.22 revolvers

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canoetrpr

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I'm considering what a good .22 handgun is to start with and might go with a revolver instead of a semi auto.

I'm told the Ruger single 6 is a great revolver. Any others that I should be looking at in a similar price range? Any DA .22 revolvers you folks would recommend?

Forgive the ignorance but as far as I know I can shoot a DA revolver in SA mode so I can't think of a reason that a DA revolver should not be picked over a SA if I can find one that I prefer - is this correct?
 
A 617 Smith is probably the best DA 22 around.

Some of us (my self included) prefer the styling and handling characteristics of SA cowboy inspired guns be they 22's, 38 or 45colt. YMMV

Excellent choice though, revolvers are the pinnacle of pistols. :)
 
I have a Ruger Single Six and it is a great revolver for the money. If you shop around they can be under $500 new and less used depending on condition. The Smith and Wesson 617 everyone is suggesting is a way better firearm but from the last prices I have seen they are twice the price new or used. In that price range I would look at some used stuff if you want a decent double action or buy the Ruger Single Six new.
 
Patiently keep a eye on the EE section and some of the used forums on our supporting vendors sites.

Nice S&W M17's appear and are gone quickly. Ya they're a little bit of a premium to gbuy....but they're well worth it and you'll never want to sell it.
 
I have had both Ruger single action pistols and Smith & Wesson double action guns. I still have the Smiths but do not have the Rugers.

Pay the extra and you will never regret it and forbide if you want to sell it down the road it will sell quicker and for way more money.

There is a reason for that and once you have used both guns there will be no doubt in your mind why that is so.

Graydog
 
Really appreciate the thoughts here.

I was chatting with a friend at my club who now owns a S&W 41 (not a revolver) - after some research, it seems like another .22 handgun worth keeping an eye out for in addition to the 617.

Other than EE, what other place should one look for a used 617?
 
Gun shops get them all the time and have them for sale but my experience is that you will generally get a much better deal off of the EE here then you will at gun shops.

Graydog
 
SA vs DA

I have owned a Ruger Single Six, and I now own a S&W 617 (10 shot). If you intend to get into competition shooting (e.g. Bullseye style), you will be subject to time constraints (e.g. 5 rounds in 10 seconds) for which the Double Action revolver is better suited, IMHO. The Ruger is a fun plinker . . . . i.e. if time isn't a factor between reloads. A fellow in our club shoots an older Single Six and usually beats all of us at knocking down silhouette targets.

Another plus of DA revolvers is that they are easier and quicker to load/unload and they usually permit the use of speed-loaders (again, useful when under time constraints) because of their swing-out or break-open cylinder configuration.

The only 'down' side of DA revolvers for me is the purchase price (when compared to a SA revolver).
 
SW 17, cheap (<$500 if you're patient) and accurate.

25 yards, off a rest, SA.

SW17.jpg
 
I hadn't seen any threads on the SP101 .22, I assumed they still weren't up here. But to be honest I haven't been following it closely. Thanks for the heads up.
 
canoetrpr said:
....Forgive the ignorance but as far as I know I can shoot a DA revolver in SA mode so I can't think of a reason that a DA revolver should not be picked over a SA if I can find one that I prefer - is this correct?
Click to expand...

Technically this is true. But the SA and DA guns also feel and handle differently enough that one does not really take the place of the other all that well.

If you find you enjoy shooting .22 as much as a lot of us then the only real answer to the question is "one of each please".

As noted the 17 or 617 are excellent guns. But they come at a bit of a premium price. Be prepared to pay up to $650 with a smile to get a nice one. They do show up here and there for around $500 but unless you are lucky enough to be one of the first ten or so folks to view the ad or first to find the gun in a display case in a store then they are gone in under a half hour. Yes, they are THAT good and THAT much in demand.

Mind you a good condition Single Six doesn't go for all that much less. Unless you're lucky enough to trip over an old 3 screw version being sold as part of an estate thing. I won't say how cheap I got it for because it'll make folks too envious. But let's just say that I darn near set my pants on fire from wallet friction due to the speed it was brought out.... :D

Other great brands that would come at a higher cost are Colt and Dan Wesson. Or if by some miracle you come across a US Firearms in .22 be prepared to pay into or darn close to 4 figures.
 
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