Ivor Johnson .22
- Thread starter mbrubaker
- Start date
Radicalcleric
New member
These were generally very inexpensive pistols. Quality is only fair and I am not sure I would recommend using one without having a gunsmith checking it over. However, an hour of his time may cost more than the gun is worth.
I remember a friend of my mother (the friend is in her late 80's now) who had a semi-auto Iver Johnson .22. It was in pretty good shape since it didn't get much use. I tried to buy it from her 20 years ago but she didn't want to part with it. Gave her a feeling of protection even though she would never be able to get to it in time if someone was to acost her. It seemed to be an O.K. pistol. Not highly polished and probably on the inexpensive side for the times.
I would check your revolver very carefully and as SaxonPig said, you may be wise to have a gunsmith give it a look first before shooting it.
I would check your revolver very carefully and as SaxonPig said, you may be wise to have a gunsmith give it a look first before shooting it.
My Dad recently gave me an old 57A Target model that shoots decent. More than anything it needed some care and range time. It was missing 1 tiny set screw for the adjustable rear site. I order one from e-gunparts.com if I remember right.
I probably wouldn't have paid $50 for it, but as a freeby it fits a niche in the collection.
I probably wouldn't have paid $50 for it, but as a freeby it fits a niche in the collection.
Jody Hudson
New member
We have had several dozen in the gun shop where I sometimes have clerked over the years. They are prone to be quite accurate and we've never had a call back or complaint. One of my best friends has one and shoots it like a rifle. His prefers Aquila standard velocity more than any other round. He LOVES to shoot it against others using a rifle.
I have no idea why the IJ bashing here. I have nothing but good experience and reports from the IJ line.
I have no idea why the IJ bashing here. I have nothing but good experience and reports from the IJ line.
Jody Hudson
New member
If the .22 LR is sticking just before it seats in the cylinder, it is most likely because there have been a lot of longs or shorts used in the revolver and the chambers need a GOOD brushing to get out the fouling.
Jody,
I wish it was that easy. I have scrubbed the chambers to beat heck. Bore bruch chucked in a drill. And even let it sit 2 hours in an ultrasonic cleaner. The cylinder is squeaky clean, but long rifles need a good push to seat. I don't have any longs or shorts to try, my Dad does and I'll try them over Christmas. Do you know if the Target Sealed 8 was chambered in anything other than long rifle?
I wish it was that easy. I have scrubbed the chambers to beat heck. Bore bruch chucked in a drill. And even let it sit 2 hours in an ultrasonic cleaner. The cylinder is squeaky clean, but long rifles need a good push to seat. I don't have any longs or shorts to try, my Dad does and I'll try them over Christmas. Do you know if the Target Sealed 8 was chambered in anything other than long rifle?
Jody Hudson
New member
I did some Googling...
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Sealed Eight design was Iver Johnson's attempt to prevent early high-velocity .22LR cartridges which occasionally burst, from discharging fragments sideways. To accomplish this goal, Iver Johnson made use of a .22 caliber cylinder with chambers counter bored at the rear to surround the cartridge rims. Iver Johnson incorporated the Sealed Eight design into several different models including the 'Supershot Sealed Eight', the 'Protector Sealed Eight' and the 'Target Sealed Eight'. Iver Johnson manufactured the Target Sealed Eight from 1931 to 1957
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.22 LR standard (target) velocity or CB only - do not use high-velocity ammo in these guns Supershot Sealed Eight (topbreak); Target Sealed Eight (solid frame)
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I am going to GUESS that the chamber is made tight on purpose to "seal" the cartridge and bullet in order to make it shoot tighter groups. This would be similar to the treatment given a custom target revolver. Again... just a GUESS. There are wiser ones here to give you better data.
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Sealed Eight design was Iver Johnson's attempt to prevent early high-velocity .22LR cartridges which occasionally burst, from discharging fragments sideways. To accomplish this goal, Iver Johnson made use of a .22 caliber cylinder with chambers counter bored at the rear to surround the cartridge rims. Iver Johnson incorporated the Sealed Eight design into several different models including the 'Supershot Sealed Eight', the 'Protector Sealed Eight' and the 'Target Sealed Eight'. Iver Johnson manufactured the Target Sealed Eight from 1931 to 1957
==============
.22 LR standard (target) velocity or CB only - do not use high-velocity ammo in these guns Supershot Sealed Eight (topbreak); Target Sealed Eight (solid frame)
===============
I am going to GUESS that the chamber is made tight on purpose to "seal" the cartridge and bullet in order to make it shoot tighter groups. This would be similar to the treatment given a custom target revolver. Again... just a GUESS. There are wiser ones here to give you better data.