Went out looking at some .22lr revolvers, some questions...

W

Waspinator

New member
(Updated, see post #19)


Hi,

I've been considering a.22lr revolver for a while. I went out today and stopped at some stores to see what out there. I seen some options and wanted to get your opinions.

These are some that I was looking at and were all in the same price range.

New:
Taurus Model 94 2" barrel ($350-ish)
Taurus Model 94 4" barrel ($350-ish)
Taurus Model 992 4" barrel ($450-ish)

Used:
Charter Arms Pathfinder 4" barrel ($375-ish)
Ruger sp101 4" barrel (older 6-shot/full under lug) ($425-ish).


I was wanting a new gun and those Taurus M94's are very tempting. They are the right price and seam to fit the bill. But, I have been around a while to know the * always put next to Taurus guns. The M992 is neat with the extra 22wrm cylinder, but a bit pricey for what I was looking for.

Part of me is wondering if I should have snatched up that older ruger, but I don't know. This was just recon and I dont get my get my bonus till next week.

What would you do?
 
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The heritage rough rider's are pretty good for the price if you like the western look. I would recommend getting the xtra 22wm cylinder with it too. That's what I keep in mine 95% of the time with HP and/or Shotshells
 
I had a Taurus 94 years ago, OK gun. Didn't know they made one with a 2" barrel.

I am old... I mean Old School and prefer revolvers to match.


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Not the same quality level as the guns above but a hoot to shoot.

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I'm a S&W and Colt person, but in your case, I'd choose the Charter Arms and leave the Taurus' sit under glass. Of the ones you mentioned, the Ruger is the best revolver. The Charter Pathfinder will have a heavy trigger, but it is very useable single action. I honestly mostly shoot single action most of the time anyway except for the Ruger LCR 22 which has no visible hammer.

The best option is to look for a used S&W M17 (or 617) and you will be pleased for life.
 
The heritage rough rider's are pretty good for the price if you like the western look. I would recommend getting the xtra 22wm cylinder with it too. That's what I keep in mine 95% of the time with HP and/or Shotshells
Click to expand...

+1 I like mine
 
Just picked up a Model 17 (K22 Masterpiece) at a flea market; made in the early 70's. They are out there and heads and tails above the Taurus or Ruger
 
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Some years ago I decided I wanted a .22 revolver. A local gun store turned up a '70s S&W Model 63. I bought it, regret the purchase. The gun turns out to be very inaccurate. When I spoke to Smith and Wesson about sending it in for service/repairs, I was told I should not expect much accuracy even if there is nothing wrong with the gun.

Caveat emptor.
 
Waspinator said:
Hi,

I've been considering a.22lr revolver for a while. I went out today and stopped at some stores to see what out there. I seen some options and wanted to get your opinions.

These are some that I was looking at and were all in the same price range.

New:
Taurus Model 94 2" barrel ($350-ish)
Taurus Model 94 4" barrel ($350-ish)
Taurus Model 992 4" barrel ($450-ish)

Used:
Charter Arms Pathfinder 4" barrel ($375-ish)
Ruger sp101 4" barrel (older 6-shot/full under lug) ($425-ish).


I was wanting a new gun and those Taurus M94's are very tempting. They are the right price and seam to fit the bill. But, I have been around a while to know the * always put next to Taurus guns. The M992 is neat with the extra 22wrm cylinder, but a bit pricey for what I was looking for.

Part of me is wondering if I should have snatched up that older ruger, but I don't know. This was just recon and I dont get my get my bonus till next week.
Click to expand...
I have a new Taurus® Mdl 992B4 9 shot 22LR/22MAG convertable revolver. It is very accurate wth either ammunition and has a superb trigger. The blueing is very deep, even, & polished. I LOVE THIS GUN!

 
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The Taurus 94 is junk. I have one. I bought it new. I cant even sell it in good conscious because it is so badly machined. Im embarrassed to say I bought it.

I have a Charter Arms Pathfinder that is a very nice revolver for what it costs. It is certainly a step up from the Taurus.

I have a New, 8 shot SP101-22 and its the best of the ones you are considering, even though the one you are considering is the older 6 shot. The only thing that is a concern is the older ones only have a windage adjustable rear sight.

I would buy the SP101, or if its gone, then the Pathfinder.

Stay very far away from the Taurus.
 
Out of those guns you listed, Ruger is the one to take. The Rugers are built to quality and like tanks. If and you won't have any problems with it Ruger Customer service is the best of the best. Never will go wrong with that SP101.
Another one to look at is the Single six Ruger if you do not mind single action, they are a lot of fun and don't burn up the ammo so fast.
 
Out of the ones listed the SP101 would be my choice.
A new SP101 is even better. They are 8 shot and have a far better back sight.

Bob
 
I love a .22 revolver as much as the next guy,
But your decision depends what you're planning on using it for...
Plinker?
Camping gun?
Low recoil self defense?
BUGOUT?
Aim practice?

Once you really nail down the intended purpose the decision gets a lot easier, and the advice gets better!

Respectfully,
Biff Tannen
 
I like to think that I'm a bit of a .22lr nutjob lol. I've got quite a few of them lol. Now of the ones you've selected, Taurus would be my LAST option. The Charter Arms Pathfinders are very nice for the money and a leap above the Taurus. The Ruger GP series are actually really nice revolvers. I've never owned one but if one come up for the right price, I would buy it. Now some other suggestions: S&W 17 or 617 (have a 617 and love it), Heritage Rough Rider (got it 15 years ago and will never sell/trade it), Browning Buckmark (found some deals on these this weekend at a show and almost brought another one home even though its not a wheelgun.)
 
The only gun on the list I would consider is the Ruger. A lesson I learned a long time ago, don't go cheap on a gun. Save more money, and buy the best quality gun you can. I plan on passing my guns down to my son, so I buy with a lifetime of use in mind.
 
Sounds like you're leaning towards the Taurus models....just a thought, they do have a spotty quality record as well as mixed reviews on their customer service. I've handled a cpl at a local shop, found them ok, but pretty rough in operation.

I have shot the Judge, a friend's gun, here on our farm. It was an early model, very rough heavy trigger, and heavy as well. As a defensive gun, for his wife's night stand use, it was a bad choice based on its operation as I experienced it. The .45 LC rounds actually keyholed at 15 yds; while the shotgun loads spread to a 3" diameter group at the same range. I was not impressed with the gun or its performance.

If you're looking for a DA/SA revolver, I'd shop for a used S&W or Ruger. Gunbroker is a good source of info on going prices, and you might find just what you're looking for. If you're open to a SA, my first and heartfelt recommendation would be one of Ruger's Single Six's in .22 lr. A great gun that you'll hand down to your grandchildren.

Best Regards, Rod
 
It's too bad Taurus can't tighten up quality control and put a better trigger pull on their revolvers. They would be great if they could. I like them, but they just have issues and excruciatingly heavy triggers.
 
The Taurus 94 is junk. I have one. I bought it new. I cant even sell it in good conscious because it is so badly machined. Im embarrassed to say I bought it.
Click to expand...

Strange...

I have a 1992 94SS4 (Stainless 4") that is pretty well made...

Dad bought it new, and never fired it...I have maybe 2000 rounds through it since he died, and it has proved accurate and reliable with anything I feed it from shorts and Aguila Super Colibri's, to 40 year old Remington LR match ammo...

It aint a Smith, but it aint a Rohm either...
 
Update.

I decided on the Used Ruger. It was still there, so............... I Bought it! I talked the price down some and got it for just shy of $400.

It is in really nice shape and locks up solid. I think it is a circa 1993. Doesnt look bad for a 20 year old piece.Just got to find some 22 lr for the range now. I'm happy :D

Pics.. cause it is the interwebs and all (I'm a horrible photographer, lol).

They had the original box, papers, bag and even the little plastic yellow thing that goes in the cylinder for shipping.


Some other shots.





Family photo with my 2.25" .357 carry.

 
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The horse is already out of the barn, but I unequivocably recommend the Charter Pathfinder - IIRC, the lastest iterations are 8-shot, a plus.

Taurus revolvers are mostly junk - they're quality is in my direct experience hit/miss, mostly miss.

I had a Taurus M94 that had one of the roughest triggers I've experienced in 45 years :( ; and bought a new 5" .22WRM M941 (lower RH gun, below)) that sidespit junk into my face from cylinderful one due to faulty timing. :mad:


DSCN0313.jpg


The Taurus warranty repair return can run up to a year, w/o a real fix - BT, DT, NTS. :rolleyes:

I returned the M941 to the selling FFL for a credit, as I no longer wanted to deal with the frustrating Taurus warranty system.


I've also owned a half/shroud 4" SP-101 in .22lr that I sold because it was HEAVY - basically the .357/.38 SP-101 with smaller holes & more steel.

There was NP with either the SP-101's quality, or it's function/accuracy - so if you prefer a heavy handgun, it'd be perfectly acceptable.

The Ruger warranty policy is beyond reproach.


Since I don't like a heavy handgun, I kept two Charter Pathfinders, a blued/70's .22mag & a stainless 2008 Dual Cylinder that are both flawless.

DSCN0341-1.jpg


I am also impressed by Charter's Prexy, Nick Ekers - who told me personally (he actually answered the CA phone one Saturday) that his goal is to make the best products he possibly can, but realizes that since human beings make them, there can occassionally be an issue with them, but that he will do whatever's needed to make the customer "right", and hopefully keep to a 20-day warranty turn-around repair window.

.
 
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