Suggestion of a .22 Revolver

[Jimmy4570]

Plus one on the 4" 617 train. Hunt yourself down a pre-lock one if you can. Then again, the Ruger DA revolvers aren't half bad, either, by all accounts.

 

[Daimler1989]

as mentioned in many posts here, the M17 is hard to beat, IMHO. I use a M17-4 since 1985 for bullseye matches and still can hold my own against shooters with so called modern bullseye pistols like the Walther GSP, the Hämmerli 280 etc. Don't know how many thousands of rounds i have fired, maybe 15000. Incredible accurate and easy to shoot. But a little bit finicky when it comes to ammo: Some brands obviously have thicker rims so hammer cocking is quite heavy... I stick with german made ammo by RWS and the gun runs flawlessly.

regards from Germany
Ulrich

 

[Green Frog]

as mentioned in many posts here, the M17 is hard to beat, IMHO. I use a M17-4 since 1985 for bullseye matches and still can hold my own against shooters with so called modern bullseye pistols like the Walther GSP, the Hämmerli 280 etc. Don't know how many thousands of rounds i have fired, maybe 15000. Incredible accurate and easy to shoot. But a little bit finicky when it comes to ammo: Some brands obviously have thicker rims so hammer cocking is quite heavy... I stick with german made ammo by RWS and the gun runs flawlessly.

regards from Germany
Ulrich

Herr Ulrich,

Greetings from the East Coast of the US. I don't know what the ammo availability situation is these days in Germany, but I've had to scramble a bit for ammo here in the US until fairly recently. Anyway, the precision rim fire shooters (rifle) here in the US sometimes sort lots of ammo using a simple rim thickness gauge to achieve the results you seek. Again, this may not be something you need/want in Germany, but I just thought I'd mention it for all our readers in case it is needed by some.

All the best,
Froggie

PS. For the record, about 25 years ago I sorted a brick of RWS low end practice ammo this way, but those rims were so consistent I never bothered again. Even the "cheap stuff" was excellent back then.

 

[bananaman]

Picked up a nice 17-2 on GB Buy it now for $550. Best shooting .22 I have ever shot. That is my OPINION, & I'm sticking to it! Bob

 

[CH4]

Another vote for the 17- finest .22 handgun ever manufactured, no question.

I agree with everyone who believes the 17/18 are the epitome of the rimfire revolver. I am fairly new to this party, but am glad to be here with my 4 and 6 inch 17-6s. To my mind it doesn't get any better.

 

[SailDesign]

I love my 48-7 in 22WMR. A little more bang (and $$) than Long Rifle, but a fabulous shooter with the 4" barrel.

 

[BigBill]

For a carry piece for the woods I'd go stainless. For a 22 revolver you can shoot at the range only and admire it's a s&w k22 masterpiece hands down.

 

[fyimo]

As others have said you can't go wrong with a K22, Model 17,18, 617 as they are all excellent shooters.

 

[Hunter Keith]

K 22 1948 "shooter grade"

My vote. Most accurate .22 I have ever fired.Superb craftsmanship, and this one has been carried and shot a lot, before I purchased it.

 

[Usmc5811]

I'll stick with my 5" 63-4 for all around use. It's small enough that I don't notice carrying it all day in the woods with my Simply Rugged holster. I like it so much I bought two and after seeing how well they handle my father bought one also. And I have killed squirrels, copperheads, grouse, opossums, and skunks all with my 63. I have a 3" 63-5, 6" 617-2, 18-4, and an Outdoorsman. My second favorite shooter is the Outdoorsman, but my wife commandeered it!! What can I say she has great taste.

 

[Daimler1989]

Herr Ulrich,

Greetings from the East Coast of the US. I don't know what the ammo availability situation is these days in Germany, but I've had to scramble a bit for ammo here in the US until fairly recently. Anyway, the precision rim fire shooters (rifle) here in the US sometimes sort lots of ammo using a simple rim thickness gauge to achieve the results you seek. Again, this may not be something you need/want in Germany, but I just thought I'd mention it for all our readers in case it is needed by some.

All the best,
Froggie

PS. For the record, about 25 years ago I sorted a brick of RWS low end practice ammo this way, but those rims were so consistent I never bothered again. Even the "cheap stuff" was excellent back then.

thanks Froggie,
I had no luck with federal American Eagle and CCI. As the low end RWS (called Club, orange box) is not that more expensive, I use those exclusively, even for high end matches. Can't imagine swapping that M17 for anything else when it comes to a good score. If it doesn't bring the result I want, it's me, not the gun and not the ammo.

regards
Ulrich

 

[22shtur]

22 revolver

As my user name implies, I shoot many different .22 handguns.
My first was a K-22 Outdoorsman - horrible rear sight(little U shaped opening).
Several Models 17's - pretty good, but heavy for the caliber.
Model 63 - excellent for everything, range or field use.
Model 35-1, all the best traits of the 17 and 63 - J frame with 6 inch barrel, hard to beat for what you are wanting to use it for.
Model 617 - great but heavy for caliber.

 

[Neumann]

I've had a 4" M34-1 "Kit Gun" in .22 LR for nearly 50 years. It is a fine shooter, but as a J-frame much to small for more than plinking. My hands are only medium sized, and I have more fingers than I know what to do with, holding the 34.

The K-22 (pre 17), belonging to a friend was the first revolver I shot, and it was a great experience. I recently found a 17 no dash, and it shoots like a rifle. Crisp trigger, fast lock time (short fall action).

I can't imagine carrying a .22, but either one would be okay. Any threat I might face would be better served with a .357 or .44. The K-frame is a lot easier to shoot.

The M17 is a 6-shot. The modern version has 10 (some early cylinders were aluminum - AVOID). The 6" M17 feels just right, but in the new stainless 617 I would prefer a 4" for balance.

 

[saemetric]

Or if in the field all day, this is my choice, my model 63

 

[Mehutch]

Taurus 992 Revolver .22 LR and .22 Magnum 9 Rounds Matte Stainless

The new Tracker 992. It easily transforms from .22 LR to .22 Magnum in seconds with its removable cylinder. It's for plinking, target practice or varmint hunting with these popular and affordable ammunition choices!

What do you think?

 

[two-bit cowboy]

Wow, quite a thread. Runs the gambit.

My current favorite is a 43C. Too light to be a real gun, 8 shots and a lot of fun.

I also have a postwar (1946) K-frame that I'll never part with. It's okay on the range, but heavy. I'm not really a fan, but it's got the requisite barrel knob and low serial number. Oh, bother.

I quickly sold a 617 (no dash) after trading for it (absolutely too heavy -- no fun at all).

I've had several 34s. Meh!

My daughter will have to figure out what to do with the 43C long after I'm gone! Too much fun.

 

[Oaky]

Definitely the model 617 no dash six shots in 8 3/8 inch

 

[BoCash]

To me, the best overall choice would be a model 18, a 4" K frame, if you will be carrying it at all. If you have smaller hands a 4" model 34/63 might work just as well, but I find the extra weight of the larger frame to be a plus. If it will be a 90+% range gun a model 17 (6" K frame) would be an excellent choice as well. Good luck in your decision.

Fully agree with the Murf. Either of the 4 he mentioned will do. It may be a matter of whether you want smaller or larger or longer or shorter.

The 34/63 makes a wonderful woods/pack/fishing piece and can be darned accurate for a little frame.

For strictly punching paper, marshmellows, tree rats, and those beer cans you just emptied, the 17 or 617 in either 6" or 8 3/8" would shine, shine, shine, esp. the longer one!!!

For something in between, the 18 would be sort of a compromise between a woods carry gun and a target piece.

Ya know what? Get 'em all and be done with the "problem." I did.

Y'all take care, Bo in NC

 

[10mmillie]

10 shot 617 is a great shooter but I got to where I prefer a 3" 63 8 shot for carry and just pure fun.

 

[Oaky]

 

[Qc Pistolero]

In '75(1975 not 1875...I know I look old but not THAT old!)I bought a 6'' mod 17(which still shoots great).3 years ago,my daughter wanted to start handgun shooting.She bought a 6'' mod 17.I'm 5'9'' and 220#.She's 5'2'' and 120#.I've never heard her say it was too heavy.Granted,we don't carry our hardware on us while trecking in the woods(here in Canada,our legislator thinks that we are not adult enough to manage a gun although we are for cars,voting and smoking grass).
You said you want a plinking gun,you could do a lot worse going for a 17 or 617.With or without the underlug:the only recommandation I'd give you is try one before you buy.I'm sure there's lots of guys who will be pleased at the range to let you try it.

 

[mtgianni]

As a deceased friend once commented "If it is illegal to carry a handgun in the bush, why does every trading post in the NW territories sell holsters?"
Another plus for the 17 or 617.