You don't see an iver johnson target model 55 at the local range every day, but these quirky little revolvers have a lot more character than most modern rimfires. While collectors usually chase after big names like Colt or Smith & Wesson, there's something genuinely cool about these "working man" guns that were built to be used, abused, and tucked into a tackle box for a weekend at the lake.
A Different Kind of Rimfire Revolver
If you've ever handled an iver johnson target model 55, you know it's a bit of a weird one. At first glance, it looks like it belongs in a Western. It has that classic "hogleg" grip and a profile that screams 1870s frontier. But then you realize it's actually a double-action revolver. It's a strange mix of styles that somehow works, even if it feels a little confusing the first time you pick it up.
Iver Johnson produced these roughly between the mid-1950s and the late 1970s. They were meant to be affordable, solid, and reliable. They weren't trying to win any beauty pageants or compete with high-end Olympic target pistols. Instead, they were the kind of thing a dad would buy his kid for their first real handgun, or a farmer would keep in his pocket to deal with pests in the barn.
The Design and Feel
One of the first things you notice about the iver johnson target model 55 is the weight. It's surprisingly heavy for its size because it's made of actual steel. There isn't much zinc or plastic to be found here. That weight is a blessing when you're shooting .22 LR because there's practically zero recoil. You could shoot this thing all afternoon and never feel a bit of fatigue in your wrist.
The grip is another interesting point. It uses what they called the "target" style grip, which is a bit larger and flared at the bottom. For a lot of people, this makes the gun feel much more stable in the hand than the tiny bird's-head grips you find on some other small-frame revolvers. It gives you something to actually hold onto, which helps with accuracy—even if the sights leave a little to be desired.
Loading and Unloading
Now, this is where the Model 55 gets a bit "old school." Unlike a modern Smith & Wesson where the cylinder swings out to the side, or even a Ruger Single-Six where you have a loading gate, the iver johnson target model 55 usually requires you to pull the center pin to remove the cylinder entirely for loading and unloading.
Is it slow? Yes. Is it annoying if you're trying to shoot fast? Definitely. But honestly, it's part of the charm. It forces you to slow down and enjoy the process. There's a certain mechanical satisfaction in popping that cylinder out, dumping the spent shells, and clicking it back into place. It makes you feel like you're interacting with a machine, not just pulling a trigger.
Is It Actually a "Target" Gun?
The name "Target Model" is a bit of a marketing stretch, to be honest. If you're expecting to hit a dime at 50 yards with an iver johnson target model 55, you might be disappointed. The sights are mostly fixed—usually just a notch in the frame and a blade at the front. They aren't the adjustable, high-visibility sights you'd find on a genuine target pistol today.
However, for "plinking" accuracy? It's more than fine. If you're shooting at soda cans or paper targets from 10 or 15 yards away, the Model 55 will do its job as long as you do yours. The double-action trigger pull is usually pretty heavy—common for guns of this era—but the single-action pull (when you cock the hammer manually) is actually quite crisp. That's where the "target" part of the name really comes into play.
The Eight-Shot Advantage
Most small revolvers from this era were six-shooters, but the iver johnson target model 55 often came with an eight-shot cylinder. Having those two extra rounds is surprisingly nice. It gives you a bit more time between those slow reloads we talked about. Plus, there's just something satisfying about an eight-shot rimfire. It feels like you have plenty of firepower for a simple day of plinking in the woods.
Durability and Common Issues
Since these guns were built to a price point, they aren't indestructible, but they are remarkably tough. The frames are solid, and the simple mechanics mean there isn't a whole lot to go wrong. That said, if you're looking to buy a used iver johnson target model 55, there are a few things you should check.
First, check the timing. Because these guns were often used heavily and sometimes dry-fired, the timing can get a bit wonky. Make sure the cylinder locks up tight when the hammer is cocked. If there's a lot of "play" or wiggle in the cylinder, it might be wearing out.
Second, look at the springs. Old Iver Johnsons are famous for having leaf springs that can lose their tension or snap over fifty years. Luckily, there are still plenty of parts out there if you know where to look, but it's something to keep in mind.
Why Collect the Model 55 Today?
You might wonder why anyone would bother with an old iver johnson target model 55 when you could just go buy a brand-new Ruger or Heritage for a couple hundred bucks. To me, it comes down to history and feel.
The Model 55 represents a time in American manufacturing when even the "cheap" guns were made of solid metal by people who knew what they were doing. They have a "soul" that a modern, mass-produced polymer-frame pistol just doesn't have. Every scratch and bit of holster wear on an old Model 55 tells a story of a long-ago camping trip or a summer spent at a backyard range.
Also, they are still relatively affordable. You can often find them at gun shows or small-town shops for a fraction of what a vintage Colt would cost. For someone who wants to start a collection of vintage American handguns without breaking the bank, the iver johnson target model 55 is a perfect starting point.
Final Thoughts on a Classic
At the end of the day, the iver johnson target model 55 isn't going to be your primary home defense weapon, and it's not going to win you any gold medals at a shooting competition. But that's not what it's for. It's for the simple joy of shooting. It's for teaching a new shooter the basics of firearm safety and mechanics. It's for the nostalgia of a bygone era.
If you happen to come across one in a dusty display case, don't just walk past it. Pick it up, feel the weight of the steel, and cock that hammer. You might just find that this odd little "Target" revolver is exactly the kind of fun you've been looking for. It's a humble, honest piece of machinery that still does exactly what it was designed to do sixty years ago—and there's something really respectable about that.