Interest peaked in old S&W's

[Edge]

Well, now that I picked up the 5" K-38 5 -screw, you guys have gotten me all interested in old S&W's. So on my lunch hour I went back to the same gun store and looked around to see what else they had.

I found a 3rd model 32-20 with 5" barrel. S/N 45xxx

Also a K-22 5 screw 5-3/4" barrel. S/N 150xxx

And another K-22 5 screw 6" barrel. S/N K20xxx

They also had a Pre-29 5 screw in excellent condition on consignment, but the price tag was $2800! The salesman even told me that was way over priced.

So are any of these worth adding to a collection?

Thanks for all your help!

[PMRet]

Well, you definately need a K-22 to match your K-38....

[Cooter Brown]

I'm a K22 bigot, so you know how I feel about it. I guess it depends on condition and whether or not you want shooters. The K22s have gotten pretty popular (and more expensive) in the last couple of years.

The K22 with the lower number is likely a 1948 gun, the other is likely 51-52.

5 3/4" is a non-standard barrel length. It should be measured from the front of the cylinder (actually the rear of the barrel inside the frame, but the front of the cylinder is close enough) . If it truly measures 5 3/4" it is truly an oddball.

At any rate it seems you have a good problem.

[Vulcan Bob]

Heck, I think they all are. Sorta put's a burr under your saddle dosent it?

[pwhphd]

I take it your interest has been piqued (arroused or excited) in old S&Ws. You have just become guilty of what most of us experience. I first thought your thread was declaring that old S&Ws have peaked (their highest or most important level). All you have to do to detect the difference is to watch the price levels of old S&Ws. Early model .22lr revolvers is a good case in point. The Combat Masterpiece in .22lr commands a higher price used, than the same handgun new in the S&W Classic Series (Model 18). It is unlikely that the values of these old firearms will "peak" in the forseable future for guns maintained in pristine condition.

[fyimo]

I would purchase one of the K22's if the price is anywhere near reasonable and the condition of them is good. I say that because the K22 was built to the same dimenisons and weight as the K38 by S&W so that they would have the same exact feel and balance to the shooters. The K38 was used in competition shooting back then and this allowed those shooters to get a K22 and be able to practice with cheaper ammo and still be using a revolver with the same balance and feel.

Plus K22's and all 22 S&W revolvers are hot sells for the past 18 months and prices are steadily moving up on them.

[PMRet]

So, what is the condition of the guns? Are the prices reasonable? Any of them come with goodies like the box, papers, tools, etc.?

[DCWilson]

A target-rich environment! We should all be so lucky.

I concur with those who urge you to look at the K-22s. I think I might be drawn to the older one, but that's just me. At that serial number, it might have either a four line address or a single line address like the one in my avatar up there. Single line is preferable, in the eyes of many. That's an early 1948 K-22, by the way. Can't remember the SN off the top, but it's under 15000.

If I had taken care of my other wants first, I'd also be looking at that .32-20. It ought to be from the 'teens with that serial number; any K-frame in any .32 caliber has some serious appeal, and the .32-20 is a noisy, zippy, fun-to-shoot round. Ammo is available, or you can reload. Do NOT use the rifle loadings in a revolver.

[Gunhacker]

You're doomed... start saving up money now for another gun safe, if you have one already, or buy one if not. Once the bug has bitten you there's no turning back

Now... I say that somewhat tongue in cheek because I'm a firm believer that we all should do what's necessary to prevent our guns from ending up on the street as a result of a home burglary. Far too many firearms have gone that route lending fuel to the anti-gun crowd to justify enacting restrictive firearm, and now ammo laws, all in the name of "public safety".

But about being doomed after being bitten by the bug... I'm dead serious, it's like eating kettle corn or salted chips, once you take the first bite it's damned hard to stop.

My first "vintage" S&W revolver was a post war 5 screw K-38 with a 6" bbl, and I knew I was in trouble the minute I worked that action. It was soon followed by a matching 5 screw K-22. Then I had to have their brothers, the 4" Combat Masterpieces and 2 more 5 screw guns appeared.

Then I "had" to have a M53 Jet and obsessed over getting one of those for about a year.

I'm glad a K-32 never crossed my path or my savings account would have really taken it in the shorts.

Next the N-Frames started to appear... a 5 and 4 screw Highway Patrolmans (pre-28), a 1950 Target (pre-24), .357 Magnum (pre-27).

Anyway... I'm with the others, a 5 screw K-22 should be next, but also take advantage of a weaken economy and also buy what happens to come your way now, even if you only have a remote interest in it at the moment.

If and when the economy picks up again, I think prices will climb up to much higher levels and make it more difficult to accumulate/collect something that captures your interest later when previously you wouldn't give it a second thought. Can't tell you how many times I've found myself in that situation.

So welcome to the world of older S&W addiction, you have fallen in with plenty of good company... enjoy the ride.

[Edge]

Sorry for my bad grammar. I did mean that my interest has "piqued". (A little too excited I guess) I've always had an underlying interest in S&W firearms. My father has been shooting them for years. His favorite is the Model 29.

My recent purchase of the 5" K-38 did me in. And now I'm starting to take my S&W revolvers out more and looking to add to my collection.

All the revolvers in question are in pretty good condition and seem to be decently priced. All within the $500 range.

Good suggestions on getting one of the K-22's first. I didn't realize that they were made to mimic the K-38's. Makes sense though.

I do have a safe, but can see that I'm probably going to need another one or a bigger one. I also have a big interest in long range shooting, so my safe is full of rifles too.

Thanks for the encouragement and fire to fuel the addiction!

[kennyb]

congrats...sounds like you fell into a treasure trove of goodies...as others mentioned...it's a madness!