22 revolver

[jfh28]

I'm looking to get a 22 revolver for plinking and target, just a fun gun. I'm thinking single action but double would be fine also. My daughter would be shooting it most of the time so nothing big or heavy. What would you suggest preferably under $400?

Thanks
Jack

 

[LC '92]

The most popular and affordable .22 revolvers on the market are the Ruger Single Six series and the S&W model 18 K-22. Both are medium sized guns with the Ruger being a bit smaller. The S&W will cost more but probably have a better trigger pull. The Rugers sell new for less than $400.00 but the S&W you will have to find used to stay inside your budget. Both are lifetime revolvers. I have owned several examples of both of these.

For a smaller gun, see the Ruger Bearkat.

Hope this is helpful,
Jeff

 

[Slacker]

+1 on the Single six w/adjustable sights. They can't be beat for a SA wheelgun. You can also get a 22 WMR cylinder with them. 22 WMR is good possum medicine...and it'll do for most other jobs in a pinch.

 

[RonMar]

Hard to beat a Ruger single. Trigger will most likley not be as refined as a S&W, but very safe and shootable. I like the transfer bar incorporated in their DA wheelguns. I have had a stainless Redhawk for more than 20 years now. It is still my favorite. A hundred yard paper plate target is an easy shot with the scope attached.

 

[Sigarms]

+1 on the Single six w/adjustable sights. They can't be beat for a SA wheelgun. You can also get a 22 WMR cylinder with them. 22 WMR is good possum medicine...and it'll do for most other jobs in a pinch.

I'll vote for this gun as well. I left this one at my dads place because he liked it so much. Have the 22 WMR cylinder as well. Great revolver and will last you a lifetime.

 

[fishman]

You might also look at the Ruger Bearcat, a smaller frame single action revolver that does not have a .22 wmr cylinder with it. For women and those with smaller hands it cannot be beat. I have big hands and I really like shooting it too. My daughter and son (particularly son) like to shoot it with reduced power loads, such as cb cap or colibri, which don't really require hearing protection.

I also have a single-six and it is a fine gun.

One other you should look at is the Taurus 9-shot double action. I'm not sure of the model name, but they are quality revolvers. I have shot one a few times and would buy one myself if the opportunity arose.

 

[Birdhunter1]

I'll throw in my vote for the Ruger single six as well. A few years ago my dad was looking at either the Ruger or some cheaper model and i talked him into the Ruger because on the cheaper one (I think it was called a Rough Rider by Heritage Arms) the hammer would catch and drag slightly when you were cocking it. The Ruger is smooth, comes with two cylinders and is built very well.

 

[RobertN]

I like the S&W for the refinement.

I have had Ruger Blackhawk's before; first thing I did was take it to a gunsmith and have the trigger tuned and cylinder timing checked. After tha, it shot nicely. Before that, the trigger was dirt poor.

The gunsmithing was not very expensive, although that was a few years back...

I would offer that the S&W k-22 or the Ruger Single-Six would be good guns, but I would be more concerned that they fit well. If you get something that does not fit the hand well, it will frustrate the learning process.

I finally sold my Ruger Blackhawk. After the trigger work, some target springs, and some handload tuning, it shot etremely well off the bench. Off hand though, I was anything but accurate. The small grip did not fit my hands, even after adding larger Pachmeyer versions. Sold it to a friend that it fit well for; he still raves about it 15 years later. Amazed I sold it, it is so accurate! It just did not fit my grip...

Hard to beat a Ruger single. Trigger will most likley not be as refined as a S&W, but very safe and shootable.

 

[Bird]

If you get something that does not fit the hand well, it will frustrate the learning process.

I agree. However, sometimes changing the grips or adding an adapter can fix that. I have a couple of S&W .38s that I've had for more than 40 years and wouldn't trade them for anything, but they've both had grip adapters on them since they were new; just wash't a big enough handful to suit me until I added the adapters.

 

[jfh28]

Thanks for the suggestions...looks like a trip to the local dealer is in order now

I know what you mean by how the gun fits in your hand. Some of them you just pick up and it feels right while others it feels like your holding a fish.

How difficult are the rugers to clean and take apart?

Thanks
Jack