Interested in K-22...But Where?

[penenpitsu]

I'm going to turn 21 soon, and have been lurking in this forum, reading and searching on what a beginners should get, focus on doing, etc. At first I really wanted a 617, but after some research, decided on something with a little more historical value, quality, and a better price. I've basically boiled down my choices to either a K22 M17/18, with a preference for the 4" variety.

I'm looking for advice as for where to look for these masterpieces. There are a few on Gunbroker and Gunsamerica, but people that bid in auctions seem to be willing to pay more money than I am. I was just wondering where you guys that have the K22's obtained them, how, and if you guys had any advice for people like me looking for them

 

[Dismantler]

You hit the nail on the head...other people are willing to or able to bid more than you. It takes a lot of luck to find an in demand gun for short money.

 

[esq_stu]

I have a 6" M17 and like it a lot.

I've seen them on Gunbroker.com and Auctionarms.com. There's at least a half dozen there right now . . .
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=98415259
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=98509248
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=98559263

I did not know they made a 4". There's the 22/32 Kit gun model 34 that came in various lengths including 4" . . .
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=98522604

I know a former dealer in MI with leftover inventory - including a couple of unfired stainless ones in his safe and I have been thinking about buying one . . .

 

[StrawHat]

I have not seen a M17 or K22 in 4".

Does not mean they weren't made.

S&W did make the M18 (K frame 22 LR) with a 4" barrel.

I have the M17 and enjoy it but really do not shoot it near as much as my centerfire revolvers.

 

[MrBorland]

check out joesalter.com. The prices are fixed. Not bargain basement prices, but you won't get out-bid, either. There are a generally a few K-22s listed. Price depends on age, condition and whether it comes with original grips, box, etc. Shooters with some wear on the finish will often be priced between $500-$600.

 

[mainmech48]

I'd second the recommendation to include the M-18 in your search. While the K-22 and M-17 were premium priced Target revolvers the M-18 was more of a trainer and field model. There are a good many of them out there and their prices are generally more affordable, even though there is some collector interest.

For anything but swank or serious competition a M-18 would serve your needs admirably.

A nicely made and very, very accurate alternative to either which can be found for a lot less cash would be a Dan Wesson .22.

 

[Dismantler]

There are also a lot of alternatives. I am really a revolver man, but I could not find a good double action .22 revolver. So I bought a Ruger MK II semi-auto. I really like it. It is the gun that I shoot the most because of ammo costs.

I also shoot a lot with my Ruger Single Six in .22 LR and .22 Magnum. You get two power levels out of one gun.

I find these used for very reasonable money in my area, generally a bit over $200. That's a lot of fun to be had for short money, and they are very good guns.

 

[penenpitsu]

Yeah, I had been looking out for a decent Model 18, but they seem to be even rarer than the K22's. I guess I'll find the nearest gun show available and try there, as well as the pawn shops in my area. Thanks esq_stu and Mr. Borland for putting up links, and to Mainmech, I appreciate your recommendation for Dan Wessons. I've heard nothing but good things about them, and how underrated they are

Anyone have any stories about how they got theirs?

 

[Bullet Bob]

You know, if you list your state of residence in your profile, there's always a chance a forum member will contact you about one they have for sale. Some people either don't like to do the mail thing, or have grown tired of it.

 

[SwampWolf]

The best places I've found for the kind of thing you're looking for have been gun shows. By far, the most common K-22s will be found in the 6" barrel configuration. A great revolver indeed and a little judicious shopping should get you one in very good to excellent condition for between $450.00 and $550.00 (sans box/papers- more if everything included). The K-22 (Model 17) was offered in 4", 6" and 8 3/8" barrel lengths- expect to pay more for the scarcer variations, of course.

 

[belus]

I was looking at K22's at the last gunshow I visited. The best value I found was 475 for very good condition.

 

[Rolando]

18 was 4" combat masterpiece
17 was 6" target masterpiece and later 8-3/8"
They were matched to the .38 and .32 caliber guns of the same era, the K38 and k32.

k22 was the earlier name for the K size frame .22 caliber.

In my opinion you can't beat it for accuracy, cheap ammo, and good ole blue and walnut classic revolver history.

For $450 you should be able to find a good shooter and you won't be disappointed. You could get a newer stainless model and they come in 10 round versions but the old guns are held in high regard for their superior workmanship. There are some websites that focus on Smiths. http://www.robertsontradingpost.com/
http://www.dcarroll.net/
http://noconeetrader.com/
http://fugatefirearms.com/
http://www.armchairgunshow.com/
http://www.gunsinternational.com/results.cfm?cid=325

of course gunbroker, auctionarms, and gunsamerica

Good luck and send some pics when you find one!!

 

[Majic]

While the K-22 and M-17 were premium priced Target revolvers the M-18 was more of a trainer and field model.

The M18 is nothing more than a M17 with a shorter barrel and different front sight. They are also harder to find as owners tend to hold on to them and generally come at a higher price than the M17.

 

[Bullet Bob]

I like them all, but I like the 17's the best. This isn't all I own ( a man needs backups, doesn't he?), but here's an 18:



And two "pre" 17's (1948 & 1955) along with a 617 stainless 10-shot gun, with the dreaded aluminum cylinder. They all shoot very very well, and I feel lucky to have them:

 

[Deanimator]

I bought mine (as well as my Model 14) from a friend.

Your best bet is probably gunshows. You might be able to find a less cosmetically desirable one for a decent price.

 

[rgs1975]

Sign up on the S&W forums and hit the Classifieds boards. There is at least one (maybe two) for sale there right now.

I commend you on your choice. In my opinion, there is no finer .22 revolver than the K22.

 

[Moonclip]

I see you live in CA, in a city not too far from me. Finding a mod 18 let alone a 17 will be very hard for you(I have both) If it is not on CA's apporved roster of handguns, you will have to find a private seller or a consignment case that has one, a dealer can not have one shipped in to you from out of state.

If you can find one 50 years or older out of state you could have it shipped in. Or if you have a father/mother/grandfater/grandmother out of state, they could transfer you a newer one legally.

I know someone looking for an 18 hard in our area w/o luck and I go to A LOT of gunstores often and haven't found him one yet in 6months to a year.

I got the 18-3 I have for $250 plus CA fees and tax in 2005, 97% condition or so with the factory manual. I got the 17-4 6" at $369 ANIB in 2001.

Both took some searching, I find more 17's and older pre 17's in our area than 18's. I commend you wanting an older pre lock S&W K frame .22lr revolver but you have a lot of looking to do and it usually costs a lot when you find one. People tend to use them and hold on to them it seems.

 

[22-rimfire]

I would start attending gunshows and visiting gunshops that tend to handle older guns once you reach 21. Gunshops often get consignment pieces and often it is just a matter of being at the right place with money in your pocket.

If you take away the sport and fun of the search for a particular firearm, you will be (perhaps) far better off financially just buying online and having them ship to a local dealer. With gas prices being what they are ($4.00 a gallon in CA more or less), it won't take too many trips to shows before you have spent well over a $100 just in travel costs.

I bought both a Model 17 and 18 at gunshows last year. I prefer Colts and had never owned either of the Smiths. Found them for fair prices at different shows and bought them as I found them. Both were in the 98% to as-new conditiion.

Be patient. If you see a Colt Trooper Mark III for a fair price, I'd buy that and continue the Smith search. You may discover that it is as good or better than the either the Model 17 or 18 for your needs.

(I have no knowledge of California lists of permissible guns, but I know some CA folks do own Colts.)

 

[Moonclip]

As I stated in my 1st post, the original poster would have to buy a pre 17 or 18 only thru such a site as gunbroker.com as he could not have one less than 50 years old shipped in to CA. And before anyone starts, lets just help the op, lets not make this a CA bashing thread.

Colt MKIII's are even harder to find in our area also it seems.

 

[ShunZu]

I commend you on your choice. In my opinion, there is no finer .22 revolver than the K22.

+1. Have an old 17 here that I bought at a gun show about 25 years ago for $175.

 

[aka108]

K22's are fantastic. Bought a new one in 1950, cases of ammo run thru it and she still shoots like new. Cost was 60 bucks or so back then but 60 bucks was as much money then as 600 bucks is today so the prices really haven't changed.

 

[Murdock]

Way back when, I decided on a K-22 as what I wanted for a first handgun. Could only find the 4" Model 18. Bought it brand new, put many thousands of rounds though it, and had it stolen in a burglary about 5 years later. I've owned a variety of K-frame .22s since, including a Model 53 in .22 Jet with inserts. I finally wound up with a Model 48 in .22WRM, and got an auxiliary cylinder for it in .22LR. The .22WRM cylinder has not been back on the gun since it came back from S&W with the LR cylinder.

The entire time I had the 4" Model 18 I continued to want a 6" K-22. Having now had both, I would still choose a 6" K-22 or M17 over the 4" gun, but if finding the longer barrel was too hard I'd still grab the first Model 18 I came across.

Research as many K frame .22s as you can find for how much they're really selling for. Many sellers on Gunbroker are just greedy, and are only "trolling." Many have no authentic desire to sell, unless they can find someone eager enough to pay their silly asking prices. Check the offerings that have no reserve price, or a reserve price that is within the realm of sanity, to see what the real market value may be.

You will find one!

 

[jad0110]

The 17 was offered in a 4" barrel length for a very short time after the 4" Model 18 was discontinued around '86 I believe.

4" 17s are very rare, and there price probably reflects that.

I found my K-22 / M17-0 on gunbroker in Nov '06 for $430. Not a great price at the time, but fair. I'd rate it about 98% condition.

 

[deputy tom]

I read on another forum the model 17-5 with a 4" bull barrel was made between 1987 and 1990.This model was only produced for three years and it replaced the model 18. Then they replaced the bull barrel with the heavy under-lug style barrels. They are hard to locate.penenpitsu ,good luck in your quest.tom.

 

[bigjohnson]

Loudoun Guns, Inc. in Leesburg, Virginia just took in a K-22 on consignment. I don't know how much they want for it, but call 703-771-7479 and ask for Nelson (the store owner). The gun is in excellent shape, although it needs cleaning. From the looks of it, it dates from the 1950s, so it may be a C&R gun, which would enable you to have it shipped to a CA dealer.