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Old April 21, 2021, 11:52 PM   #1
Aguila Blanca
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DA Revolver search

The guy who owns the range where I shoot also teaches pistol permit classes. As part of his classes he uses a DA .22 revolver in live fire exercises. He has been doing this for a good many years, and his class revolver is getting tired so he's looking for a replacement. The problem is, he wants a double action, and he wants a six-shot.

The logical choices (Ruger, Taurus, Charter Arms) are all higher capacity.

Does anyone make a six-shot, double action revolver today?
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Old April 22, 2021, 12:43 AM   #2
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As you are well aware the S&W 617 used to come in a six shot version and if he's amenable to a used gun they still can be found with a little effort

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/898685220

I've heard, but don't know if it's true, that a premium gun like this most likely would still be pretty tight even if used a lot.
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Old April 22, 2021, 07:55 AM   #3
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Smith: M66, 19, 10, 67, 15, 18.....all used...tho the 66 is still in production AFAIK...and short of an aged police turn-in, any of the preceding is virtually unbreakable....
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Old April 22, 2021, 08:16 AM   #4
Jim Watson
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S&W still lists the Model 17 Masterpiece sixshooter. If he doesn't mind a 6" barrel.
Otherwise, there is nothing I would consider but a clean used Model 18.
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Old April 22, 2021, 11:35 AM   #5
74A95
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rodfac View Post
Smith: M66, 19, 10, 67, 15, 18.....all used...tho the 66 is still in production AFAIK...and short of an aged police turn-in, any of the preceding is virtually unbreakable....
I think the question is about 22 caliber wheelguns only.
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Old April 22, 2021, 05:20 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 74A95
I think the question is about 22 caliber wheelguns only.
Correct. As stated in the opening sentence.

Specifically -- 6-shot, DA, revolver, swing-out cylinder.
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Old April 22, 2021, 07:32 PM   #7
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Used Taurus Model 94’s are great trainers. Used S&W Modelm18’s too
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Old April 22, 2021, 08:19 PM   #8
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A lot of S&W Model 17's out there if you don't mind a used gun. I picked up a nice 5 screw made in 1947 a couple of years ago. The nice thing about the older S&W's is, they hold their value.

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Old April 22, 2021, 08:22 PM   #9
74A95
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rodfac View Post
Smith: M66, 19, 10, 67, 15, 18.....all used...tho the 66 is still in production AFAIK...and short of an aged police turn-in, any of the preceding is virtually unbreakable....
Also, the Model 10 and 19 are still in production along with the 66. And the 67 was also still in production until recently where I see it has been dropped from the website.
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Old April 22, 2021, 10:43 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mk70ss
Used Taurus Model 94’s are great trainers.
The Model 94 has an abysmally heavy trigger pull -- and it's a 9-shot, not a 6-shot.
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Old April 23, 2021, 08:14 AM   #11
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Charter Arms 6 shot pathfinders are still being sold. They only converted to 8 shots last year. You can ask the factory to make one or find a new-old-stock online.
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Old April 23, 2021, 09:38 AM   #12
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Originally Posted by biblethumpncop
Charter Arms 6 shot pathfinders are still being sold. They only converted to 8 shots last year.
Now that's interesting. I didn't know that. Thanks.
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Old April 23, 2021, 09:47 AM   #13
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Quote:
Does anyone make a six-shot, double action revolver today?
umm... Smith and Wesson?

The model 17 is in their current catalog
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Old April 25, 2021, 07:40 PM   #14
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The Ruger GP100 with a 6 shot cylinder can still be found. I have one that’s factory double action only!! Mine has a 3” barrel with fixed sights.
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Old April 27, 2021, 08:57 AM   #15
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Sorry Aguila...missed the .22 cal. requirement...old age/senility sneaking into the tent. That said, a Smith M-18 is a fine training revolver, a lifetime investment really...it's that good...and can be had, well used, for less than some of the new Smith offerings. I like it over the 'full lug' models for its better balance and lighter weight in the holster. GB has listings, but pawn shops are always a good resource...if you're lucky.
Best Regards, Rod

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Old April 28, 2021, 08:23 AM   #16
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If you can find an old Colt Detective Special you get the extra round.
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Old April 28, 2021, 12:08 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Sarge83
If you can find an old Colt Detective Special you get the extra round.
Colt made Detective Specials in .22LR with a 7-round capacity?

Sarge, once again -- my friend is looking for a six-shot, double action, .22LR revolver with a swing-out cylinder, for use in teaching pistol permit classes. I don't think a snubnose revolver is a good choice for what is likely to be a person's first ever experience shooting a real gun, and I'm pretty sure my friend would agree.
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Old April 28, 2021, 01:51 PM   #18
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IF you find a Charter Arms with the thumb spur, can easily be converted to DAO with a DAO hammer, available from Charter Arms, they're about $30 plus shipping and VERY easy to replace.
https://charterfirearms.com/collecti...-action-hammer
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Old April 28, 2021, 02:22 PM   #19
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Just out of curiosity, why does he specifically want a six-shot revolver? While six shots is more traditional for centerfire revolvers, .22's with eight and nine shots are hardly new. If he could get along with a higher capacity revolver, he could probably get a used High Standard, Iver Johnson, or Harrington & Richardson for a very reasonable price and, despite their "entry level" brand names these can actually be quite nice revolvers (the High Standard Sentinels and H&R Sportsmans in particular). Otherwise, he's probably looking at a used S&W or Colt which, due to their collector value, would likely be rather expensive.
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Old April 28, 2021, 04:17 PM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kymasabe
IF you find a Charter Arms with the thumb spur, can easily be converted to DAO with a DAO hammer, available from Charter Arms, they're about $30 plus shipping and VERY easy to replace.
https://charterfirearms.com/collecti...-action-hammer
He's not looking for DAO -- he wants traditional DA so the students can fire in SA when doing their final live fire exercise.

If it were me, I'd buy a Charter Arms. My friend doesn't like them (even though I don't think he has ever owned one), and it's not worthwhile for me to try to persuade him to change his mind. With my luck, he'd get a lemon and blame it on me.
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Old April 28, 2021, 04:19 PM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Webleymkv
Just out of curiosity, why does he specifically want a six-shot revolver?
Basically, because that's what he has been using for his classes and he doesn't want to change. The "why" doesn't matter -- he's looking for a 6-shot, so that's what I'm looking for.
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Old April 28, 2021, 04:51 PM   #22
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Over a hundred listed Model 17's for sale.

https://www.gunbroker.com/Revolvers/...LR&Ch-model=17

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Old April 30, 2021, 06:37 AM   #23
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My K22 and Single Six are very nice, but I wanted a shorter-barreled 22lr revolver for snubby practice and more convenient plinking.

I tried a lot of them. My preference for s six-shot 22lr plinker was the Charter Arms Pathfinder. They have a smallish frame, don't weigh very much, and are relatively inexpensive. Mine has a surprisingly good trigger. I'm 99% sure they have them with longer barrels... maybe adjustable sights, too?

If the expense and larger size are okay, my K-frame (medium-sized frame) S&W is easily the best 22 revolver I've ever shot.
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