Tell me about rimfire j frames

[Green Frog]

Mountain Man, you've received a lot of great information here. I would agree with and emphasize that the 22 magnum round is probably wasted on a short barreled revolver, so if indeed you get a revolver with that chambering it would be advisable to get a dual cylinder version so you could use the cheaper, easier to find 22 LR (since you want to actually shoot this gun as a practice piece.)

What is your CF revolver for which this will be an understudy? I would try to make the configuration of the 22 as close as possible to the "big gun" down to the same grips... familiarity breeds success! I would personally even go for the same finish (blue, nickel or stainless) and just start looking for the closest thing I could find to the primary gun in all respects. JMHO and probably worth at least what you paid me for it!

Froggie

 

[gwpercle]

Mine is a model 317, air weight, 22 LR, 12.5 ozs weight, 3 inch barrel with adjustable sights, 8 round cap. I paid about $450.00 , brand new, a few years ago, from local dealer. Love everything about it, 8 rounds, 12.5 ozs, is so light it packs effortlessly ,3 inch barrel, adjustable sights, Hi-Viz front sight....the only thing I'm not enamored with is the rear shallow vee sight blade, I think a square notch or better yet a " U " notch would work better for me(but that's just me).
Adjustable sights are a must for my use, target, plinking, tin can shooting. I know 22 LR is not a self-defense round but I don't have a problem putting it on belt or in pocket if nothing else is handy. 8 shots with a 22 LR beats fingernails .
If you want something for self defense the 22 magnum would be better.
Gary

 

[HarrishMasher]

I was going to use it for a trainer for a carry j frame. I don't reload, and I have some 22 lr sitting around left over, so I was thinking that I could get a lot more trigger time with a 22 version. Besides it is an excuse for another gun. A double win.

If that is the case get a 317 or the new 43c. Don't screw around with 22mag in a 2". The noise is deafening, the flash and blast is insane, and the ammo is expensive.

If you want it for cheap practice for a 38 snubby, not sure why 22mag would even be a consideration as 50 rounds is almost the same price as 50 rounds of 38spl? Might as well practice with your 38spl then.

 

[eveled]

S&W rimfire revolvers are for some reason pretty expensive. Why is a J frame .38 cheaper to buy than a J frame .22?

Ruger sells the LCR .22 for the same money as the .38 version. It might be worth checking out.

I have a 617 and a 317, and like them a lot, but I bought them used and for good deals.

I agree with what others have told you, get the .22 LR, not the .22 mag. A lot cheaper to shoot.

 

[chief38]

IMHO the best J Frame .22 LR you could ever buy is a used (NO I/L) M63 or its Blued brother the M34. The 4" Square Butt is a pleasure to shoot, accurate and real handy as a Field Gun for Squirrels, Rabbets, Crows, etc.

Not a substitute for the iconic M18 (gotta have one of those), but it's a lot smaller and lighter package to carry. IMHO there "ain't no better"in a small light .22 LR Revolver!

 

[BAM-BAM]

I have 2 4" Model 34s a round and a square butt...... great little .22s.

I read where you are looking for an understudy to your .38 and to shoot up some .22lr ammo.

If you are going to spend more than $500..........

as an aside and not to hijack this thread..........................an option to think about

over the past decade my 3" model 60-10 has become my go to "Kit Gun"..shot shell to wadcutter all the way to .357 magnum. Think micro-686. I just find it more versatile in this roll than the .22lr 34.

 

[Stainz]

Below are my SS J-frame rimfires, top down: 5" 63 x8 .22LR; 4" 651 x6 .22 WMR; and, the only one still available new, 3" 63 x8 .22 LR. All have S&W '60 Pro' style grips - S&W #411740000. I added the HiViz to the 5" 63 - the 3" 63 came with one. The 3" 63 came with a decent trigger, for a rimfire J-frame, but it's DA pull cannot get close to my K-frame 617's trigger. I 'worked' on the 5" 63's trigger - but the stock 3" 63, right out of the box, was better - go figure!

The 4" .22WMR 651 was at the top of my 'bucket list' for a long time. For 100% reliability, it has the stiffest DA pull of the trio. My 351PD, below, seems to be more stiff, but that likely is due to it's just over twelve ounce loaded weight (Seven Hornady 45gr FTX Critical Defense rounds loaded. They were designed to be effective from the 351PD's ~2" barrel.). The 351PD was bought two years ago as a CC firearm - my torn right rotator made presenting and firing my usual CC firearm, a 642, very difficult - the 351PD was easier to employ. Oddly, I still carry it! (Actually, I am still 'on the mend'!)

Stainz

 

[Lobster Picnic]

To practice for an alloy framed centerfire, I would get the 317 or 43c, depending on whether your centerfire J has a concealed hammer or not.

If you have a stainless steel centerfire J-frame, the 3" M63 would be the closest rimfire J-frame available now. As others have said, the 2" steel J-frames rimfires were made in small numbers and are very expensive to buy used.

Finally, I carry the .22 magnum in both of my CCWs and feel it is superior to the .38 Special for my (somewhat specialized) needs.

 

[ColbyBruce]

Get yourself a man's gun with a big 3" heavy barrel and a set of hand filling stocks chambered for the ear damaging .22 magnum, like this S&W 650. DO NOT forget your ear plugs.

I have owned several 2" S&W 34 revolvers and never found them to be very accurate, unlike the 4" versions. Try to shoot a few examples of these guns before you buy one. I bought this S&W 63 damaged, intending to have the cylinder fitted to the 650 above. The factory was able to repair the 63.

The S&W 317 AirLite at the top of this photo is a joy to carry. That is about it. Too light to shoot accurately off-hand and it throws high speed bullets all over the place. It shoots 60 grain Aquila sub-sonic ammo pretty well at close range so I carried it on every BSA outing my son's troop took.

If you are still gagging at the prices of these guns, I would suggest you look at the S&W 422/622/2206/2213/2214 series of semi auto pistols. These are fine pistols.

 

[deanodog]

Model 63 is the way to go.

 

[Grayfox]

I have a fondness for the J-frame .22s. But frankly much prefer my K-frame guns.
Having said that, I do own a 4" Model 34 that is a joy to shoot. That one will stay with me forever. I've lusted after a 6" Model 35 for many years, but alas, the stars have never aligned for that one.
I did own a 2" Model 34, but never really warmed up to it. Good gun, I just never found much use for a small frame, snubby .22. It sat in the safe unused for many years until I finally sold it just recently for $500. I probably could have gotten more. However, I more than doubled what I had in it so I was happy.

 

[garystl]

I have a mod 43 bought new in '67 as well as more recently acquired mod 317 and mod 63. All fun guns to shoot and/or carry.

 

[mountain_man]

S&W rimfire revolvers are for some reason pretty expensive. Why is a J frame .38 cheaper to buy than a J frame .22?

Ruger sells the LCR .22 for the same money as the .38 version. It might be worth checking out.

I have a 617 and a 317, and like them a lot, but I bought them used and for good deals.

I agree with what others have told you, get the .22 LR, not the .22 mag. A lot cheaper to shoot.

After seeing some of the prices, I am thinking along the same lines as you. The LCR is looking better and better.

 

[suckersrus]

If one Model 63 is a ton-of-fun then two are 3-tons-of fun, esp if one is a snubby.

When a guy offered me $1500 for the pair (no boxes) I was certain he was kidding so I laughed in his face.
After checking what they are going for on GB he would probably had them on there for $1800 before the sun set.

I've considered selling them but I can't ask for that much money with a straight face.... Haha Considering what I gave for them way back when.

 

[5-Shot]

You simply can not go wrong with either of these:

Ed

 

[Ranger98]

8 shot J-Frame Rimfires
Model 317

Model 63

 

[walkin' trails]

I put a lot of rounds thru my dad's Model 63, and have a four inch 34 myself. They areexcellent revolvers for a variety of purposes. Just understand that for defense, .22 hollow point bullets don't expand reliably or at all from anything much shorter than a rifle barrel, so shot placement is as critical as ever.

 

[Model39]

Model 650 Dual Clinder Revolver

If you can find one, a Model 650 with the optional 22 LR cylinder, makes a perfect all around "J" frame 22 revolver. There are no adjustable sights to get knocked around, or caught on your clothing/pockets when in the woods, and the 3" barrel is the perfect balance. You get great accuracy, and yet the revolver is still small enough to comfortably carry concealed.

 

[noshow]

If you can find one, a Model 650 with the optional 22 LR cylinder, makes a perfect all around "J" frame 22 revolver. There are no adjustable sights to get knocked around, or caught on your clothing/pockets when in the woods, and the 3" barrel is the perfect balance. You get great accuracy, and yet the revolver is still small enough to comfortably carry concealed.

Plus one on what Model39 said! My 650 with aux LR cylinder is the one I take to my grave. It is the perfect trail gun for outdoorsman of all descriptions. Hint: should you not have the LR cylinder, Winchester 22 WRF rounds are a sweet compromise between the LR & WMR chamberings, much more ear friendly than the latter.

 

[Gripgrabber]

Hello MM, I to had the J frame 22 itch, so recently a found a 63 no dash, 4" p&r in my area. I have several single sixes with both cylinders. So I suggest the 22 LR. I thought I paid to much at 700 but I don't regret it either. You know what they say about not making them anymore. Good luck on what ever you find
Gripgrabber