Howdy
As has already been stated, the K frame S&W 22s are pretty much the gold standard for 22 caliber revolvers.
Left to right in this photo are a Model 17-3, K-22 Masterpiece, K-22 Outdoorsman, another K-22 Outdoorsman, and a K-22 Combat Masterpiece.
View attachment 927768
The Smith & Wesson K frame was originally designed in 1899 as the perfect size for a six shot 38 caliber revolver. In 1931 it was adapted for 22 Rimfire with the introduction of the K-22 Outdoorsman. Because the overall size of the revolver was the same as a K frame 38, but because the holes for the chambers and bore were smaller than a 38, the K-22 consequently weighed a little bit more than a K frame 38. The K-22 Outdoorsman had no rib on top of the barrel. After WWII, S&W put a rib on top of the barrel and changed the name slightly to K-22 Masterpiece. The K-22 Masterpiece was part of a family of three target revolvers, the K-22 Masterpiece, the K-32 Masterpiece, and the K-38 Masterpiece. All built on the K frame, as the names imply the K-22 was a 22 rimfire, the K-32 was chambered for the 32 S&W Long cartridge, and the K-38 was a 38 Special. They all had the modern click adjustable micrometer rear sight and they all had a rib on top of the barrel. And they all weighed pretty much the same.
In 1957 S&W changed over to a model number system for their revolvers, and the K-22 became the Model 17. Basically the same as the K-22 Masterpiece with a barrel rib and the microclick adjustable rear sight, just a new name for an old revolver.
All S&W revolvers made of stainless steel have a 6 as the first digit in the model number, so the Model 617 is simply a stainless version of the Model 17.
Here is a photo of a K-22 Outdoorsman at the top, a Model 17-3 in the center, and a Model 617 at the bottom. All have 6" barrels. I don't much care for the Model 617, with the full length underbarrel lug I think it is ugly, and that massive barrel and underlug make it pretty heavy. If you count the cylinder flutes you will see that the K-22 and the Model 17 are six shooters.
View attachment 927769
The 617 is a ten shot revolver. Frankly, I prefer six shooters. You can burn up an awful lot of ammunition with a ten shooter. A six shooter makes me slow down a little.
View attachment 927770
Going back to the K-22 Combat Masterpiece in the first photo, here is a photo of it with a K-22 Masterpiece with a 6" barrel. S&W usually used the term 'combat' for a revolver with a four inch barrel. Also, notice the different style of front sight. Target revolvers had a Patridge style front sight as seen on the revolver at the top of the photo. 'Combat' revolvers had a Baughman front sight, designed to be pulled from a holster without snagging on the leather.
View attachment 927771
The current four inch Model 617 is the closest you are going to find to the old K-22 Combat Masterpiece. It is a ten shooter and it does have a full length underbarrel lug, so it will weigh a bit more than the old K-22 Combat Masterpiece. If I was interested in a brand-spanky new S&W revolver, I would probably look pretty hard at the four inch version of the Model 617.
One more photo. A few years ago my club ran a Women on Target event for women who were new to shooting. I don't know this lady's name, but she is a brand new shooter who had never fired a revolver before. She did a pretty good job with my old K-22 Combat Masterpiece.
View attachment 927772
