Don't understand .22lr revolver pricing

[dpop24]

I really want a S&W 617 or Ruger SP101 in .22lr, but the prices are ridiculous. How is it that I can get a S&W .38 or any number of semi-auto .22lr handguns for half the price? Doesn't make sense to me - what drives the prices? Plain old gouging? Low demand?

Even for the SP101, there's a $50 premium for the .22lr over the same gun chambered in .38.... This makes absolutely zero sense to me, can someone please help me understand?

These prices could drive me to a Taurus model 94, but I've read a handful of bad reviews...... Clearly the right thing to do is to bite the bullet and pay for the 617 or SP101 for a quality lifetime gun, but the price tag is sure hard to swallow!

[shafferds]

buy it right the first time and you dont have to buy it again. Am a firm believer in buy it once and cry once or you can buy cheaper and end up spending more in the end. The ruger or the smith will outlast you and you can pass it down.

[Ripon83]

Supply and demand. I think the only reason they make them at all is because they can get a premium for them, and that is long as they don't over produce them. I get it, don't like it, but its the fact of life. If they mass produced one of them the market would likely be flooded pretty quick and they'd eat em. So you can call it gouging - I call it making a legitimate profit.

[gunnlover]

Don't knock the Taurus. I've got two that work fine.

[Tanner68]

There is an inverse relationship of price to demand. The 22s are less in demand. Consequently, in order to produce them and make fiscal sense, they produce fewer and sell at a higher price.

If there was a long term uptick in demand for 22 revolvers, they would come down in price.

[Mr. Meeseeks]

Beats me too Yeah, most likely high demand vs. lower numbers produced. And its quite possible that they do that on purpose, who knows...

Well at least it'll quickly pay for its self. You can also go single action, Ruger Bearcats and Single Sixes start at around $400, yeah I know its not the same as DA.

[gunnerstuff]

Yup, I don't get it either. Picked up my Ruger single ten a few months ago. It's a pain to load and unload. Heavy and ackward, but damn, I love that thing.

[Dannicus]

I think a major part of it is the tolerances and alignments that need to be just right. Every chamber in the cylinder needs to lock up in line and meet a specific gap at the forcing cone. This involves a bit of hand checking and fitting.

[JAGACIDA]

The market is demanding .22 firearms most likely due to the increasing cost of centerfire ammo. Plus, US workers are getting paid well to continue to supply the worlds best firearms. A Model 617 is a work of art compared to even it's bigger brothers plus resale will never dip, plus bragging rights.

[TANK]

Awesome costs $. Sucks yes, but hey $ is a renewable resource- you'll always get more, may not be how much you want but it's more

[prime mover]

You have to look at it from they're business standpoint, if you were them you would charge more for something you make less of, I would.

[Cactus_Tim]

My SP101 22lr is a dream to shoot.
Yes, it was expensive.
I think I'm getting my money's worth.

[lmudave]

My S&W model 17-2 is one of my all time favorite guns, accurate, solid as can be, and just plain beautiful. I understand the pricing, seems to me they are made just as well as any other higher end revolver, might not send as large a round down range, but the materials and craftsmanship remains the same. If I was in the market I'd definitely pay the premium for a 617 or keep my eyes open for a model 17. Worth it in the long run.

[The Right to Bear Arms]

I really want a S&W 617 or Ruger SP101 in .22lr, but the prices are ridiculous.

No shortage of strong opinions here. I love it. I certainly don't want to be part of a forum where the members have not prioritized their " philosophies of use. "

Now then, I am infatuated with the Double Action S&W 617 in .22LR. That said for that price tag, I can get a modern semi auto battle rifle if I shop well enough. So my solution is go cheaper to get the marksmanship / plinking / .22 cal survival requirement out of the way and train with a smile.

Then, take the Vast remainder of funds that I would have spent on that SW617 and allocate it towards something that fills a gap in my personal arsenal.

To each their own, gentlemen. We're all Kings of our own castles. Just be able survive and thrive with your decisions.

RBA

[PEZHEAD265]

I think a major part of it is the tolerances and alignments that need to be just right. Every chamber in the cylinder needs to lock up in line and meet a specific gap at the forcing cone. This involves a bit of hand checking and fitting.

I don't think that is the answer because all revolvers have those tolerances and alignments not just 22's.