re: .22 hand gun question

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Definitely a revolver. It won’t jam and will shoot any 22lr ammo you can find.
This is the best answer, because you said
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for rodents, snakes, outdoor small animals, etc

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I agree. Look, the various 22LR semi-autos are GREAT. In fact, I've got 2 of the Ruger Mark ____s and I love my son in law's BuckMark. But since you're talking about using rat shot, a revolver makes a lot more sense. For you semi-auto guys, will your semi-auto reliably cycle the action and feed from the mag when using 22 LR ratshot? Mine won't. Don't worry about limited capacity as you can buy 9 round revolvers from at least Ruger and Taurus. Actually, Ruger also now makes a "Single 9". W/ most semi-autos, the usual mag capacity will be about 10 rounds. Like a lot of folks, I really like single action revolvers, but for what you describe, I'd get a double action revolver. I've got a really old Taurus 9 shot 22LR double action revolver that I use whenever I'm teaching handgun handling/shooting to someone. Single actions are much slower to reload. Personally, I wouldn't bother w/ a convertible 22 Mag cylinder. Prob 90% of the 22 Mag cylinders get shot once and are then put back in the box. In a handgun, the Mag offers little improved performance yet is MUCH louder that the 22LR.

I have several .22s

2 are semi
2 are revolver single action
2 are revolver double action

the semis are a buckmark and a S&W M&P 22

Single actions are Ruger single six and Heritage rough rider both have 2 cylinders.

double actions are investments only. Colt Diamondback and a S&W 17 or something like that (need to look)

depending on what I'm doing determines which one I grab.
On my farm I take the single actions. If I'm working in really heavy brush or I'm taking the rough rider since it doesn't matter if it get scratched up.

Around the house dispatching raccoons or whatever, I'm grabbing one of the semis with a silencer.

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If you get a revolver be sure it’s a double action and not a single.

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Why is this?

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Quick followup shot by pulling the trigger again.

You're walking in the woods and suddenly come upon a rattler or moccasin, pretty close to your foot. Draw and shoot-
if you miss or misfire, you want to shoot again before it pops you.

SA only revolver is worst-case scenario, you have to thumb the hammer back before each shot.
Semiauto pistol is next worst, you can follow a miss, but a misfire requires you to rack the slide.

DA/SA revolver, you just pump the trigger until the snake is not a threat.

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My rodent .22 is my 9 shot H&R 999 Sportsman.

As others have said, .22 rat shot will not cycle in semiautos most of the time, and you need the ability to have quick follow up shots with it. Only a revolver will do that.

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This is my exact revolver too.

It is old, inexpensive, all steel, accurate, with a 9 rd cylinder. And anything that fits in the cylinder will go down the barrel.

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You're walking in the woods and suddenly come upon a rattler or moccasin, pretty close to your foot. Draw and shoot- if you miss or misfire, you want to shoot again before it pops you.

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If I actually see the snake I’m probably going to just step back before I shoot him. It won’t matter if I have a single shot. It’s not like he’s going to be chasing me down while I fire bullets at him. Half the time I don’t even shoot them.

Ruger Mark IV LITE

You people saying mark III know why I’m saying Mark IV.

EASY TAKEDOWN. Mark III sucks

I just picked up a Heritage Rough Rider yesterday from Sportsmans Warehouse. I got the nine shot, 6.5 inch barrel. It came with both cylinders too. I thought it was a pretty good deal for $199. Now I just need to find some rat shot! Sportsmens was completely wiped out of most everything.

ETA: Thanks to Ammoseek I just found some! Barn rats beware!

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just found some! Barn rats beware!

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Wear eye protection