This expert review from Lucky Gunner Ammo's 'Project Rimfire' meticulously tests five medium-frame double-action .22 LR revolvers: S&W 617, Colt King Cobra Target, Ruger GP100, Taurus 992 Tracker, and Spohr 283 Carry. The analysis covers cost justification, purpose, and detailed performance metrics including reliability, speed, and accuracy. The S&W 617 Mountain Gun emerged as the top performer, praised for its exceptional accuracy and smooth trigger.
This review of the Colt King Cobra Target .22 LR, part of 'Project Rimfire,' highlights its unique features and performance. Chris Baker, demonstrating high authority, details its size comparison, barrel options, and 10-round capacity. The review covers its non-recessed cylinder, smooth 8.5lb double-action trigger with noticeable stacking, and exceptional 25-yard accuracy. Criticisms include an inventory code and a false trigger reset, making it less ideal as a trainer for other centerfire revolvers.
This review of the Smith & Wesson 617 Mountain Gun, a Lipsey's exclusive variant, highlights its features and performance. The firearm boasts a 4-inch half-lug tapered barrel, a 10-round capacity in .22 LR, and exceptional accuracy, achieving 1-inch groups at 25 yards. The reviewer, Chris Baker, provides an expert assessment, noting improvements like the yoke lockup and cleaner engraving, while also offering minor critiques on grip ergonomics and sight notch depth. He emphasizes the importance of quality control checks on new S&W revolvers.
This review of the Third Bay Ounce .22 LR pistol highlights its unique folding bullpup design, intended for enhanced concealability. While innovative, the review points out significant drawbacks including a complex loading and chambering procedure, difficult malfunction clearing, and a slow deployment time compared to conventional handguns. Despite its engineering, its practical self-defense utility is questioned.
This review of the Beretta 20X Bobcat, part two of Project Rimfire, details significant improvements over its predecessor, the 21A. Key upgrades include vastly improved sights, a redesigned magazine release and magazine, a more usable safety, and an overhauled action for a lighter trigger pull. While not a life-trusting carry gun, it excels as a suppressed .22 LR platform for plinking and pest control, though its reliability is sensitive to fouling, requiring frequent cleaning.
Project Rimfire aims to provide standardized, comparative data for .22 LR handguns, addressing a gap in fragmented reviews. The series categorizes handguns and employs a consistent testing methodology including speed-focused stages, practical accuracy tests, and mechanical accuracy evaluations. This approach helps consumers make informed purchasing decisions for training, pest control, or recreational shooting.
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