22 LR Handgun Suggestions

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Peerless

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I have enjoyed shotgun sports for the past 25 years and interested in getting into handguns sports. At this point I have no interest in reloading because I already load shotshells and sometimes reloading components can be an issue to find. I have a knee injury so picking up brass could be hard at times so I think a revolver would be best. I would want the .22 LR a full size gun in case I wanted to step up to a .357 platform or similar. Suggestions appreciated. Cheers.

Troy
 
The cream of the crop for new double action is the S&W 617. For used there's a few options which are at the top of the heap. There's used 617's of course. And the older ones came in 10 as well as 6 shot. Then there's the blued Model 17 and K-22 S&W.

For single action cowboy style you'll be hard pressed to find a better plinker than the Ruger Single Six.

One thing about the 617 or older S&W .22's mentioned is that they use the popular K frame size. So you can get a wide variety of .38Spl to .357Mag guns which will feel the same as the .22.
 
OP, you have to pick up 22 brass at your club? If not, there are a few 22 autoloaders that you might consider, as well. Anything from the S&W 41 on down to the GSG1911 might be of interest to you, depending on your interests...
 
If brass catching is a huge issue then you are stuck with revolvers. You cannot do better than a S&W whether used or new. If you can fabricate a frame (1/2" copper pipe) and mount a fishing net to it, then all your brass catching worries will be gone and you could get into pistols. Ruger, Browning, GSG, or my fav. the Beretta Neos.
 
what components are hard to find??? only thing you'd need to really do extra is primers, since the shotgun size won't fit IF you were to go for a 38Spl revolver (which makes the most sense since you want to get into 357Mag later on).

i'd say just buy the 357mag revolver you want, and start loading 38Spl for it. primers mail-order from SFRC / CanadaAmmo / etc, powder from Higginsons (is that where you get your current shotgun powder?), and lead from R&R Bullets down past Brockville. heck, I can spot you some primers & lead for your first 300 rounds, or even MAKE some for you IF you give me the powder or use whatever powder I already have (i'm in Ottawa and have the setup for 38/357)

I've not seen very many full-size 22LR revolvers. most are smaller ones, or even old-style single action which means loading / unloading one idiotic tiny round at a time.

or buy yourself a 22LR semi-auto and build a brass catcher "net" to prop up beside you when you shoot. I've got a browning buckmark you're welcome to put your hands on (or even shoot if you have range membership in town - my range is EOSC which I only go to once in a while)
 
As stated, a new smith 617 is great. You could also look for the following used smiths Mdl 17or K-22. Dan Wesson .22s turn up now and then and are an excellent purchase. Taurus makes a very nice full size 22, and i think they made a "raging 22" model as well, all full sized. Any colt 22 revolvers that are full sized are going to be pricey due to the pony on the side, but will be almost as nice as the smiths, but for twice the price...but they do hold their value. Lots of options out there!
 
my dad went with the ruger super 6 (with the interchangeable 22 mag cylinder)
he liked it so much he picked it up in the 9mm (357 interchangeable cylinder)
and i wouldnt be suprised to see him go for the same in the 44 here soon.

i think the only thing he did to them was switch out the stock grips for some nice squishy Hogues and he L O V E S those 6 shooters.
 
I'm waiting on delivery of a Taurus 96 which seems to be one of the better Taurus models out there.

The 94 gets quite a few bad reviews so I would stay clear of that model.

I also have a Ruger Single Ten which is absolutely awesome, if you don't mind the single action loading/unloading.

I also have a Ruger MKIII Hunter which is the nicest of the Ruger MK series if you ask me.

Other than these I have owned pretty much every .22 fullsize handgun out there, and these are what I have settled on, at least until I can afford a S&W 617, then I might sell the Taurus. ;)

Ruger really does rule the .22 market though IMHO.

 
I've shot a few .22 revolvers in the past, but much preferred shooting a Ruger MKII. Got one for a good price on the EE and love it. Very easy to shoot well.
 
Peerless said:
I have enjoyed shotgun sports for the past 25 years and interested in getting into handguns sports. At this point I have no interest in reloading because I already load shotshells and sometimes reloading components can be an issue to find. I have a knee injury so picking up brass could be hard at times so I think a revolver would be best. I would want the .22 LR a full size gun in case I wanted to step up to a .357 platform or similar. Suggestions appreciated. Cheers.

Troy
Click to expand...

Smith 617 22 is a great gun and a Ruger SP 101 is not too shabby as well..
 
im a visual person, so sorry in advance for the pics.

i enjoy target shooting, so i like to buy 22 cal guns that i have in full sized so i can practice on the cheap.

that said i have the S&W M&P 22 and its a real nice shooter.

021_zps3b6b4e69.jpg

(its the one on the far left, followed by the 9, 40, 45 and long barreled 9)

for the money though if your looking semi auto id go with the GSG / Sig 1911-22, nice tuff gun and shoots super nice!

i put some hogue grips on mine and its super nice to shoot.
its a perfect back up gun for shooting gophers..... if we could do that legally that is.

026_zps5cdfb074.jpg


but if i had to choose just 1 .22 to buy id probably go with the Buckmark Practical or the Ruger 22/45 Lite.
both beautiful target guns.
the ruger 22/45 you can do more with for aftermarket parts (like i did with mine)
and its super lightweight.

53E3F458-F298-4296-B78F-19CDECCB213A-194-00000014E2B3555F_zpsec6c65d6.jpg


the Browning Buckmark is a lot heavier and is a dead hitter.
the stock fiber optics and the fantastic stock grips are top shelf.

015_zpsb2b58cfe.jpg

(i only had that red dot on there for a week, i went back to the stock open site fiber optics, they are wicked good!)
 
Don't overlook the Ruger Mk.1: the only drawback being that the slide doesn't lock open on an empty mag. Some don't like the mag release, but it's never been an issue for me. You can often find these for sale at a reasonable price: around $300 to $350.
 
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