Revolver Review: Spohr's 286 Competition

Jul 1
5 min read

There is something almost unfair about pairing a .22 LR with the kind of mechanical precision that Spohr brings to a revolver. The cartridge itself costs pennies. You can buy a brick of it at a hardware store. It has been putting holes in tin cans and winning bullseye matches since before anyone reading this was born. And yet, when you chamber it in a revolver built entirely from bar stock by a master gunsmith in Germany, with wire-eroded lock parts, a polygonal match barrel, and a trigger that breaks at just under 3 pounds with zero creep, the humble .22 Long Rifle starts doing things that make you reconsider everything you thought you knew about what a rimfire handgun could be.

The 28-Series Platform

The 286 Competition is the flagship of Spohr's 28-series, a lineup of .22 LR revolvers built on a dedicated rimfire frame. The series runs from the 283 Carry with its 3-inch barrel through the 284 Carry at 4 inches, the 285 Universal at 5 inches, and finally the 286 Competition at 6 inches. The two shorter models ship with Nill combat grips; the Universal and Competition wear Nill closed-back match grips with finger grooves and a walnut finish that sits beautifully against the bead-blasted stainless frame.

All four share the same manufacturing philosophy that defines every Spohr revolver. Every component is machined from bar stock or billet. There are no cast parts. No forged parts. No metal injection molded components anywhere in the gun. The lock parts, the internal mechanism that makes a revolver tick, are wire-eroded from highly tempered steel. This process produces surfaces with tighter tolerances and superior durability compared to the MIM parts found in virtually every production revolver from every major manufacturer. It is the same commitment to material and method that defines the centerfire Club Edition and L562 lines, applied here to a purpose-built rimfire platform.

The Competition Configuration

The 286 Competition wears a 6-inch cold hammer forged barrel with polygonal rifling. The polygon bore creates a tighter gas seal around the projectile, which generally translates to more consistent velocities and easier cleaning. For a .22 LR, where velocity variations between shots can have a measurable impact on group size, that consistency matters more than it might in a centerfire cartridge with greater powder volume and higher operating pressures.

The cylinder holds 8 rounds, and the wide competition cylinder release features aggressive serrations for fast, deliberate manipulation during reloads. The sighting system consists of an adjustable LPA rear sight and a two-stage match front sight that allows the shooter to swap between sight configurations in seconds. An integrated Picatinny rail runs the top of the barrel housing for optics mounting, which opens the gun up to red dot and magnified optic use for "free" and open competition classes.

The trigger is adjustable with an integrated trigger stop, and in single action it breaks just under 3 pounds. Reviewers have described it as crisp, clean, and free of any detectable creep. The double-action pull is smooth and progressive, consistent with what you would expect from a revolver built with wire-eroded internals and hand-fitted timing. The skeletonized trigger and hammer reduce mass in the fire control system, contributing to a faster lock time.

At approximately 49 ounces, the 286 Competition carries enough weight to sit steadily in the hand during deliberate target shooting while remaining manageable for extended sessions. The milled grooves on the barrel underlug trim roughly an ounce and give the gun a distinctive visual profile that sets it apart from the cleaner lines of the Universal and Carry models.

The revolver ships in a locking hard case. An optional 9mm Luger exchange cylinder is available with moon clips, allowing the shooter to run centerfire ammunition through the same frame for training variety, extended range sessions, or simply to experience what the Spohr action feels like with a bit more recoil in the equation.

On the Range

The 286 Competition is designed for versatility across multiple shooting disciplines. Spohr's stated goal during development was to create a single revolver capable of competing across as many sanctioned programs as possible, from bullseye and precision pistol to silhouette and field shooting. The 6-inch barrel provides a generous sight radius for iron sight work, the Picatinny rail accommodates optics for open divisions, and the 8-round cylinder reduces reload frequency during timed stages.

Accuracy testing from published reviews has shown the 286 to be genuinely precise, though somewhat ammunition-sensitive, which is common among tight-chambered rimfire firearms. Match-grade and standard velocity loads tend to produce the best results. The polygonal barrel and consistent cylinder alignment contribute to group sizes that put the 286 in direct competition with the finest .22 LR revolvers available from any manufacturer.

A German firearms magazine conducted an extensive comparison test pitting the Spohr 286 Competition against the Smith and Wesson 686 Competitor and the Korth Super Sport ALX, all in 6-inch configurations. The Spohr held its own against both, competing on precision, trigger quality, and overall build standard. For a revolver from a relatively young manufacturer going head to head with two of the most established names in the business, the results speak for themselves.

Who This Is For

The 286 Competition is for the shooter who takes rimfire seriously. The bullseye competitor who wants a revolver trigger and the precision to match. The recreational shooter who has run through every .22 semi-automatic on the market and wants to know what the revolver side of the equation feels like at the highest level. The handgun hunter who chases small game with a wheelgun and wants every possible mechanical advantage in a field-portable package. And the collector who appreciates the craftsmanship of a revolver built with no shortcuts, no compromise materials, and no concessions to cost-driven manufacturing.

At 8 rounds of .22 LR with a sub-3-pound single-action trigger and a match-grade barrel, the 286 Competition turns inexpensive range time into something that feels anything but cheap.

Final Thoughts

The Spohr 286 Competition takes the most affordable cartridge in shooting and pairs it with the kind of revolver that most manufacturers reserve for their premium centerfire lines. Every part is machined, not cast. Every surface is fitted, not assembled. The trigger is tuned, the barrel is match-grade, and the entire gun is built in a small German workshop by a team that learned their trade at one of the oldest firearms schools in the world. It is, by any reasonable measure, one of the finest .22 LR revolvers you can buy. And at pennies per round, it might also be one of the most enjoyable. That combination of quality and accessibility is rare, and it is exactly what makes the 286 worth your attention.