Best .22 LR 4inch + barrel? Smith and wesson .22 LR Revolver?

[alfred10]

Did Smith and Wesson make a .22 long rifle airlight revolver with a barrel longer than 4 inches? I want something that I can target shoot often without alot of parts breakage. Im guessing stainless is my best bet for durability. Will carry this in my pack when I go on long hikes in case I get stranded. Who makes the best .22 lr revolver?


http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=163866931

[maximus83]

Well they make the 617 (http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10001&storeId=10001&productId=14747&langId=-1&isFirearm=Y) in a 6" barrel with a 10-shot cylinder, my Dad has one of those. The 617's are great and have a good track record, but those are much heavier than the Airlight model you are looking at. They also released the Model 63 revolver (http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10001&catalogId=10001&langId=-1&productId=63570&tabselected=tech&isFirearm=Y&parent_category_rn=) with a 5" barrel and 8-shot cylinder, it's pretty light at about 28oz. But I know nothing about these at all.

You might also look at Ruger Single Six revolvers (http://ruger.com/products/newModelSingleSixConvertible/models.html), they come in a bunch of different barrel lengths and are just a bit heavier than the S&W 63. Like the 617, they have a long track record of being great revolvers.

[Alpha Sierra]

The S&W Model 18 (K frame) is perfection in a rimfire revolver.

http://pics.gunbroker.com/GB/164328000/164328408/pix334509453.jpg

[FN in MT]

The current 617's have the heavier barrel, far heavier than needed in a field gun.

I'd suggest looking for one of the older M-18's or one of the 6" barreled K-22 Model 17's. The original 4" Kit Guns like the M-34 or stainless M-63 have adjustable sights, available in both round butt or square butt frames, lots of different grips available to match about any hand size.

The current 8 shot M-63 would be a good choice too.

You should take a look over on the S&W Forum lots of info on the current as well as older evolvers.

FN in MT