Affordable 22 LR Revolvers: S&W’s Air Lite Redeems Itself

As the cost of centerfire ammunition continues to ascend, many gun owners will turn to the standby 22 LR round as a way to shoot economically, whether those pursuits include knocking over cans, punching holes in paper, or killing the occasional rodent. Of the many available guns chambered for the rimfire round, perhaps the easiest to load and shoot and enjoy is the revolver.

Clockwise from left to right: We recently tested a trio of wheelguns chambered for the 22 Long Rifle cartridge: a Taurus Model 94B2UL Ultra-Lite Nine, a Charter Arms Pathfinder No. 72224 and a Smith & Wesson Model 317-2 Air Lite No. 160222. The Air Lite, previously ranked a ‘Don’t Buy’ in 2006, redeemed itself here with good accuracy, dependable function, and easy portability. The blued Taurus, in contrast, went from penthouse to cellar because the cylinder on this sample got in a bind. The Charter Pathfinder was significantly flawed, but perhaps not fatally so, depending on your needs and your budget.