S&W K22 condition quandary

[Shear_stress]

For some, it's gambling. For others, it's strong drink. For me, it's Smith and Wesson .22LR revolvers. I've got a two or three fine examples of the breed and had been in the hunt for something in good mechanical shape to put some miles on. A couple of months ago, I thought I finally found the perfect candidate. At least, it seemed perfect in the store--a five-screw with matching grips (serial number K252xxx) and a nice, tired finish with a small area of light pitting on the cylinder. Looks like it had rested on that one side a little too long.

I recently paid off the ransom and took the K22 home. I got to cleaning, and lo and behold, the gun wasn't what I had expected. Turns out the sucker is really nice--the finish glossy, the case colors strong, the checkering sharp.

Here's the thing. I've now got a gun that's in excellent condition--except for a 1/2 inch spot of light pitting aft of one of the cylinder flutes.

What do I do? Do I ship it to Ford's and have them reblue the cylinder? Or do I leave well enough alone?

 

[steveno]

leave it alone

 

[yodar]

Mine's a K-18 Combat masterpiece in .22

Mine's over 40 years old and is showing need of reblue. Do you trust S & W to do it or (who is?) Fords? Contact info?

I hear, perhaps on this list that Smith, on rebluing your gun, buffs off the original emblem on the left and embosses a new on on the right side. I dont LIKE that...Altho the right sideplate (which was embossed with my name and wedding date by my ex-wife's brother when he gave it to me)is going to be REPLACED by a PLAIN one

Yodar

 

[Shear_stress]

I've had pretty good luck with S&W's refinishing service. However, Ford's is said to do a better job of keeping the stampings sharp.

I'm really only interested in having the cylinder reblued, not the whole gun.

 

[yodar]

Contact information for Fords?

I dunno anything 'bout them or where they are, or their charges

 

[Shear_stress]

http://www.fordsguns.com/

Got a pretty good reputation from some of the folks on the S&W board.

 

[yodar]

FORDS

Inverness Fla! Thats right around the corner (I'm in Winter Garden just dowen the street from JOAB)

Thankew!

 

[Shear_stress]

Hey Yodar,

Ford's should do you right. They are actually able to restamp the S&W logo, from what I understand.

If you're curious about the quality of their work, do a search for posts by the user Hammerdown. He has posted photos of a couple of K22s he had Ford's redo entirely.

 

[P95Carry]

I'd leave it be. My pre K22 has some small areas which are not perfect but the gun is still very clean and - to be honest - really just has some subtle evidence of its age.

I feel that kept original as it is - is just as good as spending to have it redone and probably not actually increasing its value.

 

[Majic]

Shoot it like you had originally planned.

 

[Bullet Bob]

What Majic said. The perfect using gun.

 

[Shear_stress]

I still haven't made up my mind about what to do. It absolutely kills me that the rest of the gun is so nice except for that one spot.

 

[HSMITH]

Shoot the snot out of it, unless it is nicer than one of the others you have. Take the worst condition one you have, make your best effort to wear it out, and thank the good Lord above if you are fortunate enough to wear it out before starting in on the next worse one you own.

 

[rbert0005]

If you have it refinished it will be worth half as much as it is now.

Leave it alone. It's getting harder to find 5 screw K22s in original condition.

Bob

 

[SaxonPig]

I generally resist refinishing but if it's just the cylinder then I might do it. The whole gun looking nice save that one bad spot would make me crazy and the cylinder would only cost about $50-$60 to reblue. I had the same situation on one of my S&Ws and I bought a nice cylinder for $50 and it dropped right in. No more bad spot.

 

[Jet22]

I have no problem with blemished guns and in fact prefer them. That way I don't feel bad when I shoot the hang out of them. I bought an unfired P&R stainless 8" 629 a while back and let it sit for 3 years before I shot it. It shoots fantastic and I am glad I finially shot it. I had an unfired Jet in the box and finally sold it so I wouldn't defoil it. I almost sold a mint 4" model 57 because it was perfict but the deal fell through. I just finished putting 800 rounds through it. I can't say I hurt it yet, but I will after I carry it for a few years. I am looking at a first year 4 screw Jet with both cylinders but it is perfict. It has the Jet cylinder numbered to the gun like they did in the 50's and the 22 cylinder is numbered to the gun under the extractor. I have never seen one numbered quite like this one. I have a 4 screw Jet that I shoot, but mine is about 95% or so. This one is 99.9% plus!! If I get it, I'll shoot it, carry it, and shoot it some more. Hopefully by the time my kids get it it'll be in 90% shape or less. Oh, I just sold a 5" model 20 made in 1931 cause it was too nice. My 4" made in the early 50's shoots fantastic, is in less condition by far, and I just didn't need two. So you ask what I would do with your K-22?? I guess my question is are you going to shoot it or are you going to look at it?

 

[BigG]

That would be a great gun to shoot. You can't do better than a K22, imho.

 

[XavierBreath]

I'd shoot the heck out of it.

Reblue? Nah.......

 

[Master Blaster]

I only have one its a 1955 4 screw k22 cosmetically its not perfect has scratches and wear marks. Mechanically it is in perfect condition. It is all original so I shoot it and its value continues to rise. I only paid $295 for it, and even though I shoot it, it will appreciate in value.

If I had it refinnished its value would not rise since its not original.

Recap, shoot and enjoy it and its value will continue to rise scratches blemishes and all. Have it refinnished and you will decrease its value, wether you shoot it or not.

 

[Shear_stress]

I had the same situation on one of my S&Ws and I bought a nice cylinder for $50 and it dropped right in.

That's a pretty damn good suggestion.

For all the other folks, thanks for your input. Again, I was just considering having the cylinder polished and reblued to remove the freckling, which I fear will get worse. The rest of the gun is nearly perfect.