Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Handguns 22 Revolver

I might add that handling as many as you can before making a decision may help in terms of cutting to the chase if moving on to a marriage instead of a dating relationship is a goal. You could find that Colts fit your hand or "feel better" to you versus a Smith - or vice versa. Ditto a single action versus a double action. (I like Colts for their feel over Smiths, and don't care for single actions at all, but that's entirely personal subjectivity.)

The OP needs to tell us what he intends to use it for. Lots of votes for a S&W 17 (K22) and sure they are nice, but a K frame and more than I wanted to pack around for a wear it and forget it .22, so I sold mine. A J frame 34-1 4" with a larger grip was a better choice for me. Not as accurate as the 17, but for me a handgun is a short range alternative to a rifle. That blued 34 was way smoother than a 617 so I Armaloy coated the 34 and kept the smoothness and added the weather proofing.

Hey, no special purpose planned. I have a number of other handguns for hunting, target and self defense. Just looking to add a 22 in a revolver.

I've had 22's in Ruger, Smith and Colt. best to me by a long shot was a Colt Diamondback. haven't been able to find a holster I like for my High Standard HD Military. If I do it will be my go to 22. shoots the pants off my Smith 22 masterpiece! BTW, if it had to be a revolver My choice would be the Colt Diamondback!

Don, agreed...the Diamondback is a little jewel. They've gotten crazy-priced though.

Yeah, those Colt Ponies are gold. I like Colts, but am not sure they're worth (at least to me) what they're selling for.

Back in the '70's I bought a Python from an Army bud who needed some quick money, gave him $185. He wanted to buy it back later, but I had grown fond of it. Those crazy things in perfect shape are going up to $3,500.

When it got to $1,500, I thought about trading it. My son let me know it was his fav pistole, so I gave it to him and he still has it. Crazy.

I picked up this pair of 8 3/8" K guns at a gun show some years back. Don't remember what I paid, but not near what they'd bring today.

They had mag grips which are a tad big for my taste, so I put these grips on them, shaped them to fit my hand and crinkle painted them black.

They are a 14-4 and a 17-4, K-38 and K-22. Both are the target version with wide trigger and wide hammer. As you can see, I like to paint the front sight red.

DF

Something cheap to play around with is the Wrangler. They make one with adjustable sights, also, think it's called the Super Wrangler.

Here's one next to my Flat Gate. The trigger is pretty good and mine shoots almost as well as the Flat Gate. I've read some accounts where they weren't that accurate. This one surprised me, exceeded my expectations.

For the price, they're not a bad option. No prize pig for sure, but very functional for a knock about carry piece and easy on the wallet.

DF

Skip the rest and buy the best: 5-screw S&W K22.

Okay okay... Or a M17, M18, or an Outdoorsman. You'll never regret it.

This would be a good candidate
https://www.gunbroker.com/item/1029761821

Some honest wear, maybe 95% or so.

Should be a great shooter.

DF

Don't forget the S&W model 67. Oops, that's a .38 Spec. I meant the model that is the stainless equivalent of the model 34. What model is it, guys?

63

Trout, don't know how I missed that 17 :-(

There are quite a few around. Most are bringing pretty good money but I picked up this 17-3 at a local auction last year for right at 400

That was a good buy.

DF

Whose mount is that, it looks like an Allchin. Did you have to have the top strap drilled and tapped?

yes and yes

Diamondbacks are pretty nice, but they've gotten pretty expensive these days.

I think Mannlicher may have ended up picking one up pretty recently, IIRC. Very nice gun in excellent condition.

Biebs, You might ask him about them.

Troutnut, you stole that one. Very nice, indeed.

Doesn't even have a turn ring, and the grips look to be in good to very good condition.

How did you like those Super-x through it? I bought some of the new Super-x when they came up at walmart for a decent price and I wasn't really impressed with them.

I'm rather biased as I have a few of them, but the S&W Kit Guns from 1953 models through the M34, M34-1, M35 and M63 are IMO the epitome of .22 revolvers. Very easy to carry and more than accurate enough for most uses. One I have will shoot right along a K-frame .22 with about any load. Due to their small size they are more difficult to shoot well but putting on larger grips on them works well for larger hands. Most of the complaints with them comes from not keeping the cylinder charge holes scrupulously clean. .22 autos are fine and I have some but I really don't like fooling with reloading the magazines so don't shoot them much. And the SA .22's are great but are slow to reload when just having fun plinking. YMMV. Sadly, I would not buy a Smith .22 J-frame made after the early 1980's.