New S and W .22 revolvers-what to buy

[Drm50]

I’m strictly old S&W but I got to admit Diamondback 22 4” feels just about perfect. Between a M18 & M34. I could shoot one better than a 34 but not a 17 when compared with 6” DB.

 

[Grayfox]

I prefer the older guns too. I have a Model 34, two Model 17s and two Model 18s. I like the Model 18 best.

 

[Baxter6551]

Have to agree on the model 17 and 18. Both came from estates. Both with boxes. The 18 has TT/TH correct per the box. The model 63 dosent get shot much since these came along.

 

[wproct]

The only ones I have owned are a 17-6 full target 6 inch, a 617 no dash full target 8 inch, and a 617 full target 6 inch, and a 617-1 4 inch. Some shooters don't care for a full under lug barrel but I really like them, thus my affinity for the 617. I initially preferred the 6 inch barrel length, but as I've gotten older I kinda like the 4 inch barrel which is what I own today. I kind of struck a chord with AveragEd when he stated that he doesn't always shoot that much anymore but still liked to get them out of the gun cabinet and fondle them. I've kind of developed that habit myself. I have absolutely no excuse for not shooting as I live out in the country and I can simply step out my back door and shoot if I want, I just get lazy. I'll turn 80 next year and I need to start letting some of my guns go, but I sure hate to.

P.S. All of my revolvers were 6 shot versions. No reason to not own a 10 round model but I'm just kind of old school and want my revolvers to hold 6.

 

[SGT ROCK 11B]

A new Model 17 Masterpiece is $1169 and would be my choice.

 

[THE PILGRIM]

I prefer the Older ones, have several.
But if I’m buying new, 617 all day!

 

[DS-10-SPEED]

4" 617 is my favorite

I have several .22 revolvers and the 4" 617 is my favorite. I shoot speed sports like SCSA and my local bowling pin match so I have no use for a 6 shot. I had 3 new Colts but they all had issues and I returned them. I just picked up a new Henry 10 shot and even though it's an odd duck the out of box trigger is better than a new S&W, Ruger or Colt.

 

[sigp220.45]

I wouldn’t buy any S&W .22 revolver of any vintage unless I could shoot it first. S&W’s issues with tight chambers and hard extraction are well-known and the subject of many threads here.

Of the dozen or so S&W .22 revolvers I’ve owned, only my current 1948 vintage K-22 works as it should.

Try it before you buy it.

 

[rct269]

I have no idea what the current (new) guns cost, but I'm going to hazard a guess those are your best bet if price is a consideration.

Here's what the K-22's in my collection sold for in the recent past.

K-22 1st Model (1934)------$2500 (with King Cockeyed Hammer)
K-22 1st Model (1937)------$1750
K-22 2nd Model (1940)-----$9500 (given to famous person---normal price
would be $4000-$5000 (+/-))
K-22 3rd Model (1947)-----$1530
K-22 4th Model (1948)-----$1175
K-22 5th Model (1956)-----$950

Ralph Tremaine

Note these model numbers (from the 3rd on) are my lingo, not official. The 3rd Model, for example is a distinct change from pre-war configuration. The 4th Model is essentially identical with the 3rd---with different markings. The 5th is essentially the same as the 4th, but after the fact of what I'll call the weight matching exercise. All these are high condition guns.

And the comments here about the Model 41's being well worth owning are gospel truth------tack drivers, every one! The not so good news is they can be pretty pricey too! My regular everyday 41 fetched $1530, the heavy barrel with the extendable front sight brought $1385, and the 41-1 went for $3835.

 

[.38SuperMan]

I’m strictly old S&W but I got to admit Diamondback 22 4” feels just about perfect. Between a M18 & M34. I could shoot one better than a 34 but not a 17 when compared with 6” DB.

I forgot to mention the Diamondback. They’re getting harder to find especially affordable ones. My local dealer had an early one new in the box he just sold for $2,500. I bought a 98% a year or so ago for $1,200 without the box but has been fired and felt lucky at that price.

I think the new King Cobra is pretty close to the old Diamondback and they’re considerably lower in price. The size and weight are pretty much the same and if you’re a 10 shooter guy the KC gives you 10 shots.

 

[ruger 22]

I like them all. Can't go wrong with any of them. I prefer old but that is because I am old. Were I to buy new I would pick the Model 17 classic masterpiece.

 

[bobsguns]

New S and W 63,617,—-and used K-22. Lots of $$ for any of them.
What to do?

Start hitting gun shows. Take cash.

Sooner or later, you'll run into a good deal with a guy who is going through a divorce & needs cash ASAP.

Personally, I couldn't make up my mind & have many .22 Smiths.

Each model brings something unique to the table, IMO. Model 63 is small & light, easy to teach new shooters with & is a good fit for smaller hands.

Model 17 is a does-it-all sort of gun, IMO. Barrel lengths of 4", 6" or 8-3/8" (I have a 17-4 8-3/8") as well as a lugged barrel.

Model 18 is a 4" bbl only.

Model 617 is stainless with a lugged barrel. 6 or 10 shot.

I've left out a few, mostly the models 34, 317 & 43. I don't own any of them, so I can't comment too much on them.

The older Model 41s are also well worth owning. Love mine.

My .o2

 

[pasound]

S&W 22's that I have are currently a small part of my .22 inventory. A 617-6 10-round I bought 5 years ago, and a 1947 K-22 I bought 4 years ago. The K-22 "slightly" outshoots the 617. Both are proverbial "tack drivers". Search the forums and the gun shows. You can find good ones for not a huge investment.

 

[vintage40s]

I like the 2004 10-round .22 I got from my brother for $750. He got it new and hardly ever shot it. I also like the .38 67 I got on Gunbroker, so much easier on the hand than the .38 Airweight I had to sell out of pain.

 

[Goldstar225]

If it was my choice I'd get the K-22 but all are good guns.