Most accurate .22lr revolver
- Thread starter parhis
- Start date
HighValleyRanch
New member
smith & wesson K-22 or model 17
Driftwood Johnson
New member
Howdy
That's easy.
The most accurate 22 revolver I own is this Smith and Wesson K-22. It shipped in July of 1932. It was sent to the Providence Rhode Island Police Department. Roy Jinks (the official S&W historian) thinks it was used by the Providence pistol team. It was shipped back to the factory in June of 1946. Yes, the blue is worn on one side where somebody's finger rested a lot. And the Magna grips are incorrect. But it is the most accurate 22 revolver I own. Because the finish was in not so great shape, I got it for $500 a few years ago. A real steal.
A whole bunch of very accurate S&W 22 caliber revolvers.
Left to right, 22/32 Heavy Frame Target from 1923, another 22/32 Heavy Frame Target with Bekaert Grips from 1940, a K-22 Combat Masterpiece from 1953, the Providence 1932 K-22, a K-22 from 1935, a K-22 from 1950, a Model 17-3 from 1975.
A couple of very accurate Colt 22s. An Officer's Model Target from 1935 at the top, a Police Positive Target from 1936 at the bottom.
That's easy.
The most accurate 22 revolver I own is this Smith and Wesson K-22. It shipped in July of 1932. It was sent to the Providence Rhode Island Police Department. Roy Jinks (the official S&W historian) thinks it was used by the Providence pistol team. It was shipped back to the factory in June of 1946. Yes, the blue is worn on one side where somebody's finger rested a lot. And the Magna grips are incorrect. But it is the most accurate 22 revolver I own. Because the finish was in not so great shape, I got it for $500 a few years ago. A real steal.
A whole bunch of very accurate S&W 22 caliber revolvers.
Left to right, 22/32 Heavy Frame Target from 1923, another 22/32 Heavy Frame Target with Bekaert Grips from 1940, a K-22 Combat Masterpiece from 1953, the Providence 1932 K-22, a K-22 from 1935, a K-22 from 1950, a Model 17-3 from 1975.
A couple of very accurate Colt 22s. An Officer's Model Target from 1935 at the top, a Police Positive Target from 1936 at the bottom.
NoSecondBest
New member
I own a couple of SW .22 revolvers. I like the fit and finish and trigger on them and think they appear to be a quality firearm. In fact, they are. Now, which is the most accurate? I owned (sold it a few years back) a Ruger Single Six with two cylinders. I used that gun to shoot silhouette with. That unmodified revolver allowed me to shoot an unbelieveable 77x80 at the IHMSA International shoot in 1991 and I did it without benefit of a spotter. Understand, that's a production gun not a custom gun. I also shot a couple of 57x60s with it. Neither of my SW revolvers would even come close to that level of accuracy. However, they are "accurate enough" for hunting and casual shooting. The Ruger shot both .22lr and .22WMR very accurately. The tolerances of both overlap depending on the barrel specs used and the ammo used. My final statement on this subject: buy which ever one you like best. I own/have owned both and like both.
LineStretcher
New member
I like the Ruger Vaquero. I doubt its match grade and it is a single action. You can fan through 6 rounds pretty fast which is a lot of fun and its accurate enough for most. I also have it's big brother, the Blackhawk 44 mag which is fun with 44 specials and cowboy ammo if you like old west style smoke. I did replace the front sights on both because I couldn't see them in bright sun.
223 shooter
New member
Driftwood Johnson
New member
The original poster was asking about 22 Long Rifle revolvers.
Vaqueros are all centerfire revolvers. None of them are chambered for 22 Long Rifle.
My most accurate is my S&W K22 Masterpiece. A close second (probably only because the sights are a little smaller) is my Ruger Single Six. I've owned a bunch of others. Those are EASILY the two best.
On a good revolver day, I might outshoot my Buck Mark with one of them. Sadly enough, even though I'm a revolver guy, on most days the Buck Mark wins.
On a good revolver day, I might outshoot my Buck Mark with one of them. Sadly enough, even though I'm a revolver guy, on most days the Buck Mark wins.
TruthTellers
New member
If it was a single action, I'd buy Ruger. If it was a double action, I'd buy a Taurus Tracker.
You titled the thread "most accurate" and in your post you said "accurate enough." The Taurus will be that and for less than a S&W.
I had the Tracker on a list years ago but took it off after I decided a .22 in a boat anchor doesn't work for my needs.
You titled the thread "most accurate" and in your post you said "accurate enough." The Taurus will be that and for less than a S&W.
I had the Tracker on a list years ago but took it off after I decided a .22 in a boat anchor doesn't work for my needs.
LineStretcher
New member
My bad.
Mechanical accuracy of any quality revolver is usually good enough to get two inches at 25 yards. With select ammo and if the gun is properly set up, i.e cylinder gap, all chambers aligned, and crown properly cut most revolvers can hold one inch at 25 yards.
When it comes to practical accuracy with iron sights, then sight radius, trigger characteristics and overtravel a well fitting grip and personal preference enter the equation. I prefer older guns to recent production and have a clear favourite among my rimfire revolvers.
My Korth can definitely hold the ten ring at 25 m.
The S&W Masterpiece from 1952 can do the same.
And the 1961 vintage Colt OMM has no probelm, either.
When it comes to practical accuracy with iron sights, then sight radius, trigger characteristics and overtravel a well fitting grip and personal preference enter the equation. I prefer older guns to recent production and have a clear favourite among my rimfire revolvers.
My Korth can definitely hold the ten ring at 25 m.
The S&W Masterpiece from 1952 can do the same.
And the 1961 vintage Colt OMM has no probelm, either.
I allready have a s&w 686-1 witch is an outstanding shooter. Because of that, the 617 would be a easy choise for me.
But then again, i have a weak spot for single action revolvers like ruger ss or colt new frontier.
I have few handguns that are bullseye accurate (silenced ruger mkII, colt gcnm, cz TSO, 686 for example) and that line of accuracy i would like to continue..
But then again, i have a weak spot for single action revolvers like ruger ss or colt new frontier.
I have few handguns that are bullseye accurate (silenced ruger mkII, colt gcnm, cz TSO, 686 for example) and that line of accuracy i would like to continue..
Don't discount the Ruger Single Six/Ten just because you read some "expert" say they aren't accurate because of the bore being slightly oversized for WMR. I have two single Sixes, and a Single Ten, and they will put every round into a 2" target at 25 yards. My Single Ten is the most accurate of my three, and also the most sensitive to different ammo types. It will "One Ragged Hole" all day long at 15 yards with its favorite ammo.
The older Smiths are beautiful, and exceptionally well made, and I agree they are probably the most accurate, but they also command a premium price. IMHO, most shooters wont be able to shoot any better with one of the Smiths, as opposed to the Ruger.
The older Smiths are beautiful, and exceptionally well made, and I agree they are probably the most accurate, but they also command a premium price. IMHO, most shooters wont be able to shoot any better with one of the Smiths, as opposed to the Ruger.