Forum rules
Welcome to the Leverguns.Com General Discussions Forum. This is a high-class place so act respectable. We discuss most anything here other than politics... politely.
Please post political post in the new Politics forum.
The other day I was mulling about which .22 handgun to get my daughter. I think I've decided to give her my Taurus Model 94 - a stainless 9-shot double-action revolver. I am going to switch out the grips to something customized for her (probably pink! ).
So, I need to replace it in my collection. Which .22 rimfire double-action revolver do you like best? This is for target practice mostly.
Smith k-22 for double action target/hunting. I also carried a lite weight J-frame in .22 with laser grips for a while. It had a 3 inch barrel and high visibiity sights. Was a neat little kit gun. One of the old Smith kit guns, again in 3 or 4 inch jframes were nice with either .22 mag or .22lr. Can you tell I'm a Smith Double Action type of guy??
Mike Johnson,
"Only those who will risk going too far, can possibly find out how far one can go." T.S. Eliot
In DA, there is only the S&W 17, 22, 34 or 63. I think you'll like the K-frames best (17, 22). The kids would like the 34 or 63 best. You can find them. You do have to pay for them. They are worth every penny.
Sincerely,
Hobie
"We are all travelers in the wilderness of this world, and the best that we find in our travels is an honest friend." Robert Louis Stevenson
Hobie wrote:In DA, there is only the S&W 17, 22, 34 or 63. I think you'll like the K-frames best (17, 22). The kids would like the 34 or 63 best. You can find them. You do have to pay for them. They are worth every penny.
You forgot 2. The Model 18, a 4" version of the 17, and this one .....
Haven't had a 18, but want one. Can't go wrong with a Smith. Anything else will lose value.
And of course I have to add, NO LOCK is a must, pinned & recessed is highly recommended.
Colt Diamondback would be a very neat little revolver if you can find one --- same for a Colt Trooper .22 (as an S&W alternative, but the "Colt tax" is in full force on these-- they are a bit high $$)
Dan Wesson also made a superb .22, but can be hard to find (but no harder to find than a Diamondback) ---
Pete44ru wrote:I've had pretty good luck with my new 4" Charter Target Pathfinder, over the past year.
No, not as smooth as a Smith, but about half the $$$ - and just as good as a trail gun/plinker.
.
Another vote for the Charter Arms. Our 6" Pathfinder is light and manageable. Sights ARE adjustable but low profile. You can also swap out the grip frames with the .38's (not sure about the .44's) - I did that but can't remember why I did...!
I also like my Taurus 9-shot but it is only a 2" one I bought used, and the DA trigger pull isn't too good. I've shot other Taurus' that were really nice though.
Last edited by AJMD429 on Thu Oct 08, 2009 10:07 am, edited 1 time in total.
Doctors for Sensible Gun Laws "first do no harm" - gun control LAWS lead to far more deaths than 'easy access' ever could.
S&W Model 18 Combat Masterpiece. Bought mine as a teenager and still have it set up with magnum grips and target trigger.
Can use the same Don Hume Jordan-style holster as M 19 Combat Magnum 4 inch.
CRS, NRA Benefactor Member, TSRA, DRSS, DWWC, Whittington Center
Android Ballistics App at http://www.xplat.net/
Hobie wrote:In DA, there is only the S&W 17, 22, 34 or 63. I think you'll like the K-frames best (17, 22). The kids would like the 34 or 63 best. You can find them. You do have to pay for them. They are worth every penny.
You forgot 2. The Model 18, a 4" version of the 17, and this one .....
Mine is a S&W Model 617 (mine is a 6 shot version), and is the most accurate .22 revolver I've ever fired. But beware, some of them have a 10 shot aluminum cylinder that is less than desirable.
Jay, what ever you buy your daughter she may like some of the grips from this company. They make grips to match just about any outfit she chooses to wear at the range
A guy at work has one. I've shot it and it's super accurate. A really nice handgun especially with the 10 shot cylinder.
"If ever a time should come, when vain and aspiring men
shall possess the highest seats in Government,
our country will stand in need of its experienced patriots
to prevent its ruin." Samuel Adams
I am another admirer of the S&W Model 18-4. Blue K frame, 4" barrel, target hammer, target trigger, target grips, red insert frot sight, white outline rear S&W adjustable sight, .22 double action revolver. What is there not to like?
Before you decide, think about this- revolvers are very easy to change the grips. Do some research on which gun has the best selection of grips available. No contest, of course. Not to mention the aforementioned retention of value.
If You decide you might want a 6 Inch S&W 17-4 near mint in box that I have and I am sure we can work a deal on it. It has target hammer and trigger, adj sights and I put a smaller K-frame factory grip on it, has the target grip too. With Holster.
Mike Johnson,
"Only those who will risk going too far, can possibly find out how far one can go." T.S. Eliot
For target use I would stick with a 6" barrel, or longer like a 8 3/8 if you can find one. Either way, IMO the S&W K-22 is at the top of the list. Very close behind has to be the Dan Wesson. I have one with a 8" and a 4" barrel and tools. It's as accurate as any of the K-22s I have, and it has a better trigger. That wasn't something I would have thought possible until I fired it. The only problem is they are very hard to find. As far as Colt is concerned, I have a 6" Diamondback, and while it is a beautiful gun, it's not in the same accuracy class as a S&W K-22, and it wasn't intended to be. The Colt Officer's Model Match is accurate, but doesn't look as good IMO, and I believe falls below the S&W. You will probably find a K-22 for less than the OMM too.
Good luck in your search, and let us know how you make out.
I like the standard blue K-22's. I've had one for a few years. I have a group I shot with it, 2 handed kneeling @ 25 yards, it's 1 1/4" for 6 shots. That's common for this gun. Once in Az, I shot at the 18"w x 36" h plate @ 300 yards and made 6 for 6. It has well over 200K rounds thru it and is still going strong. The slick DA makes airborn targets possible. I have no idea how many bunnies and squirrels I've shot with it over the years.
"Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs even though checkered by failure, than to rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy nor suffer much because they live in the gray twilight that knows neither victory nor defeat." -Theodore Roosevelt-
Isnt it amazing how many people post without reading the thread?
Though I do like that little 6" H&R 999 for just a plinker, but for a real nice gun I really like the S&W 17. There is not much in DA that shoots better than a fine Smith !
AS far as I am concerned the best of the best was and still is the Smith and Wesson model 17-2. I don't believe they make them anymore, but they can still be found.
you guys must have some deep pockets. the smiths are nice and spendy.
i've got an old iver/johnson that shoots straight and was CHEAP. kinda
cool grips with owl heads on them, too. of course i also have the 12 shooter
so i guess i should not talk about spendy 22s.
If You decide you might want a 6 Inch S&W 17-4 near mint in box that I have and I am sure we can work a deal on it. It has target hammer and trigger, adj sights and I put a smaller K-frame factory grip on it, has the target grip too. With Holster.
Mike -
Enabler! Could you PM me some photos. No rush, but sure I'm interested...
Well, I have two, one has not been mentioned.
Llama made a .22 version of thier K frame copy, it is accurate and smooth.
The Dan Wesson wears a scope, and is scary accurate.
I have a Taurus 94 4" blue 22 mag 8 shot. I am a big guy and the grips are a little small for me. I also feel that the 4" steel revolver is a little heavy for a small girl. I also have a Heritage 3" Birds Head and I have bought 2 others for my sons when they were young and we all love them and use them alot. They are nice enough and you don't mind roughing it up. The Heritage will need a file to adjust the site for the ammo you choose but maybe not and it shoots both 22LR and 22mag. It also shoots the CCI rat shot good too. The 9 1/2" Ruger Single 6 is also so nice but I don't seem to use it as much but I do have to tell you that it has killed me some rats and small critters. I think I might put that Single Six 9.5" up for sale say $325 it also have a 22mag cyl.
since the topic has already been covered, I thought I would resurrect this old thread rather than start a new one on the same topic.
I lost a night's sleep last week when I walked away from a 4" pinned Model 63 for $400 (on the tag... in a shop where I have bought a 66-1 for $275 that had been marked at $375).
Imagine my relief when it was still there the next day.
Pics forthcoming!
A K22 or later model is always a good choice. But to have a Colt like either of the Diamondbacks that txpete has....
But if you look hard enough, the old Colt Officers Model Targets are still around for fair prices. I bought an early one in excellent mechanical condition but with some cosmetic issues (on one side), and mother of pearl aftermarket grips on it, for under $150 at the Kansas City Cabelas a few years ago.
They are out there, and it shoots as well as my K22.
Idahoser wrote:
I lost a night's sleep last week when I walked away from a 4" pinned Model 63 for $400 (on the tag... in a shop where I have bought a 66-1 for $275 that had been marked at $375).
Having owned a 4" 63 for a couple of years, I would have had a hard time passing that one up. Glad it was still there!
Nothing so needs reforming as other people's habits.
-Mark Twain
Proverbs 3:5; Philippians 4:13
Got to have a Jones for this
Jones for that
This running with the Joneses boy
Just ain't where it's at
The Smith and Wesson model 17 K22 has never been surpassed, as far as I am concerned, and with today's cheap gun market mentality, I doubt it ever will be.
). 
The Model 18, a 4" version of the 17, and this one 
.....
