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

[Frailer]

For many friends it is the fact that auto's are so much cheaper...

And that's a valid point. While I greatly prefer revolvers and have no intention of parting with any of them, the one semi-auto I own is a stainless 6-7/8" Ruger Mark II target. It cost me less than half of what my .22 revolvers did, and it is exceptionally accurate, with flawless reliability.

But for some reason I have no intention of purchasing another Ruger, yet I'm drawn to every S&W .22 I see.

 

[stantheman86]

My 617-7 was worth every penny. I'll never wear it out and it is my "go to" backyard revolver. I have a small .22 range in the backyard and the 617 is perfect for it. $700 total or so for the 617 is a small price to pay to be able to walk 50 feet with a brick of .22 and go shooting for an afternoon, and to do it with a quality revolver capable of match grade accuracy.

My K-22 was also worth every penny, but it doesn't see nearly as many rounds as my 617.

 

[Stainz]

I doubt that a K-frame sized frame knows whether it will be a 4" 67, SKU #162802 & 2010 Catalog MSRP $845, or a 4" 617, SKU #160584 & MSRP $940. The lockwork is essentially the same, possibly excepting the hand and hammer spring. The extra $95 MSRP buys a full lug vs no lug and more machining - ten .22 holes in the cylinder, etc.

As to the price - I paid $609 9/08 for my new 4" 617; less than $500 for a LNIB 5" 63 from a friend's estate sale 8/09, and nearly $650 OTD 11/10 for a new 3" 63. For the amount of enjoyment, even the most expensive one - the 3" 63 - was a bargain.

Checking S&W's site - the 3" 63 has a current MSRP of $769 - that's $10 less than my fancy/feature-laden 3" 60 Pro - and $10 more than a standard full lugged 3" 60 - how about that! My luck - I buy them - and then the price drops!

Stainz

PS Once you get a SS S&W .22 rimfire, you'll understand why they can get the same or more for it vs a .38/.357M - because they are worth it! One caveat - don't wait too long to find out for yourself!

 

[sbcman]

I'll admit, I use to look at 22s "askance". That was until I decided to take a chance on a 1959 Marlin 39a for $350. Worth every penny and I'm looking to buy more, one for each of my kids.

This, in turn, has put my "buy" sign on the first pre-lock 617 I see. The problem is, around my neck of the woods, I've never seen one for sale in 5 different shops. Could go gunbroker, but I'd really rather check it out in person first. My "askanceness" has been nullified

 

[22-rimfire]

I started out believing that if it shot, why would I want to spend the money for a Colt or Smith 22 revolver? It took a couple years to get a bit educated. After some experience and education, I bought a new Colt Diamondback in 22. I pretty much love the Colt Diamondback's in 22 and have developed a serious affection for the older Smith DA 22 revolvers in the last 5 years of so.

It is very hard to convince somebody to pay 2x the price for a Smith & Wesson Model 17 over a Taurus M94, but after you shoot the Taurus a while, you learn. If you are halfway intelligent, you at least can tell the difference. You learn real fast if you have problems with the Taurus product.

Yes, you can sort of get used to really heavy DA triggers and poorly finished revolvers, but after you get a good one, you never want to turn back the clock.

I bought my first S&W Model 17 about 5 years ago. Before that, I only had eyes for Colt 22 revolvers. I bought my first Model 18 shortly afterwards. I just bought a 4" M17 which I just couldn't resist when the gunshop dropped the price. They were asking $700 for it and it was in about 98%+ condition. We settled on a much lower price which is why I bought another M17 which I had no earthly need for. I recently bought a 5" M63 and really like this little steel J-frame. More than likely, I will pick up a 3" M63. Why so many? Just because is about the only reason I can come up with.

I talk guns sometimes with friends and some of them can not imagine paying $500 or more for a 22 revolver. Half their guns are pieces of junk. I don't even bother trying to explain.

I have a S&W 9mm that I want to sell. I offered the gun to a friend for half the market price and he just looked at me like I was trying to steal from him and my price ridiculous. I wanted him to have a "good gun". He simply does not understand. The same applies to good DA 22 revolvers.

 

[brucev]

Yet these same people would not question a .357 revolver for +$500 or more. Would I be incorrect in assuming that production cost for a 22LR should be the same as any other caliber produced? Certainly performance is not lacking, in that 22lrs certainly are very accurate, yet many think of a 22lr caliber hand gun as "cheaply" made. What's with that?

People are people. Some buy revolvers/pistols the same way they buy cars, based on what they read in magazines and based on what other people think. It's not unlike folks who buy a new super-whizbang magnum alphabet soup model rifle for deer hunting then put a $99 scope in $20 rings/bases on top.

Quality, fit, finish, function and on target results are critical to any handgun/rifle regardless of caliber. For those who only want a bullet launcher, perhaps the only thing that matters is that it function. But even those sorts of of folks will sooner or later get bored with a low/poor quality handgun... or else they'll just quit shooting all together.

I bought my first .22 LR handgun while a student in seminary. It was a Ruger Mk. II. After graduation I read extensively about .22 LR handguns. Based on articles by Bob Melick, I bought a S&W 18. Since then I've had a plethora of .22 LR handguns. All of them are gone. I continue to keep a S&W 18-3 as I consider it just about the summa cum laude of all .22 LR revolvers. I paid for it the same price that a good S&W 19-3 would have brought. I consider it money well spent. I would not consider parting with it. If and when I see another similar 18-3... or maybe a 17 or 41 of some sort, I will happily pay the price and add another fine .22 revolver to my little accumulation of S&W revolvers. If a High Standard Victor comes along, I'll jerk my wallet out so fast it will rip my back pocket off my pants!

 

[TheTinMan]

I paid slightly more for a 1960 Colt Officers Model Match (.22) than I paid for a nearly identical 1959 Model 357 and never thought twice about it.

 

[rburg]

There are times I wish I could have back all the excess over $500 I've paid for 22s, and that's just for the ones I still own! Those of you who think K22s are costly, go price an original SIG P210-7 (22 only). I personally look askance at those who look askance at my 22 caliber buying and owning habits. What comes to mind is "what do they know?"

 

[fyimo]

There are times I wish I could have back all the excess over $500 I've paid for 22s, and that's just for the ones I still own! Those of you who think K22s are costly, go price an original SIG P210-7 (22 only). I personally look askance at those who look askance at my 22 caliber buying and owning habits. What comes to mind is "what do they know?"

I agree and the Sig 210-7 is a grail gun to most but I can't seem to be able to part with that much money for one. I do have a S&W Model 41 from 1968 that I got for $600 even though it's well used and a shooter at best.

 

[LL617]

I consider my K frame 617 worth every penny that my spouse paid to get it for me! [a present]. If I could, I would extend my collection to a K22 and a 22LR snubbie.

The only problems that I have ever had with my pistol is that it takes longer to clean the 10 cylinders than a six would take [or a SA from what others tell me] and I got some lead buildup after a long day of shooting. But I set aside time to clean properly, and other folks here at SW forum taught me how to get rid of the lead buildup.

This revolver was the first that I owned. It's heavy enough that it gives very little recoil while being so well balanced that I don't really notice the weight. It seems to almost target itself; I'm having fun shooting and am able to brag about the results.

I would like to pay less for a revolver, of course, but if I can talk my spouse into buying me another one....

 

[CajunBass]

When I was a kid I didn't know there was any such thing as a "good" 22. One of the reasons I never really wanted one was I didn't like the looks of the ones Sears and Wilco sold. Those were Winchesters and Marlin 60's, usually rebadged with a house name. They all looked cheap and flimsey to me.

Then I saw a Marlin 39A. Man, now that was a rifle. I bought one and everyone thought I was crazy for paying that much for "Just a 22." That was a good rifle. Over the years I collected a dozen or more 22 rifles and the same number of handguns. Handguns ran the gammit from Model 17's and 18's to a couple of Harrington & Richardsons.

I've sold them all off now. Well, all but two. I kept a Ruger 77/22 bolt action Rifle, and a 4" Dan Wesson revolver. A nice 22's is a nice thing to have.

 

[arjay]

My 1st few 22 hand guns were off brand cheapies because that was what I could afford and they were not very accurate.Eventually bought a few rugers and the mark II was better than the single six,so I kept it.About that time I developed a lust for the big boomers and that's where my gun money went.Colts and Smith & Wessons with big holes that were built when I was a kid.I'm still stuck there

 

[VaRecon]

I paid $650 for a pre-18 in great shape and I am tickled to have gotten it for that price.
You pay for quality and that is exactly what you get in any S&W 22 revolver with a decent barrel.

 

[StatesRightist]

My answer would be for some, shooting a .22 holds no thrill, for some it's too weak a load to be enjoyable. Many people have told me that. Personally, I'm not into .22 revolvers much either, but I love a good autumn day in the woods, .22 rifle in my hand, squirrel hunting with my younger relatives. It reminds me of when Dad used to take me.

 

[Capt Crunch]

I think people think of .22's as an "Extra" and/or a training tool. I was blessed with a K-22 and trust me I feel very lucky that I was but I have had others not understand why it's as sought after as it is.

 

[Buford57]

A few years ago my only .22 handgun was a Ruger Single Six that I bought for $65 used in about 1977. Then I found a 17-3 in my LGS for $375. The Ruger was almost rifle-accurate with its 9 1/2 inch barrel, but the 17-3 taught me how well I could really shoot. If I had to replace it, I would pay $500 or even $750 without hesitation.

So my answer to the OPs question: because they've never shot a K-22.

 

[labworm]

Fun Guns are what .22s are.

Along with many other calibers and makes.
I have a S&W 22S purchased in 1990, a 1968 Bearcat and just recently purchased a Ruger SP101 .22. None of these guys are going anywhere, I enjoy owning and shooting all 3.

If I like something and can afford it, I buy it, and pay no attention to reviews, otherwise I wouldn't even own a gun.

 

[retiredsquid]

I have a small fortune invested in 22s and ammo for them. I love'm all. Model 617s, Model 41, Buckmarks, Super Single Sixes, MKII Comp Target. Plus, wide range of rifles from Cooper, Volquartsen, Kimber, Rugers, Remington, Marlin, Winchester. Have built a number of 10/22s and the sky is the limit when assembling one. Most end up touching a grand and often before glass is considered.

I also like to obtain 22 conversion units when available.

Most certainly an addiction, but you have something to show for your efforts.

 

[Prof_Fate]

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!

YOu need a marvel conversion. Figure $500 for it, perhaps more if you get extra mags. It will be accurate.

I've got an old marlin glenfiled bolt 22 that cost $70 someting 30 some years ago. Still shoots well and accurate. Paid $470 for a MP15-22 this year - nice gun but plastic everything. Attach a sling and the POI changes - like 3". Pure ****, that. THe mossberg version is 1/2 the price but 1/4 the quality.
Prolly gonna get my daughter a 22 for christmer - thinking 10/22.
Plan to trade my mk1 in on a MP22 pistol soon. Would like a revolver but the prices are way up there compared to a semiauto so I doubt it's gonna happen.
If I"m gonna spend $500+ on a revolver I'll put it toward a 686 6" or 629 or maybe a 66 snubby.

But some things make little sense - a lever rifle in 30-30 is cheaper than one is 357 or 45LC. Same gun...

 

[Az Rick]

We end every shooting session with a "match" to see who can knock down shotgun shell casings with a model 63. You have to knock one down to advance. We move farther back each round. It's a hoot and it doesn't matter what you did during the day with any other gun. What counts is the "shoot off", bragging rights. .22's are awesome.

Best, Rick