K22 w/extra cylinder serialed to the gun

[noyo55]

I stopped at a gun shop when traveling yesterday and in the case was/is a K22 with a spare cylinder in 22 magnum that is serial numbered to the gun. they said it was about 1950 production. I didn't have my "bible" along to check the serial number but I will call back and get it to check.Would this be a special order/or??It's in great condition. about 95% blue,matching stocks BUT slight bulge in barrel about 1 1/2" from the muzzle . Supposedly shoots fine but I will check it out. I would like a shooter for my wife so I can recover my Model 17. My thought is to offer $600-$700 for it. Opinions?? Would this have been a special order?

[Mike McLellan]

I may be wrong, but I think the .22 magnum cartridge was introduced in 1959. S&W produced the model 48 to chamber that round. They offered, as an option, a seperate cylinder for .22 long rifle. I wonder if you're looking at one of those model 48s. Regardless, bulged barrels should be avoided if possible. There are a lot of model 48s out there.

[mkk41]

From everything I've read , most .22 mag guns use a barrel with a .223-.224 groove diameter. Most .22 S-L-LR barrels use a .222 groove diameter. Convertible guns generally go with the larger groove dia. as the tighter bore will cause higher pressure (not good with a thin rimfire case) and greater fouling. This is why some convertible revolvers shoot mags better than LR.

I've also heard this is the reason for poor accuracy/reliability with .22 LR rimfire conversion kits for .22 centerfire rifles.

[Cardboard_killer]

I would classify a bulged barrel gun just above junk for collectability, and not much above that for shooting. My offer would be in the $150-250 range, and my thoughts would be to rebarrel it (or cut the barrel down below the bulge) to plink with.

Funny thing is that just today I bought a 1938 K22 that had been reblued over some minor pitting awhile ago (est. 1990s), for $310, and I probably overpaid. although I shot it well at the range. Now it is in pieces all over my work bench

[noyo55]

Thanks for the input---I will spend some more time, when I get some, to check it out further--I did consider that the barrel could back plus I will check the serial number as to age also reconsider price range

[Hondo44]

At the right price, a great opportunity to make a 4" Combat Masterpiece by having barrel cut and #s will still match. Women usually like the shorter barrels. The extra # matching mag cylinder is not seen that often and with 4" barrel makes a great field gun.

[Retired W4]

This may be apples to oranges, and I know nothing about the bore dimensions, but my Ruger Single Six (SC6) convertible shoots right up there with my pre-17's with .22 LR (almost). Sacrilegious maybe, but back to the point... a convertible 17 would be a great find. As for the bulged barrel, only shooting it will tell if accuracy has been compromised. I like the idea of cutting it down to Combat Masterpiece length. Point out the bulge and low ball them.

[Hammerdown]

Originally Posted by noyo55

I stopped at a gun shop when traveling yesterday and in the case was/is a K22 with a spare cylinder in 22 magnum that is serial numbered to the gun. they said it was about 1950 production. I didn't have my "bible" along to check the serial number but I will call back and get it to check.Would this be a special order/or??It's in great condition. about 95% blue,matching stocks BUT slight bulge in barrel about 1 1/2" from the muzzle . Supposedly shoots fine but I will check it out. I would like a shooter for my wife so I can recover my Model 17. My thought is to offer $600-$700 for it. Opinions?? Would this have been a special order?

Hello noyo55
The Model 48 was Introduced in 1959 with the new then .22 W.M.R. Cartridge. Here is my first Year model 48 chambered in .22 W.M.R. that left the factory in December 1959. It came with the Optional .22 L.R. cylinder fitted to it that has no serial number on it. I was told that S&W did not offer the Optional .22 L.R. cylinder's until 1961 or later and that would concure with mine as it has left Hand Extractor thread's. I have seen Model 48's with the Optional .22 L.R. cylinder like mine shown some have had the Gun's serial number stamped onto the face of them, then some have been like mine with No serial number. I think if the cylinder was ordered with the gun when it shipped out new from the factory it would have been serial numbered to the Gun and if a Gun was sent into S&W to have one Fitted for it in the S&W service department, then it would not have a serial number on it like mine. Regards, Hammerdown

[smitholdtimer]

Disclaimer because I have no documentation. I have been advised that the S&W Factory would not fit a .22MRF Cylinder to a .22LR designed revolver because of the pressures created by the difference in the inside diameter of the barrels. The example cited by "mkk41" or even the suggestion made by "Mike McLellan" seem to be a more likely possibility. The bulged barrel is an eye sore and a deal killer for many gun buyers but seldom affects accuracy to the extent the gun is worthless. I believe the liabilities of the over pressurization were responsible for the decision by the factory. Cutting the barrel behind the bulge will do nothing but maintain the same problem with a shorter barrel, on the other hand, replace the barrel with a M-48 barrel would create a very handy "Convertible".

[noyo55]

I stopped by and checked it out again--checked the serial number with the "Bible", manufactured in 1954, the 22mag cylinder is the one with the serial number the spare(22lr) has no number.I spoke with the smith who said he remembered that in the 50s there was a company that did this type of conversion. On my next stop I may offer $400 for it and if I get it have the smith cut the barrel to 4". This is California and handguns, because of the roster, bring a premium over other areas. I had to drive 200 miles, twice, to buy my 17-3 and it took me 2 years to find one,

[Tom K]

If you get it, shoot it before you have the barrel cut. A bulge does not necessarily mean a bad shooter, my wife's Model 17 has a ringed barrel and shoots great.

[Hammerdown]

Originally Posted by noyo55

I stopped by and checked it out again--checked the serial number with the "Bible", manufactured in 1954, the 22mag cylinder is the one with the serial number the spare(22lr) has no number.I spoke with the smith who said he remembered that in the 50s there was a company that did this type of conversion.,

Hello noyo55
That revolver with an earlier serial number like you found on it, had to start out life as a Pre-17 K-22 as they did not come out with the model 48's which were chambered in .22 W.M.R. until 1959 and they were a four screw variation like mine shown in an earlier post. Your gun smith may be right as I know that S&W did not offer a Conversion for the model 48's until after 1961 as my optional .22 LR cylinder has Left hand cylinder extractor thread's. Did rthe barrel have a caliber stamp of .22 W.M.R. On it ? If it did that tell's me that the Older vintage K-22 has had a later .22 W.M.R. Barrel Placed on it. In any event I would see if they allowed me to shoot it prior to Purchasing it. I would try both cylinder's with ammo for them both to make sure it shoot's well before investing any serious money in it. Keep us Posted on this revolver. Regards, Hammerdown

[glenncal1]

Originally Posted by Hammerdown

Hello noyo55
That revolver with an earlier serial number like you found on it, had to start out life as a Pre-17 K-22 as they did not come out with the model 48's which were chambered in .22 W.M.R. until 1959 and they were a four screw variation like mine shown in an earlier post. Your gun smith may be right as I know that S&W did not offer a Conversion for the model 48's until after 1961 as my optional .22 LR cylinder has Left hand cylinder extractor thread's. Did rthe barrel have a caliber stamp of .22 W.M.R. On it ? If it did that tell's me that the Older vintage K-22 has had a later .22 W.M.R. Barrel Placed on it. In any event I would see if they allowed me to shoot it prior to Purchasing it. I would try both cylinder's with ammo for them both to make sure it shoot's well before investing any serious money in it. Keep us Posted on this revolver. Regards, Hammerdown

+1 very good advice given by Hammerdown

[Cardboard_killer]

Originally Posted by Hammerdown

In any event I would see if they allowed me to shoot it prior to Purchasing it.

I would suggest seeing if they will demonstrate shooting it before purchase, as I would not trust the gun for 22wmr.

[THE PILGRIM]

Love everything about it except the bulged barrel. I would not buy it unless I got it real cheap. I would eagerly pay a substantial price for a 48 with a factory fitted 22LR cylinder. Not that eager for a 17? With a 22mag cylinder.

[66Park]

Originally Posted by Hammerdown

Hello noyo55
The Model 48 was Introduced in 1959 with the new then .22 W.M.R. Cartridge. Here is my first Year model 48 chambered in .22 W.M.R. that left the factory in December 1959. It came with the Optional .22 L.R. cylinder fitted to it that has no serial number on it. I was told that S&W did not offer the Optional .22 L.R. cylinder's until 1961 or later and that would concure with mine as it has left Hand Extractor thread's. I have seen Model 48's with the Optional .22 L.R. cylinder like mine shown some have had the Gun's serial number stamped onto the face of them, then some have been like mine with No serial number. I think if the cylinder was ordered with the gun when it shipped out new from the factory it would have been serial numbered to the Gun and if a Gun was sent into S&W to have one Fitted for it in the S&W service department, then it would not have a serial number on it like mine. Regards, Hammerdown

Hammerdown, you have just received my "drool worthy photos of the day" award!

[Hondo44]

Many model 17s and pre 17s were re-chambered for wildcats such as the .22 Kchuck and variations.

The pressures of the 22 WRM are simply not an issue in a KT frame, even with the 22 LR sized bore.