"New" S&W K22

[FPrice]

I've had this on layaway for quite a while. My dealer is pretty good with his better customers. It's a 1955 (early 1955), still a 5-screw model. The finish is interesting. It's almost a flat black, not the shiney blue you normally expect. The finish is in good shape over 95% or more of the revolver. Trigger pull is excellent; you can stage the double-action pull very easily to get a good sight picture before the final pull.

 

[Dave Markowitz]

Sweet.

One of the guns on my list of "to buy."

 

[steveno]

the K-22 is the best 22 revolver ever made period. I have one made in 1972 and it is FINE

 

[HSMITH]

Wow, the wait for the pic was worth it!! VERY VERY nice. Let me know if it ever needs a new home.

 

[FPrice]

Hsmith...

"Let me know if it ever needs a new home."

It DOES need a new home. Somewhere in the Pacific Northwest. With ME!.

 

[rbert0005]

I have a 1948 vintage one and it has the same FLAT blued finished. I don't know why, but that's the way it is.

By the way, there is a box and screwdriver up for sale on EBay right now. The bid is over 200 bucks so far.

Bob

 

[mec]

Same here. 1947. It has the service finish.

 

[FPrice]

rbert0005 and mec...

Let's get some pics of these puppies!

 

[rbert0005]

OK,

Bob

 

[FPrice]

rbert0005...

Way to go, Idaho! (courtesy of Mr. Potato Head from Toy Story).

I need to find a set of those classic grips for mine.

 

[rbert0005]

FP,

Those are the correct numbered ones. I wish I had the box as well.

Bob

 

[Eskimo Jim]

FP,
That's nice K-22. I hope that you pick it up.

I picked up one last year that was made in 1962. It still shoots well!! I wish that I Had the box for it though.

-Jim

 

[Standing Wolf]

Here's my 1951 K-22 with Roper stocks. It took me over two decades to find this gun.

 

[FPrice]

Confession time...

Hi! I'm Frosty and I'm a S&W-holic.

(chorus of "Hi Frosty"s)

I was digging around in my safe to check some of my other old S&Ws when I came across something I had forgotten I had. It was my first 1955 S&W K22. It turns out that I have two from the same year. Now 1955 was a transition year for this model (from 5 screws to 4) and I now have an example of each.

It looks like my son will inherit two of these fine pistols when the time comes.

 

[HSMITH]

Wow!! Great pic and two superb handguns!!!

 

[Old Fuff]

FPrice:

It is my duty to inform you that it is against (my) law for you to own two such revolvers at the same time ...

You may avoid arrest by sending me either one - I'm not particular.

It would be best if you accomplished this before Christmas ...

 

[Majic]

I have bought many old Smiths that had a flat black finish. A good clean rag, tube of Flitz, and some old fashion elbow grease brought back the elegant shiny finish that the factory was known for back in those days. Many guns are just wiped down over their lifetime and never polished.

 

[FPrice]

Old Fuff...

"You may avoid arrest by sending me either one - I'm not particular."

Old Fuff....hmmmmm....Old Fuff....now where have I heard that name before.

Oh yes! Was that was the guy who was going to leave to me, in his will, a beat-up old S&W .38/200 with a Spanish barrel of undeterminate origin?

Right!

 

[Old Fuff]

Yes ...

But think how happy that old .38-200 would be if it had a K-22 to play with.

Not to mention the .38-200's present owner ...

 

[Bullet Bob]

Here's a very bad picture of a '48 "tapered barrel" K22, a '55 model, and a 10-shot alloy-cylindered 617. They all shoot about the same, but for some reason I just like the '55 best.




Both the early models are polished. I'm certainly no expert, but going from memory I thought most S&W's lost the fifth screw around 1957.

 

[FPrice]

Bob...

That sure is a nice-lookin' battery of 22's! My dealer has a new 6=shot 617 in... it's almost as smooth as my K22s.

"I'm certainly no expert, but going from memory I thought most S&W's lost the fifth screw around 1957."

According to Roy Jinks' book, History of Smith & Wesson talking about the K frame Target models, "The first (of several) change was authorized on September 7, 1955 when the four-screw sideplate was eliminated." It took a while for this to be fully implemented. I am not sure if the other frames such as the N frame transittioned at the same time or not.

 

[Smythe77]

My five-screw S&W was/is an M&P 38 Spl & is now a full house PPC revolver. Shoots tight groups & has done me well in PPC shooting.

Bought it from an ex-Bush-Pilot for $35.00 30-40 yrs ago. Looked rough outside, but had hardly been used in its history & original grease still inside on parts.

 

[jobu07]

These K-22's are slick shooting little guns too. I put a nice looking one on lay away last month as a birthday present to myself.