Which .22 Revolver Is Best? 5 Medium Frames Tested

Published on March 4, 2026
Duration: 14:43

This expert review by Chris Baker of Lucky Gunner Ammo compares five medium-frame .22 LR revolvers: Smith & Wesson 617 Mountain Gun, Colt King Cobra Target, Ruger GP100, Taurus 992 Tracker, and Spohr 283 Carry. The review details comprehensive testing including reliability, speed, accuracy, and practical application, offering insights into each model's strengths and weaknesses. Baker, an expert with extensive experience, highlights the S&W 617 as the top performer due to its exceptional accuracy and smooth trigger, while also discussing the potential and drawbacks of the other models.

Quick Summary

The Smith & Wesson 617 Mountain Gun is the top-performing .22 revolver, boasting exceptional accuracy with 1.0-inch average groups at 25 yards and a smooth 9-pound trigger. While other revolvers like the Ruger GP100 excelled in speed, the S&W 617 provided the best balance of precision and shootability, making it the preferred choice despite its higher cost.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction & Project Rimfire Overview
  2. 00:38Cost Justification for .22 DA Revolvers
  3. 01:21Purpose and Appeal of .22 DA Revolvers
  4. 02:22Smith & Wesson 617 Mountain Gun
  5. 02:49Colt King Cobra Target Overview
  6. 03:03Ruger GP100 Details
  7. 03:20Taurus 992 Tracker Features
  8. 03:41Spohr 283 Carry Premium Revolver
  9. 04:28Testing Methodology and Optics
  10. 05:02Reliability Test Results
  11. 06:02Speed Test Performance Analysis
  12. 07:32Accuracy Test Performance
  13. 08:24Practical Test Results and Factors
  14. 09:36Spohr 283 Carry Opinion
  15. 10:44Ruger GP100 Opinion
  16. 11:41Taurus 992 Tracker Opinion
  17. 12:36Colt King Cobra Target Opinion
  18. 13:24Smith & Wesson 617 Mountain Gun Opinion
  19. 14:19Conclusion and Future Content

Frequently Asked Questions

Which .22 revolver is the most accurate?

The Smith & Wesson 617 Mountain Gun demonstrated the highest accuracy, achieving an overall average group size of 1.0 inch at 25 yards. Six out of eight tested groups were under 1 inch, making it the most precise option among the five medium-frame revolvers reviewed.

What are the key differences between the tested .22 revolvers?

The S&W 617 excels in accuracy and trigger smoothness. The Colt King Cobra offers a classic trigger. The Ruger GP100 is fast but has a heavy trigger and accuracy issues. The Taurus 992 Tracker is a budget convertible model with a heavy trigger. The Spohr 283 Carry is a premium German model but is expensive and susceptible to dry-fire damage.

How did the tested .22 revolvers perform in speed tests?

The Ruger GP100 was the fastest in the speed test at 7.62 seconds, followed closely by the S&W 617 at 8.11 seconds. The Taurus 992 Tracker was the slowest at 9.64 seconds, largely due to its heavy trigger.

What is the main drawback of the Spohr 283 Carry .22 revolver?

The primary drawback of the Spohr 283 Carry is its susceptibility to damage from dry-firing. Visible indentations on the chamber edges can occur, making its high price of $3399 difficult to justify solely on performance metrics.

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