New arrival/first wheelgun, K-22 Masterpiece

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45Badger

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About 6 months ago, I noticed a pretty cool revolver on a table at a gunshow. It was a K-22, circa 1953 (I think), 5 screw, in prettygood/OK condition. Guy wanted $489 for it, and I passed.

I've been ogling K-22s ever since, looking for a clean one at a reasonable price. Two weeks ago, while visiting my dad in Central NY, stopped in local shop........

After mail time, for FFL, etc, baby came home this afternoon.

It is in excellent/mint condition with very faint turn marks. Beautiful deep/rich blue. Original box, wax paper, manual, and price tag. It's not a 5 screw, but rather a K-22 Masterpiece, model 17-4 (3 screw?) with a 8 3/8" barrell. Delivered into my hands for a total of $340.

I think I did well on the deal.

Only thing I'm interested in changing is the grips. It is wearing a set of large wooden target grips, and I've got small paws. I've seen some of these guns with smaller grips that had a diamond in the center of the grip screw area. Will these fit my gun? What are they called? Where can I get them? Also, what frame do I have, J? K? whatever?

Thanks!
 
You have a K-frame, and one of the greatest fun guns of all time. Some people don't like the long barrels, but I love 'em. The smaller stocks are called magna's; the ones with the diamond pattern around the screw hole are pre-68, and cost more than the later ones, although they don't work any better. If you get them, try to find a Tyler grip adapter that fills in the curve behind the trigger guard. Even better, get a set of Hougue's wood grips. Enjoy that gun - I bet it will shoot great.
 
Thanks ! Just realized I'm not a rocket scientist. K-22, K frame. Duh.

I fired a few rounds off the porch at some empty soda cans. With CCI Mini-mags I went 4 for 4 at 20 yards on the bottoms of the cans. I like it!

I really bought this gun hoping my wife would shoot it. She has fired my 1911s a few times, but she's not a big fan of the recoil.
 
It's not a 5 screw, but rather a K-22 Masterpiece, model 17-4 (3 screw?) with a 8 3/8" barrell. Delivered into my hands for a total of $340.

I think I did well on the deal.


I only hope I can be as lucky some day! One of the all-time best 22 revolvers! Sounds like yours is a shooter!
 
K22's are great shooters and last forever! Shoot it and ENJOY!!! The thing is that they and their big brothers can be very habit forming!!!!!!!!!!
 
I have one of those- very late un-pinned 8 3/8" and it shoots great.
 
Here is a 1958 model 17 dash nothing.
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They are the best .22 revolver ever made. You did well! I bet your later K-22 shoots just as well as the older ones. The older ones are more collectable and worth more but for shooting, a later one is just as good. I bet it is really fun also. There is something about ejecting those spent shells out of a revolver that is fun. Also it is a great gun to learn DA revolver shooting on because ammo is so cheap you can afford to shoot it enough to really get used to DA shooting.

Enjoy your K-22.:)
 
Great gun. It should provide you with a lifetime of enjoyment. I have been shooting a Model 17 pretty much my whole life. My dad owned one since before I was born. About 10 years ago, he gave it to me. It is still mint. Probably from the 1950s. So, I decided to leave it at his house as something to do when I am visiting there. The last time I was there I fired something like 1100 or 1200 rounds through it in a week.
A few months ago, I get a mysterious call on my cell phone. It is from a local gun shop, they said, did you say that you were looking for a Model 17 (I hadn't been in there for months and only go there maybe 4-5 times a year). I said, yes, I had mentioned that I would like to have one at home because I liked the other one so much. So, I went down there the next day to buy it for something like $280. Very nice condition, 6" Blue. While I am standing there, I spy a Model 617, 6", full lugged barrel in the case. I play with them both and ask, how much for both. I got both of them for $500. I have probably fired 2000 rounds out of them since I got them.
Did I mention that they were great guns ?
 
Took it to indoor range today. I think it is a shooter!

At ten yards, 6 shots are in one hole.

At 25, I'm opening up to 2.5". I was shooting at some stupid 1.5" orange diamond targets (that I could barely see), so I expect a little better using regular NRA targets.

Amazing trigger. I really need to switch grips, they are too big. Also wish I had the 6" barrel, but this is OK.

I haven't shot a .22 handgun in 4 years. I've been shooting 1911s only, and forgot the fun a little plinker can be.
 
IMHO the 6" K frame is the best for target shooting. It has enough bbl but is also well balanced because the bbl is so slim. I have a 6" M-19 and the 6" M-17 and they both feel perfectly balanced in my hand. Next step is to pick up a K-38!;)
 
If you don't care about the looks while you are shooting, the Hogue Mono grips, in my humble opinion, work the best.

Keep the original target grips for show, and the Hogues for shooting.
Works for me,


Bob
 
Great pick for your first revolver!

I have a Model 18 (4" barrel K-22) and it is a joy to shoot. A 6" K-22 is on my "short list".
 
I bought one new in 1955 and renewed my love of shooting with it, after a few years in service without revolvers. They sink into your genes, these K22s, and the attraction never goes away. I've owned the 8 3/8" 17-4, an older M18, and now have a 6" 17-4. Each time, the wife gently and gradually moved in on them, and took them for her own. This time, it is locked up ;) .......but I can only find one key. Here we go again.
 
My 1951 K-22 was delivered today! I'd post a picture, but it's stripped down to the frame to soak overnight in mineral spirits. The exterior is in excellent shape, and the single action trigger is from heaven; I have a hunch, however, I'm the first person to remove the side plate since the gun left the factory over half a century ago.

The deck paint can wait. I'm going to the range tomorrow.
 
SaxonPig: that burlap background looks great. I did that once with a Mauser Parabellum I own.
 
Standing Wolf,

If that beauty is formerly VictorLouis', then I have also fondled it and the SA pull is definitely heavenly. I have no idea why he sold it, because he mentioned to me the other day that he misses it already!:)

I would suggest that if anyone ever runs across a 'for sale' ad from him, that they jump all over it....because that person will be getting a good deal and the gun will be exactly as described, if not better.
 
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Oh, she'll shoot it, all right...

45Badger, you wrote:

"I really bought this gun hoping my wife would shoot it."

Perhaps in a couple of months, you'll be posting, "Now how do I get her to let ME shoot it once in a while?" :D Enjoy.
 
Great job, 45Badger. One of my favorite plinkers. The small stocks are called Magna; the large ones like you have are called target. Enjoy your new (or should I say your wife's?) piece! :cool:
 
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