K-22 and Model 17 Differences?

[ShunZu]

I've never fully understood (nor had anyone explain) the differences between the K-22 and Model 17. I have one in .22 but, to me at least, I can't tell any difference. Thanks.

 

[MrBorland]

It's my understanding that the K-22 was simply renamed the Model 17 in 1957, when S&W started their new system of naming by model #. Thus, a 1958 Model 17, for example, is still a K-22.

 

[BigG]

Ditto. K-22 MASTERPIECE was the old adjectival name for the Mod 17. It may actually be on the barrel of old ones. I know the Magnums had .44 Magnum; .357 Magnum; Highway Patrolman; etc. which were the names prior to model numbers superseding them.

 

[Hutch]

BigG has it. The K22 Masterpiece became the Model 17, and the K22 Combat Masterpiece became the Model 18. There was a similar K-frame target-sighted .22 called the K22 Outdoorsman, as well, but it didn't have a long production span.

I wish Smith had carried that over to the pre-19, and called it the .357 Combat Masterpiece.

 

[El Tejon]

What's in a name? That which we call a [nice .22 revolver]
By any other name would smell as sweet."

--From Romeo and Juliet (II, ii, 1-2)

 

[Jim Watson]

I wish Smith had carried that over to the pre-19, and called it the .357 Combat Masterpiece.

Why? You don't like Combat Magnum, which is its real name?

Trivia: The L-Frame guns, 581, 586, 681, 686 also have a name; Distinguished Combat Magnum. I guess they figured they would be used for the Distinguished Match in PPC.

 

[Hutch]

Nope, don't like it. They had a good thing going with the K-22, K-32, and K-38. Before the vast numbers of 625 options out there, there were only 6.5" 25-2's in .45ACP. Someone I know had one shortened to 4", and called it (naturally) the .45 Combat Masterpiece. Makes all the sense in the world.

 

[ugaarguy]

Trivia: The L-Frame guns, 581, 586, 681, 686 also have a name; Distinguished Combat Magnum. I guess they figured they would be used for the Distinguished Match in PPC.

Mr Watson I believe the correct names are;
581 - Distinguished Service Magnum
586 - Distinguished Combat Magnum
681 - Distinguished Service Magnum, Stainless
686 - Distinguished Combat Magnum, Stainless.
The Service and Combat nomenclature distinguishes between fixed and adjustable sights, respectively, on these revolvers.

 

[Jim Watson]

Great, the fixed sight guns were so seldom seen, I did not realize they had their own name.

 

[ShunZu]

Mine's the old .22, target sighted version. Exposed ejector rod, 6" bbl. Very accurate and fun to shoot.

Thanks for the help, one and all.

 

[brasskeeper]

Does barrel lenght have anything to do with it being a Kit Gun?

I was thinking a kit gun had a 3" or 4" barrel where a 17 was available with a 6"

 

[Onmilo]

Kit guns are J frame .22 revolvers.
K-22s are as the name implies, K frames.
A 4" revolver can be known as a K-22 just the same as a 6" or 8 3/8" version.

 

[BigG]

I was thinking a kit gun had a 3" or 4" barrel where a 17 was available with a 6"

If you're not that familiar with S&W, the Kit Gun is one full size smaller all around than the K-22 it is the J frame, which is the frame that is most often seen in the snub nose .38.

The K frame is the holster sized pistol that was also typically in .38 and carried by almost all police officers back in the pre-autoloader days.


The target sighted versions are very accurate and there is a K-38, a K-22, and a very seldom seen K-32. Nobody could figure out why you would want a .32 in a gun that was built for .38 so only a handful were sold. But now you have to trade your car for a K-32 if you want one.

 

[PAPACHUCK]

All I know is my S&W Model 18-3 is SWEET! 4" Blued 6-shot .22LR w/target hammer and adj sights.
It is known as a "Combat Masterpiece" as well.(IIRC)

 

[ShunZu]

Serial #'s?

I've beat the net to death looking for information about S&W K-22/Mod 17 serial numbers but can't determine the approximate date of manufacture of this one.

Can anyone point me to a good reference on the web (1st choice) or in print (2nd choice) that would indicate the year of manufacture? Thanks in advance.
Just FYI - Serial # on this one is 32XXX.
Appreciate any help.

 

[Jim K]

FWIW, the Kit Gun was originally called the ".22/.32 Kit Gun" because it was a .22 on the .32 (I) frame. The same idea was behind the ".38/.44", a .38 Special revolver on the .44 (N) frame.

Jim

 

[Will5A1]

ShunZu - no place on the web, the Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson, Supica and Nahas, 3d Edition, has some serial number info in it that can generally narrow it down, sometimes to a specified year.

Does your revolver have a "K" prefix, or a three letter prefix (i.e. BRC) for the serial number? Full lug or not? Post back and someone will help pin it down more.

 

[Hutch]

If it is truly a 5-digit S/N, it's very, very old, as in pre-war. WW1, that is.

 

[ShunZu]

Thanks for the help, guys.

Serial # on bottom of grip: K 393xx

Half-lug ejector rod, no cover on it. I'll snap a pic this evening when the camera's here. Appreciate the info.

 

[bhk]

1948 per Supica/Nahas 3rd edition.

 

[Majic]

Before the vast numbers of 625 options out there, there were only 6.5" 25-2's in .45ACP.

Actually before the M25-2 or the 1955 .45 Target Model there was the 1950 .45 Target Model or the M26.

 

[ShunZu]

1948. It was a very good year.

Thanks guys.