.22cal revolvers

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kevinasch

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I am looking to purchase a .22 cal revolver and need some advice.

I have been looking around the sponsors' websites for different revolvers. I have found quite a price range, and I would assume quite a range in quality.

I would prefer a single action, but a double action would do. No problem to always shoot it single.

I see Alfa Proj has a range of revolvers that start at just over $400. But I have also seen a few threads on issues with them.

A local shop has a Charter Arms Patthfinder for around $450.00

I see Ruger has a nice selection ranging from around $620.00 and up.

I see a S&W 17-9 for around $1000.00

Any recommendations or comments on these? Are there any obvious choices I have missed?

Thanks for any input.

Kevin
 
If it's a single action you want then you could consider the Pietta 6 or 10 round 1873 clone from Marstar. I have not had one of the rimfires in hand but I've got two Pietta center fire single actions and they've been great. The workmanship is also very nice as seen on the internal parts when I've had them apart for cleaning. I've likely shot something like 5k to 6K out of them over the 5 years I've had the guns.
 
I agree with the Pietta 1873, case colour frame..nice blueing and very close to the original Colt SAA's in details. Uberti also makes the 1873 clone in 22LR and may have really nice Walnut grips. If you can find an old three screw Ruger Single Six buy it, I had one and it was a really good shooter. I moved up to an Uberti 1873 SAA in 45 Colt and made the mistake of trading off the Ruger.
Put up a WTB on the EE, you may pry a gem out of someone's safe, the best thing about a used gun is that it is not perfect and so must be shot.
 
Skinny 1950 said:
I agree with the Pietta 1873, case colour frame..nice blueing and very close to the original Colt SAA's in details. Uberti also makes the 1873 clone in 22LR and may have really nice Walnut grips. If you can find an old three screw Ruger Single Six buy it, I had one and it was a really good shooter. I moved up to an Uberti 1873 SAA in 45 Colt and made the mistake of trading off the Ruger.
Put up a WTB on the EE, you may pry a gem out of someone's safe, the best thing about a used gun is that it is not perfect and so must be shot.
Click to expand...

The 3 screw Rugers are nice Single Action's and they pop up on the EE usually a bit cheaper then the newer model Single Sixes which are also good guns.
I prefer the way the cylinder indexes with the older guns when clearing the shells with the ejector. It clicks when it's aligned correctly and allows you to clear the shells without looking at the gun which I find relaxing for some reason.

If I could carry a Single Six in the woods I'd probably go with the newer model and take advantage of the transfer bar and load 6 rounds instead of 5 with the older style hammer down on an empty chamber.
 
I picked up this 1970 3 screw Ruger single Six off the EE. Great little single action six shooter.

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I'm also in the market for a .22 revolver. I think the first thing you need to decide is single action or double? I'm of two minds about the Alfa's. There are two BNIB alloy 22's on the EE at $375. That's very attractive if you just want a plinking gun but then I think maybe "you get what you pay for". On the other hand with a S&W 17 varient you have to wonder "How much of that price is for the name?" :confused:

I guess it's always the same thing.....how good is good enough?
 
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Newer Ruger single six

I let some of the old guard at our club try out my Browning Medalist, which has a nice grip and absolutely lovely trigger, and for that I got to try out a couple of other types. One was a Ruger single six, newer model, and immediately I had to get my wife to try it. My semi autos had larger grips and didn't fit her hand well, but the single six worked well for her so I got bought a good used one. I like the single six as well.... nice trigger, and something special about the feel of cocking the hammer and the moving mechanism.

One club member was impressed enough with my Medalist that he insisted I try his S&W 17 (don't know which dash number). Nice gun!!! It has a great feel and a very nice trigger as well. I'd buy one in an instant if they weren't so expensive.

Cheers, al.
 
So, forget about what the "asks" are on the EE for a minute. What's a fair/reasonable price for a S&W .22 revolver in decent "shooter", not collector condition?
 
I'm an admitted "Revolver Guy" but when it comes to shooting .22lr I'm partial to the semi's (make sense? Didn't think so)
I find the process of shooting and loading/unloading Single Action only .22lr's too slow. I would be ok with a 10rnd 617 or possibly the all steel Alpha Project ....my $0.05
 
I find the loading and unloading of single actions relaxing, but I understand why others could find it tedious.

If I was buying new and on a budget I'd try an Alfa. I handled a steel version and it felt pretty good. The Alfa's are relatively new to the market so hopefully support for parts and service should it be needed is good. I've heard reports from the past where there were some issues with durability but that was with older models not the current guns.


The price range for used smith mod 17's seems to around $500 for an average condition gun and more for a nicer one.

I jumped on a long 8 3/8" barrel that I thought was fairly priced due to some external rust damage on the barrel.
The deals are out there but you need to monitor the EE and jump when something reasonable comes up.
 
The Alpha Project .22 is very nice. Heavier than you'd think, nice construction. I bought if for my gf. However, I found that it's better for little hands. My gorrila knuckle-draggers are too big; my pinky has no part of the grip to make contact with.

Cannon
 
What about the "steel vs alloy" question with the Alfa's? I mean, it's only .22...how strong does the frame need to be? Or is there another reason why steel is so much better?
 
Jonny_Cannon said:
The Alpha Project .22 is very nice. Heavier than you'd think, nice construction. I bought if for my gf. However, I found that it's better for little hands. My gorrila knuckle-draggers are too big; my pinky has no part of the grip to make contact with.

Cannon
Click to expand...

The pinky doesn't do much....just let it hang loose!
:)

Single action guns have beveled grips at the bottom so the pinky can wrap under and give some support when cocking the gun.

I doubt the Steel VS Alloy is a major factor for durability but most people would give the advantage to the steel.
The only other difference is weight and price.

Some people might want to practice with a heavier gun to build up strength or reduce the mild muzzle flip, plus the weight will be closer to most centerfire revolvers.
 
Thanks for the comments so far. It is all helpfull, but keep them coming.

Can-down asks what I shoot. Well a 45cal smoothbore flintlock, a 44 cal remington pattern revolver, a S&W 586 357/38spec revolver, a Taylors replica of a Schofield revolver in 38spec, plus semi's, a Ruger Mk111, a Beretta 92 9mm.

Kevin
 
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