Some of the .22LR revolvers are really small in size. Depending on your hand size you wouldn't want a tiny gun. The gun needs to fit your hand properly. I'm thinking the S&W 617 would be a good size as it is a K frame size to start or a Ruger Blackhawk. Traditionally a revolver is 6 shots. Some of the newer revolvers are 8, 9 or even 10 shots I think. As a traditionalist I tend to like the 6 shooters. There is a lot of fine machine work involved in a revolver so the extra shoots make that a little harder to make work. I like a rubber grip that has finger grooves in it. Some guns, mostly the D/As have this as stock, the S/As do not. You can purchase these grips for some of the guns. There are two styles of grips for a S/A gun, the Bisley grip is a bit better. But this isn't much of an issue for a .22LR gun. There are so called Cowboy Action guns that do not have adjustable rear sights. You have to adjust your reloads to make the point of aim and the point of impact the same, this cannot be done with rim fire ammo(.22LR is rimfire ammo).
Up to a point you should go with what your friends have, up to you on that. The revolver isn't as "cool" as a semi auto but these guns have been around since 1850 or so and there is a reason they are still well loved. You will shoot less ammo with a revolver and a S/A less than a D/A due to time to load. But time at the range is all good so how many shoots you put down range in a certain time frame isn't that big a deal. The more rounds you burn the more it costs.
Anyway good luck on your decision. Enjoy the hobby.
Edit: I would say that a longer barrel is better than a shorter barrel up to a point. I like 6 inch barrels for example. This has two advantages, one it gives the round higher speed which is always good and the longer bbl. places weight at the front end of the gun so less kick up when firing, and as a last item the longer bbl. gives a longer sight radius and this is a bit better.
Another item to consider. I have a Ruger S/A that is convertible, it is a full size gun, it can shoot .22LR and also .22 WMR. The WMR is a fun round to shoot. Not cheap to purchase but gives you a fun round to shoot when you want. This option is more or less free with the gun purchase. If you go this route the longer the bbl. the better as the WMR round is a rifle round so it likes the longer bbl.
Up to a point you should go with what your friends have, up to you on that. The revolver isn't as "cool" as a semi auto but these guns have been around since 1850 or so and there is a reason they are still well loved. You will shoot less ammo with a revolver and a S/A less than a D/A due to time to load. But time at the range is all good so how many shoots you put down range in a certain time frame isn't that big a deal. The more rounds you burn the more it costs.
Anyway good luck on your decision. Enjoy the hobby.
Edit: I would say that a longer barrel is better than a shorter barrel up to a point. I like 6 inch barrels for example. This has two advantages, one it gives the round higher speed which is always good and the longer bbl. places weight at the front end of the gun so less kick up when firing, and as a last item the longer bbl. gives a longer sight radius and this is a bit better.
Another item to consider. I have a Ruger S/A that is convertible, it is a full size gun, it can shoot .22LR and also .22 WMR. The WMR is a fun round to shoot. Not cheap to purchase but gives you a fun round to shoot when you want. This option is more or less free with the gun purchase. If you go this route the longer the bbl. the better as the WMR round is a rifle round so it likes the longer bbl.
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