The Rimfire Wheelgun — Why You Really Need One
Early 6-shot Model 617 shown. Current Model 617s have 10-round cylinders.
“But Honey, I really do need a new gun….”
If you are looking for justification for getting a new handgun, show your spouse this article. Today we explain why every serious shooter should have a .22 LR wheelgun. Rimfire revolvers are versatile, reliable, easy-to-operate, and fun to shoot. A good .22 revolver will be considerably more accurate than 90% of the self-loading pistols you could buy. With a good a .22-caliber rimfire revolver you will learn sight alignment and trigger control. Plus you can practice with inexpensive ammunition.
The better .22 LR revolvers also hold their value. In particular, a Smith & Wesson Model 617 (or its predecessor, the Model 17, shown below) is a good investment. You could use your S&W wheelgun all your life and then pass it on to your kids. If you or your heirs ever wear out the barrel or cylinder, Smith & Wesson will replace the parts for free, forever. Think about that…
The Model 63 Kit Gun is a compact 6-shot (older) or 8-shot (newer) revolver. Older Model 63s are in high demand, so this is another Smith wheelgun that holds its value well…
Smith & Wesson Model 617 — Smith’s Model 617 is extremely accurate, with a very crisp trigger (in single-action mode), and good sights. You can learn all the fundamentals with this ultra-reliable handgun, shooting inexpensive .22 LR ammo. The Model 617 is rugged, durable, and can give you a lifetime of shooting fun.
Once you have mastered the basics of shooting with a .22 LR, you can move on to larger caliber handguns suitable for self-defense. Below is a slide-show illustrating a S&W Model 617 ten-shot, with 6″ barrel. S&W also makes a 4″-barrel version of this revolver. (See: Shooting Demo Video with 4″ model 617.)
Similar Posts:
- Rimfire Revolvers — Guide to Great .22 LR Wheelguns
- Buying a First Handgun — The Rational Wheelgun Option
- Buying Your First Handgun — The Rimfire Revolver Rationale
- Rimfire Revolvers Buyers Guide — Five Great Guns
- Great Guns: Smith & Wesson Model 617 Rimfire Revolver
Tags: .22 LR, K-22, Kit Gun, Model 617, Model 63, Revolver, Smith Wesson
Cannot learn sights, trigger pull with a Automatic?
Editor: Indeed one can. However, with the .22 LR caliber you eliminate recoil issue. And, the long sight radius and tall target sights of a 6″ revolver help considerably. Finally, very few semi-autos can match the light, crisp, trigger pull of a S&W revolver when shot single-action. You basically need a dedicated .22 semi-auto Target pistol (to have a trigger pull that good), and even then it may not be as simple and reliable as the wheelgun.
Showing this article to my spouse would do no good. She would just say something like, “If you want it get it”.
Maybe she’d say that.
It is actually a 10 round revolver. A look at the front of the cylinder in the fifth photo indicates a lot more than 6.
Gene: The original model 17 was a six-shot as were early model 617s. The current model 617s are ten-shot revolvers. The revolver at top is a six-shot. The one in the smaller photo at bottom is a ten-shot. For top photo info, see: http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-revolvers-1980-present/103408-s-w-617-4-a.html
Ruger makes some nice 22 single action revolvers.
The 10 shot 617 is a nice revolver. Not as accurate as I would have expected from S&W, but great otherwise. Wish it would group well at 50 yds. Out to 30 it’s acceptable with Eley ammo.
I used to work on an ambulance. A .22 is one of the worst things to get shot with. Use your .22 revolver for self defense as well. The bullet bounces around like Pac-Man and often does more damage than a 9mm etc.
I have a S&W model 17 with a 7 and 3/8 inch barrel. One of the first models with a 6 shot cylinder. The accuarcy is great. Wouldn’t trade it for anything. Still shooting it with open sights. Can roll golf balls at 70 yrds off sand bags consistently.
I like the K-22 and the Colt Trooper MarkIII.
Pity that Ruger convertible 6 has such awful sights. Otherwise it is a fine little gun. I will be changing to a finer sight in the future.
I’ve got an old old H and R single action. 22 I grew up with it. I can still hit anything with it. My dad bought it used for me when I turned 11. It was the year I could go fishing alone. I defended myself against many cotton mouths. Fond memories