Rimfire Revolvers Buyers Guide — Five Great Guns
Don’t own a quality .22 LR wheelgun yet? Well start saving those pennies. Every serious gun aficionado should have a quality rimfire revolver. A rimfire wheelgun is also very good choice for a first handgun. Indeed, a strong argument could be made that a .22 LR revolver is THE best choice for a new shooter’s first handgun. A .22 LR revolver is easy to shoot, easy to maintain, and will last a lifetime. Once you have mastered the basics of shooting with a .22 LR, you can move on to larger caliber handguns suitable for self-defense.
TOP FIVE Reasons to Own a Rimfire Revolver:
TOP FIVE Rimfire Revolvers (Current Production)
1. Smith & Wesson Model 617, 6″ or 4″ BBL, $829.00 MSRP
1. Smith & Wesson Model 617, 6″ or 4″ BBL, $829.00 MSRP
10-Shot, Stainless Steel, 44.1 Oz. (6″ barrel), 39 Oz. (4″ barrel)
Smith & Wesson’s Model 617, offered with either 6″ or 4″ barrels, is extremely accurate, with a very crisp trigger, and good sights. Accuracy is better than most shooter can hold. You can learn all the fundamentals with this ultra-reliable K-Frame handgun, shooting inexpensive .22 LR ammo. The 6″ version has a longer sight radius, so it’s superior for bullseye work. But the 4″ version balances much better. The choice is yours.
The Model 617 is rugged, durable, and can give you a lifetime of shooting fun. Your Editor has owned a 4″ ten-shot Model 617 for over 20 years, and it’s still going strong. Here is a video showing the 4″-barrel version of Smith & Wesson’s popular model 617.
Hickok 45 Demos “Wonderful revolver”, a 4″ Model 617. See also Hickok 45 m617 Part 2:
2. Ruger GP100 .22 LR, 5.5″ or 4″ BBL, $829.00 MSRP
10-Shot, Stainless Steel, 42 Oz., 5.5″ Barrel
Ruger introduced the .22 LR GP100 two years ago. Since then, it has become a good seller. This 10-shot revolver with 5.5″ barrel has a comfortable grip and triple-locking cylinder (locked into the frame at the front, rear and bottom). Many shooters like the fact that the 5.5″-barrel GP100 carries its heft more to the rear than S&W’s 6″ 617. However, we’d give the edge to the 617’s trigger. NOTE: Davidson’s also has a limited edition GP100 with shorter 4″ barrel. This Davidson’s exclusive edition 4″ GP100 is handier to carry and balances better.
3. Smith & Wesson Model 17 Masterpiece, 6″ BBL, $989.00 MSRP
6-Shot, Carbon (Blued) Steel, 39.9 Oz., 6″ Barrel
Smith & Wesson recently re-introduced its Model 17 Masterpiece revolver. This Blued 6-shot classic has been “re-released” with a retro-style grip. It still offers outstanding accuracy and a sweet trigger pull. For those who like the look of the original K-22 revolvers this can fill the bill. With a non-underlug 6″ barrel, this is 4.2 ounces lighter than the 6″ Model 617. The price, $989.00 MSRP, is pretty steep. It you look around you may be able to find an original K-22 for a few hundred dollars less. We’ve seen some decent examples on Gunbroker in the $700 range, but pristine K-22s are selling for over $1000 now.
4. Smith & Wesson Model 63, 3″ BBL, $769.00 MSRP
8-Shot, Stainless Steel, 25.8 Oz., 3″ barrel
The 8-Shot Smith & Wesson Model 63 may be one of the most versatile revolvers on the market. With a 3″ barrel, it balances well and is easy to hold. This makes this a great training pistol for a new shooter, even a junior or a lady with small hands. The latest 8-shot version offers nice big sights with fiber-optic front insert. While we consider this a great training and plinking handgun, it can also do double-duty for concealed carry. No the .22 LR won’t match the stopping power of a .357 Magnum, but better armed than not.
5. Ruger LCRx, 3″ BBL, $579.00 MSRP
8-Shot, Steel/Aluminum/Polymer, 17.3 Oz., 3″ barrel
The new Ruger LCRx Revolver combines traditional wheelgun features with modern composite construction. The 3″ barrel and cylinder are steel. The “frame” housing the barrel and cylinder are aerospace-grade aluminum. The rear/lower section of the pistol, what Ruger calls the “fire control housing”, is made of polymer. This cuts weight and tames felt reoil. That fire control housing holds the hammer/trigger assemblies and provides a mount for the interchangeable grips. This is really a very innovative pistol. Thanks to its weight-saving features, Ruger’s LCRx is 8.5 ounces lighter than S&W’s Model 63, though both have 3″-long barrels.
Similar Posts:
- Rimfire Revolvers — Guide to Great .22 LR Wheelguns
- The Rimfire Wheelgun — Why You Really Need One
- Great Guns: Smith & Wesson Model 617 Rimfire Revolver
- Buying Your First Handgun — The Rimfire Revolver Rationale
- Buying a First Handgun — The Rational Wheelgun Option
Tags: K-22, Kit Gun, Model 17, Model 617, Model 63, Revolver, Ruger GP100, Ruger LCRx, Ruger Revolver, Smith Wesson, Wheelgun
Whats a good .22 revolver in the $200-300 dollar range?
These are surely some great but very expensive rimfire revolvers. I picked up a Heritage Rough Ryder revolver in 22LR (also available 22WMR). Routinely available as a $100 firearm on Black Friday, this is not one to be overlooked. The fit and finish isn’t as smooth or clean as the Ruger Blackhawk, but for one third of the price, it’s not expected to be. Among a list of high dollar precision firearms it still remains among the favorties to shoot. As a six inch model it is accurate enough to pick off golf balls at 15 yards, and will ring steel out to 50 yards. Because it’s both single action and rimfire it’s a great way to train younger or inexperienced shooters, or just slow them down from burning through a box of rimefire in 10 minutes.
All great revolvers. I have every one that’s on the list. But they are also very expensive. The Heritage Rough Rider, also owned, is the cheapest and it shows that way. I suggest a good used high standard for beginners. Nice examples can be found in the $300 range and are a good middle ground for those not looking for a family heirloom.
I’m liking this Heritage Rough Rider Revolver in .22 LR and .22 Magnum.
TEST: https://youtu.be/sruOplt19hw
I ‘ve been collecting older S&W K22’s and Colt .22 Semi Auto’s for sometime now. The fit and finish of these older revolvers and pistols is outstanding if purchased in 80% plus condition and they go up in value every year. A very good investment and a lot of fun to shoot !
I love my old h&r 999 break top .22.