wheel gun

[emmab]

Hello. I was wondering if anyone out there in .22 land had any thoughts on which type of revolver would make for a fun and accurate plinker. My friend has a smith and wesson looking unit(might be single action) and it shoots great. I kind of have an inkling on picking up something like that. I already have a ruger mk1 which I enjoy. Any comments would be interesting. Thanks

 

[colinjw]

A .22 revolver is a great idea.

Here are my thoughts for what they are worth.
A Smith & Wesson 6" double action would be a good choice. Adjustable sights, swing out cylinder . Consider looking for a good used one.

I would suggest avoiding a single action such as a Ruger. My reason being is that they are harder to prove safe & since you cannot swing out the cylinder & leave it open, a number of ranges insist that the cylinder be taken out on a cease fire. Get's to be a nuisance.

A Ruger SP101 in a 6" would also be a good choice. I have one in a 4" I really like it.

 

[mittycat99]

Agree with the comment on the ruger single six - difficult to prove safe. I have three .22's and one thing I noticed is that that the grips on the two revolvers (ruger single six and S&W model 17) are small and my pinky dangles off in space. I didn't think this was a big deal at first but notice I shoot these less frequently due to this fact. Eventually I will move to some aftermarket grips that are more comfortable.

The other thing I notice with .22 pistols is that many people go cheap on them thinking it is just a .22 so let's not spend a ton of dough. This may be the one pistol you take EVERY time to the range given cheap ammo ($17 for 550) and it improves your shooting skills. Having said this I wouldn't be afraid of spending more on a great .22 as you will use and enjoy it the most. I bought a used S&W model .41 and prefer it over my wheel guns. But if you are starting out a good wheel gun may be the way to go too.

 

[dinsdale]

I picked up an old High Standard Sentinel for $150.
It's plenty accurate , double action trigger is very stiff but SA is good.
It goes with me to the range every time.Grip is small for me but good for my GF and daughter. I shoot with Pinky curled under.

 

[undertaker]

617 all the way !

 

[geologist]

I have a SW 17-3 with a 6" barrel. It's a keeper and goes to the range everytime I bring my handguns.

 

[reid134]

harrington and richardson "side kick" under $100, i paid $50 for mine

 

[BRS9]

If you like it to have some weight, the S&W 617 is the way to go

If younger people, or small handed people are shooting, S&W just came out with a smaller framed .22 lr revolver with a 5" barrel, called the Model 63;

I've been desperately trying to get my hands on one.

http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/...angId=-1&parent_category_rn=15702&isFirearm=Y

 

[RickF]

For slightly more serious shooting, I'd strongly recommend the Smith K22. In any of it's permutations. They've been the standard the rest have been compared to for 50 years.

 

[IM_Lugger]

Taurus Tracker is a decent gun for the money...I know SIR had some Taurus .17 and .22mag revolvers left on sale for ~$300, probably soild out by now...

 

[tiriaq]

I have both a Smith 17, and a High Standard Sentinel. You would not go wrong with either. The Smith will cost 3 times more than the High Standard.
I'm not sure about any problem proving a single action - open the gate, and rotate the cylinder - what could be easier?

 

[geologist]

I have both a Smith 17, and a High Standard Sentinel. You would not go wrong with either. The Smith will cost 3 times more than the High Standard.
I'm not sure about any problem proving a single action - open the gate, and rotate the cylinder - what could be easier?

They're talking about shooting range safety protocols that require revolvers to be left with their cylinders open and pointing down range during ceasefires. easy with a DA, not so easy with an SA.

 

[mittycat99]

With the single six you have to open the gate, cycle through all the chambers to ensure empty and put a screw driver in the open gate into the cylinder. This still makes some range officers uneasy as they prefer to see the chambers empty themselves.

 

[ontgunner]

If double action is what you want I second the 617, 6" barrel and 10 rd cylinder.
I do like the Single Six, though. And having the option of the .22 mag is nice!
I've had a Taurus and an H&R... H&R (cheapo model) was sloppy and the Taurus was horrible in double action, sweet in single. Heavy gun though. (I did like the grip ).
As far as proving a single action safe for the R.O.'s, would not passing a cleaning rod through the loading gate and the hammer in the half-#### position be sufficient? It would prevent the action from rotating and the hammer from going forward... (not an issue at my range).

 

[Wendell]

With the single six you have to open the gate, cycle through all the chambers to ensure empty and put a screw driver in the open gate into the cylinder. This still makes some range officers uneasy as they prefer to see the chambers empty themselves.

The semi-auto bias yet again! I know it's 2007 but Dammit! The sun doesn't rise and fall with the semi-automatic pistol...

 

[MauserMike]

Personally, I love the S&W K22 frame model 17's, especially the older ones. They are wonderfully balanced guns and excellent shooters. The older models are from another time and have an out of this world finish. They are great rigs to own, especially if you have a matched .38 cal K frame revolver.

I find the full underlug throws the balance somewhat forward on the later model guns. Just my 2 cents on that one.

 

[Threemorewishes]

Can't go wrong with a S&W 617.