Why do so many people look askance at a +$500 22LR revolver?

[NFrameFred]

I have an alternate theory, for some folks at least. It's a nuance of human nature and I confess I don't know where the attitude comes from, but there are people that equate the caliber and size of the round with what, in their mind, the gun should cost. Doesn't make "walkin' around sense" as an old fellow I knew would say, but I have encountered such in my dealing and trading. To them, a 44 should be more expensive than a 357, and a 38 cheaper still, and a 32 less and a 22 the least. And when I've pressed one of them to explain why that is, the answer was " well, they just are - everybody knows that !"

......OOOKayyy . . . guess I didn't get the memo

 

[blujax01]

Admittedly I don't know a lot about .22's beyond my childhood years when parents would buy them for their kids to use until they were old enough to learn how to use a "real" gun.

And that's the answer. Regardless of the facts and having been witness to some incredible shooters in that particular caliber, my upbringing classifies them as little more than toys. Sorry, I don't mean to hurt any feelings. I'm just being honest and admitting my prejudice.

 

[Maximumbob54]

I guess I just don’t get why the J frame aluminum .22’s cost as much as they do. Machining aluminum has to be the cheapest thing to work on. The machining bits and cutters should be lasting just about forever. I’m no machinist so this could all be bunk and I may need correction. But how they have such an upcharge on something that should be so easy to mass produce is beyond me other than the fact that they can and they do get away with it. I keep thinking of getting a 317 or 351 and when I pick it up and see what I’m paying hundreds of dollars for, it set it right back down. How can the MSRP on the 63 be ten dollars more than the 317??? I just don’t get it.

 

[wnr700]

I've got enough defensive handguns.

Maybe I'm a bit loonie.

I like them cheap, and I like them expensive.

Most certainly didn't mind paying extra for a Model 17... I've shot enough to make up for that extra cost.

Recently picked up a Beretta 21A that is a blast to shoot.

A Bersa Firestorm is high on my list.

A Ruger, a Model 63/34, a Model 41... the list goes on

 

[Smith357]

yet many think of a 22lr caliber hand gun as "cheaply" made. What's with that?

Because many .22s are cheaply made plastic and pot metal. The same thing goes for .22lr rifles. Some folks just can't understand you have to pay for quality materials and machine work. Why spend over $1000 on that Kimber 82c, Cooper Jackson Squirrel, or Anschutz 54 when I can get a new 10/22 or Marlin 60 for $239. Actually this argument can be equated to many things, Bic vs Monte Blanc, Timex vs Rolex, but in the end those that appreciate fine quality tools don't fret over price.

 

[frbeall]

After reading these posts I think I'll start looking for a revolver. In the meantime, this is the only .22 I own. I like to post pics of it. It was my dad's rifle from his ROTC days in the early 50's. I like shooting at 100 yards with it. It's a model 52 Winchester in 99% condition. I know this is a revolver forum but I'm sure everyone can appreciate this thing.

 

[raveneap]

I own a number of .22 revolvers, semi autos and one rifle. None are "inexpensive" guns. My favorites in handguns are my SW 617 and Model 63. Both are extremely well made, dependable and loads of fun.

 

[stevieboy]

A consequence of three things, I think. First, .22 ammunition is cheap and that deludes people into thinking that the guns should be cheap, too. Second, there are in fact a lot of cheap .22s out there and people conclude from that that all .22s ought to be cheap. And, finally, a lot of people seem to think that .22 is not a "real" round and that rimfire shooting is just an imitation of the real thing.

I'm like a lot of you. I shoot two rounds of .22 for every other round that I fire. One of my personal favorite guns is my 617. I have no idea how many rounds I put through it but it's at least 200 per week and I've owned the gun for five years. And, the gun wasn't new when I bought it, it's a -1 made back in '93. So, obviously, I've put tens of thousands of rounds through it and whoever owned it before I did probably put a lot more through the gun. The gun still functions flawlessly, as good if not better than new. It's as solid a piece of worksmanship as any gun that I own. Was it worth the price that I paid for it? Yes, and in fact, it was an incredible bargain considering the use I've given it.

 

[fyimo]

Actually there are a lot of people willing to cough up $500 or more for a S&W 22 revolver because in the past 2 years they have pushed the prices up about $200 on a clean used one. Two years ago I bought a 5 screw K22 with 6 inch barrel in 95% condition for $500. The last gun show I attended there were two in about 80 to 85% condition for $600. If there had been a 95 to 98% condition K22 at the show it would have easily brought $700 or more. I know because I would have bought it.

The P&R versions are very hard to find in 95% or better condition and they don't sit long before being bought when a dealer does get one.

 

[BigBill]

Seeing these over priced at times makes the old H&R 922 and the new taurus 22 revolvers very attractive. I'm sorry but thats how i feel. I may pick up some of the used ruger SA revolvers in 22cal soon. I'm kind of glad a while back i grabbed two ruger semi auto 22 pistols used for dirt cheap all they needed was a good cleaning. Now the used ones are even priced thru the roof too. I think there is a nitch in the market right now for a simple, affordable, reliable 22cal revolver. The taurus at $300+ is the only one right now that i have seen but there maybe more. I'd like to get the new grandson one. I just want to teach the kids safe gun handling with the smaller 22's. Bill

BTW; With ammo prices so high we tend to shoot the 22's more so the prices are up on them too. Either way we pay in the end no matter which end or way we look at it right?

 

[BigBill]

I own a number of .22 revolvers, semi autos and one rifle. None are "inexpensive" guns. My favorites in handguns are my SW 617 and Model 63. Both are extremely well made, dependable and loads of fun.

Thank's now you have me jones'n for a S&W 22cal pistol now too. They look AWESOME!!!!!!! Bill

 

[feralmerril]

None of my 22s are cheap. That HDM is a "blood gun"

 

[ischia]

High priced .22's ???

I have been semi-looking for a model 18 ( P&R) for sure ,for several years without much luck. It's the cost of ammo, period! Saw a 98%beauty at the last show for $550 but I was heavy into series '70 Colt autos with not much $ on hand at the time. It sat there thru Sunday. Couldn't believe it at that price. Those of you who may remember the gas crunch of 1973? I sure do as I lived in L.A. at the time. Couldn't find a good VW beetle to save your life. It's the same for quality .22's (Colt,S&W and perhaps Ruger (no SA please) No, a Taurus won't do. Browning is coming out with a 3/4 scale 1911 in .22. Should sell very well. My dream is a S&W model 39 in .22 . Or at least a conversion kit like the Colt ACE. Come on S&W wake up! Again,it's the cost of ammo,and it's not going to get better. A box of .357's at $12.95 is gone forever.

Ischia

 

[perrazi]

i am glad there are people that won't pay for a good quality 22. leaves more for the rest of us.

 

[feralmerril]

I once did have a conversion ace kit for my 1911. I was disapointed with the accuracy. Oddly, I have never owned a model 17 or 18. I should correct that. I started out with a single six and shot it a lot. At one time I could throw a can or bottle, draw, shoot and hit it in the air more often than not. BUT that was 50 years ago. Somebody once had me try it with his K-22. I couldnt miss that day. I promised myself I would get one but still havent!

 

[semperfi71]

Until just a short time ago I was guilty of saying to self, "If I can get a quality S&W .357 for $500.00, why should I pay more than $400.00 for a .22?"

My rational being that larger calibers, to many folks were more desirable than the .22s.

Until I started seriously looking into buying more S&W .22s.

The prices the older ones claim, and the utility over all other calibers make me willing to pay more for .22s than for .38s. Which I have done in the last three .38 Special buys.

 

[feralmerril]

For .22 LR DA revolvers, I would rate the s&w model 17 and colts OMM the best. For SA, it`s hard to beat a early ruger single six. When ruger went to the "convertable" single six they also made all their barrels .224 from .222 to accomidate the .22 wmrf. I really belive the earlier tighter bores more accurate. Auto`s? I cant judge. There has been too many models made for one person to own and compare. I suppose one would have to search the old competition target shooter winners to get a good idea.
I think too many new shooters start out with 38/357 or bigger when I feel they would be far better off starting off with a .22 lr. Far cheaper ammo, low report, recoil and accurate!

 

[.357magger]

Airweight .38's are less than $400 and Airweight .22's are less than $600. Why pay 50% more for a .22?

This.

Sorry to all the die hard .22'ers out there. You are right...for YOU. For me? I find .38 Spl to be just like a .22, can take any small game I need it to AND has the versatiltiy to do defensive duty if needed. Reloading, while not as cheap, brings down the cost considerably.

But I will admit that a K22 or .22 OMM does get the juices flowing so to speak so I understand the allure.

 

[mtgianni]

For many friends it is the fact that auto's are so much cheaper. A 22A is $225, a ruger Mk 111 not much more. A comparable auto 9 is $400 or more and a 45 is higher yet. Yes a revolver will always be preferred for many of us but that isn't the case will all.

 

[wnr700]

I sent down range at least 250 rounds today with my Beretta 21a and Model 17.

Allowed a kid shooting a Ruger Mark 2 with his grandpa, to shoot a cylinder on my Model 17. I got a thumbs up from both of them.

Range time and targets were about $8. Throw in a few dollars for the half brick of .22 and I couldn't have had a better time.