I was browsing for S&W revolvers online. I found a s&w k22 with a 6" barrel in 22lr. The price was $1,200? But the condition wasn't perfect. Is this the new going rate for the s&w k22's?

I have a 1948, box, tools, k22 w/6" barrel in excellent condition plus. I would never part with it, but seeing this price would double my investment. I've only had it I think five years now.

I never looked at guns as an investment. I shoot them and handle them carefully anyway.

Was it a K22 Outdoorsman or K22 Masterpiece?

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Miss My Buddy crsides!!

It's a target masterpiece.

There's a outdoorsman for $1,800. What's the difference?

Put it on your watch list and see how many times it gets relisted. Some sellers are a little, uh, shall we say - optimistic. And some of 'em are just plain delusional. Then there's the ones who are trolling for suckers.

Mark

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S&W Forum Member #721

I believe that often it is a case of an owner checking and seeing a gun that is similar to theirs sell for a high price. Not realizing that some guns have certain features that set them apart. There is a world of difference between an pristine early Outdoorsman and a 1957 K22 in 95% condition. But, to the uninformed they may appear to be the same.

K-22 Pre-War Outdoorsman (produced 1931 through early 1940). This is the first K-Frame 22 LR. A bunch of them produced. Early ones had a gold bead front sight and a one-screw rear sight, with later ones having a stainless bead front sight and a two-screw rear sight. In outstanding condition these can get very pricey ($2K+):




Pre-War K-22 Masterpiece, a.k.a "22-40", less than 1,100 of them made (produced 1940 and a few in 1941). First S&W with the short throw hammer (distinct in that this hammer had a notch cut in the top of the curve) and the micrometer rear sight (that became standard on all post war target sighted S&Ws). In outstanding condition these can get downright expensive ($5K+):




Post-War K-22 Masterpiece (produced starting in 1946 and eventually became the Model 17). It has a ribbed barrel, usually low luster finish and usually shipped with magna stocks. There are certain nuances that make these more collectible (e.g. low serial number, large extractor rod knobs "LERK", pristine finish, box, tools and all goodies). In excellent condition these can go for $1K+, and significantly higher, depending on the SN and the package configuration:




As with all things collectible, value and what someone is willing to pay is significantly impacted by condition. Even minor blemishes in condition can have a large negative impact on value...

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Richard
Engraved S&W fan

If this is GB and you're registered there, you can also look up completed auctions, which will tell you if something's been relisted, for how long, and if they've changed the price.

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TEAM DNF

Once a gun has been relisted a few times a "message" to the seller offering a lesser amount can sometimes be very productive.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244