Best 22 caliber revolver?

[H K corporate assassin]

I would love a 22 revolver but Smith and Wesson prices and quality these days are unappealing so what other choices?

[rogervzv]

Well, to start I do not find there to be anything wrong with S&W quality these days, but that is not what you are asking.

The Ruger SP101 .22LR is a terrific little .22 revolver. I have really enjoyed mine. The workmanship, fit, and finish are quite nice, and this is a dandy little revolver.

The trigger on the SP101 .22 is a bit on the hard-pull side, but it is quite snappy and I find that I shoot this revolver very well in double action mode. It has a very decent single action trigger although the pull on the hammer is stiff.

Anyway, this was my own choice for a .22 revolver.

[chaco]

Your choices of a .22 revolver is limited.

1. Taurus 94
2. Ruger sp101
3. Ruger lcr22
4. S&W 617

As roger said, your probably better off with the sp101

[caldude]

Well, the OP never said it had to be double-action. There are plenty of single action .22 revolvers out there, but the Ruger Single series (Six and Ten) is the best single action choice IMO.

[Jeepergeo]

Well, the. Ruger SP101 would likely be as close as you cazn get to the S&W, but don't expect the same performance.

The SP101 fills a size niche, so get that now if that is the money you have, and look towards the S&W down the road.

[bgf150xlt]

I got a sp101 it has a heavy double action will take a while of shooting to losen it up or take to to a good gun smith and he can make it better. My self i like single action rugers in a combo 22lr and 22 mag good option . Both are great fun plinking guns.

[davek8s]

If you're open to a single action pistol, you should check out the Heritage Rough Rider. They aren't as pretty as a single six, but mine shoots good and was under $200 OTD.

[MyOdessa]

The best currently available is Freedom Arms Model 83 or Model 97, which ever way your preference runs. Owning the best will cost you though. S&W or Ruger are not in the same league as Freedom Arms. http://www.freedomarms.com/

[redcliff]

C&R S&W pre Model 17's and pre-model 18's are roster exempt and usually sell in the $550-650 range. Their quality and accuracy is beyond contestation.

[oso grande]

I got a sp101 it has a heavy double action will take a while of shooting to losen it up or take to to a good gun smith and he can make it better. My self i like single action rugers in a combo 22lr and 22 mag good option . Both are great fun plinking guns.

I really like my SP101-22
I put a Wolfe 11# hammer spring and an 8# trigger return spring in mine.
Also smoothed and polished some internals.

http://www.teslamap.com/public/sp101_trigger_job/index.html

Easy to do and the trigger is much improved.
OG

[Coyotegunner]

I will stand up for S&W.
I have owned several makes over the years in single action and double action.
The little Rugers are fine.I have not owned the SP like in the guys picture(nice gun by the way).Locally they are about $100 less than a S&W,which is tempting.I would still buy the S&W.I own the 617s a 647 and a 648.I have sold all of my others due to the high quality and accuracy of these guns.

[G21Shooter]

Ruger SP101 .22 lr is probably the best decently priced widely available .22 lr revolver.

S&Ws 617s are nice but expensive and hard to fine.

[schneiderguy]

I have both old and new S&Ws and there is nothing wrong with the new ones, IMO.

I enjoy shooting my S&W Model 63 (.22lr, 8 shots, 3" bbl stainless steel j-frame). Paid in the high $600s for it, new, a couple of years ago.

Almost $700 is a lot of money, but I can't think of any company that is selling USA made handguns with a forged steel frame for less than that. Considering that people don't think twice of paying that much for a polymer framed gun, it seems like a bargain to me.

[smak28]

Well, to start I do not find there to be anything wrong with S&W quality these days, but that is not what you are asking.

The Ruger SP101 .22LR is a terrific little .22 revolver. I have really enjoyed mine. The workmanship, fit, and finish are quite nice, and this is a dandy little revolver.

The trigger on the SP101 .22 is a bit on the hard-pull side, but it is quite snappy and I find that I shoot this revolver very well in double action mode. It has a very decent single action trigger although the pull on the hammer is stiff.

Anyway, this was my own choice for a .22 revolver.

+1. I couldn't pull myself to pay the price for a S&W so got myself the SP101. Heavy trigger eases more as you shoot it.

[rabidmonk]

As an owner of both S&W and Ruger revolvers in 22lr, I can vouch for the quality and smoothness of the trigger on a S&W, especially the 617. However, like all Ruger revolvers, it takes very little effort to make the trigger pull much, much nicer. Wolff springs, a little polishing, and some shims work wonders for around $30 and 30 minutes of work max.