doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion Classic & Custom Single Barreled Sporting Rifles @ doublegunshop.com Classic .22LR revolvers?

Guys, I finally got my NYS pistol permit, bit of a process but worth the wait.

I find my taste in guns runs along the same lines as the company of this particular board so what better place to ask for advice?

I have an itch for a classic .22LR revolver to train, target shoot and plink with. Wood and blue, 6-8" barrels, preferably at least 50 years old. I have done a quick survey and the choices seem limited, but not terribly so. I would appreciate opinions on your experiences with the following guns and any other you think I might consider.

Colt's...
Officers Model and variations (Match, Target)
Official Police (pre & post war, different issues)
Police Positive
Diamondback (I know not quite 50 years old but gets good press)

S&W's

22/32 Hand ejectors (Bekeart)
K-22 Outdoorsman
K-22 Masterpiece (I'm told the 1940-1957 are the best ones)
Early Model 35 (the 22/32 Target Model of 1953)

I will be keeping a lookout for single shots but until then one of these will have to do. Feel free to give me advice on what I should expect to pay for a clean shooter.


thanks,

Rob

If you want accuracy, find an H & R Ultra Sportsman. It is essentially the USRA with a cylinder. Do not confuse it with the readily available Sportsman. Grips will be one of many Roper styles, as on the USRA.

Terry, is this what you are referring to? Methinks I want something a bit more traditional in appearance...

That is it.

I have a 1947 S & W Mod. 17, 6 inch and I'm not sure but I belive it's one of the K-22's you list. I would recommend it highly. Fine revolver.

Here is a 1933 Colt OP that I picked up years ago at an auction,
Locks up tight as a bank vault,action as smooth as a Python and great fun to shoot.
Can't count the number of non gun folks I have converted with just a few rounds of plinking with this a a Winchester 62.

Rob, you have an outstanding list to pick from. Winners, all.

I have a Colt Trooper III, 6" in .22 LR that is not too shabby.

For a Single Action, I like my Colt New Frontier .22.

Although many seem to favor the S&W K-frames over the Colt Officer's Models, I've owned several of the latter and really thought they were the nicest double action revolvers I ever owned. For target shooting, the best of the lot is probably the Officers Model Match, which has the fully adjustable micro-style sights. It's not necessarily better fit or finished than the Officers Model Target or Officers Model Special (a very short term variation with an odd rear sight dovetailed into the rear of the frame), but the sights are a far better design. The early ones (the first OMM was produced in 1953 if I recall correctly) are extremely well finished. The last ones (1968) weren't quite as well polished. In any case, they are full sized, hand filling revolvers that are more accurate than most people can shoot, even off a rest.

The Officers Models all have the same action design as the Python, which is the Colt double action revolver of legend. The Troopers, which are not quite as well finished, but are quite nicely finished inside, do as well, but not the Trooper III or Trooper V, both of which have coil springs, as I remember.

I have owned 4 inch Troopers in both .22 and .357 and do regret selling them to finance some shotgun purchase of one kind or another. The best single action trigger pull I ever found on a Colt double action revolver was on that Trooper 4 inch .357. It gave me a complete understanding of what a trigger that "broke like a glass rod" really meant.

As an aside, if you stumble across an Officers Model Match in .22 Magnum, buy it. They are quite rare (maybe 1200 manufactured over the life of the model).

Good to see you over at S&W Rob!
As for your list, I'm working on ALL of the S&W's you mentions. Just bought a 1947 version of the K-22 and am selling the 70's model to finance. Have a 1936 vintage Outdoorsman, 4" Kit Gun, also a cut-down 22/32 a M-42 auto and a Colt Huntsman (fixed sight Woodsman).
The real aficionados say the S&W .22 are the most accurate revolvers while the Colt OMM .38 will out-shoot the K-38 (hard for me to believe?). The Colts are fine revolvers, but lack some of the Smith charisma, IMO.
In my decidedly biased opinion, the late 40-50's S&W .22 K-Frame is the revolver to strive for if simple shooting pleasure is your desire (6" Masterpiece M-17 or 4" Combat Masterpiece M-18). The 22/32 and Outdoorsman's sights, balance and grips aren't quite as user friendly and while I love the Kit Gun, its rather small and easy to carry but difficult to control.
That said, I'm looking for an earlier Kit Gun and a M-35 (6" Barreled Kit Gun J- Frame) Here are a few pix.
1970's K-22, M-17-3 with Herrett thumbrest grips.


1936 Outdoorsman with Fitz thumbrest grips.


1970's Kit Gun with Herrett grips.


Cut-down (3 1/2") 22/32 with custom grips.


10" 3rd Model Single shot


And maybe my fav shooter, at least until the 6" gets here, 1950's 4" .22 Combat Masterpiece (Pre-Model 18) with El Paso holster & Tyler grip adapter


They are ALL great!

I own one .22 revolver, this one.

Steve, If you have a S&W 19-3 4" blue for sale let me know.