What 22 revolver made today is comparable to the older K-22 Masterpiece?

[22-rimfire]

So, the CNC parts more impact the overall fit and finish of a gun, and not the function of the S&W. Taurus probably uses the same machinery, but their fit and finish and functionality is impacted on many guns. Why? People (workers) and QA/QC standards.

If the current Model 617 is too heavy, my suggestion is to look to the Model 63 in a 4 or 5" barrel. You do have a heavier spring, but the gun has a nice balance and weight for a DA 22 revolver where people are thinking "lighter" as a need in a 22 revolver with lower recoil.

My favorite has been the 4" Colt Diamondback for a DA 22 revolver. Colt and S&W were head to head competitors. Colt's answer to CNC manufacturing was the Mark III series which were supposed to replace the older designs. The Trooper Mark III in 22 had the same "weight" problem as the current S&W 617 as far as what people (consumers) think a DA 22 revolver should "feel like".

S&W does not have that competition any more, but they do have a manufacturing need to reduce costs where ever possible without impacting the function of a DA revolver. I think Model 17 or Model 18 was a better revolver in days of old. I never had any experience shooting a K-22 (pre-model 17). The weight issue has always been why I favored the 4" M617.

 

[CraigC]

CNC equipment doesn't guarantee results. It all depends on how they are run and how often cutters are changed. Run the machines too fast and use your cutters longer than you should and the results will be crap. Run them the proper speed and change your cutters often and you may have something as fine as a USFA or Freedom Arms. Of course, the quality of your materials matters too. The finest machining in the world won't help if you're using Zamak and 12L14 steel (Heritage).

 

[SwampWolf]

My game is Bullseye competition (for the uninitiated, all one-hand shooting), and I prefer the Model 617's full-lugged, 6" barrel for steady, sustained off-hand shooting. I also shoot a S&W Model 14 and a Colt Officers Special in the Centerfire stage that don't have full-lugged barrels but have always thought that a wee bit more weight out front would prove to be an asset to even these otherwise fine revolvers.

 

[Driftwood Johnson]

Run the machines too fast and use your cutters longer than you should and the results will be crap.

Yup. Take a look at the finish of the parts inside an Uberti revolver or rifle sometime. Coarse machining marks, burrs, sharp edges. Because Uberti runs their machinery fast to make as many parts per hour as possible. Time is money. If they slowed down the feed rates, they would produce less parts per hour and the cost per part would go up.

You pays your money, you takes your choice.

 

[Saleen322]

My game is Bullseye competition (for the uninitiated, all one-hand shooting), and I prefer the Model 617's full-lugged, 6" barrel for steady, sustained off-hand shooting.

^^This^^ If you are after accuracy, weight forward really helps. That is why good target pistols have some system for putting various weights on towards the muzzle.

 

[Tallball]

Great post by DJ!

 

[I6turbo]

I would gladly take any S&W 22 caliber revolver, but if the 617 handles like the 686 (both with the full underlug), I'd like it. My 686 is the easiest of any of my handguns to hold steady and shoot accurately off hand, whether comparing DA or SA.