Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Handguns Best Trail Carry 22 lr Pistol Ever Made

I can't think of anything better.

Depends on whether you like a semi-auto or revolver.

My first choice semi-auto would be a S&W 41 with a 7" barrel followed by a Ruger Mk II Gov't Target model. Among lighter guns, a friend had a S&W 2206 I liked.

I had a Colt Woodsman years ago. Mine wasn't very accurate and some previous owner had swapped out the rear sight for a peep sight. WTF? I had a Reising at the same time which shot quite a bit better.

Among revolvers, my first choice probably the current production / distributor exclusive Ruger Bearcat with adjustable sights. Next in line, for me, is a 4-5/8" barreled blued single six. S&W 3" J frame with adjustable sights would be my DA choice followed by a 6" barreled K frame and a 4" Colt Diamondback. I like the little stubby birds-head Bearcats as well.

Tom

Smith kit gun or Ruger SR 22

I see several mentions of the SR-22 and I'll agree that it is a handy little semi auto. Honestly, nowadays I do carry my SR-22 about as much as my M63. The M63 isn't going to be replaced but the little Ruger semi auto is very capable.

Wish I had a $1 for every mile this was carried and every brick of ammo through this my first pistol! It is still one of my favorites.

Mike

I'm partial to my Ruger Single Six with 4 1/2" barrel

I'm partial to my new model BearCat.

I will have to be the person to give a dissenting opinion in regards to the Model 63. My personally owned version is an older no dash version.

Carries beautifully, and you hardly notice it is there, much like the slim Woodsman/Huntsman pistols from Colt.

With that said, I have yet to see a person (aside from small kids who cannot handle the weight of a K frame) who can shoot a 4" 63 as well as a 4" K-22 like the model 18.

Personally,I am much more proficient with the K-22.

I love the 4" J frame .22, but for pure shootability, I don't think they hold a candle to the Colt Woodsman, or a K-22.

Purely observation/opinion though, and there are lots of experienced .22 shooters here.

I'm not going to claim it's the most accurate 22 in the world, but it's still my favorite.

Well said, Sir. I'm also partial to the K22, either 4 or 6".
Bob

I sold a Ruger MKII 5 1/2 bull barrel because I was able to shoot my M63 far better.

Out of several K22s I've owned, this one is my favorite.
Bob

Bob,

You have a stellar collection of K-22s! (among a bunch of other nice guns).

I bet your kids LOVE visiting and going plinking.

I completely believe you, though it seems it would be the other way around, especially when talking about a target pistol like the MKII.

With that said, I also have a 5.5" MKII bull barrel, and my example is far from the most accurate .22 I have. superbly reliable, but only mediocre in the accuracy department with bulk ammo.

Indeed. But they don't show much sign of 'carry', in the normal way most folk do on the 'trail'. What's the secret? Strap a padded pistol rug to your belt?......grin

I'll have to see what I got in my knapsack . . .

> http://picturearchive.gunauction.com/8891131853/10063209/acf29c6.jpg <

This.

Still can't believe I sold mine. It had a wonderful set of Herrett stocks on it, too.

I mostly do the range thing...gun gets transported in a nice, padded pistol rug. Shot a lot, but not carried in a holster. If I'm banging around in the woods, I'm usually close to the truck. Gun is on the front seat, next to me. When I was on active duty in N Carolina, it was either a Browning Hi Power or a 6" K22 (or both). Only my old duty/carry guns are battered up. Lots of blue wear on my target guns, though.
Bob

Haven't gotten around to shooting this one yet. Someday.
Bob

....hummmm I have too many ".22 trail guns"....

My one and only from the mid-1970s to the early 1990s was a 1961 vintage 6" S&W Model 53 .22 Jet with an extra rimfire cylinder. Well over a thousand Jets went down the tube as well as cases of .22 Long Rifle as it was the only .22 I had all those years... Even though the forcing cone looked like a funnel and there was a loose spot in the bore about an inch ahead of the forcing cone it still shot little tiny groups...





It was D&T many years ago for a Bushell Phantom scope base. It only wore a 1.3X although I now have some 2.5X. Three of the most memorable shots... A very large water moccasin sunning itself on a ranch road...head shot at 60 yards with the scope/.22 Jet using the door frame of a Land Cruiser for support. Open sight standing shot at a starling in a tree at 80 yards with the .22 Long Rifle cylinder. Bird hung upside down for about 5 seconds before dropping off. Just got done sighting in the scope in a sand pit and as I was leaving a pheasant ran across the rear of the pit and hid behind a clump of grass..one shot broke its back at about 30 yards...he was delicious...think that was the Jet round.

Found a new barrel that just happened to be of the correct vintage with the sight base pinned to the barrel...now no more Jets...have a TC Contender for the rest of them.

Bob