D/A .22 lr revolver

D

d_mikey

New member
I'm looking for a compact, lightweight double action .22lr revolver. This is for plinking and pocket carry. What's out there that is new is discouraging. The S&W j frames, in 2 or 3 inch barrels, look ideal, light, good size, adjustable sights available, but the price is ridiculous. A 642 or 432 is cheaper. Taurus, by what I am finding on the website, is only making Tracker models that are big and heavy, and not very inexpensive either.
Its looking like my only option for a new one is a Charter Arms Pathfinder. Am I missing something? Anybody got any ideas? The only used models I have been able to find around here are a High Standard Sentinel that is missing almost all of its finish, and appears to be one of the models that is held together by roll pins only, no screws. AT $90, maybe I should take a chance on it anyway. It does lock up nice and tight, and the trigger is passable. The other gun available is a Colt Officers Model Match, also missing a lot of bluing, and being a 6 in barrel, its pretty darned big and heavy. Sweet trigger. Probably a nice bullseye gun, but thats not what I am looking for.
Is a Pathfinder that bad? If not, I still have to find someone who will actually sell one around here. No local dealer, and it looks like the big online distributors (Lipseys and Davidson's) don't carry Charter. I wonder if that says something about the quality?
Mike
 
Taurus have several small .22lr revolvers on their website. S&W have the kit guns and Colt had the PP, but it sounds like they are going to more than what you are willing to spend. You can look for the older H&Rs or Iver Johnsons. They were good inexpensive guns that can be found most anywhere because a boat load of them were made over the years. Also a .22lr handgun is really hard to tear up so even though it looks like it was dragged behind the truck it may very well be in good mechanical condition.
 
Look for a used Ruger SP101 in .22. They were stainless models and I've seen the .22 in a 2 inch barrel. I'm pretty sure Ruger has dropped the .22 from it's line, but there are lots of used ones out there. Check the online auctions.
 
Hi! Charter Arms are made in the town next to me. Although I havn't seen the Pathfinder, the 38 and 44 they make seem well constructed. They sell for about $220 which was quoted to me. A 22 will last a good long time. I agree with the others- check the used market. Your post made me look at the Taurus website and I don't see the 94 there. I have one blued in four inch and I will never sell it. Too bad it was dropped-not many nine shot revolvers on the market. It came in 2,3,4,and 5 inch versions over the years. It will be missed. Good Luck.
 
Was just looking in the taurus website and they still make the Model 94 In .22. Ruger as far as I know just quit making the .22 in the Sp101 some may be still around new.Unless you are lucky finding a nice .22 pistol isn't easy took me 6 months to find a Smith I liked :)
 
Thanks very much for the information guys. I still could not find a smaller taurus .22 revolver on their site, so I must be missing something.
It looks like I will be looking for a while longer on the used market. They do seem to be hard to find. Its probably the better choice, as its doubtful a used one will decline much further in value.
The Charter Pathfinder might still be an option. I have to admit, I just dont want to spend a lot of money on something I will be using strictly for plinking, or maybe on the occasional rodent.
I guess it will be a while before I get this one.
Mike
 
I just found the 94-look under small frame revolvers. Don't use the gun selector on the Taurus Website. Thanks for the correction.
 
Skip the Taurus, qaulity control is too iffy. I have an older pathfinder that's nicely made but it's not all that accurate. S&W 63's and 34's are nice but pretty pricy and also not the easiest to shoot accuratly. I'll second the Sp101. It's "right sized " for a 22 lr.
( Mine just sold pending funds)
 
Last edited:
I wouldn't recommend the Taurus 94 unless you plan on shooting it S/A. I bought one nib in November 2000. I doubt if i put more than 500 through it. That thing had the heaviest D/A pull i've ever tried. I finally traded it & $150.00 for a like new Springfield XD40.

Find yourself a nice little S&W kit gun. You'll be much happier with it.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top