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

I hate to sound like a broken record but... I think the S&W "34/35" that I got from RJM comes extremely close.

It is NOT based on an a "34-1" which is a J-frame. Rather, it is a "34" (no-dash) that is based on an I-frame. The J-frames where a redesign of the I-frame to have a longer frame window to accommodate the then-newest hot SD round, the .38 Special. As such, the I-frames are better or more optimally sized to the .22 LR because you are carrying less metal and it is shorter.

The 34/35's "trick" is the non-factory-standard 6" barrel on that I-frame. You get the best possible mechanical precision from the long sight radius in the smallest and lightest-yet-shootable possible revolver package. Mine is 26 oz empty. I used to have a super-dooper lightweight S&W 317-3 but the silly thing was not easy to shoot accurately. What good is it if it can't hit in MY hands.

This thing!




Here is what it looks like next to a snubby J-framed 34-1.



It is positively tiny next to a similarly 6" barreled K-frame 17-8.



Much more often than not, this thing comes out with me to play regardless of what else I brought.

For a trail gun I grab my stainless Bearcats. I wish it was one of the adjustable sight models, as I have to hold just a little to the right.

Just think how ugly it would'a been were it a Wolf coming live on you.

Wow, no love for the SP 101?!

While I have great respect for the S&W M63, I think Ruger has topped them with the latest evolution of the 4" 22 LR SP101.

I never could settle on what's best. I carry different ones just for a change.
That said --
I've carried this one a good bit and it works well (I don't carry it in Snake season).




I've carried this one a lot (after redoing the sights).





I've carried this one a zillion miles since the 70s. And by all manner of conveyance -- including on foot. It's been great to own.

I have the Beretta Model 87 in 22lr and it works great as long as you don't stretch the range

Kinda like my nickel 4" 34-1 wearing Badger walnut grips. Got the originals, also.

That a 622 ? 6" barrel? You like it,eh?
Know a guy that has a 4" for sale in perfect condition for $400, tempting.

This is what I have been carrying while Bow Hunting the last few days.

The only problem with the 422/622 is that they are so light, I find them hard to hold steady and shoot accurately. Great to carry, but hard to shoot accurately. I like the 2206, the all stainless version, better. Heavier to carry, but easier to shoot accurately.