With as cheap & fun as my 22/45 is on the range, I'd like to pick-up a second .22lr handgun. Ideally, an inexpensive .22lr revolver. Perhaps 4" (suggestions here?) I'd prefer something double-action and something that'll stand up to frequent range use. How inexpensive can such a piece be?
Inexpensive DA .22lr?
- Thread starter bp78
- Start date
Peter M. Eick
New member
Here is a dan wesson 722. You can find them for around 200 to 250. Very nice gun with exchangeable barrels. I like the 6"ones, but I can swap to a 4" in about 1 minute if I am careful. Faster if I need to.
The target is at 15 yards, 50 shots, left is double action, right is single action.
H&R
If you want cheap, real cheap, you could do alright with a H&R topbreak type revolver. Plenty of used ones in decent shape around. Look for excessive wear on the hammer and cylinder ratchets, and the usual used gun stuff. Not as refined as a 350+ gun, but they seem reliable enough and are good enough for plinking and the like, some are good enough for target or hunting. Or consider a Taurus or other South American made on about the S&W pattern for a good savings. But depends on your budget. All kinds of real great ones are available if price is not a concern. I like the topbreak action for reloading convenience and easy cleaning. There are a few of the old post and prewar target grade H&R and Iver Johnson guns floating around and usually are of pretty good workmanship. Don't bring the money of a target Colt or the big boys, so you can get a classic for not much cash.
If you want cheap, real cheap, you could do alright with a H&R topbreak type revolver. Plenty of used ones in decent shape around. Look for excessive wear on the hammer and cylinder ratchets, and the usual used gun stuff. Not as refined as a 350+ gun, but they seem reliable enough and are good enough for plinking and the like, some are good enough for target or hunting. Or consider a Taurus or other South American made on about the S&W pattern for a good savings. But depends on your budget. All kinds of real great ones are available if price is not a concern. I like the topbreak action for reloading convenience and easy cleaning. There are a few of the old post and prewar target grade H&R and Iver Johnson guns floating around and usually are of pretty good workmanship. Don't bring the money of a target Colt or the big boys, so you can get a classic for not much cash.
Sir William
New member
My own experiences with Taurus, Rossi, Commanche and H&Rs have been favourable. The Taurus, Rossi and Commanche MUST be kept clean and lightly oiled while shooting. Extraction problems develop quickly in all three otherwise. The Commanche suffers trigger reset problems. A minor tweak and they are decent revolvers. H&R made some excellent revolvers and some turkeys. I have a 6" H&R that peeled the nickel off the front of the cylinder the first time it was shot. It is still going and accurate for a fixed sight revolver. The problem is that 22 development has almost left the H&Rs behind. Everything seems to be stocked in Velocities that they weren't built for. If you can find standard 22 rounds, they are safe. I even shoot mine in the basement with Colibris' Hummingbirds. Good ventilation and hearing protection are still required. The best possible used 22 to find is a S&W M48 with dual cylinders in 22/22 WMR built on the K frame. Ruger made the SP-101 in 22. Rumour has it that they are dropping some calibers though. I would suggest the Colt Trooper or Diamondback also.
Peter M. Eick
New member
DW's are fairly common here in Texas. I see them in 22 routinely. Just graze around and you will find them.
One comment. They tend to be really cheap. DW's do not hold the original value for long. Like about the time it takes to walk to your car from the gun store is probably worth about 500$ to the original owner. Now if you are like me and buy used, great, because you can get these great guns dirt cheap. Don't be surprised if you see nearly new in the box DW's for right at $200 or there abouts. Also, the current maker out of Norwich and the older Monson guns are considered the best with the nod going to the Norwich guns. The Palmers are generally considered ones to avoid. What I am refering to is the location of the manufacturer. Look at the side plate to see where it is made.
Final thought. Bob Serva, the owner of the Norwich operation is one of the most stand up honorable guys in the shooting industry. If you buy a Norwich, and have problems he will make it right, darn near personally. I have tested the support system and can only say WOW, they made it better the right!
One comment. They tend to be really cheap. DW's do not hold the original value for long. Like about the time it takes to walk to your car from the gun store is probably worth about 500$ to the original owner. Now if you are like me and buy used, great, because you can get these great guns dirt cheap. Don't be surprised if you see nearly new in the box DW's for right at $200 or there abouts. Also, the current maker out of Norwich and the older Monson guns are considered the best with the nod going to the Norwich guns. The Palmers are generally considered ones to avoid. What I am refering to is the location of the manufacturer. Look at the side plate to see where it is made.
Final thought. Bob Serva, the owner of the Norwich operation is one of the most stand up honorable guys in the shooting industry. If you buy a Norwich, and have problems he will make it right, darn near personally. I have tested the support system and can only say WOW, they made it better the right!