• This Forum is for adults 18 years of age or over. By continuing to use this Forum you are confirming that you are 18 or older. No content shall be viewed by any person under 18 in California.

.22LR revolver

Gman

Gold $$ Contributor
I've decided against the .22WMR revolver and am leaning toward a "new model" double action .22LR revolver. Anyone have any experience with the following:

Colt King Cobra 6" bbl
Ruger GP100 5.5" bbl
S & W 617 or 17 Classic 6" bbl

Pros/cons, accuracy, trigger-pull & any other quirks with forementioned wheelguns.
 
IMO, you can never go wrong with a S&W revolver. I have a 4 & 6 inch 22(both classic), 6” 686, 8” 29 and my wife has a Lady Smith in 38 Special. The triggers are unbelievably smooth/clean/crisp and all the same. The LS may not be quite as nice but I don’t remember.

The 6” 17 is my favorite to shoot. All are more accurate than I am…
 
I have 50+ years of experience with the S&W Model 17, currently own 3, 1970's vintage.

I shot NRA Precision Pistol both indoor and outdoor with these revolver and qualified Distinguish Expert (285x300).

I shot NRA Small Bore Hunter Pistol Silhouette with these revolver and qualified AAA.

I hunted groundhogs and rats (short range) with these revolvers many eons ago in the 70's. Those critters found the Model 17 not to their liking. ;)

I have literally shot thousands upon thousands of rounds through them. If I had to choose one pistol and only one, it would be this one.

My handle on this Forum is K22 - the slang term for the Model 17. Are you getting the picture? :):):):):) I am nuts about the Model 17 and still shoot them a ton today.
 
I have 50+ years of experience with the S&W Model 17, currently own 3, 1970's vintage.

I shot NRA Precision Pistol both indoor and outdoor with these revolver and qualified Distinguish Expert (285x300).

I shot NRA Small Bore Hunter Pistol Silhouette with these revolver and qualified AAA.

I hunted groundhogs and rats (short range) with these revolvers many eons ago in the 70's. Those critters found the Model 17 not to their liking. ;)

I have literally shot thousands upon thousands of rounds through them. If I had to choose one pistol and only one, it would be this one.

My handle on this Forum is K22 - the slang term for the Model 17. Are you getting the picture? :):):):):) I am nuts about the Model 17 and still shoot them a ton today.


Thanks for the input and I totally agree that the older "K22 Masterpieces" are exceptional not only for accuracy, blueing and the craftmanship was second to none. Plus, they had all "forged" internals. Todays S & W's have MIM internal parts. That is what concerns me. Have heard some good & bad about the new Colts also. I'm not in a hurry because I'm still killing tree rats with a .22 rifle but I'll figure out what I want sooner or later. My grandkids are getting the .22 rifles for squirrel huntin' and I just want to try handgunnin' for the bushy tails.
 
I have 50+ years of experience with the S&W Model 17, currently own 3, 1970's vintage.

I shot NRA Precision Pistol both indoor and outdoor with these revolver and qualified Distinguish Expert (285x300).

I shot NRA Small Bore Hunter Pistol Silhouette with these revolver and qualified AAA.

I hunted groundhogs and rats (short range) with these revolvers many eons ago in the 70's. Those critters found the Model 17 not to their liking. ;)

I have literally shot thousands upon thousands of rounds through them. If I had to choose one pistol and only one, it would be this one.

My handle on this Forum is K22 - the slang term for the Model 17. Are you getting the picture? :):):):):) I am nuts about the Model 17 and still shoot them a ton today.
Model 17 for complete accuracy out of the box.
 
I've decided against the .22WMR revolver and am leaning toward a "new model" double action .22LR revolver. Anyone have any experience with the following:

Colt King Cobra 6" bbl
Ruger GP100 5.5" bbl
S & W 617 or 17 Classic 6" bbl

Pros/cons, accuracy, trigger-pull & any other quirks with forementioned wheelguns.
Unless you buy a used Smith & Wesson without the lock, my choice would be the Ruger or the Colt. Colt would probably be more refined and that might be a nicer choice, but either is great.

Danny
 
I've decided against the .22WMR revolver and am leaning toward a "new model" double action .22LR revolver. Anyone have any experience with the following:

Colt King Cobra 6" bbl
Ruger GP100 5.5" bbl
S & W 617 or 17 Classic 6" bbl

Pros/cons, accuracy, trigger-pull & any other quirks with forementioned wheelguns.
What made you decide against .22 WMR?

Danny
 
Thanks for the input and I totally agree that the older "K22 Masterpieces" are exceptional not only for accuracy, blueing and the craftmanship was second to none. Plus, they had all "forged" internals. Todays S & W's have MIM internal parts. That is what concerns me. Have heard some good & bad about the new Colts also. I'm not in a hurry because I'm still killing tree rats with a .22 rifle but I'll figure out what I want sooner or later. My grandkids are getting the .22 rifles for squirrel huntin' and I just want to try handgunnin' for the bushy tails.
The triggers in single action mode are absolutely terrific, no creep, no overtravel, and crisp let off. I think this is one of the reasons while a lot of shooters of this firearm are able to achieve its full potential.

With the target hammer option, follow up shots in single action mode (cock and pull) can be quick and accurate with practice. In the rapid-fire stage of NRA Precision Pistol, you have to fire 5 shots in 10 seconds. With dedicated practice shooting the Rapid-Fire Stage in the 90's is not difficult at all and 95's are within the capability of most shooters with practice.

The stocks selected also make a huge difference depending on your intended use. For field use, I found nothing better than the old ugly Pachmayr Rubber Stocks. For serious competition, the custom Herrett's stocks with a recoil horn and bottom support horn are the way to go.
 
Like others have posted, I’d go with a S&W, especially an older one.

The Colt King Cobra is a pretty gun, but has had some design and quality control issues. Go to the Colt forum on RimfireCentral.com and check the thread “Colt King Cobra 22 Quality Control”. It has the pros and cons from actual owners.

Good luck on your decision
 
Like others have posted, I’d go with a S&W, especially an older one.

The Colt King Cobra is a pretty gun, but has had some design and quality control issues. Go to the Colt forum on RimfireCentral.com and check the thread “Colt King Cobra 22 Quality Control”. It has the pros and cons from actual owners.

Good luck on your decision
Interesting. Thanks for that info. on the King Cobra.

Danny
 
No love for a Ruger GP100 in 22 LR? I picked one up from a friends estate and am quite impressed. The overall size is that of the CF model and the single or double action is very smooth and light. Plus, it is a 10 shot model, I like that. I have the 6" bbl model and really like the balance. Any pistol (22 or otherwise) is much more accurate than I can shoot.
 
I stated in your other post that I liked the 6" 617 I had. No issues with the lock. The other 6" I have is a Colt Special Police. I inherited from my father in 2016. It is an accurate gun. Dad bought it and a Colt Model 357 Magnum back in the 50`s. Both guns are finished better than most produced now. Good luck in finding either. But if you can get the Police Special .22lr buy it, you'll like it. Jeff
 

Upgrades & Donations

This Forum's expenses are primarily paid by member contributions. You can upgrade your Forum membership in seconds. Gold and Silver members get unlimited FREE classifieds for one year. Gold members can upload custom avatars.


Click Upgrade Membership Button ABOVE to get Gold or Silver Status.

You can also donate any amount, large or small, with the button below. Include your Forum Name in the PayPal Notes field.


To DONATE by CHECK, or make a recurring donation, CLICK HERE to learn how.

Forum statistics

Threads
165,606
Messages
2,199,252
Members
79,004
Latest member
4590 Shooter
Back
Top