Please help me pick a 22LR revolver.

Petamocto

Petamocto

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Hello everyone,

I'm a fan of having different things, so now that I have a Glock G20 (10mm), I feel like I have a semi-auto covered, and a big cal covered, so for my next pistol I would like to have a double-action revolver in a 22LR.

I am willing to spend more to get higher quality, but the problem I am seeing is that everything in the category seems to have big flaws:

1. S&W 617. Quality is there, but it's built on a 357 Mag frame, so it's way too heavy (IMO) to hand over to my wife and kids for any length of time. I see S&W also makes a smaller 317, but from what I have seen it is only 3" barrel so no-go here.

2. Ruger SP101. Quality is there, but it is getting torn apart in the reviews for having a double-action trigger pull that is off the charts for effort. Some are dinging its ergonomics, too, but for me the trigger is a killer.

3. All the other brands that are smaller than the 617 and have a lighter trigger than the SP101 seem to be crap quality-wise (according to all the reviews of them I am reading). These would be the ALFA Proj, Charter Arms Pathfinder, Taurus 94, etc.

Can anyone please let me know if there exists a 22LR double-action that suits my needs? Basically, I want high quality, lower trigger pull (which so far says S&W 617), but preferably in a non-full-size frame?

Thank you.
 
Petamocto….I'm in the same boat you are and have considered all the same models. I handled a 617 10shot a while ago and found it nose heavy due to the full-lug 6"bbl.
I really want a double action to go with my little Bearcat and the more I look (and look) I'm starting to lean towards a S&W K22 or 17.
 
The K frame S&W model 17 and earlier K22s do not have full length ejector rod shrouds so they are lighter than most 617s.

They also have better triggers, both SA and DA, no lawyer locks and are cheaper to boot.

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You listed every double-action revolver that exists, and then said you don't like any of them.

Are you sure you actually want one?
 
geologist said:
The K frame S&W model 17 and earlier K22s do not have full length ejector rod shrouds so they are lighter than most 617s.
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Thank you! Can you please explain this further? I am a newb to revolvers. Is the "K Frame" or "K22" something that can still be bought, or is it used-only? I'm off the research those more now. Edit: I see now from S&W's website how the frame sizes work. I guess I'll have to hold one to see.

Dexter Morgan said:
You listed every double-action revolver that exists, and then said you don't like any of them. Are you sure you actually want one?
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I didn't know that I was listing everything. That's why I was asking people who know more than I do, in the hopes that there were other pistols out there I hadn't heard of.

PS - Dexter, I think you're a bad father for abandoning your son.
 
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Smith & Wesson lists a Model 17 Masterpiece on their website. SKU #150477. That being said, don't turn your nose up at a used Model 17. I just bought one and I'm eagerly awaiting it. I have a used 586 (.357 mag) that has been nothing but good to me.

Also, the K frame on which the 617 is built was originally designed for .38s, although they shoehorned .357s into them later. The L frame was built specifically for .357s and is heavier to withstand the magnum rounds. I can see your confusion since they both have a full underlug. Your point stands though as the underlug will make it more difficult for the daintier shooters in your life to handle. Whichever way you go, enjoy.
 
Petamocto said:
Thank you! Can you please explain this further? I am a newb to revolvers. Is the "K Frame" or "K22" something that can still be bought, or is it used-only? I'm off the research those more now. Edit: I see now from S&W's website how the frame sizes work. I guess I'll have to hold one to see.
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K22's and 17s are mostly available used but I think that S&W has started making 17s again. Guys correct me if I'm wrong.

I prefer buying them used. They are K frames, designed for .357 magnum so they will last forever, if cared for, chambered in .22LR.

The quality and finish of the used K22s and 17s are superior to any newly manufactured revolvers including S&Ws.

The DA trigger of a 17 is light and smooth and cannot be compared to anything that Ruger makes (or made) never mind the new revolvers coming in from eastern Europe.
 
If there are no viable options than the S&W or Ruger, I guess my decision now has to be based on what I am willing to sacrifice: weight or trigger pull.

For those out there who have gone this route, what is more work, a revolver that weighs more but has an easy buttery action, or a revolver that weighs less but you have to work like hell to operate?

Since there is nothing I can do to make the S&W weigh less, I suppose the option is there to get the Ruger and then spend and extra $100+ going after a lighter trigger, but that's getting to be an expensive proposition.
 
I would recommend the Alfa Proj 2251 all steel .22lr . Really impressed so far , quality fit and finish seems somewhere between Ruger and S&W . Compared to a Ruger SP101 side by side the Alfa is the winner , better single and double action trigger and overall fit, seems to be more accurate too. Best part its at least $200 less than the Ruger SP101. Sold my Ruger the day after i took them both to the range and compared .
 
Doesn't Taurus make a DA .22 revolver? For a used piece, the Colt Officers Model Match, but they aren't too common but do appear once in a while.

Auggie D.
 
Petamocto said:
If there are no viable options than the S&W or Ruger, I guess my decision now has to be based on what I am willing to sacrifice: weight or trigger pull.

For those out there who have gone this route, what is more work, a revolver that weighs more but has an easy buttery action, or a revolver that weighs less but you have to work like hell to operate?

Since there is nothing I can do to make the S&W weigh less, I suppose the option is there to get the Ruger and then spend and extra $100+ going after a lighter trigger, but that's getting to be an expensive proposition.
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If you were considering a 617 over the Ruger, the Smith is quite a bit more money new..
you decide to do trigger work you can still be a head of the game by a couple of hundred..
 
Petamocto said:
Thank you very much for posting this. I had heard that ALFAs were junk, but I see that may now may require further examination.

My local store has a 2251c, and 251, in decreasing price.

If their quality holds up, I may have a winner here.
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I think there was a batch a few years ago imported to the US that received some bad reviews but the ones that i have seen and shot from this recent import here are great . Cant find any flaws in mine other than the grips that are easily upgraded , love its a 9 shot and it came zeroed perfectly with a test target .. They are made in Brno Czech Rep , a town where they know a thing or two about making firearms.
 
boss351cleveland said:
Cant find any flaws in mine other than the grips that are easily upgraded , love its a 9 shot and it came zeroed perfectly with a test target.
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I'm really going to have to get this thing in hand. I'm willing to spend more to get better quality, but if this good quality and less money, of course that's great.

silverfoxdj said:
If you were considering a 617 over the Ruger, the Smith is quite a bit more money new...you decide to do trigger work you can still be a head of the game by a couple of hundred...
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I would always prefer to have something designed as-is that works well from the start. I'm not anti-Ruger at all, but I'd prefer to just buy something that works great out of the box, so I know I'm not fixing one thing that's going to throw something else out of whack.

If the S&W were not so big I'd buy it, were the Ruger's trigger better I'd buy it, but as per above, if the ALFA is smaller, 9 shot, well-made, with a decent trigger and it's less money, I think I may have a winner.
 
You could always give up on the double-action idea, and just get a single action revolver.

How often is anyone going to shoot DA anyways? Most people don't.

A Ruger single-ten is a great gun. And you can easily unhook one of the trigger springs (under the grips) and you will have a trigger-pull of about 1 pound.
 
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