[vanfunk]

Hello High Road Warriors,
For a while now I'd been contemplating the purchase of a .22 handgun to complement my lovely and amazing CZ 452 Special. I had all but settled on an S&W Model 41, but secretly yearned for a revolver. I shoot alot of CB's with my CZ using an Outer's .22 trap, and knew that a revolver would be the best platform for such low powered ammo, but I was still attracted to the 41's reputation for gilt-edged accuracy. I stopped by my local gunmonger today in hopes that a Smith, or Ruger, or stately High Standard would follow me home. After browsing leisurely for 30 minutes, the owner Knew I wasn't satisfied with the range-worn pieces in his used cabinet, and offered me one from his "private collection". "I just shot it, and I can't believe how accurate it is", he said, as he handed me a blued 6" revolver. At first I thought it was a 586 .357, and had almost formed the apology in my head for having to limit my search to .22's. Then my eyes were caught by the teeny charge holes in the cylinder face. A quick swing of the cylinder identified the piece as a 17-6, with full lugged barrel, 3T's, pre-MIM. The ever-so faint trace of a cylinder line bespoke of it's life as a safe queen. $400 out the door with box and papers:D :D

At home, I made the somewhat forlorn discovery that the only .22 ammo on hand were several boxes of Colibri 20 grainers. Nonetheless, I set up the trap in my basement range and proceeded to fire a cylinderful into a Shoot 'n' See target at 50 feet, in quick single action.

:what: ohmigod :what:

All of those little pills went into a group scarcely larger than the diameter of the bullet. Smelling a fluke, I repeated as necessary until I was satisfied that this thing is an absolute laser of a shootin' iron. My neighbor came home soon after and offered a box of cheap and ancient "Concorde" brand .22's to shoot at a more appropriate distance outside, 25 yards. Offhand, slow fire, both of us were able to keep groups inside of 1" edge-to-edge in fading light:D This is absolutely the best I have ever been able to shoot with any handgun.

I can't wait to try it off the bench with some good ammo!

I'm amazed that I'd forgotten how fun and rewarding shooting a good .22 can be!

Just had to share:cool:
vanfunk

[Standing Wolf]

Smith & Wesson used to make some mighty fine .22 caliber revolvers. It took me twenty years to find a replacement for the model 17 I sold for no sane reason.

[C.R.Sam]

Welcome to the wonderful world of the Target Masterpiece. K-22 and 17.

Most really good.

A few, very few, will hold their own with Pardini, Walther etal.

Sam

[Cableman]

I had to go to a lot of gunshows to find my model 17. I found a 648 first, which is a stainless 22 mag version of the model 17. Then I found the 17 at a show a few months later. They are probably my most favorite in my collection. Very accurate, wonderful smooth triggers, and fit and finish like no others. I wish S&W still made the blued steel 17's as nice ones are hard to come by.

[farscott]

The K-22 Masterpieces and early M17's (before the advent of the full-lug barrel) are great revolvers. My two samples are always a joy to shoot. They are very smooth and very accurate. In fact, I am taking my 1956 (four-screw) sample to the range tonight for some relaxing plinking.

In related news, I finally found a K-22 Combat Masterpiece (the M18). The sample I found is an M18-4, so it has no real collector's value. That means I can shoot the heck out of it.

[Randy63]

As others have said, K22's are the the .22 revolvers to own. IMO there are no others that come close. I have a 6" .22 Diamondback and although very nice it I much prefer my K22's (I have 5 of them).

Here's a picture of my K22 Outdoorsman from 1937 and one of my well used 4'' four screw pre model 18 from 1957.
http://www.hunt101.com/img/049149.jpg
http://www.hunt101.com/img/047988.JPG

The model 41's are an excellent choice for a semi auto .22. I have one with the 7 3/8" barrel and a 5.5" model but I have to admit I shoot better with my 7.25" Hamden made Supermatic Trophy.

Randy

[Mike Irwin]

Welcome to the cult of the older S&W revolver.

It's a cult I heartily endorse. :)

[Ala Dan]

My favorite .22 LR caliber rimfire is the Smith & Wesson model
18; just like the bottom picture in Randy 63's post!:D

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member

[4v50 Gary]

22 Revolvers. Perhaps the last "revelation" in shooting but the most lasting and enduring one.

[Litlman]

K22, you can"t go wrong with one. Now if I could just get Randy to sell me that modle 18!!!!!!

[444]

I grew up with a Model 17. My dad, who has basically no interest in guns at all has had one since my earliest memories. For all I know, before I got hold of it about 25 years ago, it was unfired. For most of my childhood I snuck it out everytime I was left alone. About five years ago, he gave it to me. But, I left it at his house for use while I am visiting there. Every time I am there, I run at least 500 rounds through it.
About a year ago, I realized that I needed one here at home and mentioned it a few times at various gun shops. I had forgotten all about it but a couple months later I got a call on my cell phone. It was a gun shop: "Didn't you say you were looking for a Model 17 ?". It took me a minute to punch in, but I said, yes. She offered me one for $260. I said I would be there in the morning. I showed up and it was beautiful. Pristine. As she was getting the paperwork in order, I noticed a Model 617 in the case. I asked to see it. I had never seen one before. Very nice. Also cherry. Both 6". Obviously one full lugged, one not. In a brilliant flash of consciousness I asked what kind of deal I could get on both. She made an offer, I countered with $500 out the door for both. She accepted.
I have fired a few thousand rounds out of each. Heaven on earth.

I love .22 handguns. I own a few. I rotate through them and take one out on nearly every trip to the range. I shoot 500 rounds through each one over a period of a couple weeks. Actually one of those Wal-Mart bulk packs which I think might be 550 rounds. I then clean it, return it to the safe and break out another one.

The thing that keeps me awake at night is the fact that I don't have a Model 18.

[B27]

There are some nice old M48's out there too, if you want a bit more bang.:)

http://www.fototime.com/D3DB98B45AAD173/standard.jpg

[Wildalaska]

My first 22 was a Model 18, which I still moan about selling, as I do with all the other 18s I have sold throughout the years..

But Ill give ya a headache when I tell ya that that little S&W 317 aluminum .22 shoots as good (at least for me) as all the blued Masterpieces I have had throughout the years..

PS ifin anyone wants a pristine pinnned and recessed 48, I gots one...

WildpopopopAlaska

[vanfunk]

Beautiful guns, guys. Thanks for the stories and the pics.
I do love dem ol' .22's
vanfunk

[rbert0005]

Nice find on the revolver. Some of you guys go to the wrong gun shops. My local shop has 3 or 4 K-22s I think about the same number of Model 17s. Some with the boxes etc.
Very nice pieces.
I just had to pick another one up a couple of weeks ago. It's just a 1948 vintage 5 screw K-22.

I did change out the original diamond magna stocks.

Bob

[rbert0005]

Here's a pic.

Bob

[farscott]

I also have a 1948-vintage K22-Masterpiece with the original stocks (no box though). Unlike my 1956 four-screw with its modern one-eighth inch front sight and ten-line serrations, the five screw has the one-tenth inch pinned front sight and six-line serrations on the front and rear grip straps. The narrow front sight allows for very accurate shooting.

[Standing Wolf]

I don't know who made the stocks, (found through the High Road,) on my K-22, (found right here at the High Road,) but it wouldn't surprise me to learn they're nearly as old as the gun, which was made in 1951.

[444]

Those look something like Herretts target revolver stocks.

[Standing Wolf]

Those look something like Herretts target revolver stocks.

444:

Yeah, they do, but the checkering isn't bordered all the way around, and the wood is plain-gained. The fellow who sold the stocks to me thought they might be Ropers, but I don't know anything about those, nor where to look. They're a little on the clunky side rather than elegant, but they fit my hand pretty well.