Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Handguns Help me pick a .22 LR revolver

I'm partial to my S & W M/18 and if I want something more compact I have a M/34 4".

K22 all the way.

This one is a 17-3.

I have the S&W 17 with target grips, trigger, and sights. It shoots like a dream.
Given how long it will last me and my children, I don't mind paying a bit more for the extra craftsmanship.

If I had to choose I'd go for the 617 because it's made of stainless steel. But that depends on your personal preferences when to use the gun. If you have moist weather conditions in your are I' d take a 617. The appearance of the M17 is more classic. BTW I was quite stunned to learn about the price the M17 go for in the U.S. In Germany they go for 300 Euros LNIB but you can find them for 200 Euros.

OP - had a 34 4", a 17 made in the mid 80s, also a 4" with heavy barrel...and a 617 4" - 6 shot.

The 17s to me are the way to go all else equal, and a 6" will be easier to shoot with precision, though I made some Great shots in the field with my 4"........

The 617.......for me the lug made it far too heavy for a 22........at least for packing around. The 17 seemed to be a better shooter.

Good luck on your search.

Big Brother and Little Brother.

S&W K-22 (pre-17) and a Model 35-1. Hard to say which one I like best. The K22 is the most shootable but the 35 is such a neat little, lightweight handgun.

The pinned and recesses Model 18 Smith and Wesson Combat Masterpiece is my all time favorite 22lr revolver. I'd recommend a model 17 if one prefers a barrel longer than 4".

I shoulda been a cowboy. Shoulda learned to rope and ride. Wearing my six-shooter, riding my pony on a cattle drive.....

I have a Colt Officer Match from the 50s, and I like the weight to steady, and the weight for no recoil.
Classic old school shooting iron.

I went the Ruger single six convertible, stainless 5.5 inch barrel. Two guns in one. The 22 mag cylinder stays in the gun.as I carry it when ground hog hunting with a 22 mag savage 93. rifle. I use the 22 mag pistol when those close g- hogs shots pop up from time to time. It works wonderfully when needed. .

I have a Ruger gp100 22 (10 shot) and a one line K22 made in 1947/48. They both shoot as good as my eyes will. I like the tank like ruger for how solid it is and the smith is just plain fun to shoot. The trigger is super. I made a deal with my wife that I would get both and sell whichever one I liked less. So far I still have them both. Maybe one of these days I will decide...

Did you dare to destroy that still life after the photo shooting? I hope not. I only have to find that fence post....

Awesome pic.

For an understudy to my bigger S&W, I enjoy the 617, 6", alloy cylinder, 10 shot.
It's a chunk to tote around but it's a great revolver.

First and last word in .22LR handguns: S&W model 34 4".

Mush/inconsistent trigger.

It also depends how far one is pushing the 22 LR. 17's 18's and Colt Officers are rifle-like, out to 300 yards in dry country.
I don't even put a Model 51 in that category, exterior ballistics included.

If I still ran a trap line, maybe. But even Ruger LCRs can be run very well in that role.

Isn't it a little bit too tiny?