LoneGoose
Member
Thanks, guys, for all of those great pictures! I guess I'll have to start saving my pennies again.
S&W .22 revolver
- Thread starter fallout mike
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Hoppes Love Potion
Member
The K22 or Model 17 is the answer if you want the classic craftsmanship and heirloom quality. I think they would also be the most rewarding to shoot. I'm sure the newer 617 is just as accurate, but the older guns deliver the full experience, with the forged target hammer and trigger, buttery smooth action, classic deep bluing, six shot cylinder and wood service or target stocks.
I applied the "buy once, cry once" strategy and so a pristine 17-3 was my first .22lr revolver. I knew if I bought a lesser .22 I would regret not getting the K-frame, and I'd already had a taste of the sweet K-frame trigger on my 1954 K-38. I was not disappointed. The 17-3 was the best gun money I ever spent.
As for the kit guns, they are useful for hiking, casual hunting, plinking, pest control, teaching smaller-handed people to shoot, and even for self-defense in a pinch. The current stainless steel 3" Model 63-5 is a jewel: excellent size, weight and balance, and holds 8 rounds. It's a great choice for a small, top quality, do-everything .22 revolver, but the trigger can't hold a candle to the K-frame and neither can the practical accuracy, at least in my hands.
I applied the "buy once, cry once" strategy and so a pristine 17-3 was my first .22lr revolver. I knew if I bought a lesser .22 I would regret not getting the K-frame, and I'd already had a taste of the sweet K-frame trigger on my 1954 K-38. I was not disappointed. The 17-3 was the best gun money I ever spent.
As for the kit guns, they are useful for hiking, casual hunting, plinking, pest control, teaching smaller-handed people to shoot, and even for self-defense in a pinch. The current stainless steel 3" Model 63-5 is a jewel: excellent size, weight and balance, and holds 8 rounds. It's a great choice for a small, top quality, do-everything .22 revolver, but the trigger can't hold a candle to the K-frame and neither can the practical accuracy, at least in my hands.
bassjam
Member
What's the consensus on Dan Wesson .22's? I see them pop up every now and then in prices ranging from $500-900. The blueing looks nice, but that's all I know about them.
Armybrat
Member
The nicest .22 I ever shot was my brother's Model 17 with 6" barrel.
Gave this LNIB Model 34 (1978 vintage) to my grandson for his 18th birthday seven years ago:
Gave this LNIB Model 34 (1978 vintage) to my grandson for his 18th birthday seven years ago:
tubeshooter
Contributing Member
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To my understanding Dan Wesson .22 revolvers are held in good regard. Maybe not quite as good as the Smith K frame, but much better than any of the lower-priced offerings of today (or yesterday).
I don't know that I would pay $900 for one unless I was a collector, personally. Then again, prices on used revolvers can be kind of wonky and there could be some market forces at play that I am not aware of.
I don't know that I would pay $900 for one unless I was a collector, personally. Then again, prices on used revolvers can be kind of wonky and there could be some market forces at play that I am not aware of.
Saleen322
Member
The Dan Wesson's reputation is for accuracy, As a rule, they are more accurate than any double action .22 LR including the Smith. When I was shooting silhouette years ago, in revolver class only the Freedom Arms .22 LR would consistently out shoot the Dan Wesson (and not by a lot) but you paid for that accuracy. I think a Freedom Arms 22 is now north of $2000 but if someone wanted the best shooting 22, that is it. IMHO the Smith has the edge for double action trigger pull out of the box where the Dan Wesson has a shorter hammer fall to shorten lock time. It is all in what you are looking for.
Brian Williams
Moderator Emeritus
No one has mentioned the S&W 35, a 6" barreled J frame in 22lr. Great gun and very accurate. Here is mine with my Colt Woodsman
View attachment 770904
View attachment 770904
OP
OP
fallout mike
Member
When were the model 35's produced?
Looks like Model 35 production ended around 1974. It started around maybe 1953 but there were 22/32 kit guns before the Model of 1953.
In the "learn something every day" department, it looks like the Model 34 and Model 35 are kind of the comparable J frame equivalent versions of the Model 17 and Model 18 K frame 22LR models.
The Model 35 was the 6" barrel target model and the Model 34 line were all the other barrel lengths.
In the "learn something every day" department, it looks like the Model 34 and Model 35 are kind of the comparable J frame equivalent versions of the Model 17 and Model 18 K frame 22LR models.
The Model 35 was the 6" barrel target model and the Model 34 line were all the other barrel lengths.
If you want a classic Smith 22 revolver I highly recommend a k frame of some sort. The j frames are harder to shoot accurately I found a sp101 in 33lr I like but it is not an easy gun to shoot accurately due to light weight and the trigger. It has its place as do the j frames .22's but I think the K's and a GP or dan wesson offer a more all around enjoyable range gun with all the provenance you are lookin for.
Driftwood Johnson
Member
Howdy Again
I had not heard of that 'buy once, cry once' business back in 1975 when I bought my Model 17-3, but I was probably thinking along the same lines. Back then $125 was a lot of money for a young guy. Have never regretted paying that much for a minute.
bannockburn
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- Apr 24, 2007
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- 26,297
Driftwood
Indeed sir, that was money extremely well spent!
Indeed sir, that was money extremely well spent!
Yes, as much as folks have pissed and moaned about the S&W revolvers made in the late 1960's, 1970's and early 1980's, they are really pretty good handguns.
I'm happy with the ones that I purchased new back in the day and used more recently.
I'm happy with the ones that I purchased new back in the day and used more recently.
Driftwood Johnson
Member
I have never understood why the Bangor Punta era guns have such a bad reputation. At last count, I have over a dozen Smiths made in the 1960s and 1970s. All of them are superb.
Compared to the pre and post war era guns, the BP era guns WERE not fitted or tuned as well. They were sound, high quality guns, but the actions were not up to those earlier standards. I agree with Mr. Johnson...I have dozens of guns from that era....ALL are wonderful.
The Quality Control standards at S&W were so high pre war , on fit, finish and function, that it took them FAR longer to produce those guns. When the War broke out S&W started building Victory model revolvers but tried to keep their quality to their old standards. Their production rates were low.
The War Dept eventually took over the company and set the QC standards. In order to UP production. A Marine/Soldier/Sailor/Airmen issued a Victory model didn't care if the sideplate was .001" proud. Or the parkerized finish had a blemish.
The Quality Control standards at S&W were so high pre war , on fit, finish and function, that it took them FAR longer to produce those guns. When the War broke out S&W started building Victory model revolvers but tried to keep their quality to their old standards. Their production rates were low.
The War Dept eventually took over the company and set the QC standards. In order to UP production. A Marine/Soldier/Sailor/Airmen issued a Victory model didn't care if the sideplate was .001" proud. Or the parkerized finish had a blemish.
Charliefrank
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- Nov 10, 2017
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- 578
Sweet collection you've got there. The kit gun of 1980 vintage is the one I temember
DavidABQ
Member
I own a K22 myself and it is a joy to shoot. They may be nicer .22 revolvers out there but I don't know what they might be.
I have the 6" barrel, 6 shot. I taught my wife how to shoot with it. Excellent revolver.
wanderinwalker
Member
Some absolutely beautiful pictures and excellent write-ups on here. I'll only add that I'm another voice in the chorus of "get a K-frame .22 and don't look back." I had a Single-Six and while it was a decent revolver, once I picked up my Model 18, the Ruger stayed in the safe. The Ruger went down the road years ago and I have acquired other S&Ws since.
And because everybody loves pictures, mine:
4-screw M17 circa-1961
1982 M18-4
The 17 is actually more finish challenged than it photographs at. It was a "right place, right time" situation and I'd do it again in a heartbeat. Between the 2 both seem to have the same mechanical accuracy. I'd give the practical accuracy edge to the 17 though; the Patridge front sight with the 6" barrel gives a bit better sight definition. Neither is for sale.
And because everybody loves pictures, mine:
4-screw M17 circa-1961
1982 M18-4
The 17 is actually more finish challenged than it photographs at. It was a "right place, right time" situation and I'd do it again in a heartbeat. Between the 2 both seem to have the same mechanical accuracy. I'd give the practical accuracy edge to the 17 though; the Patridge front sight with the 6" barrel gives a bit better sight definition. Neither is for sale.
wildcatter109
Member
- Joined
- Jul 29, 2009
- Messages
- 81
Even being a Ruger guy it is easy to agree at the fine atributes of the K22 Masterpiece, the Model 17. It is a very accurate and well made gun. It is in a category of its own where it would excels on a 25 yard target line. I had one for years and liked it but,,, I don't shoot target competition where the 17 excelled for me.
For small game hunting and field use I prefer the Single Six when I grab a revolver, and now with the Bisley it is even more dominant for that purpose for me,I simply shoot them better in these conditions. Why I sold my 17 years ago is I just don't shoot paper target competition and had little use for it. I also think there is no 22 rimfire revolver as durable and reliable as the Single Six, and with a little work it can have as good or better trigger with it's single action design, and like the K frame's, especially the Bisley model, is a large enough gun to hold steady for most shooters and makes for more accurate off hand shooting.
I don't fault any of the steel alloy 22 models from S&W the 17 is by far their premier model, with the 34 32 J frames being solid guns with their less than ideal size for a lot of shooting. However even that can be an attribute that is better suited to some over the easier and more accurate to shoot off hand Mod 17 and 18 K frames. I have one friend that has for over 30 years used the 63 kit gun to run his trap lines, and carries it religiously on camping and fishing trips along the rivers around her, and swears it is better for this than the K-22 6" he owns w/target hammer trigger and grips that he bought from me over 30 years ago. But when he wants to show off on the target range shooing paper, it is hard for any other revolver to shine like that 6" model 17 setup for it!
Like I say the model 17 was the most most accurate and well finished 22 right out of the box over any other 22 rf revolver I ever have had, it's ability to be handed down for generations is well documented. But so is the Ruger Single Six, and for some uses may be a better choice, at least for me it is, and right now in this stainless Bisley model one of the best buy's on the planet,, but as an uncatalogued item only available from one dealer, and like the K-frame's in 22,, probably an even more durable choice that has and will stand the test for generations, be a revolver you can be proud to hand down genberation after generation.
If this model is one you would consider, I would act fast, as they are not scheduled for production, and this limited run is only available while they last with the much better, for me, Bisley grip frame, from a dealer in Arizona on gun broker, and selling them at a reduced price to Ruger dot com forum members while they last.
For small game hunting and field use I prefer the Single Six when I grab a revolver, and now with the Bisley it is even more dominant for that purpose for me,I simply shoot them better in these conditions. Why I sold my 17 years ago is I just don't shoot paper target competition and had little use for it. I also think there is no 22 rimfire revolver as durable and reliable as the Single Six, and with a little work it can have as good or better trigger with it's single action design, and like the K frame's, especially the Bisley model, is a large enough gun to hold steady for most shooters and makes for more accurate off hand shooting.
I don't fault any of the steel alloy 22 models from S&W the 17 is by far their premier model, with the 34 32 J frames being solid guns with their less than ideal size for a lot of shooting. However even that can be an attribute that is better suited to some over the easier and more accurate to shoot off hand Mod 17 and 18 K frames. I have one friend that has for over 30 years used the 63 kit gun to run his trap lines, and carries it religiously on camping and fishing trips along the rivers around her, and swears it is better for this than the K-22 6" he owns w/target hammer trigger and grips that he bought from me over 30 years ago. But when he wants to show off on the target range shooing paper, it is hard for any other revolver to shine like that 6" model 17 setup for it!
Like I say the model 17 was the most most accurate and well finished 22 right out of the box over any other 22 rf revolver I ever have had, it's ability to be handed down for generations is well documented. But so is the Ruger Single Six, and for some uses may be a better choice, at least for me it is, and right now in this stainless Bisley model one of the best buy's on the planet,, but as an uncatalogued item only available from one dealer, and like the K-frame's in 22,, probably an even more durable choice that has and will stand the test for generations, be a revolver you can be proud to hand down genberation after generation.
If this model is one you would consider, I would act fast, as they are not scheduled for production, and this limited run is only available while they last with the much better, for me, Bisley grip frame, from a dealer in Arizona on gun broker, and selling them at a reduced price to Ruger dot com forum members while they last.
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22-rimfire
Member
Been pretty enamored with the 5" and 3" M63. The M17/617 has a better trigger on average, but I like the little steel J-frame. These will probably be the last 22 revolvers I keep. Yeah. I have M17's, M18's, Colts, Rugers, and so forth.....
SwampWolf
Member
I agree to the extent that they are/were no better than Colt's Officers Model Match target revolvers. Smith and Colt target-configured revolvers ruled the roost in serious Bullseye competition matches for decades for a reason or two.
Starter52
Member
^^^^^agree with you about the OMM ( I own two of them) but the OP asked about S&W revolvers.
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