Good price for Shooter grade K-22 or 22/32 I frame

[karotipir12]

Hi everyone,

I'm looking for a shooter grade K-22 or 22/32 I frame (preferably pre-model).

What's a good price I should budget for? It won't be a safe queen but something I take to the range, and if it's accurate enough, I might try it for bullseye competitions. (K 22 is good for this?)

And if it's light enough I might take it as a plinking gun for the woods on occasional camping trips (I frame is good for this?)

The alternatives I'm thinking of are the Colt Police Positive 22 target with 6" barrel, or and H&R 999. Unfortunately the Colt officer's models are too much. Does anyone know how they handle compared to the I frame or the K 22?



I'm considering if it's possible to get a pre-model for cheaper than a new production numbered model with MIM parts and the lock because I hear they're more accurate and better build quality, and hold value better in the long run

Also, are 5- screw guns more desirable than 4- screw, or is there no difference?

Thank you for your advices

 

[MajorD]

Model number guns go all the way back to 1957 or so, so plenty of model number marked guns of old school quality. I shot bullseye for many years with a model 17 ( K22 if you will) and did just fine. The I frame is a little light for bullseye, and the K is a touch heavy after carrying for some time. The answer as we all say is to get both!
The K's are much more common and easy to find. And usually less expensive

Finding a good model 17 or K22 ( pre model number) in shooter grade is probably a $600 gun these days

 

[Hondo44]

Welcome to the forum.

All of your questions are pretty much subjective. Any of the choices would be good for someone, so it all comes down to what you prefer. Otherwise they're just other's opinions. Shop around, try each one if you have the opportunity and enjoy the 'hunt'.

 

[murphydog]

Agree with Jim, knowing/understanding what your intentions are would help guide a decision.

A K-22 Masterpiece (6" K frame) is somewhat heavy to carry and a .22/32 Target would be challenging to shoot as a bullseye gun. If you intend it as a range gun for competition the K frame wins. If you're looking for a good compromise (easier to carry but not as dedicated a range gun) perhaps a K frame .22 Combat Masterpiece with a 4" barrel?

You should be able to find a really nice example of any of the above in the $600-750 range. Earlier (5-screw frames) will be more expensive but later guns will be equal shooters. Good luck in your decision.

 

[steelslaver]

I do not believe you will find many S&W 22 revolvers in decent condition for under $700 now days unless you get real lucky.

 

[Truckman]

I do not believe you will find many S&W 22 revolvers in decent condition for under $700 now days unless you get real lucky.

They're still out there, but the herd is rapidly thinning......Ben

 

[Casual Smith Nut]

They're still out there, but the herd is rapidly thinning......Ben

Agreed. Not easy to find even shooter grade K22s under 600, even tougher for 4" K22.

I got lucky recently with a prewar kit gun but more or less stumbled on the deal. Normally those are running well above 1k and on into 2k range based on my research.

 

[JSR III]

The I frame .22/32 HFT's are around and can be had for $500- $750 unless in mint condition with original box and being well marketed. Then you can see prices in the $2,000 range.

The K 22's are probably a little more expensive and as others have stated, will probably run you $700 to $1,000.

As in real estate it is location, location, location, with firearms it is condition, condition, condition. If you are not looking for a pristine safe queen then prices tend to be on the lower side of the range.

I disagree that the I frame cannot be used for competitive shooting as many were used when first issued by some of the top shooters in the country. These guns came out in 1911 and were the target revolver of choice until the K frames came out in the mid 30's.

After being in and around this "hobby" for the last 60 years my impression is that most guns shoot way better than the shooter.

My opinion and worth exactly what you paid for it......

 

[chiefdave]

Agreed. Not easy to find even shooter grade K22s under 600, even tougher for 4" K22.

This poorly refinish K22 was a walk in at a gun show with an initial asking price of $675. I explained to the seller that because of condition that all collectability was gone but I would be interested in it as a shooter at $450. About an hour later he stopped by the table where I was selling raffle tickets and asked if my offer was still good. Ended up with the best shooting .22 revolver I've ever owned and I don't have to worry about scratching it. The non numbers matching Magna's were a bonus.

 

[jtcarm]

They're still out there, but the herd is rapidly thinning......Ben

Thin? They're on the endangered list!

 

[steelslaver]

This poorly refinish K22 was a walk in at a gun show with an initial asking price of $675. I explained to the seller that because of condition that all collectability was gone but I would be interested in it as a shooter at $450. About an hour later he stopped by the table where I was selling raffle tickets and asked if my offer was still good. Ended up with the best shooting .22 revolver I've ever owned and I don't have to worry about scratching it. The non numbers matching Magna's were a bonus.

When was that. I have 5 K22s and an I frame 22. I didn't pay over $500 for any of them, but then haven't bought one for 4 or 5 years and the last few came to me with "issues"

 

[chiefdave]

When was that. I have 5 K22s and an I frame 22. I didn't pay over $500 for any of them, but then haven't bought one for 4 or 5 years and the last few came to me with "issues"

I purchased the revolver last month.

 

[Green Frog]

I sold a HFT, vintage early '20s with replaced (OEM) barrel and worn finish issues for $450 last weekend. Buyer and seller happy.
For the OP, there is no one right answer. For me, a 1948 vintage K22 in about 85% cosmetic and 98% mechanical condition still resides in my gun box while the I frame is gone. YMMV.
Froggie

 

[JP@AK]

I disagree that the I frame cannot be used for competitive shooting as many were used when first issued by some of the top shooters in the country. These guns came out in 1911 and were the target revolver of choice until the K frames came out in the mid 30's.

James is correct, but one point of clarification should be made.

His reference is to the I frame .22-32 Target (until 1931, called the .22/32 Heavy Frame Target) with its 6" barrel. karotipir12, on the other hand, only stated "22-32 I frame." That could include the .22/32 Kit Gun with its 4" barrel (and, later, the 2" barrel). Given the context of his question, it seems to me that is what he meant (carry in the woods, etc.). The Kit Gun would definitely not be a particularly good bulls eye choice. In addition to its shorter barrel, many of us have difficulty managing good target shooting with the Kit Gun because of its small frame (unless target stocks are added). The latter is precisely why the HFT was usually (if not always) shipped with the larger two screw target stocks (see the photo below), either hard rubber (shown) or walnut.

 

[karotipir12]

Okay I looked through gunbroker completed auctions (not against rules to post links because they're done, right?)

These are just pre-model 5-screw K-22s.
I am just looking at ones without boxes

Some are going for $550-$650
Just a moment...
Just a moment...
Just a moment...
Just a moment...

Even this pre-war outdoorsman went for $600
Just a moment...

Others going for $700-$800
https://www.gunbroker.com/item/1017887713
https://www.gunbroker.com/item/1022262458
https://www.gunbroker.com/item/1020722453
https://www.gunbroker.com/item/1008494770

These ones went for +$900-$1100 !?!
https://www.gunbroker.com/item/1014661995
https://www.gunbroker.com/item/1011989690

Meanwhile it looks like numbered Model 17's going for $500-$600, even with boxes!
https://www.gunbroker.com/item/1016178952
https://www.gunbroker.com/item/1012213504
https://www.gunbroker.com/item/1018623015

Is there any rhyme or reason to these? Am i missing something like there are rare grip variations? To me all of these look the same around 95%+ guns. Since I plan on shooting it I don't need 99%+ guns, otherwise I would feel bad about putting it in a holster, shooting it, etc.

So should I budget around $600 if I can find one like that?
Or should I just get a numbered Model 17 for $500 and save another $500 for an I-frame?

(I haven't seen many 6-inch I-frame listings online to make a good comparison)

I normally like older guns because they hold value better if I don't like them I can sell them and not lose much value (like the numbered Model 17s here)

 

[22shtur]

karotipir12 is spot on. Look at gb advanced, then completed sales and you get the honest answers.
All the collectors on this forum that have a few in their possession are always going to state the guns have higher values than GB completed sales.