What would you pay for a K22?

[jamz]

I finally saw one in a shop today. Never seen one in person, nor for sale locally. Price was what I thought was high for a gun in somewhat rough shape. However, never seeing them for sale makes me think they can command a premium.

Would you pay over $400? Over $500?

 

[GUNKWAZY]

If the gun was in rough shape, $500 would be too much.
In decent shape $400 is common and now starting to be even a good price.
Everyone that has one loves them.
You never hear bad stories about them.
You also don't see a lot for sale ever.
If you really want one you can always get one at auction.

Auction example...

http://gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=91581942

Jeff (GUNKWAZY)

 

[1BLINDREF]

I was looking for one. Most of the prices were in the $450-$600 depending on condition box papers etc.
I finally got lucky and found this one. I paid $372.00 out the door!! (I got very lucky)

 

[NGIB]

Sir, that wasn't luck that was divine intervention - a K22 that pretty for $372.

The only ones I saw for sale were pretty rough and none had asking prices below $300. I finally gave up and bought a nice pair of Dan Wessons that are some of the sweetest shooters I've ever had. Everyone should have at least one quality .22 DA revolver...

 

[jamz]

This one had numerous pitted areas, the bore was in good shape, but the finish was quite worn, and it was over $500. I'll pass I guess.

 

[22-rimfire]

Would you pay over $400? Over $500?

Yep

Most of the prices were in the $450-$600 depending on condition box papers etc.

Pretty much what I see these days unless you are really lucky. I paid in this price range last year for one in NIB condition with box and papers. I was satisfied with the price as I look for "fair prices" not drop dead bargains. What does a new stainless Model 617 run? There is your reference point if the revolver is in great condition. Remember it probably has a deep blue finish, has no lock, and is built the old way.

 

[Iggy]

Bought this one a year ago.
First one I had seen for sale in years, and haven't seen one since.
1957 vintage
$425 no box, no nothin'

View attachment 345163

I taught my DIL to shoot, and my son taught his son to shoot with it in the last summer.
It was worth the price.

 

[M2 Carbine]

Years ago I foolishly traded off my K-22 and have been sorry ever since.

At the gun show two weeks ago I found a almost like new Model 17. I was happy to give $500 for it.

I put a Crimson Trace laser on it and have been getting a lot of 22 practice.

 

[wuchak]

If the owner is a shooter and not just a collector the K-22 would be among the very last guns they would ever sell so most of them don't turn over unless someone dies or there are really tough financial times.

1BlindRef, That is amazing deal you got on that K22. I don't have any safe queens and don't normally like the idea but that K22 is just about too pretty to shoot. I have one that already has some good honest wear so it's a shooter. If I had yours I might have to paraphrase Lone Watie from the Outlaw Jose Wales. Instead of, "All I have is a piece of hard rock candy. But it's not for eatin'. It's just for lookin' through." I'd be saying, "All I have is a K22. But it's not for shootin'. It's just for lookin' at."

 

[jad0110]

$430 for my K-22 / Model 17-0 made in '59. Easily worth every penny, and then some.

 

[XavierBreath]

Model 17s



Top revolver, a Model 17-4 was $400.
Lower revolver, a Model 17-3 was $199

$400 is a very good price nowadays on a K-22 or a Model 17 that is in good shape. The first one for me was the Model 17-3 for $199. I searched for nigh two years before it popped up. I could have been shooting and enjoying a K-22 during that time........After owning and shooting it, I was more than ready to pay $400 for a fine S&W revolver that I could shoot cheaply.

Just because a K-22 can shoot cheap ammunition doesn't mean it's made cheap or that it should be priced cheap. These are very popular revolvers for a reason. You can shoot them a lot for $10, they are accurate and reliable, and they are very well made. Expecting them to be inexpensive because they are "just a 22" is an example of not really understanding the market.

Would I pay over $400? I don't have to now...........

Buy yourself one. You will not regret it. The prices are only increasing.

 

[NGIB]

If you're looking for a quality .22 for a shooter, another option is a Dan Wesson. I picked up a pair of them with extra barrels and they are as accurate and great to shoot as anything I've ever held. My Dad had a Model 18 for years and it is the .22 I lust after but my DWs shoot just as well - and look good also.

CZ-USA will make new barrels for the older DWs and parts aren't a problem. I have a 2 1/2 inch barrel kit coming in this week so I'll have the full set...

 

[mike45]

I found this K-22 (1947) in a local gun store wearing wood Fitz stocks. I'd been looking to replace the one I foolishly sold 15 years ago so the $375 I paid wasn't too bad.

I almost didn't see it. I seldom go in this store as their prices are a bit high. I walked past cases stocked with new plastic and titanium and was going to leave. A clerk asked what I was looking for and I said "old revolvers". He pulled this out of the corner of a display case.

 

[22-rimfire]

That is a great revolver find. I wish I had one that shows a little wear so I won't feel bad putting it in a holster, walking in the rain, or shooting it a bunch. Those stocks look great if you have fairly large hands.

I wish more people would place a bit more value on a good 22 revolver. You hear the "it's just 22" thing a lot, which doesn't mean a thing as far as manufacturing a good quality 22 revolver. In some ways "it's just a 22" is good as that means there are more of the good ones for me.

A year from now, the upper end will be $700 as new prices climb and more people appreciate the pre-lock quality. Get the good ones when you can afford one and it will last a lifetime or three.

 

[Just Jim]

Saw a couple at the show this weekend for big bucks.

jj

 

[XavierBreath]

I have a feeling that with the rise of .38 special ammunition prices, we are only going to see the prices of K-22s and Model 17s and 18s going skyward.

Mike, you got a great deal! I looked for a couple of years before I found my $199 Model 17-3. I was fortunate in that it came with finish wear and a nice flapped holster. I shoot the snot out of it and don't worry about holstering it. There is a beauty to a 80-90% gun that often goes unappreciated. I still kick myself for not buying a $350 Model 18 back then. I coulda been shootin' for two years instead of lookin'!

 

[welldoya]

Wow ! Some of you got some great deals on your Smiths.
I bought my Model 17 in 1975 new for $145. It would be the last gun that I would ever sell.
I haven't seen one for sale in years.
I did foolishly pass on one about 12 years ago from a guy at work. It had some pitting on the barrel and the guy was asking $165. I had just bought a Colt Trooper .22 for $160 and was short on cash.

 

[jamz]

You guys have some nice example there!

 

[1BLINDREF]

wuchak
1BlindRef, That is amazing deal you got on that K22. I don't have any safe queens and don't normally like the idea but that K22 is just about too pretty to shoot. I have one that already has some good honest wear so it's a shooter. If I had yours I might have to paraphrase Lone Watie from the Outlaw Jose Wales. Instead of, "All I have is a piece of hard rock candy. But it's not for eatin'. It's just for lookin' through." I'd be saying, "All I have is a K22. But it's not for shootin'. It's just for lookin' at."

Thanks - I know it was an amazing deal. I couldn't fill out the paperwork fast enough. I thought it was too good to be true - I was thinking "surely something had to be wrong with it", but it wasn't.

The first thing I did was take the grips off (the serial # matches the gun!) and put a set of Pachymayrs on it (they look like crap!!). I didn't want any character marks in the grips. If the gun had been un-fired, I might have kept it that way. This gun wasn't shot much, but it was shot.
I was happy to see that because the way I look at it, what good is having it, if you aren't gonna enjoy it.
Now don't get me wrong, this gun will NEVER see a holster or be out in the woods in the rain, but it will be shot for as long as I'm around
I do baby all of my guns, even my "working" guns. I clean them after every range session, if I put 10 or 200 rounds through them.
So far I've put about 400 rounds through her and have enjoyed each and every one

 

[Kor]

Well...I just bought a 6" full-lugged Model 17 today, with slight freckling on the LH side of the frame @ the bottom & lower rear of the cylinder window, but no other discernible finish wear, for $300+tax.

Still had the factory wood target grips, too.

 

[PzGren]

I paid the high price of $250 with tax for mine around 1994 but that was the gun I really wanted and I have never regretted it.

But I do regret that I had passed on a 99% M18 a year later for $250!

 

[Moonclip]

2001 ANIB $369, I though I was being hosed a little at the time! 2005, mod 18, anib, $250! If you have the means, I highly reccomend a K-22.

 

[22-rimfire]

2007 Model 18 as-new in rug; $325.

Gosh, I can't believe I typed that. I never post prices unless they are old. Maybe this one is "old".