Revolvers chambered in 22 Long Rifle and 22 Winchester Magnum Rimfire rounds offer low recoil and low cost of operation. Generally, they’re inexpensive as well, making them good introductory handguns for beginners.
Gun Tests has fired dozens of these guns, and because we’re able to shoot several firearms side by side, we’re able to see the strengths and weaknesses of each firearm.
We’ll be interested to see which one in this list is your favorite, or if you have one we haven’t tested, please leave your impressions about it in the comments. Especially if you wouldn’t buy it again, and why.
As always, prices reflect what we paid for the gun at the time of the test. Prices will have changed.
GUN TESTS GRADE: B
The inexpensive Cimarron offered all we expected in a rimfire single-action revolver, but you have to live with rough fit and finish. It did not shoot to point of aim, but it was accurate.
GUN TESTS GRADE: A-
The Wrangler is reliable, the action is smooth and positive in operation. Accuracy is the best of the test. The revolver suffers little from the inexpensive construction compared to the Ruger Single Six, but the feel is different.
GUN TESTS GRADE: A-
This longer-barrel model balanced heavier at the muzzle end. It was also very accurate. We thought Ruger should have fixed the sharp edges on the ejector head.
GUN TESTS GRADE: A-
This Heritage is a fun and inexpensive revolver. It shot to point of aim and can be upgraded with a 22 WMR cylinder. The grips were loose, and that is the trade-off for saving $500 compared to the Ruger.
GUN TESTS GRADE: A-
The Chiappa-made Traditions revolver is modified to a transfer-bar system. This makes the revolver more desirable. The Traditions revolver also features a hammer-spring tensioner. In all regards, it blows the similar Chiappa variant out of the water.
GUN TESTS GRADE: A-
The Sidekick’s switchable cylinders are quite an innovation. The double-action trigger press is nothing to write home about, while the single-action trigger press is easily the best of the test. The pistol is accurate enough for most uses. We found sight regulation to be slightly off, but it would have been easily fixed.
GUN TESTS GRADE: A
The Wrangler re-envisions the rimfire single-action revolver in the same way Ruger did with the Single-Six in 1950s, but the fit and finish aren’t up to Ruger standards. However, it did shoot to point of aim, was accurate, fun to shoot, and costs a fraction of what a Single-Six does.
GUN TESTS GRADE: A
The Uberti is a traditionally styled revolver that is well made and accurate. The extra capacity is something the other revolvers fall way short of.
Gun Tests Grade: A-
We liked the accuracy and size of this diminutive stainless revolver. It was easy to shoot and carry in a coat pocket. We thought the sharp edges and ill-fitting grip panel were misses.
GUN TESTS GRADE: A (BEST BUY)
We really liked this inexpensive but useful single-action revolver. Accuracy is good to excellent, and the sights are among the best in this list. The ability to mount a red-dot sight is very interesting. This is a lot of gun for the money.
