guns but without needed to carry, a couple inches of barrel does nothing but help hit targets at a longer distance.

Now hickok45 on youtube can shoot a sub compact like nobody's business, but I'm not like that, and without a LOT of practice I'll bet most people aren't either.

 

[BigBill]

H&R 22cal revolver.

 

[SpecRacer]

You can get a barrel anywhere for less than 20 bucks. A little wood, a nail and some rubber bands and you are good to go. We did a lot of "plinkin" back in the day in Brooklyn. My great uncle Fabio started with this and still rules Canarsie numbers.

 

[Green Frog]

From the number and type of responses you got within the first 12 hours of your post, you can see that this question needs a bit of qualification. What kind of volume do you plan to be shooting, do you reload, and how much money do you consider "cheap?" At this point, you might well get a better than average deal on one of the S&W 22s and have something that would actually increase in value if and when ammo supplies catch up with demand... otherwise, a lesser 22 such as the High Standard (which would be my preference since it was my first handgun) or the H&R would work but still requires difficult to find (now) ammo.

A center fire revolver such as a Model 10 can be found cheaply as can Charter Arms, Rossi and Taurus, but ammo is more expensive if you don't reload and always will be. That part of the equation needs examining.

I'll mention my favorite plinker, which hasn't been mentioned. I reload, so it's center fire but it's not a 38. I like 32s because I can reload them cheaply and recoil is about like a 22. Keep in mind that I cast my own bullets though, so my cash outlay is only for primers and tiny amounts of powder. That's my story and I'm sticking to it!

Froggie

 

[frankcr]

Threads such as this always brings out folks wanting to post about their own favorites and tangent off to reloading or showing very expensive finds they picked up cheap.

Anyone who has reached the stage that he reloads and has the required equipment is not going to be asking about an inexpensive plinker, but someone unfamiliar with firearms would ask that question. The replies should be directed at realistic answers rather than an opportunity to show off pet setups.

I do enjoy seeing what some use for plinking, but most of the replies are not very applicable for someone wanting an arm to plink at cans with.

 

[bananaman]

I have got to say a 4" K frame in .38 Special. Yes, it does help if you reload. It is hard to find .22's in my area. Some ammo feeds poorly in some guns. My 22A was a prime example. As accurate as it was, it's gone. I am down to 1 .22, and sold off all, but 1 brick of ammo. Bob

 

[WisconsinKen]

I agree, the 22 Kit Guns would be my first recommendation, but if your budget is really constrained, it's hard to be a Heritage Rough Rider that you can buy for $200.

I agree on the Heritage Rough Rider. I picked up one at Cabella's on Black Friday for $99. There are lots of the 4.75-6.5' on our favorite gun action site for $119. Hard to beat this level of "economy." 22LR should come down some day. This is just like the black rifle hoarding days when basic ARs were over $1000 and now there are sub $500 deals out there. I also like 22 because it is the softest shooting for teaching purposes.

 

[sarg1c]

Best "plinking" revolver ever built was the J Frame .22's. Mod. 34, Mod 63, all the Kit Guns.

well,I have to agree with you on the 63 if you are in the need for a .22.Also a charter arms .22 stainless shoots great and a lot cheaper (less expensive) .The Rugers are great also. Best thing to do is go to a LGS. and hold one of your choice.You are probably like anyone else, There are some model you will like more than others. I reload so center fire like the .380 or.38Special are my favorite along with the 9mm.As someone has stated,the Heritage Rough riders are also great for single action plinking and very reasonable.

 

[NJM15]

Inexpensive plinker

I have a model 17 but wanted to try something different so I got a Rossi model 98 plinker 8 shot its not a Smith but it shoots straight and narrow for 338.00

 

[ColbyBruce]

I am a huge fan of S&W fixed sight, K frame revolvers. I currently own seven. Such a handgun will handle a wide variety of ammo from shot shells, light target, to self defense loads. Simply swap the stocks to fit the hands of anyone eight to eighty. The proper holster and belt combination allow it to be carried concealed.

The 3" heavy barrel, round butt, stainless versions are my favorite.

 

[BC38]

Threads such as this always brings out folks wanting to post about their own favorites and tangent off to reloading or showing very expensive finds they picked up cheap.

Anyone who has reached the stage that he reloads and has the required equipment is not going to be asking about an inexpensive plinker, but someone unfamiliar with firearms would ask that question. The replies should be directed at realistic answers rather than an opportunity to show off pet setups.

I do enjoy seeing what some use for plinking, but most of the replies are not very applicable for someone wanting an arm to plink at cans with.

Well, since I'm obviously one of these "show off" folks please note that my comments regarding reloading 38 spl. were prefaced with "IF you reload OR know someone who does".

And I still stand by my M10 recommendation. Good used ones can be had for the same price as a quality 22, and even if you only shoot factory loaded ammo, you can always sell your once-fired brass for 5-10 cents each and bring the cost to shoot it back down into the same ballpark as 22LR.

Not to mention that you can still find 38 spl. just about anywhere (Wallyworld) while 22LR is still as elusive as unicorn flatulence in a lot of places. And to reiterate; the 38 is a lot more fun to shoot and far more versatile than any 22LR IMO.

 

[SpecRacer]

Threads such as this always brings out folks wanting to post about their own favorites and tangent off to reloading or showing very expensive finds they picked up cheap.

Anyone who has reached the stage that he reloads and has the required equipment is not going to be asking about an inexpensive plinker, but someone unfamiliar with firearms would ask that question. The replies should be directed at realistic answers rather than an opportunity to show off pet setups.

I do enjoy seeing what some use for plinking, but most of the replies are not very applicable for someone wanting an arm to plink at cans with.

You must be great fun to just hang out with.

 

[bigtubby]

I would think a High Standard would fit the bill if you could find one local if not readily available on GB.

 

[frankcr]

Well maybe so, but I sure would not recommend a zip gun

After playing around with guns since 1951 and being able to collect a few for the range, I have definite ideas of what I enjoy shooting, but someone starting from scratch needs a reasonable recommendation as a starting point.

That is not to say I don't enjoy seeing the variety that others enjoy.

In this instance someone asked guidance for a simple, inexpensive plinker which is an excellent starting point. Mine was a used .22 Colt single action Buntline which still has a warm spot in my heart. Acorns, snakes, cans and a variety of targets provided fun for my wife and myself using everything from shorts to long rifles.

 

[ColbyBruce]

I also like the High Standard Sentinel revolvers but have not found one locally under $400.00 in the last five years. I have owned a few Charter Arms Pathfinders but had problems with them.

 

[BC38]

I also like the High Standard Sentinel revolvers but have not found one locally under $400.00 in the last five years. I have owned a few Charter Arms Pathfinders but had problems with them.

I recently found a local guy selling a High Standard Double Nine for under $200. Seemed like a pretty decent little revolver.

The cylinder, ejector, and crane/yoke looked pretty much identical to the ones on those sentinels others have posted. Frame & barrel look different, due to it being patterned more after the Peacemaker cowboy style guns.

Are the frames on the Sentinels aluminum like the Double Nine? I'd assume the quality would be about the same for both? If so, then that sounds like another good alternative for a beginner.

 

[jhcii]

In .22 rimfire I like the SA and the semi auto. SW 41 is my favorite semi and my old Colt New Frontier .22WMR/.22LR fills the bill.

Nothing wrong with a 17 either.

In .38 it'd be the ceiling if it exists--to include all .357s.

Those two calibers, .22 and .38/.357 would be your next gun and it's going to be the funnest time of your shooting life.

 

[Backlighting]

My favorite plinkers are:
Ruger single-six and in semiautos the Browning Buckmark Camper.

 

[flagman1776]

4" M34-1 with factory targets. I bought mine in 1978.

 

[i1afli]

Would be interesting to hear the OP's opinion on some of the great advice they've received.

 

[MG-70]

I don't reload, and even paying shipping charges, .22LR is still the cheapest for me to shoot (plus, you can buy the primo stuff that stores don't usually stock). With that said, I've been fortunate that in the last few months, I have started seeing .22LR ammo in a couple of my local big box stores again.

I own quite a few .22LRs, of all types. Taurus, is the cheapest I'd recommend to anyone. The Model 94s can be good, but like everything Taurus, it's a **** shoot whether you get a good one or not, and if you don't, there's a chance you'll have to pay for the trip to Florida to get it fixed, and that can be costly. Even a good Model 94 will have a stiff trigger.

My suggestion is you look for the most common, decent, .22LR handgun out there, and if you want to keep it cheap, look for a used sample in good condition. I suggest you look for a used Ruger 22/45, which is cheaper than a MKIII, or even the older MKIIs, or Browning Buckmark, and look for some ammo locally or online. My experience with the only Single-Six I owned was that it was inaccurate because the bore was oversized to accommodate for the .22 Magnum. One cheaper .22LR pitol I owned that was fantastic, and whose only fault were expensive spare magazines, was a Bersa Firestorm. If I had known I would eventually sell my Beretta 87, I would've held onto that Bersa.

Good luck in your search!