Model 22 Thunder Ranch

[Taz1911]

I have a 686 and it is the only revolver I have but I love it. I have a opportunity to get Model 22 Thunder Ranch 45acp Brand New Original packaging the whole bit. My questions are how does it compare to my 686 from a shooting stand point. Less Accurate more accurate less kick more kick etc. And last Question is $699 a good price?
Thanks for your help.
PS It sure is one Pretty Gun

 

[Taz1911]

I have a 686 and it is the only revolver I have but I love it. I have a opportunity to get Model 22 Thunder Ranch 45acp Brand New Original packaging the whole bit. My questions are how does it compare to my 686 from a shooting stand point. Less Accurate more accurate less kick more kick etc. And last Question is $699 a good price?
Thanks for your help.
PS It sure is one Pretty Gun

 

[the45automan]

Lets see...

.45ACP vs .38/357, both go bang, both make holes, both are limited by the shooter, 686-adjustable sights, M-22 fixed sights. 686, 7 rounds? M-22 6 rounds. Dry fire recoil are equal. Accuracy should be equal at 5 feet.

 

[Richard Simmons]

Sorry, don't have a 686 however IMO most of my .357 mags with 158gr loads recoil in a sharper fashion than my TR22. The moonclips are also a nice reload option over speedloaders. The price sounds fine to me.

Lastly there is just something about blue steel and wood

 

[Dale53]

I don't wish to be limited to fixed sights unless the pistol/revolver is regulated for one load.

I would choose the 625 platform any day!! Oh, I did and have two, a 625-6 (5") and a 625-8 JM Special (4").

That's my answer and I am sticking to it...

Dale53

 

[Stophel]

I paid like $790 for mine (brand new).

Being as I HATE heavy barrels and full underlugs, I would automatically pick almost ANYTHING that had a more classic style.

I also find .357 to be incredibly unpleasant to shoot. Therefore, I don't.

I'm not sure, but wouldn't be surprised to find that my 22-4 weighs rather less than my 681, which I don't think I've fired in years.

I like mine. Most ordinary .45 loads kick little more than a .38 (in my perception). Warmer loads will give a somewhat sharper pop, but will never compare to the kick, blast, and shockwave you get from .357 magnum. But, that's the beauty of a cartridge like this (also with .44 Special). You get plenty of power without all the high pressure, high velocity, unpleasant recoil, blast, etc.

I just ordered a mould to make up some lead flatnose bullets and intend to make that my standard load for this gun. I'm almost done with my "customization" process: delocking, plugging, filling, reshaping the cylinder retainer, front sight, etc. When finished, this will definitely be my "go to" gun (right now, that role falls to the .38 Masterpiece in my avatar).

 

[Stophel]

Plus, it is SOOOOO cool to just drop the clip in and shut the cyl. and keep on shooting. Easily faster than speedloaders, and, depending upon your skill levels, can be as fast, or faster than a magazine change in an auto!

 

[colt_saa]

I am not sure why, but I have never been a big fan of the 686 even though I really enjoy the 357 Magnum cartridge and have been shooting it for over three decades now. I have shot most of my 357 Magnum ammunition through S&W N-frames or Colt I-frames. Only a few thousand have been put down the tubes of the smaller K and J frames.

I have found the 45ACP to be very accurate in S&W revolvers over the years. I think I bought my first model 25 around 1977 or 1978. The Thunder Ranch Revolver has continued performing in the same light.

Being a collector as well as a shooter, I have been very fortunate to have acquired Thunder Ranch Revolver #22. I have always had a thing for serial numbers.

The price is right in the ballpark. Recoil is a very personal thing. I do not think that either cartridge recoils in an objectionable fashion when fired from a steel frame revolver.

 

[Taz1911]

So I guess the vote says get it. It is pretty it is new in box. And I think the point that they do not make it anymore means I should good it now and put the next purchase I was looking at on hold.

 

[Stophel]

No, get it if you LIKE it!

If it "speaks" to you.

 

[Frank V]

My only question would be if S&W has continued the shallow rifling in the mod. 22 as they had it the 1917s. Some of them were wonderfully accurate with jacketed bullets but pretty mediocre with lead. If you don't shoot lead then it's not a problem, but I'd like to know before I bought if it were me. The 21s wellll now that's different. I do like the idea of moon clips for rapid reloads. Thanks Frank

 

[Pappy John]

The only thing I wasn't too fond of on mine was the stock grips, but that's been fixed.

 

[Taz1911]

I got it today will shoot it tom. Can not wait

 

[Taz1911]

One questions do you have to use the speed loaders?

 

[devilfrog1911]

Originally posted by Taz1911:
One questions do you have to use the speed loaders?

Yes and no. You don't have to use them but since the 45 ACP round does not have a rim, the extractor has nothing to contact to eject the spent cases. The moon clips provide a surface that compensates for the lack of a rim allowing the cases to be easily removed.

On the other hand, you can shoot 45 Auto Rim (basically a 45 ACP round with a rim) without moon clips since the cartridge has a rim for the extractor to push out of the cylinder.

 

[Taz1911]

Thanks

 

[deanodog]

Here is a tr model 22-4 ACP. I am very satisfied with it. You need both 686(great gun) and a TR 22. Those fast reloads with full moon clips are nice but you can also use auto rim if you do not like full moon clips.

I bought this one LNIB for 550 + s&ffl.

 

[BlindJustice]

I have a 625 5" Bbl. as well as a 686P, the 7 shooter. The 625 is my favorite revolver, the 686P with it's 4" Bbl. muzzle blast and recoil make it my least favorite.

unless you have a hot loaded +P and lighter
165-185 gr. bullet load, the .45 ACP and .45 Auto RIm will be firing at less the speed of sound, 1,120 FPS approx. at sea level so unlike
most of the .357 Mag. loads the SOnic Boom won't be present.

.45 AUto RIm is available from Buffalo Bore, Double Tap, Reeds Ammunition & Research and CorBon The rimmed case uses the HKS 25M speedloader model. 250 gr. SWC at 900 FPS packs a big punch & repeat shots are quicker
than the violent recoil of a .357 Mag.

FYI - The pictured Mod. 22 has a Tyler T-grip
that fills in the area behind the trigger guard
and it's easier on the finger that resides at that position

ALso FYI the Model 22 is styled to resemble the 1950 Army or MIlitary model

Randall

 

[Taz1911]

Well got it and shot it it is a 22-4 model from Jan 2004. This is one powerful weapon. Held its line well but a heck of a back kick. I am not thrilled with the clips at first impression. Very hard to load and unload by hand looked at the price of the auto rim $$$ Do the Mooner and demooner work and if so which ones? Tryed shot 45acp no rim averaged about to misses per round. No misses with the clip. Also when did they stop making these.

 

[Taz1911]

Should start a new thread but i will just add it here I am now hooked on revolvers looking at the two I have what would be another one to get. I am not a collector I am a shooter so I like variety to the 2 I have give me that or what should I look to next. Do not want something that wold shot similar like I said do not want to by just to have but enjoy in addition to the 2