Thunder Ranch 21-4 to keep my 22-4 company W/pics

[steamloco76]

Guns are like dogs- sometimes they just seem to get under your skin and you let them follow you home. A couple months back I snapped up a good deal on a Thunder Ranch 22-4, .45 ACP. (detailed elsewhere on this board). After a trip to S&W it is a ridiculously fine shooting revolver. Right after I took that N frame home the dealer put a used Thunder Ranch 21-4 .44 special on display for $600 -98% condition -a fairly heavy turn ring being the only major flaw- box, papers, glass lid presentation case included.

I manged to avoid buying said 21-4 through four trips to the store, but I fell victim to its shinny blue and shelled out the greenbacks to bring it home. Love everything about it except the darn gold Thunder Ranch inlay-but what the hay. I am a little miffed at the dealer though. Brought in my tight 90% ish 65-6 (no lock) 4 inch and they only offered $175 for it. Needles to say, I kept it and may put it up for sale myself. Makes me curious as to what they gave the person for the 21-4.

Anyhow- here are a couple of photos:

 

[bronco45]

I envy your recent purchases. Great defense revolvers. Either caliber is a force to be reckoned with. If you are right handed the bling is covered by your trigger finger.

Enjoy both, I find the 45 moonclip version a faster reload of the two.

 

[DGNY]

21-4

That is a handsome revolver - and , having all the goodies is a real plus, in my mind.

Congratulations,

Dyson

 

[Evil One]

Have to love that pairing...

Jim

 

[Vulcan Bob]

Have one of each myself, both are good shooers. Enjoy that 21-4, the 44 special is a fine caliber.

 

[deanodog]

My two.

 

[surveyor47]

Why sell the 65-6? They are usually great shooters- and pre-lock! Shooting black power revolvers with fixed sights, I have learned to use them and went on to fixed sight snubbie centerfire revolvers and now prefer fixed sight.

Fixed sights are more difficult for the manufacturer, because they have to be properly aligned, else the gun comes back to them. Adjustable sights give the manufacturer an excuse to have more leeway in barrel alignment.

 

[hastings]

I love my 22-4 Thunder Ranch revolver. It's ridiculously accurate with any ammo I put thru it, and although the sight picture is not the same as an adjustable sight S&W, it is comfortably reminiscent of my fixed sight single action revolvers. I carry the 22-4 daily. I hope to eventually pick up a model 21, although I think I'll go for the case hardened version rather than the Thunder Ranch one.

If you get a chance, pick up some of Double Tap's 255gr Keith-style lswc ammo. It is the most accurate of any ammo I've put thru mine (factory or handloaded) and I find carrying a pocket of 45autorim ammo easier than a pocket of loaded full or half-moon clips. I can't speak highly enough of the Double Tap ammo, and this load in particular.

Now if we could get S&W to make 4" tapered barrel fixed sight 45colt, 44mag, 41mag, and 357mag revolvers, I'd know what my next four gun purchases would be. I think this is the greatest general purpose handgun configuration. S&W got it right on the 38-44 HD, but didn't take it far enough, in my book.

 

[ExMachina1]

Sweet gun.

Hate to be the one to point it out, but your 21 has the high front sight. So it will probably have to go back to S&W for a sight replacement just like your 22-4 did

Fortunately for the both of us, shipping back to S&W has proven to be virtually hassle-free

 

[steamloco76]

I will need to shoot the 21-4 and see where it prints with my favorite loads. Haven't heard about a problem with sight regulation on the 21-4, esp one 1500+ guns in to the production run. We'll see. My 22-4 was well under # 400 of that run.
surveyor 47='Why sell the 65-6? They are usually great shooters- and pre-lock! Shooting black power revolvers with fixed sights, I have learned to use them and went on to fixed sight snubbie centerfire revolvers and now prefer fixed sight.'

The particular 65-6 is undeniably the WORST shooting fixed sighted S&W revolver I have ever owned.( Pre-model 10, model 10, model 64 mode; 36, model 60-18, model 22-4) I traded it back to the dealer I bought it from for about a $75 loss, however I am glad to be rid of that ammo wasting boat anchor of a revolver. My 64-1 shoots almost ANYTHING I put through it close to point of aim. That 65-6 sprayed lead around a 15 yard target like a bad shotgun full of 00 buckshot. Got a Ruger Mark III Stainless Hunter in almost new condition for $ 60 and the hateful 65-6. Let someone else figure out that security guard trade-in nightmare.

 

[surveyor47]

In that case, I dont blame you for getting rid of it.

 

[ab4ka]

That's a sweet set!

 

[pilgrim6a]

I haven't figured out why the 21-4 don't bring more $. The ones that sell go in the $600-$650 range. I ordered mine new, from 'Bud's' at a price that I thought was crazy low. $575 delivered to my dealer.
Mine shoots POA with 240 gr. factory loads. 200 gr HPs hit about 2" low.

 

[WilliamP]

A 21-4 and a 22-4 is the dream pairing of fixed-sighted revolvers. I got my 21-4 a month ago and replaced the small wooden grips with Pachmayr Presentation grips. It shoots to point of aim with 200 grain bullets. I have to aim a little lower to get the 240 grain bullets on target. It has become my general purpose revolver. Next, I have my sights on a 22-4. Don't know how long that will take.