Henry Rifle Forums

Thanks for hanging in with me on this shoot out of 22 revolvers, folks.

Okay, now for the results. Let me first say that I was pleased with all three revolvers. They all meet or exceeded my expectations for accuracy. All three did well. No functioning issues, either, so that allowed me to concentrate solely on the shooting. Nevertheless, there was one clearcut winner. Let's take a look, in order of shooting.

Note that all ammo used was CCI SV

S&W 617 with red dot.




Comments: Shot three groups almost exactly like the above. Very consistent. For now, at just over an inch at 1.1", I'm still calling this one match grade accurate, because I suspect it can do better with match grade ammo. Will be trying, again. Only negative is that the DA pull is still pretty rough. Definitely needs more break in.



Ruger NM Single Six with red dot.




Comments: Not match accurate, but easily hunting accurate. Given my lifetime of shooting Single Sixes, this is exactly what I expected. Total joy to shoot. Also what I expected. The red dot has already been removed. Don't want no stinking red dot on an SA.



Colt Officers Target from 1937




Comments
I can try to express my amazement, but just not enough words. I added this one to the mix at the last minute before heading to the range. The idea was just to function test, given this old timer is closing in on 90 years old. After shooting the Smith and Ruger, though, I figured I might as well accuracy test, too. By that time I was getting a bit shaky and my eyes were getting a little blurry. As a result, I wasn't sure how I would do with the iron sights, but, oh, well. Filled 'er up and shot all six. I will never forget walking up to pull that target and seeing that group. To say the Colt is the obvious winner is an understatement. Will be dreaming about this group for a long time.

All three are winners in your hands. I doubt I could squeeze out a three inch group especially with the Colt’s iron sights. Congratulations on your excellent shooting Joanie.

Thanks, Gene. Appreciate it. Me and revolvers go a long, long way back.

Nice shooting! And great report. All those fine revolvers are in the right hands.

Great shooting as always. I too have been surprised, (years ago, in my shooting prime,) to walk down range and find an amazing group. Sometimes it all comes together for us. All that practice pays dividends.

Any one of those is a group to be pleased with. and I like that your group with the Colt and irons is as tight as it is. That's some hard holding for sure!

I have an Officer's Model Special that has been my go-to target revolver since the late 1980s when I bought it. It has a target grip with the thumbshelf (not the original plastic one), feels good in my hand, and points very naturally for me. This is the version with a 6" non-tapered heavy barrel, and colt uses a faster twist that seems to keep 148 HBWC bullets well stabilized. The hammer throw is much longer than the K frame Smith revolvers, and mine has the smaller spur hammer, not the beavertail, but it is such a nice revolver to shoot. Mine has a giant front sight and a relatively small rear sight, but they're target sights and do that job well. Good to see someone else liking these old purpose-built revolvers.

Fun report to read and I’m sure lots of fun to research. Can’t agree with you more that that red dot does not look good on a single action.

Thanks for sharing.

I am glad to see the old iron sights did the best with a quality handgun.
Nice shooting at 25 yds!

Thanks, folks. They all shot well, yes. Have to say, it was a fun test to do. Nothing beats a side by side comparison and shoot off.

rickhem wrote: ↑

Mon May 20, 2024 7:13 am

Any one of those is a group to be pleased with. and I like that your group with the Colt and irons is as tight as it is. That's some hard holding for sure!

I have an Officer's Model Special that has been my go-to target revolver since the late 1980s when I bought it. It has a target grip with the thumbshelf (not the original plastic one), feels good in my hand, and points very naturally for me. This is the version with a 6" non-tapered heavy barrel, and colt uses a faster twist that seems to keep 148 HBWC bullets well stabilized. The hammer throw is much longer than the K frame Smith revolvers, and mine has the smaller spur hammer, not the beavertail, but it is such a nice revolver to shoot. Mine has a giant front sight and a relatively small rear sight, but they're target sights and do that job well. Good to see someone else liking these old purpose-built revolvers.

Not surprisingly, now I'm on the prowl for a 38 Officers Model. Already had that in mind before reading your post, but good to know I'm on the right track. Thanks. I suspect more 38s are shot in 357s than actual 38 revolvers these days and that doesn't do justice to what a 38 can do as far as accuracy. back ion the day, though, 38 revolvers were very popular for target competition. I have a Contender barrel in 38 Special that is amazingly accurate. Shoots much better than 38s out of my 357 barrel.

Wow! leave it to a Contender in the right hands and these are the results.

I own a Colt Official Police 38 special from 1956. It had been the service revolver of a Police Officer in my hometown and was given to my father-in-law by the original owner and he eventually gave it to me. It's a beautiful, pristine gun and I'm proud to own it for many reasons, especially its provenance. I rarely shoot it, but when I do, I'm so glad I own it. It has a smooth DA trigger and it's just really cool. I love it.

Thanks so much for sharing that beautiful Colt, CT. I could not walk away if I found one of those around here.

Wow that is a great collection of good 22 shooters and in the hands of a good shooter! Like that old Colt!

As long as old revolvers are being shown, here’s mine. My Dad got this S&W from a sheepherder in Colorado sometime in the 1930s when he was working for the railroad.
I think it is a rare “Beckeart” model, but I have never checked for sure since it is staying with me. It’s been rode hard and put up wet, but it’s still a tack driver.

Nice shootin' Annie....

RanchRoper wrote: ↑

Mon May 20, 2024 7:48 pm

Nice shootin' Annie....

You, too, with that Frontier 50. Awesome.

Centaur wrote: ↑

Mon May 20, 2024 7:25 pm

As long as old revolvers are being shown, here’s mine. My Dad got this S&W from a sheepherder in Colorado sometime in the 1930s when he was working for the railroad.
I think it is a rare “Beckeart” model, but I have never checked for sure since it is staying with me. It’s been rode hard and put up wet, but it’s still a tack driver.

When I see these old DA revolvers I can't help but wonder what stories they could tell. Has to be some incredible history behind them.

Likewise "As long as old revolvers are being shown, here’s [one of] mine."

Centaur wrote: ↑

Mon May 20, 2024 7:25 pm

As long as old revolvers are being shown, here’s mine. My Dad got this S&W from a sheepherder in Colorado sometime in the 1930s when he was working for the railroad.
I think it is a rare “Beckeart” model, but I have never checked for sure since it is staying with me. It’s been rode hard and put up wet, but it’s still a tack driver.

Great looking grips.