I've been thinking about buying a 5 1/2 inch barrel to go along with my 7" on the 2008 model 41 I have. I've also been thinking about buying a 5 1/2, and trading my 617 in on it. Well, I just connected with a guy yesterday that happened to have a 5 1/2" model 41, circa 1982, that he wanted to swap for a 617! Needless to say I was all over it like flies on sh**! My 617 only had max 20 rounds through it, but the 41 is easily 98%, albeit no box. Here's a couple pics along with it's younger sibling.


Even though I made out better financially IMO, he was as happy as I am. He wanted something to hunt with that he wasn't afraid to scratch, and I'm just too much of a walnut and blued steel guy to really appreciate the 617. It did it's job though, and that was to peak my interest in the K-22 in general. I now own several of them, going back to 1938, and they are all blued.
I hope this 41 shoots as well as my other one, and I'm sure it will. Besides barrel length the only obvious difference I've noticed so far is the bluing is quite glossy on the 1982 model on the sides and bottom surfaces, where the 2008 is all matte. To me they are equally attractive. Now I don't have to mess around changing barrels, and I can switch from one to the other immediately at the range. Life is good!

Don't you love it when a plan comes together? Those are gorgeous guns...I must have one someday