Good .22 Revolver Options (new or used)

M

Martowski

New member
Any suggestions on a good .22 revolver for less than $400 (preferrably closer to $300)? I'd like a DA revolver but I can find used Ruger Single Sixes all over the place for less than $300. I know the Ruger is a great gun but SA wasn't exactly what I had in mind.

Looked at the Taurus revolvers and HATE the DA pull. Looked at the Ruger SP101 but more $$ than I want to pay. I love Smiths but I'm not looking to pay that much, even for used.

Any other thoughts out there? Even older models? Basically looking for something accurate and easy to shoot and load for my kids as they get older. Again, prefer DA but if I go SA will get a used Single Six.
 
If you're getting a .22, I don't see any reason to get one in double action. They all have a heavy trigger pull in order to reliably set off the primers. But of you're set on double action you might wanna look at the charter arms pathfinder.
 
I think you are going to have a hard time finding a good double action .22 for that price. I recently did a very similar research as I wanted a good DA revolver for target shooting. In $300 - $400 range there is nothing interesting, unless you get very lucky. Now, if you bump it just a little to be in $400 - $500 there are a few very-very nice guns, such as SW Model 17. You'll have to hunt to get one in decent shape for that kind of money, but it's possible for sure... SP 101 is easily obtainable in that price range too, but I personally don't find them as good for target shooting as Model 17...
 
If you're getting a .22, I don't see any reason to get one in double action
Click to expand...

If you're looking to get cheaper SD practice than shooting centerfire ammo, you'll most definitely want DA.

Now, if you bump it just a little to be in $400 - $500 there are a few very-very nice guns, such as SW Model 17
Click to expand...

You'd be very fortunate to find a Model 17 for under $500 (or under $600 for that matter) unless it has cosmetic issues (which would maybe be OK). They are the cream of the crop and if you plan to do much shooting it might be worth going ahead and spending the extra $$$.
 
Given your parameters, I think the Charter Arms Pathfinder is going to be your best bet. Especially since you have already stated you weren't interested in a Taurus.

You will hear some people saying to get an old H&R. If you can find one in good shape for the price you want, that would be fine. People swear you can get them for around $200 or even less, but every one I have actually seen in person (not many) in good shape (even fewer) commanded more like $250-$300.

Frankly I am of the opinion that the traditional obligatory H&R .22 advice is a holdover from about 10 years ago, when things were much different. It's not incorrect per se - it's just that the market has changed since then. They aren't as prevalent as they used to be; most have been snapped up, although you might get lucky. Just my observation.


Pretty much anything else I could name is going to be outside your price range. Good luck.
 
Last edited:
You'd be very fortunate to find a Model 17 for under $500 (or under $600 for that matter) unless it has cosmetic issues (which would maybe be OK).
Click to expand...

Actually, they often appear on Gun Broker in $400 to $500 range, although usually closer of $500. Yes, it will have some wear, like muzzle wear, little scratches, unoriginal stocks, etc. But great shooters! Someone above said "you can't get .22 with action as good as with center fire". That's not true. Model 17 has DA trigger as good, if not better, as most SW center fire revolvers...
 
DA is your choice. Unlikely you will find a quality DA .22 in your price range except through the classified ads or at a pawn shop.
If you can find those under $300.00 Rugers, that would be a good choice for most folks.
If you are considering an H&R do keep in mind they usually have a trigger pull that can discourage a gorilla.
 
I have had a Rossi R98 "Plinker" since last Xmas. It has turned out to have been a excellent $300 investment. Unlike it's Taurus cousin, this little revolver has a very serviceable DA trigger pull. Fit and finish are also surprisingly good for a brand new revolver at this price point. So after ~1500 rounds, this revolver has lived up to it's plinker name.
 
I actually saw a Charter Arms Pathfinder yesterday and looked at it. Not nearly as smooth as a Smith, but the trigger wasn't horrible and I liked how it felt and pointed. Not sure about Charter Arms quality (?). Any Pathfinder thoughts from people who have used these?

Regarding the Rossi, that's an interesting thought. I hadn't thought out them as I figured they were kind of one step down from a Taurus, but if you're saying the trigger on those is better I might consider.

The only reason I'm mainly thinking DA is that I don't care as much for the SA grip geometry and like the idea of a swing out (or break top) action that can unload all spent casings at once. However, the quality of the Single Six is unquestionably superior to most anything else I'll find in that price range, and Ruger stands behind their products well (I know from personal experience with a 77/22).

I can't find a Smith for under $500... and I'd rather stay closer to $300 if possible. Was even thinkin an old High Standard Sentinal (or the JC Higgins equivalent) or the old H&R route, but if the triggers on those aren't great then no reason other than price to look at those (in my mind).
 
Taurus and H&R !!

Of late, I've been giving second thoughts, to the Taurus small frame. Other than the hammer springs, that is easily rectified, They are pretty good. .. :)

Lately, I've been seeing a number of used H&R's and they are pretty nice and really take me back to the early years. ... ;)

Be Safe !!!
 
If you're getting a .22, I don't see any reason to get one in double action.
Click to expand...
One already mentioned reason is that practicing double action revolver work with a rimfire simply cannot be accomplished with a single action such as a Single Six or a Rough Rider. Another big reason to want a double action .22LR revolver is the much more enjoyable loading and unloading of the chambers. With a double action, simply release and swing out the cylinder and thumb the ejector rod a single time. To reload, thumb in the rounds or employ an HKS speedloader. With a single action, it's a very long and somewhat annoying process, especially when you've got a small .22-sized chamber to line up for the ejector rod.

Certainly, some will say they enjoy the nostalgia of the single action process, and will also benefit from how much less ammo they burn or will even try to convince that they will take more time with each shot due to the strict process of unloading/reloading. And if that's what you enjoy, then a single action is a great way to burn rimfire. But it's no double action.

To the OP: double action rimfire revolvers cost the same (or more!) as larger caliber revolvers. They ought to -- they are made of exactly the same thing. They just don't sell as many so there aren't as many "deals" to be had.

But consider: If you find it within you to spend the money it will take to get a Smith & Wesson... what you will end up with is a revolver that is not only a joy to own and use, but will last a couple of lifetimes. Take care of it, and your Grandchildren can teach their kids to shoot with it. :D
 
I was in the same boat a few years ago, looking for a .22 revolver for around that price range and though I tried many different guns, none of them were worth a damn.

I ended up going with a S&W Model 17 Classic for around $700 and am still thrilled with it.

Getting one of those Taurus .22 Revolvers will just leave you stuck with a crummy gun that's not much fun to shoot.

As others have said, look around for a used S&W and you'll be happy. If may be out of your current price range, but you'll be happier in the long run.
 
I just found a S&W 17 in CHERRY condition for under 600 at a flea market and it has barely been shot - the turn line is only visible with a magnifying glass - so yes, they are out there, but you have to be patient
 
I guess it depends on whether you want to wait 5 or 10 years for a deal of a lifetime, or spend $300 today and get to shoot tomorrow.

Besides - $500-plus is still $200 more than the OP wants to spend.


I'm pretty sure the OP understands how much better of a .22 revolver he could get for another 2, 3 or 4 hundred dollars.
 
Yeah, I do understand. I own a couple Smiths (a 686 and a 67) along with a Ruger Blackhawk. I know that a good Smith is leaps and bounds over the cheapter revolvers, but I'm really just thinking of picking up something inexpensive for plinking. That's not to say that I won't end up picking up a nice Smith just because that's the way it works sometimes, but I very much understand what another few hundred dollars can get.
 
I picked up an old Harrington & Richardson 22lr top-break revolver for $325 a few months ago and it is really great.

The top-break action is really cool and it shoots great. Try looking for one of those.
 
If you're getting a .22, I don't see any reason to get one in double action.
Click to expand...

Maybe he just wants a double action. Seems reasonable to me.

Don't give up on Taurus. I'm not impressed with the guns they make these days, BUT...back in the day, they turned out some decent ones. I found this a few weeks ago for $275.00. It's a Model 96, designed to fit into the same niche as the Smith & Wesson Model 17. With it's 6" barrel, six shot cylinder, adjustable target sights, target grips, trigger stop, and as smooth a trigger as I've ever used, I felt it was a steal. It is a very good shooter.



This one was apparently made in the late 70's. It's not listed on the Taurus website S/N look-up program anyway. I don't know how many they made or how long they made them, but if you see one, take a good look. Also the Model 94's they made in those days are not the same guns as the 94's they make today. Watch for ones with wooden Taurus grips.
 
Okay, if the other posters, and your own experience with S&W have already convinced you to get the S&W 617 revolver in .22 LR -

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=364620202

-but you realize that $700 is just too much money to spend on a .22 here’s how you do it. (At least this is how I do it.)

You take the price of the gun and divide it by the years it will last.

Since a S&W 617 will last, well forever, the price per year is like nothing.

Seriously though, you could shoot the gun well into old age and see it passed on to your kids and grandkids. That might be a factor.
 
I still do a lot of practice shooting with a 1966 vintage S&W Model 18, which has been in my family since it was new. The gun is older than I am, and going strong.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top