My new twins. K22 Combat Masterpiece and M18

ontarget

ontarget

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A while back I found a 1953 K22 Combat Masterpiece (4 inch version of the K22/M17) on consignment at a LGS.
I made an offer but the dealer couldn't get ahold of the seller. This went on for several weeks.
I got tired of waiting and put in a bid for a 1961 Model 18 no dash on GB.
I ended up winning that auction for what would be within $5.00 after all fees, of the price I offered for the local sale.
The next day, the lgs tells me he will sell me the K22 for my offered price because he still couldn't contact the seller.
SOOOOO......
Now I have 2. And yes I'm very happy.
20230810_201709.jpg
I apologize for my poor photography skills.
 
Very cool! Every once in a while the stars align and you end up getting what you want for what you want to pay. :thumbup:

Neat to see the Baughman ramp front sight on the 4” K-22, I haven’t seen a K-22/Model 17 with a sight like that. My Model 17-2 is a 6” so it has the standard Patridge blade sight. My 4” Model 18-3 has a Baughman ramp sight just like yours does. (But my 4” Model 48-7 “Classic” .22 WMR has a Patridge blade, go figure.)

You maaaay have tight cylinders making extraction tough, my Model 18-3 was a little snug when I got it. I used an 800 grit flex hone to polish the chambers and the issue went away.

Let us know how they shoot for you when you get a chance. :thumbup:

Stay safe.
 
Riomouse911 said:
Very cool! Every once in a while the stars align and you end up getting what you want for what you want to pay. :thumbup:

Neat to see the Baughman ramp front sight on the 4” K-22, I haven’t seen a K-22/Model 17 with a sight like that. My Model 17-2 is a 6” so it has the standard Patridge blade sight. My 4” Model 18-3 has a Baughman ramp sight just like yours does. (But my 4” Model 48-7 “Classic” .22 WMR has a Patridge blade, go figure.)

You maaaay have tight cylinders making extraction tough, my Model 18-3 was a little snug when I got it. I used an 800 grit flex hone to polish the chambers and the issue went away.

Let us know how they shoot for you when you get a chance. :thumbup:

Stay safe.
Click to expand...

Extraction is ok, though I think a good scrubbing of the chambers is in order for both.
The M18 doesn't hardly show a turn line, so it probably hasn't been shot a whole lot.
I really love these revolvers, and since a 4 inch K frame is just about revolver perfection IMHO, they will see a lot of use.
 
Wow....a pair of GREAT GUNS....you'll enjoy 'em for years to come....they make a superb understudy for any of Smith's K or L frames...and are just as much fun all by themselves.

I've got a M-18 Smith that needed some chamber reaming to allow ejection without resorting to a cleaning rod tap out...mine were stiff enough that I worried about damaging the ejector star or bending the rod....

I reamed the chambers with a finish reamer in less than 20 minutes, start to finish....& with no discernable degradation in accuracy either. From rest at 25 yds, it's still every bit as accurate as my M-41 Smith auto, and that's saying something.

Congrats on your finds....Rod, here's mine

​
 
I haven't shot either on paper for accuracy yet. I did put 6 rounds through the M18 on a paper plate with a bull on it just to check POI.
Shot both at a 6 inch steel target from 10 yards and had no problem hitting every shot in DA.
Very excited to get to know these guns better!
 
ontarget said:
I paid 525.00 plus fees, bringing the total to 604.79 after transfer for the M18.
I gave 600.00 for the K22.
I didn't think that was too bad for guns that will see plenty of use.
Click to expand...

Certainly not a bad price for either. Heck, I paid $525 for a 1955, 22 Combat Masterpiece twenty years or so ago.

You may find the chambers a bit tight. Before you get all worked up like I did, get yourself a lead wipe away cloth, and cut little cleaning patches sized for a 22 from it and use them to scrub the chambers. It will probably take a LOT of them to get 50 or so years of gunk out. Be patient.
 
K 22 Combat Masterpiece that shipped in 1953.

XFH3BU.jpg


wNxLRt.jpg
 
UPDATE.
I finally got around to replacing the hand in my K22 Combat Masterpiece this evening.
Locks up like a charm now on all 6 chambers.
Not a difficult job like I was worried about.
Now to shoot the crap out of it, and it's twin!
 
Good thing we have google or whatever your favorite search engine is. I suspected they were S&W and sure enough Google proved my hunch correct......... :thumbup:
 
Nice revolvers.

I have a 2" and 4" Model 15 as well as a 6" and 8-3/8" Model 17. They are fun revolvers to shoot when you want to shoot economical ammunitiin, aka 22 LR.

Nomenclature of the of the pre-model number production and the end of the production life of the guns gets a bit dicey but they are still S&W K-frame 22 LR revolvers regardless of whether they are a Model 15 or Model 14.

Enjoy your find.
 
congrats on the twins. Great find. I just took my new to me model 18 out for the first time yesterday. Loved it. As far as extraction issues. CCI and Federal had no problems. The higher priced ammo had issues, go figure. Go forth and enjoy them.
 
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