wondering about inexpensive 22 revolver
- Thread starter xcaret
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Well, first of all you need to define your level that qualifies for "inexpensive".
I had 3 of the cheaper rimfire revolvers before I managed to get a S&W 17 and an old 3 screw Ruger single six. None of the cheapies shot anywhere nearly as accurately as these two major brand models. I've still got two of the cheapies. One being a top break H&R and the other I want to do some smithing on it when my shop is back up and running to see if a new cylinder pin that reduces the massive slop in the cylinder will improve the accuracy. I'm only keeping them for the uniqueness in the one case and project status of the other. It's the S&W and Ruger that get the range time because they shoot more accurately and make me look good...
The new Pietta rimfire guns look very desirable. I've got two Piettas in .357 that I use for cowboy action and the fit and finish is excellent. So their rimfire guns should be darn nice as well. But I don't consider the price they are asking for them as "inexpensive".
Consider too that the difference between "inexpensive" and "good gun for the money" is about another $100 between the cheapest possible and a gun with a known good reputation for accurate shooting.
For single action revolvers this means Ruger is the major choice with Pietta as a solid second choice based on my center fire Pietta guns and the other Piettas I've seen used by my shooting buddies.
For double action swing out guns there's not a lot of options. The S&W 17 or K22 is just about king of the hill. But they command a pretty penny. The only option is the recently introduced Ruger SP101-22. But good luck finding one.
If you can live with a semi auto instead the price picture is far more rosey. There's the Ruger Mk guns, Browning Buckmark and S&W 22a. These all shoot very accurately, handle crisply and have a good long history. There's also a fair number of newer guns that are rapidly gaining a solid reputation. The GSG 1911 and the S&W M&P being two examples.
There are a lot of other guns that folks have found work well but which have enough examples with problems that it suggests that each needs to be tuned before they'll work reliably. The Sig Mosquito being one such example. Lots of problem reports but then again lots of folks that find they work like a Timex watch.
I had 3 of the cheaper rimfire revolvers before I managed to get a S&W 17 and an old 3 screw Ruger single six. None of the cheapies shot anywhere nearly as accurately as these two major brand models. I've still got two of the cheapies. One being a top break H&R and the other I want to do some smithing on it when my shop is back up and running to see if a new cylinder pin that reduces the massive slop in the cylinder will improve the accuracy. I'm only keeping them for the uniqueness in the one case and project status of the other. It's the S&W and Ruger that get the range time because they shoot more accurately and make me look good...
The new Pietta rimfire guns look very desirable. I've got two Piettas in .357 that I use for cowboy action and the fit and finish is excellent. So their rimfire guns should be darn nice as well. But I don't consider the price they are asking for them as "inexpensive".
Consider too that the difference between "inexpensive" and "good gun for the money" is about another $100 between the cheapest possible and a gun with a known good reputation for accurate shooting.
For single action revolvers this means Ruger is the major choice with Pietta as a solid second choice based on my center fire Pietta guns and the other Piettas I've seen used by my shooting buddies.
For double action swing out guns there's not a lot of options. The S&W 17 or K22 is just about king of the hill. But they command a pretty penny. The only option is the recently introduced Ruger SP101-22. But good luck finding one.
If you can live with a semi auto instead the price picture is far more rosey. There's the Ruger Mk guns, Browning Buckmark and S&W 22a. These all shoot very accurately, handle crisply and have a good long history. There's also a fair number of newer guns that are rapidly gaining a solid reputation. The GSG 1911 and the S&W M&P being two examples.
There are a lot of other guns that folks have found work well but which have enough examples with problems that it suggests that each needs to be tuned before they'll work reliably. The Sig Mosquito being one such example. Lots of problem reports but then again lots of folks that find they work like a Timex watch.
What kinda price are you looking at? If you can get your price up to $500, you should be able to find a used S&W 17 in 22LR. The older ones are real tack drivers.
On the budget side, I have seen some used Piettas go for cheap on the EE. You can buy a new one in 22LR w/ a 22MAG cylinder for $420 on Marstar. They are pretty nice little Single Actions. For $375 you can get a new 22LR ONLY one in 6 shots or 10. (Not including shipping)
For dirt cheap, There is the occasional no name 22 revolver being sold on the EE or Epps. In this case you will have to be patient as prices seem to be going up for garbage items but you will find a good deal eventually. (I bought an H&R 999 for ~150 a few months ago. Fun plinker)
On the budget side, I have seen some used Piettas go for cheap on the EE. You can buy a new one in 22LR w/ a 22MAG cylinder for $420 on Marstar. They are pretty nice little Single Actions. For $375 you can get a new 22LR ONLY one in 6 shots or 10. (Not including shipping)
For dirt cheap, There is the occasional no name 22 revolver being sold on the EE or Epps. In this case you will have to be patient as prices seem to be going up for garbage items but you will find a good deal eventually. (I bought an H&R 999 for ~150 a few months ago. Fun plinker)
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A good shooter at $200....
Very possible a norc woodsman is a $200 gun and it outshoots most .22 pistols.
I once had a Rohm 23 that I bought from Century and paid the worldly sum of $25 for it, while it was the next best thing to a starter pistol it was great for cheap plinking, actually I think it was my most "fun gun" to have and shot. Then some A-hle(s) broke into my house while I was in Bosnia and stolen it, but via fast talking to the CFO I kept my 12(6) handgun status, the little prick on the phone was all set to remove that as to what I could be licenced to have.
In that case I'd strongly suggest one of the Norinco M93 Colt Woodsman clones. All the reports say that they shoot nicely, are pretty reliable and you'll be into the gun for a pinch under $200 even buying new.
Other than that be patient and watchful for one of the H&R 9 shot revolvers to show up. When they do the cost is typically in the $200 to $250 range.
If you're willing to up the budget to around $400 it opens up lots of options. S&W 22a, the less expensive Buckmarks, and GSG 1911 are just three options that jump to mind.
Good name brand semi autos often come up on the EE in the $300 to $350 range as well.
Yeah, I know. These options are all 1.5 to 2x what you state your budget to be. But you'd be getting guns with arguably better accuracy and reputations that suggest that the gun will deliver reliable service for many years to come and with parts support that may not be available for older and cheaper options.
And frankly the trigger feel on those older and cheaper revolvers tends to suck. The DA pull on the H&R's effectively and realistically renders them SA only guns. So even if you find one at your price point I'd suggest that it's quite possible that you'd soon find yourself not taking it to the range just due to that issue. After all such a gun is only useable for casual plinking and targets. Where a GSG or similar semi auto can be used in some casual club Speed Steel and other rimfire matches. And even if not using it for such things the nicer trigger makes those other options just more fun to shoot.
If you can find an older Sauer single-action, you'll be most pleased. It should be in or around your budget. They're a well-made chunk of iron and lots of fun to shoot. They won't do match accuracy, but it sounds as though you just want to have some fun slinging lead. These are great options. They're made in a couple different brand names, but they were all made in Germany, so the quality is quite good for a fun afternoon of shooting.
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you can also check out Irunguns.com they have heritage roughriders on their website for $180 , or a Cimaron Plinkerton 22LR Revolver 4.75" for $172.00 US prices ... I have a chiappa 22 revolver that I love, paid $239 for it at prairie gun traders
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I haven't seen anyone with the Roughriders in stock for some time now. I've never shot one but from reports they are decent enough for accuracy. Some examples match the Ruger Single Sixes while others are a little less accurate but still what most would consider acceptable. So that might be a good option.
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I was on the website while I was writing that post and according to the site they do have the roughriders in stock, worst thing about I run guns is the wait time to get the order processed and shipped to canada , they only ship out orders once a month, i'm still waiting on a 223 i ordered almost a month ago
A good shooter at $200....
Heritage Rough Rider. .22 LR and .22 Magnum.
I got mine about three years ago for $199.
I believe they can be found at around 210-220.
I'm a bit sentimental about mine. 'twas my first.
And I have a nice pair of wooden finger-grooved
grips on it.
I have one of these as well.... Love it!
