In my conversion to revolvers, I was complete except for the .22 LR - I should have started there! I sold my MKII last September - and bought a new X10 4" 617. I had put it off - it weighed and cost what a 'real' revolver did - and for a reason. Current production or not, it is a fine revolver.
I customized mine - softer springs - a little internal cleanup. Next, a raw cocobolo Retro Target grip from Ahrends - and my homebrew oil finish - worked great. Last spring - the DS-10 Speedloader and 6X10 loading block. Wednesday saw the arrival of the green HiViz sight (Especially short - for the 617 - #SW617!). Yesterday, a range trip proved it's worth.
To me it matters little whether you get an older partial lug blued example - or the current one like mine. My advice is simple - just get one! Oh, sure, in a perfect world, mine would be missing part of it's lug... it really looks odd to me and serves no purpose - to me! But don't wait - it is a lot more fun than you will ever believe.
I am serious. Sure, a few .45 Colts, .45 ACP/ARs, .44 Magnums, Specials, and Russians shot downrange can be fun... but look at the cost! I reload, and it gets to me. Sure, .22s are more than they were a year ago - still a bargain. They don't impress the rebounding steel plates much - unless you hit them awfully high - but stationary plates and paper targets don't care what your 'power factor' is. If dropping steel plates is important, get a .38.
Need one that matches your 'big guns'? Huh? Shoot a .22 revolver for
FUN. Pick out the best one you can afford - that you like the looks & feel of. Here is my recent acquisition, a 5" 63, compared with the 617 shown above:
I bought this 63 from a friend's estate - literally new in box. I did some clean-up and spring changes - and got some J-frame Hogue square conversion monogrips for a bit larger grip - perfect! The 8-shooter runs ~10% less than the 617 - not a huge savings. I sold some old friends, long and short, to convert to revolvers - these guys have about completed the metamorphosis. Whatever your feelings about current S&W revolvers, I love them.
Stainz