Taurus Model 94 .22LR?

J

Jelly

New member
I had a blast this past week shooting a friends S&W 317 snub (1-7/8") doing traditional and combat style shooting, so I'm looking to pick up a .22LR for myself.

Tough part is deciding on what to get! I'm open to just about anything with my only limiting factors be that the gun is either stainless or has some type of "non-blue" finish and that it be inexpensive as possible while being a good piece...the word "value" comes to mind.

The Taurus 94 seems to meet my initial criteria. Is this a good gun? Should I go for the 2" or 4" version?

What say you?
 
I have both the 317 and a Taurus 94. I like them both, but I think the 317 has the Taurus beat, hand down. Less weight and recoil is extremely mild.

Jungle Work
 
Don't over look the earlier models to the 317. Model 63's (or a nickled 34). Used ones can be had for considerably less than a new 317.
Better yet, look for a larger framed mod 617 if you can find one and don't mind the weight.
I can also personally recommend a Charter Arms Pathfinder if you can find one.
Lastly, the Ruger Sp 101 is also worth considering.

While I own 2" 22 revolvers, I would recommend the 3-6" flavors if you want better accuracy and muzzle velocity.
 
I have had the 94 and the 941. Both had major extraction issues and several failures to fire. I haven't taken a chance on the Taurus Tracker 22. I did go through the Commanche line of revolvers. Their 22 had similar extraction issues, a trigger that failed to reset and it only liked high velocity rounds. If you want a 22 revolver, there are only two choices for my taste, a S&W M48 dual 22/22 WMR K frame and a Colt Diamondback. A Trooper is a great third choice, if you can find one. There are limited choices in 22s. Where DID all the good 22s go?
 
I recently had to order a passel of Taurus 94's.

Working with a recent customer who was looking for a first revolver for his young daughter really made me realize for the first time that S&W has completely abandoned an important market: The inexpensive, small frame, all-steel .22LR double action revolver with a 3" or longer barrel. This is the quintessential beginner's gun for a child. Smith's closest entry is the bucks-up 317 Kit Gun with an alloy frame and cylinder. These may not have much in the way of recoil to an adult shooter, but to a 10-14 year-old, the difference is notable. The fact that I've sold two of the Taurii to two different father/daughter pairs in three days tells me that I might be on to something. The only real alternative was the Pathfinder from Charter, but it makes the (admittedly crude) Taurus look like a Korth by comparison. Smith, are you listening?
 
I have been buying Smith Model 63s and 34s for my grandchildren. All have been used, in about 95 to 98% condition. I've bought four so far. I started my son out of a Smith Model 18 when he was five. He still has the gun, can't get it back from him. The 317 I have now will probably end up with my oldest granddaughter. She's shot it and the mild recoil doesn't seem to bother her. She's five now and has been shooting bullet launchers for about a year and a half. She likes to shoot. If I don't take her once a week, she's peeved and makes an issue of it. I've bought her a .22lr Rifle for her birthday, she'll get it then. A Marlin bolt youth model.

I've always thought it foolish that Smith discontinued their Steel Kit Guns in .22 caliber. They will last forever if properly taken care of.

Jungle Work
 
WOW! I am NOT crying in the darkness alone! Thanks Tamara! If Taurus works out the rough extraction issue, I would buy a 2" and a 4". Why doesn't Colt make 22 and 22 Magnum revolvers again?
 
I have ordered several 94's for people with no complaints but I will admit I have never fired one.I like the idea of a 9 shot 22,also the price is right,I prefer the 4 inch+ barrels
 
I have a blue steel 94 in the 4" bull barrel $235 new in 1999, I have put over 10,000 rounds through it with no problems. You do have to clean the clylinder charge holes well with a brush periodically, or the rounds will not fully seat when you load them, the hammer will them seat them on the first strike and they will fire on the second you will also have difficult extraction due to the crud build up in the cylinder. Copper plated rounds or federal rounds with less wax lube work a little better. I also have a Smith 43 (airweight version of the 34 discintued in 1975) it gets the same build up as the 94.

I agree, a K or L frame is just a tad too large for a .22 revolver IMHO.
 
I have to say that I find it interesting that nobody has mentioned the Ruger SP101 with 4" Barrel in .22 LR, a gun I sell quite often to parents in our area teaching their children how to shoot. Especially since the tried and true Smith kit gun went to it's airweight configuration.

http://www.ruger.com/Firearms/FAProdView?model=5745&return=Y

By comparison to the new Smith's that were mentioned by other's earlier, the SP101 tends to better fit Tamara's statement. I mention new because most customers prefer to buy a new gun over a used gun when they can. (Note that most does not mean informed).

The inexpensive, small frame, all-steel .22LR double action revolver with a 3" or longer barrel. This is the quintessential beginner's gun for a child.
Click to expand...

I am not trying to start a Ruger VS Smith thread, just pointing out that the Ruger SP101 in .22 LR is often forgotten in these conversations. While the Ruger is not as inexpensive as the Taurus, it is noticably cheaper than the new 22lr Smith's mentioned. I have found that the SP101 is a great alternative worth a look when choosing a DA .22 LR revolver.

Good luck, have a great one.

.44mag
 
"I am not trying to start a Ruger VS Smith thread, just pointing out that the Ruger SP101 in .22 LR is often forgotten in these conversations. While the Ruger is not as inexpensive as the Taurus, it is noticably cheaper than the new 22lr Smith's mentioned. I have found that the SP101 is a great alternative worth a look when choosing a DA .22 LR revolver."

As far as I know Ruger no longer makes and SP101 in .22LR. They are very hard to find. Tamara is right, there is a nitch to be filled here for a quality .22 revolver that doesn't cost an arm and a leg.
 
Pilot,

They no longer make the SP101 in 22lr since when? The last one we got in and sold was less than 2 months ago. This was a request from a customer and since our distributor did not have it in stock they got it from Ruger directly. Just curious where your info is coming from... I've seen plenty of internet rumors for the last two years, but I have been able to get the SP101's in 22lr for my customers when they want them. I learned long ago that I don't follow too much of the gossup until the supply runs out. :) I also did a quick check online and there seem to be quite a few on Auction sites and Gunbroker for sale.

.44mag

P.S. FirstFreedom I keep getting kick backs on your email regarding your box being full. Let me know when I can hook you up with that link.
 
Dunno about the SP101, but the bearcat would be a nice beginner kid's gun too, if you have more $ lying around than the Taurus costs. It's a beaut as looks go. But I recently got a Taurus 94 with a 5" bbl - almost got the 4", but the 5" balanced so nicely. Having 9 shots is nice too. So far the thing is great, and there is absolutely NO creep whatsoever in the SA trigger - it's the quentissential (sp?) glass rod breaking - nice.
 
Got a older 941 22Mag that sits in my drawer :barf: I just don't care for the gun at all.Some of the cly. are to tight and have a hard time getting them to eject have to hit it hard with my hand.For me the sight is way to small (age?) there for to me not accurate.But do have to say size wise would be perfect for a young shooter,they do say the newer ones are better??????????
 
Model 94

I recently purchased a 94 4" for $200 used on GB.com, my buddy shot it and liked it so well he bought a new one locally for $229.00 :( on sale.

Now we both have several hundred rounds down the tubes and have nothing but glowing praise for them, zero malfunctions, and very accurate taking the sights into consideration. We ran approx. 18 differnt typs of ammo through them this past weekend, mine likes Federal Champion ammo his likes Wolf Match Extra

Having owned a few .22 Revolvers I can tell you this for the money the 94 is by far the best I've owned and the most fun. Compared to the Ruger SP101, the sights are Wind and Elv. adjustable the Ruger is only wind adj. and the sights on the 94 are much finer in comparison. And while I'll admit a vintage S&W Kit gun is really nice, at $400-$500 for a nice one I think the Taurus is a better buy, and just as functional. I won't be selling mine as far as I can see.

Greg
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top