I've been looking for a minty K22 and have seen both on gun broker although the M17 is far in the majority. What's the difference in these two guns?

The K-22 Masterpiece became the Model 17 Masterpiece when Smith began using the model number system in the late
1950's. The Model 18 that you mention in your post title is the Model 18 Combat Masterpiece - essentially a .22 version of the Model 15. Hope that helps.

To add to what Desert Rat said, the M17 will typically have a six inch barrel with Patridge front sight, and the M18 will typically have a four inch barrel with Baughmann Quick Draw front sight. Both are mighty fine handguns.

Ordy-for the most part the Model 17's have 6" or 8 3/8" barrels and the Model 18 has a 4". Later in the production run (I believe starting in the -5 version) the Model 18 was discontinued, so there were model marked 17's with 4" barrels. Generally the 6" and 8 3/8" guns have patridge front sights and the 18's have ramps. The new Model 18's have patridge sights and except for the lock abomination are good looking guns IMHO.

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Jim
Many K and N Frames

The M17 also can be found with an 8 3/8" barrel. It can also be found in a Single Action only configuration.

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Dick

17 has 6" barrel or longer, 18 has 4' barrel only. That is the only difference.

I took a young lady I work with to the range for the first time and we shot a M19-4 w/6" barrel. It was loaded w/.38 cal ammo and then we moved to a commander sized semi in 9mm. When she stepped to the line, I could see she was a bit intimidated by the size and recoil but they were the smallest pistols I had to offer. I've had a few other ladies ask about a range trip and I'm more than happy to oblige but I don't want a repeat of the the first young lady's experience. I was thinking the M18 might fit the bill better due to the shorter barrel and smaller grips (I have target grips on the 19). I want their introduction to the shooting sports to be positive.

The Mod 18 works fine for ladies, as well as the Mod 64 or 63 which are J Frame .22's which are even smaller. The Mod 18 is heavier and more easily controlled, and in my opinion one of the best training handguns available.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

K22 "Target" Masterpieces,
Mod 17-6 full underlug, Model 17 thru 17-5 "Heavy" Masterpiece (below) ,


K22 "Combat" Masterpieces,
Model 18 (L) 17-5 HB (Center) and 17-6 (R)


There was a typo in the post above mine, as the Model 64 is a K frame 38.

The J frame 22's are the Models 34, 35, 43 (Airweight) and 63 (Stainless),

The difference: 2 or 4 inches, thats it

Like every one said it's 6 inch - 8 3/8 verses 4 inch barrel between the guns.
Model 17-3

Model 18-3

Model 17-4 with 8 3/8 Barrel

someone pass me a napkin...or a bib!!!

This is not correct. I was thinking of the K-38. I'm not aware of a Single Action K-22. Sorry.

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Dick

K-22s come in small, medium and large.

This pic shows a Model 17 8", a Model 17 6", and a Model 18 4".

John

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- Cogito, ergo armatus sum -

Paladin...grips by Herrit?