.22 revolver, a good sidearm?

El Chivo · Post by **El Chivo** » Wed May 11, 2011 5:15 pm

I occasionally think about getting a revolver, but none of the calibers really appeal to me except for .22 lr. I think I would practice with it more, enjoy shooting it more, etc.

I would probably take it walking in the woods, so I wanted to hear thoughts about having this as a sidearm as opposed to the big blasters. Anyone like/prefer their 22?

tman · Post by **tman** » Wed May 11, 2011 5:21 pm

I have a colt .22 New frontier which is a way cool cowboy throwback pistol, if u are a geek like me.

jeepnik · Post by **jeepnik** » Wed May 11, 2011 5:30 pm

For many years, my constant companion was an H&R 999. It still gets carried quite a bit. I, also, carry a Ruger SSS quite often. But these are usually restricted to desert use. If I'm going where large toothy critters live, I'll take something larger. But on my desert sojourns I feel more than adequately armed with a .22 lr or in the case of the SSS the .22 mag sometimes gets the nod.

Rusty · Post by **Rusty** » Wed May 11, 2011 5:38 pm

I have a S&W 617 that is a fine shooter but for walking in the woods I think a J frame in .22 mag would be better.

gak · Post by **gak** » Wed May 11, 2011 5:49 pm

I am a late-comer to the .22 revolver world too, in my case more specifically a 4-5/8" Single Six convertible. I love it and can't believe I ever did without (but had planned doing something about for 30+ years). I've got .357s and 44s for the "toothy" critters as one poster put it, but plan on carrying the .22 here in the desert--especially in the winter. I've always carried a .357 with snakeshot in the first few chambers, and likely still will during the height of the (two primary) snake seasons. Otherwise, one of my .32s or now also the .22 will go on the hip "just because." Like a good Win 94 (or Marlin 336) .30-30, I agree with all those many who have said "evey one should have a Single Six .22!" An 8/9 shot .22 DA would be great as well.

damienph · Post by **damienph** » Wed May 11, 2011 6:09 pm

22s are fun. Cheap to shoot, don't have to spend alot to get an accurate one. I have three 22 revolvers; a 6 1/2" Ruger single six convertable (22LR & 22 WMR cylinders) plus a 6" Smith & Wesson K22 and a 6" Colt Officers Model. The Smith and the Colt can be a little pricy but the Rugers can be found at very affordable prices.

A friend of mine bought a new 6" stainless Taurus last fall, he really likes it. I believe that he paid around $325 OTD.

The Ruger semi-auto pistols are fun too and can typically be bought used at cheaper prices than the revolvers.

rimrock · Post by **rimrock** » Wed May 11, 2011 6:29 pm

On my list is a Ruger Bearcat. I reload for 3 calibers and enjoy shooting them. But, I still shoot more .22LR than the combined total of the others. I generally carry a .45C revolver around my place, but there are times when I want a .22LR revolver.

I read that a side arm is an arm of opportunity. If you have one, and need or want to use, it's there. that's better than saying---wait I gotta go back to house before I shoot your lazy, no good carcass.

rimrock

2ndovc · Post by **2ndovc** » Wed May 11, 2011 6:51 pm

Had my K-22 out in the woods last weekend. My favorite .22 handgun and a super shooter. Mine's a 1959, five screw that I bought at a show (with my Dad making the actual purchase) when I was @ 17. I'd saved all summer for a new .22 sixgun and was really looking for a stainless Single Six or one of the little S&W 63s (I think that's the right number).

Anyway, turns out I find this perfect Model 17 with a 6" barrel for $200 ( every last penny I had) and bought it.
I put a set of stag grips on it and it is a beauty of a sixgun.

Been looking at those little stainless Bearcats though!

jb

jeepnik · Post by **jeepnik** » Wed May 11, 2011 7:26 pm

How good are .22's for the desert. This one is my bunny killer. Been doing it for what, thirty years. Of course my eyes aren't the same, so the sighting equipment has been updated. With this, I can still out gun my boys on bunnies and such.

J Miller · Post by **J Miller** » Wed May 11, 2011 7:29 pm

In my experience and opinion the .22 revolver is an excellent plinking, target, practice, small game, and if push comes to shove defense against K-9 or feline revolver. I usually take one along when I've gone camping. But I don't carry it unless I'm actually hunting with it. I carry one of my .45s.

Joe

L_Kilkenny · Post by **L_Kilkenny** » Wed May 11, 2011 7:42 pm

.22'a are great woods bummin guns. Traditionally mine had always been a Ruger MKII 22/45 but now the duty is shared duty between a H&R 949 and a Bersa T22 (sold the Ruger). The Bersa is smaller and fills the role of "kit gun" while I'm gonna carry the H&R more for hunting. Confession time: I had kinda forgot about my 949. It was my late great uncles and was given to me by my grandpa just before he died. I always treated it more as an heirloom and the redheaded step child to the Ruger, not something to take in the field and frankly I never shot it much. After selling the 22/45 (wanted to upgrade to a SS Ruger down the road) I really missed having a .22 sidearm that I could shoot effectively so I broke out the 949. It's groups are about twice that of the Ruger but in many ways I couldn't be happier, a new Ruger can wait.

Pictured below with and without a new Threepersons holster I made for it a couple weeks ago:

Camping I have a .22.
Canoeing I have a .22.
Fishing I have a .22.
Hunting with a shotgun or centerfire rifle I have a .22.

LK

damienph · Post by **damienph** » Wed May 11, 2011 8:07 pm

rimrock wrote:On my list is a Ruger Bearcat. rimrock

I forgot about Bearcats. I had my Dad's for a few years, it was easy to carry (in an OLD Hunter holster) and about as accurate as my Single Six.

My Dad left it to my brother so I begrudgingly let him have it.

I haven't shot any of the new ones but like 2ndovc, I could easily see one in my future; especially a stainless model.

Stan in SC · Post by **Stan in SC** » Wed May 11, 2011 9:27 pm

I have an old J.C. Higgins model 88(same as a High Standard Sentinel and in fact made for Sears by High Standard) which I have carried as my woods pistol for some 30 years.It is super accurate,has 9 shot double action and has never misfired.I even took my concealed weapon course with it.Last year I won the revolver class steel plate match at my club with it.Five steel plates with five shots in 6.2 seconds.22"s are great pistols.

Stan in SC

ollogger · Post by **ollogger** » Wed May 11, 2011 10:21 pm

ive had 22s for years, there easy to shoot,easy to carry,ive used them on 1200 lb steers to bunnys, my favorite now is a old high standard dbl.9 with a swing out cyl. makes loading & unloading easier on my wore out fingers, still i like my 357 & 45s though

Blaine · Post by **Blaine** » Wed May 11, 2011 10:37 pm

When I go in the woods, I holster up a 1911 , but if I'm carrying a rifle, a j Frame 22 or 38 goes in the pocket.

Shasta · Post by **Shasta** » Wed May 11, 2011 10:48 pm

I like my Ruger Bearcat best as a .22 sidearm, but if I'm rifle hunting I often just stick a North American Arms mini revolver in my pocket. Works great for finishing downed game you don't want to blast again with the rifle!

SHASTA

Paladin · Post by **Paladin** » Thu May 12, 2011 12:24 am

I carry a .22 often when I am not in the area for bigger problems and have really been looking a .22 Mag bearcat that they have been selling on gunbroker as a great little carry that is legal to hunt with in WV (Min 4in barrel on a pistol) or I would just carry the .22 Mag S&W 617 I have.

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewIt ... =229329652

Ji in Hawaii · Post by **Ji in Hawaii** » Thu May 12, 2011 2:17 am

I love my little stainless 9 shot J-Frame clone Taurus model 94 with 3" barrel, surprisingly accurate, and has been 100% reliable for over 22 years I've owned her. I discovered the speedloader for the H&R 999 works perfectly so bought a couple early on. I found the original wood grips a tad clubby so I put on a Hogue Mono grip designed for the model 85 and it fit like a glove which helps me deal with it's massage recoil.

t.r. · Post by **t.r.** » Thu May 12, 2011 9:50 am

I bought a Taurus model 94 in stainless about 20 years ago. It has been fired well over 1,000 times with no loss in accuracy or function. But if I could go back in time, I'd buy the 6 inch barrel instead of the 4 inch.

TR

Post by **Old Savage** » Thu May 12, 2011 10:06 am

El CHIVO - I have a couple you can try at the range if you like. Bring a sandwich

Post by **Old Savage** » Thu May 12, 2011 10:06 am

El CHIVO - I have a couple you can try at the range if you like. Bring a sandwich

El Chivo · Post by **El Chivo** » Thu May 12, 2011 1:33 pm

OS - sounds good.

Slick · Post by **Slick** » Thu May 12, 2011 4:37 pm

Friends Call Me Ji wrote:I love my little stainless 9 shot J-Frame clone Taurus model 94 with 3" barrel

Very, very cool! I really like how you adapted the 85 Hogue grip and found the speed loaders. You added 2 new features using existing products to a gun that was already good. Good job and thanks for sharing out the interchange info.

*********************

Anyway first gun was an H&R 950 and it has always shot well and it’s become *the* handgun that I use for training first-time shooters. It used to go with me on every shooting trip and has countless bricks of ammo through it with no problems or issues. Now it gets more rest since I rotate shooting it with a Ruger MK678 and a Walther P22. That H&R is probably the last gun I’d ever sell tho.

Jeff H · Post by **Jeff H** » Thu May 12, 2011 4:51 pm

Wow. there's been a mess of 'em and most were great shooters. What I finally settled on ended up being a SS NM Bearcat. I hope to do adjustable sights on it some day and will watch out the corner of my eye for a spare cylinder to convert to .22 mag. Most of the .22s I have had over the years were great guns but all weighed about as much as a centerfire, so I kind of like the Bearcat most for a carryin' .22 and both it and the OM Bearcat (my daughter's) are as or mor accurate than any other .22 we've had. I even finally let the OM Single Six (1957 vintage) go in deference to what I consider a much more appropriate "steel to horsepower ratio" for the .22 LR - especially for just having it along.

Others that were great and which I prefer over most others (in no certain order):
Taurus 9-shot, 4"
Ruger Standard Auto (pre MKII, MKIII.....)
Ruger MKI (the actual MKI with Micro Sights, not simply a "pre MKII")
Ruger Single Six, Old Model
H&R 949
H&R ?? 9-shot, 4", swing-out cylinder dog of a gun that shot wonderfully and didn't weigh a lot
Charter Arms Pocket Target (the original before they had to change the name to "Pathfinder")

I have had a number of others, like the Ruger 22-45, which is a good gun,, but couldn't get the girls to touch it after they'd shot he MKI, so I got stuck with it, so I sold it. It was a very good gun, but not as good as the ones on my list above.

stew71 · Post by **stew71** » Thu May 12, 2011 6:23 pm

Yep...plenty good. I pack my Ruger Single-Six when loafing around the woods.

Sorry..can't post a picture as Photobucket is blocked here at work.

Hillbilly · Post by **Hillbilly** » Thu May 12, 2011 7:39 pm

I have 3... SW 18, a 17 and a Colt New Frontier. They get used often.

The revolvers have coached a lot of shootrs in my home... the Colt is just fun to shoot.

AJMD429 · Post by **AJMD429** » Thu May 12, 2011 9:08 pm

Sounds like SOMEONE could make a mint making a single gun that would allow .22 LR shots but maybe have a big-bore round available in case needed.

Remember the LeMat's that had a 16 gauge shotgun round in front of the cylinder, with a cylinder full of .36 or .42 pistol rounds...?

WHAT IF Ruger or someone else made a .22 LR (or .22 WMR) single-action revolver, but with a .44 Mag, .45 Colt, or even .454 Casull under-barrel setup like the LeMat...?

THAT WOULD BE THE ULTIMATE WOODS-WALKING GUN...!

765x53 · Post by **765x53** » Thu May 12, 2011 10:05 pm

When I was 14 I acquired a used High-Standard, Double-Nine. A plow-handled version of the excellent Sentinel double action. The false ejector button unlatched the nine shot, swing-out cylinder.
I carried it everywhere, rabbit hunting, squirrel hunting, trapping, coon hunting, and just walking the rail road tracks to the river. I don't know how many boxes of ammo I put through it but, I wore the sear to the point that catching the single action notch was an iffy proposition and and the release was hair trigger to say the least.
I intended to get it fixed but, someone stole it.

pokey · Post by **pokey** » Thu May 12, 2011 10:26 pm

got a few, this is my favorite.

12226.JPG

takes a while to clean though.

12223.JPG

Ravenman · Post by **Ravenman** » Fri May 13, 2011 2:13 am

You can't go wrong with a good 22lr sidearm. I love my S&W M 17. Very accurate and fun to shoot and carry.

25 yards Weaver stance with CCI Stinger:

Post by **Old Savage** » Fri May 13, 2011 8:29 am

Fantastic Ravenman - I think you win - this is only 50 ft. - Isosocles stance. K22 - And my Master Hunter doesn't have the gut hook.

Ravenman · Post by **Ravenman** » Fri May 13, 2011 8:56 am

Old Savage - that's pretty good shooting too and the K22 is real cult handgun.

Idahoser · Post by **Idahoser** » Fri May 13, 2011 1:04 pm

put it this way--
even if you later decide to carry something bigger (and I hope you will)
You're gonna need a .22 revolver for your collection anyway. No reason not to start with it!

crs · Post by **crs** » Fri May 13, 2011 1:36 pm

Been carrying a S&W revolver since I was about 16. Still have my first, a M 18 .22, and some M19s too . Carry which ever is most appropriate when out and about.
get the .22 of your choice and shoot it a lot.

jazman · Post by **jazman** » Fri May 13, 2011 1:42 pm

I have a Smith 617 10 shot with the 4 inch barrel, it's definitely one of my favorites. Excellent gun.

jerry b · Post by **jerry b** » Fri May 13, 2011 2:13 pm

If it is your first revolver, by all means get a .22. They are great for learning to shoot a handgun without the expense and recoil of larger bores. You need to shoot a heck of a lot, and .22s are perfect.

However, I no longer own a .22 handgun. If I need a .22, I use an accurate rifle. I find a good .38 special has more utility for an "around the place/forest companion", and the overall package is as light and small as any decent .22.

Understand that I am in the vast minority here, and my opinions are valid only in my experience.

rjohns94 · Post by **rjohns94** » Sat May 14, 2011 3:35 pm

I have three .22lr handguns. A SS ruger Bearcat, a 22 conversion kit for my Kimber .45, and a single shot Contender, 10 inch bull barrel with a red dot sight and sling. The Bear cat is riding around in the truck with me, and for hanging out with the mule or woods walking and hiking. Its light weight and accuracy, especially with subsonic rounds or with cci mini mags, is perfect for knocking off some rounds while out and about. The TC is used specifically when I carry my Muzzle loader going for deer and I have a chance to take small game. I use quiet subsonic rounds in it also to take bushy tails while not disturbing the deer population.

Post by **Ysabel Kid** » Sat May 14, 2011 7:45 pm

Unless you are expected two-legged trouble, I just don't think you can go wrong carrying a .22 in the woods for kicking around...

KRD · Post by **KRD** » Sat May 14, 2011 9:41 pm

My favorite .22 handgun is a S&W 317. It weighs 11.9 oz, and with a little practice, is pretty accurate out to about 30 yds. Mine is the 3" barrel and is identical in size to my S&W model 60 in .357 mag. The 317 is a great practice gun and I carry it more than any handgun that I own.
There has been some discussion questioning it's durability, but I have over 2000 rounds through mine and it is still like new.

Meeteetse · Post by **Meeteetse** » Sat May 14, 2011 10:01 pm

I've carried a sidearm since I was a kid, mostly .22's. The .22 is perfect for most situations. I carry a S&W Mdl. 18 or a Ruger Single Six. If I am hunting with a rifle, I carry a .22. If I am fishing, most of the time I carry a .22. There are times when I carry a bigger caliber, but if I do my wife has the .22. My bug-out-bag has a .22 because of the ammo I can carry. The .22 is a great caliber and very versatile.

Sarge · Post by **Sarge** » Sat May 14, 2011 10:54 pm

I had them around continually as a kid, the most notable being a 1969 Single Six and a S&W Model 18 round butt. Yes, I know...

Career choices took me places where rimfires were no longer a necessity and I have gotten away from them. I've been reloading a long time and I developed small game loads for all my serious handguns, so I didn't miss the little .22 all that much. I have to really like a handgun to keep it around, and the last .22 I really liked was the Colt Peacemaker. More recently, I've become enamored with the Ruger Bearcat and when it's time for a .22 again, a blue one is on the list.

L-Kilkenny, I love those old 49ers. I had one decades ago that shot like a rifle and I won a few bets with it, against supposedly superior pistols. Oddly, the one .22 pistol that's hung around has been this little NEF R92, which shoots better (with a little work) than any cheapp 22 revolver has any right to.

http://www.thesixgunjournal.net/hunnerdollargun.html

L_Kilkenny · Post by **L_Kilkenny** » Sun May 15, 2011 10:24 am

For anyone that might be interested, A dealer here in Iowa has a "Talo" .22/.22M Stainless Birdshead Single Six just like the .32H&R versions you see. Has a 3 3/4" barrel. If I had the $400 I'd buy it but alas it will have to wait. Should be easier to shoot well then the miniscule bearcat. He had it at the last couple gun shows so I'm assuming he still does.

Get a hold of me if you need the dealer info. BTW, don't be afraid to deal with this guy, He's fair and if he want to move something you'll get a deal.

CB

GoatGuy · Post by **GoatGuy** » Sun May 15, 2011 12:19 pm

Can't think of a better .22 revolver than the S&W Model 17. Longer sight radious and more available velocity with the 6" barrel than the Model 18's 4 ". That said, shore wished I owned/could afford an 18.

bobbyjack · Post by **bobbyjack** » Tue May 17, 2011 12:31 am

H&R makes a 676 in 22Mag that doesn't have a recesed cyc and will shoot 22 short ,long ,22WRF,or Mag!

The other than mag just swell a little and come out just fine ,and since the 22LR is a healled cartridge it

swells up just fine . Bob

gamekeeper · Post by **gamekeeper** » Tue May 17, 2011 7:13 am

In the days before the UK went completely bonkers I had a little Spanish Astra Cadix 9 shot D/A revolver.
Never managed to hit a Squirrel with it (not for the want of trying)

but I did once nail a Fox, one shot DRT.

BAGTIC · Post by **BAGTIC** » Fri May 27, 2011 11:37 pm

I have several Taurus 94 in different barrel lengths and finishes but I have never seen a 6 inch. I have 3, 4, 5 inch. Personally don't like 2 inch revolvers even in rimfire. I am a little sensitive about unnecessary noise.

cshold · Post by **cshold** » Sat May 28, 2011 5:34 am

Old Savage wrote:El CHIVO - I have a couple you can try at the range if you like. Bring a sandwich

Is this to eat or used as the target...

redmond · Post by **redmond** » Sat May 28, 2011 9:15 am

One nice thing about the '50s K22 Masterpiece is that it is the same size and weight as the K38. That allows you to practice with 22lr and the feel is the same as 38 Special - OK, except for the recoil. Here are my beauties, along with their Model 36 sister. Love them, especioally the K22 - in the middle.

jeepnik · Post by **jeepnik** » Sat May 28, 2011 10:29 am

stew71 wrote:Yep...plenty good. I pack my Ruger Single-Six when loafing around the woods.

Sorry..can't post a picture as Photobucket is blocked here at work.

Hint, build a word file of the IP addresses. Then copy and paste them between the Img code tags. Entries could look something like this.

Southpaw Stag - http://i49.photobucket.com/albums/f271/ ... 0415-1.jpg

Then when you want to use it, open the image tag, copy the IP from your word file and close the tag.

Just make the word file at home, and keep it on a thumb drive or some such.

1894c · Post by **1894c** » Tue Sep 06, 2011 1:37 am

Ruger Single-Six--I have a stainless one with a 5 1/2" barrel--best revolver ever...