Best .22 revolver

[David LaPell]

So what do you think is the best .22 revolver? I have had a couple of Ruger Single Sixes but I think this Smith & Wesson K-22 has got to be the best all the rimfire revolvers.

http://i561.photobucket.com/albums/ss57/Smith29-2/K22b.jpg

[Bret4207]

Yup, that's the best there is. That and the M-48.

[roysha]

You are absolutely, unquestionably, totally CORRECT!! The K-22, in any of it's many configurations, is the BEST!

[Doc Highwall]

K22 for double action and the USFA 22 for single action.

[Gunsmoke4570]

I'll throw another vote in for the K22. Mine is awesome! I will say that I've shot some of the newer 617s that have not shot as good as my K22, but then they are not as thoroughly broken in as mine. I swear it seems the more I shoot it the better it gets.

[atr]

HANDS DOWN....THE S&W K-22 !!!
I waited a long time before I found one to buy.....

[dhain]

+1 on the K-22

[358wcf]

I agree on the K-22 as well. It took me almost 5 years to find a nice older one, and I just this year took possesion. After over 3 years of searching, I ended up buying a Colt Police Positive Target (22lr, 6") and a Colt Officer's Model Match (22lr, 6") The Colts are nice, really nice, and accurate too. But, I like the Smith K22 over the others. It feels better, smoother action, and a bit more accurate.
My other 22 is a S&W model 34 22lr Kit Gun.
Yes, now that I have that 6" K22, I'm through looking--

Chuck
358wcf [smilie=1:[smilie=1:[smilie=1:

[Finster101]

I am very happy with my 4" Diamondback

[jh45gun]

K22 is an awesome 22 Revolver. I would take that over any Ruger. But then now days I would probably take other choices over a Ruger which is why I now shoot Uberti.

[MattOrgan]

Well almost the K-22. My vote is the M18 (a 4" K-22). Mine is about the same vintage as the K-22 first pictured. 4" or 6", and manufacutred before about 1980, they were the best ever made. Works of art.

[6.5 mike]

+1 for the mod 18, mine is an early '50's model. 2nd would be my mod 63, then the ruger.

[oldhickory]

I like old Colts, an old Police Positive Target .22 would suit me perfectly.

[cal50]

The S&W 617 or K22 are the top tier .22 revolvers.
I recently picked up a 617 (6") and its an incredible .22 revolver.

[Mugs]

Freedom Arms 252
Mugs
IHMSA 5940L

[kcajeel]

I was at a local gun show today and a friend bought a K 22 model 17-4 for 250 bucks. It was so nice it didnt even have the ring around the cylinder

[9.3X62AL]

I was at a local gun show today and a friend bought a K 22 model 17-4 for 250 bucks. It was so nice it didnt even have the ring around the cylinder

He should turn himself in! That borders on theft, given the condition you describe. :)

I am quite fond of my M-617 x 6" (6-shot). Tackdriver. Another fine one I let get away was a Colt Officer's Model Match x 6". One surprisingly accurate little roller is a Colt New Frontier x 4", the 3/4-size SAA. Good sights help it some, and with its 22 Win Mag cylinder it has been the most accurate handgun I've ever fired in that caliber. Its accuracy with the 22 LR wheel runs close to that of the 617, too.

[NickSS]

I have owned both smiths and colt diamondbacks in 22RF and I would vote for the Colt Diamondback 6 inch that I had for several years.

[cuzinbruce]

Another vote for the K-22. Mine is about 1965. I put a grip adapter on mine. Excellent gun. Only thing I note is that it has tight chambers and you have to give each cartridge a little push when you are loading it. Still much nicer arrangement than having to push each empty out of the chamber with the ejector. Now I am looking for the older one, the pre-war K-22 Outdoorsman. And a Model 48.
Bruce

[blasternank]

S&W 617 10 shot is the best one out there! IMHO!

[jsizemore]

Freedom Arms. I saw one clean the chickens at 100 meters in a IHMSA regional championship.

[Dan Cash]

Having had Colt, Smith and Ruger .22 revolvers, the nod has to go to the Smiths and Colts. I doubt either of those two shoot better than the other across a broad spectrum of revolvers. Unfortunately, in recent years, .22 rim fire ammo has gone down hill in quality to the extent that the cheap ammo often does not work well with any of the revolvers. The good .22 ammo costs so much that it is cheaper to load for a .38 or even a .45.

[GLL]

Although I own a few other S&W .22 revolvers this 4" 617 is a favorite to haul around in the desert ! :)

Jerry

http://www.fototime.com/8C8105281EF608A/orig.jpg

[Kraschenbirn]

Although I own a few other S&W .22 revolvers this 4" 617 is a favorite to haul around in the desert ! :)

Jerry

Got one just like yours in blue and it's probably the "most shot" of all my .22s...rifles included!

Bill

[GLL]

Bill:

I have a 6" and 8 3/8" 17-6 in blue as well ! Wish I could find a 4" like yours !

Jerry

[9.3X62AL]

What Dan Cash said. A Colt Diamondback would be a fine addition to anyone's battery.

[NoDakJak]

I owned a K-22 and really liked it but decided that if I was going to pack a revolver that large and heavy it would be a 357. I have owned a couple model 63s and liked them but for almost twenty years now my old Model 34 has been my favorite. It has certainly taken its share of cottontails. I must admit though, for many years I have lusted for a Diamondback. I haven't even seen one for several years. Neil

[Bret4207]

That's the truth Neil. My little 34 has a lot more miles on it than my K22, killed a lot more stuff too. When it comes to "the best" I suppose we have to qualify things a bit.

[gnoahhh]

Count me in for another K-22 vote. I like my Colt Officer's Model Match pretty good too. They both shoot like young rifles.

[wiljen]

I grew up toting a H&R 9 shot break open and thinking it was the greatest gun ever. Guess it might be the perspective of a 13 year old boy looking back though.

[gnoahhh]

You're 13 and looking back? Just how young were you when you started out?!:kidding:

[Bret4207]

I grew up toting a H&R 9 shot break open and thinking it was the greatest gun ever. Guess it might be the perspective of a 13 year old boy looking back though.

I'd love to snag a 999 in good shape. They used to be $40-75.00 guns when they were still made, the used ones anyway. Now they go over $200.00 in decent shape and that's if you can even find one. Shoulda, woulda, coulda strikes again! I put a lot of rounds through a friends 999. It wasn't the most accurate revolter I ever shot, but it was a fantastic truck/trapline gun.

[missionary5155]

Good morning
The Dan Wesson .22 will do some mighty fine shooting. But it weights about twice as much as a standard 22 revolver. But that barrel swap capability sure makes it versitile

[ClemY]

For me, the .22 revo with the best combination of features is the Model 17. I like the balance, sight radius, trigger, overall feel, and accuracy. The only thing I don’t particularly like is that it is blued. I prefer stainless, so while my 17 is terrific, sensitivity of the finish, age and collector status tend to mitigate against the 17. I tend to shoot my 617s more.

[Rio Grande]

Ruger Single-Six.

[Andyd]

I have a S&W K-22 that was manufactured in 1952 that is a great shooter. I own it since many years and did some of my most spectacular shots with it.

I now have a Korth rimfire revolver to compare it to and the Korth is superior. The D/A is unbelievably smooth and the finish is breathtaking!

I learnt shooting on a Colt OMM and am a revolver guy, the OMM is a nice gun, the K-22 is a great gun - but the Korth is my favorite.

[Buddy]

I'm a Dan Wesson fan myself. Accurate as anything out there and I can change barrels in a matter of minutes.

[rbertalotto]

Freedom Arms 252 or a Korth..........Nothing else is even in the ballpark!

[David2011]

Blasternank,

Agreed, I'm mucho impressed with the S&W 617 10-shot.

That said, my Dad says I'll get my Grandfather's K-22 some day. I'm getting close to 60 but still excited like a kid over having that gun, both for what it is and for whose it was. I can't wait. The best part is that I have been transfered back to the town where my Grandfather lived so will be using it in the same New Mexico desert where he carried it 50 years ago. I had a choice of his 4" blued Colt Trooper (original model) or the K-22 and chose the K-22. Old beats new any day on this choice.

Drifting off the thread, I did have to take the Colt out for a spin at the range. It was still in the gun rug that it was in back in the '60s complete with the hunting scene printed flannel liner and had some of the old SuperVel ammo in the rug. I was the first person to fire it since my Grandfather and he died in 1987. It was kind of a deep and special moment.

David

[dnotarianni]

10 shot 617 pre lock 6" barrel Sweet shooting and accurate Will never sell it. Looked for a long time to find a pre lock.[smilie=w:
Dave

[hhranch]

I don't know that it is the best, but I shoot my 6" Diamondback better than my K-22. Same for a 6" Colt Match Target and a Smith 41, although the Smith has a much better trigger. There is just something about a Colt that seems to work, at least for me.

[Adk Mike]

I always wanted a k22. But I've owned a 4" SW mod 63 for 30 years. My most carried gun. Great Fun !

[Mk42gunner]

Double action= K-22 or Colt Diamondback (still looking for one).

Single action= Colt New Frontier. The one I had outhot several Rugers, wish I had it back.

Robert

[Murphy]

My first .22 revolver was a Dan Wesson as a mate to it's bigger brother for me at that time, a .357.

Then I stepped up to a Model 17 and never looked back. Put 1000's of rounds thru the Model 17 and stupidly let it get stolen. I just replaced it recently with a 1948 K22.

And for the past 6 years I've had a Model 18 as well born about 1965 or so...Model 18-2.

Murphy

[stubshaft]

I love my Freedom Arms and they are the most accurate revolvers I own, BUT, I gotta vote for the K-22.

[Herb in Pa]

Yet another vote for the Colt Diamondback.

[LAH]

I vote for the Smith 17. I've shot it for years but it's not quite the sixgun my rebarreled Single Six is.

[AZ Pete]

I think my K22 (mfg in 1948) it the best .22 revolver that I have had. I shoot it nearly every week. It is much more accurate for me than my M-34, the 34 is more handy to carry though...

[steg]

I still like the old H&R's, gave up looking for a reasonably priced 999, did find a H&R special, seems to me it was the precursor of the 999, I enjoy shooting it alot, really like the way it fits my hand.............................................. steg

[alamogunr]

Back in 1961, between my 1st and 2nd years of college, I worked in a local sporting goods store. Midway thru the summer, I decided I needed a handgun. I chose the K22. Cost more than 2 weeks salary(I worked cheap). Other guns have come and gone but that one will always be here until it passes to one of the sons.

John
W.TN

[Char-Gar]

I started handgun shooting with a K-22 back in the mid-50s and have never been without one. The one I have now is a 1953 vintage. I have a strong bond with the K-22, but reason compels me to say, there are others just as good. I also have a Colt Officers Model and a 1958 vintage Ruger SS. Both are as accurate as the K-22. I also have a little 4" Smith Kit Gun that is fully as accurate as the K-22. I am talking mechanical accuracy. Because it the Kit Gun's lighter weight, the scores are not as high when hand held. But put the two Smiths on a bench and they will shoot the same or nearly so.

There are many good 22 revolvers out there, and I doubt if a case can be made than any one of them is the best. Best usually boils down to the one we have and like being the best.

[smoked turkey]

K-22 for me too. Without a doubt part of it is the memories that go along with it. It is the first real 'gun' I remember as a young boy. My dad traded a Winchester 94 for it I think. I got to take it out rabbit hunting quite a bit. It is about like the one shown in the lead photo of this thread. It is special because dad passed it on to me when I moved out from under his roof. A little off the subject but a few years ago I latched on to an old 5 screw K-38. I enjoy shooting both of the 'twins'.

[ElDorado]

I craved a K22 for many years, believing that they were the pinnacle of 22 revolvers. I finally got a Model 17-3 a few years ago and I love it, although I think my Ruger Single-Six is a tad more accurate.

I also have a Model 63 kit gun with a Pachmayr Gripper grip. It is the handiest little gun. It’s easy to hold, easy to point, and easy to shoot. We a have big family shoot every year, and that little gun gets the biggest workout just because it’s so much fun. That grip makes all the difference. It’s not near as nice to shoot with the factory grip – it’s just too small.

[Shooter6br]

In Single action Ruger SS single six convertable

[Artful]

Well I've handled several over the years kept the K-22 and Diamondback - would like colt Trooper back to join them but, if I could only have one it would be K-22 6 inch.

[Dframe]

Colt Diamondback. Best of the best!

[Alan in Vermont]

The best shooting .22 revolver I've ever played with is my three screw Ruger Single Six Convertible. I know the Convertible isn't supposed to be a great shooter, something about the bore being sized for the .22 Mag bullets, but this one will cut cloverleafs at 25 yds. I've worked on the trigger which helps.

[Changeling]

Want to put it up against a Ruger Mark 1, stock everything?

[winelover]

Korth

Winelover

[Dframe]

Double action= K-22 or Colt Diamondback (still looking for one).

Single action= Colt New Frontier. The one I had outhot several Rugers, wish I had it back.

Robert

What he said. fortunately I HAVE a 22 Diamondback. A truly elegant and accurate piece. Wish I had my old Colt 22 single action back

[buck1]

Colt Trooper MKIII

[Tom-ADC]

Colt Diamondback. Best of the best!

Yep I still kick myself for letting mine get away.

[williamwaco]

I agree with the K-22 but it has a close rival.

They also make a J frame .22. It used to be called the Kit gun, In either 4 or six inch. Looked exactly like a miniture K-22. It was also awsome.

closet thing I can find in the catalog today is:

http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product4_750001_750051_765497_-1_757768_757767_757751_ProductDisplayErrorView_Y

I personally would not buy the three inch barrel.

This is closer to what I am thinking about.

http://www.gunblast.com/little_big_gun.htm

[Andyd]

Korth

Winelover

I'll back that up. There is no better one ...

http://i189.photobucket.com/albums/z159/Andyd173/DSCF4403.jpg

... but I still like my other rimfire revolvers.

http://i189.photobucket.com/albums/z159/Andyd173/DSCI0059.jpg

http://i189.photobucket.com/albums/z159/Andyd173/DSCF4264.jpg

[slide]

Another vote for the Smith model 617

[bobthenailer]

KORTH REVOLVER! i have only seen them one time a salesman had samples , a 22 and a 357 . and know of no one who has ever owned one ! if you knew the current price you will see why there not popular! there web sight has a price as POR which means if you cant dig deep dont ask ! I checked the price in GUN DIGEST 2011 edtion HOWS prices starting from $ 8,000 and up depending on options and from $12,000 and up for deluxe edtions, retail . WOW !!!!!
I guess ill have to struggel through the rest of my life with 2- S&W 22 revolvers knowing i dont have the best / most expensive 22 dbl action revolver made

[Andyd]

KORTH REVOLVER! i have only seen them one time a salesman had samples , a 22 and a 357 . and know of no one who has ever owned one ! if you knew the current price you will see why there not popular! there web sight has a price as POR which means if you cant dig deep dont ask ! I checked the price in GUN DIGEST 2011 edtion HOWS prices starting from $ 8,000 and up depending on options and from $12,000 and up for deluxe edtions, retail . WOW !!!!!
I guess ill have to struggel through the rest of my life with 2- S&W 22 revolvers knowing i dont have the best / most expensive 22 dbl action revolver made

Two posts up you can see mine. It is a 1969 model /24. I visited the shop in Ratzeburg right before Korth closed their shop there and talked to the gun smith. I personally prefer the older models from/24 on but before the introduction of the barrel sleeve. Mine has the later style captured main spring.

What makes Korths so special is the unique roller for the trigger, leading to an unbelievably smooth D/A pull, something that no other D/A revolver comes close to - and particularly no rimfire revolver!

[bobthenailer]

At one time someone made a roller trigger/ hammer group for S&W revolvers

[Andyd]

At one time someone made a roller trigger/ hammer group for S&W revolvers

For the Python also but I have only heard that, never tried one.

[bobthenailer]

I think Cylinder & Slide would be my first guess or possibley Powers or Jarvis ? made the roller trigger group for S&W revolvers.

[runnin lead]

I had a chance to shoot a Korth in the late 80's & declined.
When asked why I didn't shoot it I said Because I just sold my bear trap for $600 & if I try it I will have to get one . At that time they were $600.00
JEEE I wish I would have shot it , ayear later they were double that

Leaving the Korth & Freedom Arms out of this I like DAN .I had a Diamond Back & a K-22.
Dan Wesson is a keeper

[rbertalotto]

I had a chance to shoot a Korth in the late 80's & declined.
When asked why I didn't shoot it I said Because I just sold my bear trap for $600 & if I try it I will have to get one . At that time they were $600.00

That must have been 1880!!!! I don't believe Korth revolvers were ever $600 in the 1980s????

I handled (but never shot) both the revolver and the pistol at a SHOT show back in the 80s. Extremely well made firearms. But if I remember correctly, they were well north of $600.

Now, back to the subject at hand.............

What is the difference between S&W 17, 18 and K22????????

[shotstring]

I heard the best there was in a 22 revolver back in the late 70's was the S & W K-22 so I bought one. Accuracy was great, but way too many misfires from light firing pin hits, so I sold it.

Heard the Colt Diamondback was next in quality, so I replaced the Smith and Wesson with it. Same problem of light firing pin hits, and using several different types of ammo.

Gave up on the double actions and bought 2 Ruger single sixes in 4 3/4 bbl. The accuracy was not as good, but I have not had a single light primer hit or any other malfunction from those 2 guns in almost 30 years of use. They simply can't be beat for reliability.

[Multigunner]

I heard the best there was in a 22 revolver back in the late 70's was the S & W K-22 so I bought one. Accuracy was great, but way too many misfires from light firing pin hits, so I sold it.



I never took much notice of the S&W double actions, but my .32 I frame Hand Ejector has a set screw adjustable mainspring to tune spring pressure to suit the shooter or the ammo.
Did the later models have this sort of spring tension adjustment?

[ohiochuck]

The 651 with both .22 mag & .22 LR cylinders is hard to beat. SS and 4 inch barrel. The choice is which ammo do you want to use?
The 651 has adjustable sights. The 650 has a 3 inch barrel and non adjustable sights. Both are currently out of production, but used models can be found. Both models are 6 shot.

[cowboy]

Howdy, if y'all can stand one more late entry-
I have a steel cylindered 10 shot 617, a 63, but my favorite is my 8 3/8" model 48, even in .22 magnum. Just does it for me.

[Swede44mag]

I'm a Dan Wesson fan myself. Accurate as anything out there and I can change barrels in a matter of minutes.


+1 on the Dan Wesson mine has a 10" barrel with a ram on it.

I did have a S&W 8 3/8 blue 6 shot that I loved but traded it for the *** 10 shot.
I had a 8 3/8 S&W 10 shot in Stainless Steel it was a beauty to look at but didn't shoot worth a darn.
If you call the bottom of a 5 gal bucket group at 25 yards then I guess it shot crapy any-way.

[plattincreek]

My Colt Officers Model Match .22 is a great revolver. Love the way it handles.

[avogunner]

There are many great revolvers listed on this thread and I would be glad to own any of therm. However, my very favorite is my Colt Peacemaker .22. I have both LR and Mag cylinders and while it doesn't have the accuracy of a match pistol, it's great fun to shoot!

[SSGOldfart]

Dan Wesson made a pretty good .22 as well guees it's
+2 it on the Dan Wesson mine has a 10" barrel with a ram on it.as well

[cabezaverde]

I just bought a model 34 Smith at a show, and am really liking it. Somebody else said it, if I want to knock around the woods with a big gun, I'll carry my model 19.

[doubs43]

Korths are a beautiful revolver. A friend in England had one in .357 that I shot and it was impressive. However, the cylinder only holds 5 rounds in .357 and that left him out of many competition events we shot. He was ready to give it up for something else when I left the country.

[MT Gianni]

Has anyone ever played much with the High Standard revolvers? How about accuracy? Are they on the same level as H&R or a step in between them and a Smith?

[BOOM BOOM]

HI,
I have owned 3 -22 revolvers. The 1st is long gone , not very good, the 2nd a H&R 494 9 shot , my son has it.
The 3rd is a K frame 22, 4" barrel. M18 ??? definitely the best of the ones I owned.
:Fire::Fire:

[Andyd]

Korths are a beautiful revolver. A friend in England had one in .357 that I shot and it was impressive. However, the cylinder only holds 5 rounds in .357 and that left him out of many competition events we shot. He was ready to give it up for something else when I left the country.

That is a very old model, the newer .357 Mag revolver all have six shots. My .22 Korth is from 1969 and also has six shots - and the great trigger.