Grandpa's K22

[Doriangray6]

My grandfather bought this K22 right after WWII, used it for several decades then passed it on to my father who also used it for several decades before giving it, along my grandfather's 30-30 Winchester lever action, to me.
Somewhere in it's long life it acquired the trigger shoe and a set of early Pachmayr target grips. My father didn't know when and I never had a chance to ask my grandfather about them but they made an already "very" accurate revolver into an "incredibly" accurate revolver.
Since my daughter isn't a firearms persons several years ago I gave both the K22 and the Winchester to my younger brother so that he can pass them on to one of his kids, all of who shoot.
PS: I don't know why the images came out upside down and have no idea of how to correct this.

 

[rct269]

Having conducted an exhaustive study of the matter, I can tell you the images are upside down to serve as mute testimony to the fact these revolvers function just as well upside down as they do right side up------or sideways!

Ralph Tremaine

 

[quinn]

Really nice heirloom... those grips are simply stunning!

 

[JP@AK]

My grandfather bought this K22 right after WWII

It looks like a very nice K-22 Masterpiece, but it cannot be as old as you suggest. It clearly has only three frame screws. That means it is no older than 1961. It also means it will be marked as a Model 17-something; at least 17-2. You will find MOD followed by the numbers in the yoke cut when you open the cylinder. The serial number should be there also.

If you supply the serial number and model number, we can nail down the age pretty closely.

 

[Truckman]

Having conducted an exhaustive study of the matter, I can tell you the images are upside down to serve as mute testimony to the fact these revolvers function just as well upside down as they do right side up------or sideways!

Ralph Tremaine

Ralph, please don't tell me you favor the sideways gangsta hold......Ben

 

[Bald1]

I like the trigger shoe. I’m probably in the minority. I had one on a model 10-5 I recently gave my son, and I have one on my 870 Wingmaster slug gun. Both Tyler’s

 

[hkcavalier]

I find it wryly ironic that Dorian Gray is having issues with pictures

And your gun is a good example of the difference between practical (ergonomic) and mechanical accuracy. Most fixed barrel pistols have great mechanical accuracy from the factory, so the simplest way to make them easier to shoot straight is to customize the shooter/gun interface.

 

[22hipower]

Here they are right side up and enlarged a bit. Great to have one that has been in the family for decades.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

https://flic.kr/p/2qMJYDXhttps://www.flickr.com/photos/194934231@N03/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/194934231@N03/

 

[SGT ROCK 11B]

I never had a chance to ask my grandfather about them but they made an already "very" accurate revolver into an "incredibly" accurate revolver.

Adding the trigger shoe and Pachmyr grips gave it better ergonomics and you shoot much better.

22s tend to be accurate enough but grandpa took it to a higher level. He was gun savvy.

 

[Doug M.]

Just remember that since this is likely a fun plinking platform, the trigger shoe is not likely to be a problem, but it has been known since the late 70s that trigger shoes on a serious gun are a no-go.

 

[Gdogman]

K22

Just remember that since this is likely a fun plinking platform, the trigger shoe is not likely to be a problem, but it has been known since the late 70s that trigger shoes on a serious gun are a no-go.

What do you mean by a no no.....meaning against the rules of competition shooting or???

 

[Doug M.]

Unsafe. They can bind, and also can grab on a holster upon insertion and cause an unintended discharge. I am not familiar with the rules of most forms of competition so have no idea about that.

 

[Engine49guy]

Very nice family heirloom.
I'm thinking it's an early 4 screw frame based on the high speed hammer and lack of channel cut in the ejector rod hinting it's right hand threaded.
In general you don't find alot of 4 screw K22's with the high speed hammer but we know that SW didn't waste good parts , my buddy also has an early 4 screw 6" K22 with the old HS hammer so I know they exist.
If you look closely at the cylinder face you may see the serial stamped there, if not if you remove the stocks it will be stamped on the heel,
My guess it's above K265,000 but under
K 300,000

 

[JP@AK]

Very nice family heirloom.
I'm thinking it's an early 4 screw frame based on the high speed hammer and lack of channel cut in the ejector rod hinting it's right hand threaded.

Maybe. But I blew up the photos and I cannot see a screw in the front of the trigger guard. I hope you are right, because I did puzzle over the shape of the hammer and the extractor rod that clearly has right hand threads.

Even if it is a four screw, it still wasn't purchased "right after WWII." The top side plate screw went away 10 years after WWII ended.

 

[A10]

Maybe. But I blew up the photos and I cannot see a screw in the front of the trigger guard. I hope you are right, because I did puzzle over the shape of the hammer and the extractor rod that clearly has right hand threads.

Even if it is a four screw, it still wasn't purchased "right after WWII." The top side plate screw went away 10 years after WWII ended.

The older I get the shorter 10 years becomes....

 

[Valmet]

Very nice. Hard to imagine anything more iconic than a S&W K22 and a Winchester 94…

 

[Hawg Rider]

Welcome to the Forum! You and your brother have inherited a couple of fine firearms. If you will post the s/n of your Model 17 we can date it and settle the issue of its age. Even if Grandad bought this revolver in the early 1960s, it would be 60+ years old so both he and your Dad could have each shot it for several decades. I'm fortunate to have two adult sons who both enjoy firearms, so whenever I depart this Earth they will get their pick of my modest collection and sell the remainder on behalf of my wife.

 

[Doriangray6]

Next time I go over to my brother's place, he's on the Western Slope of Colorado, I'll get the serial number and take some pics of grandpa's lever action too while I'm there.
If I remember correctly, don't bet money on that LOL, there is a screw in the front of the trigger guard.
The trigger shoe never hung up when I'd draw or re-holster the revolver and though the clearance inside the trigger guard is tight it doesn't touch or bind anywhere as the trigger moves.
Both my grandfather and father were S/E Ohio hillbillies, life long shooters, and meticulous about their firearms and this was their carry piece anytime they were out in the field, hunting, trapping, or just traipsing around so if the shoe had been a problem it would have been removed.
I once watched my father put a round between a coyote's eyes at about 20-25 feet on a full moon night in the desert outside of Cabazon CA with it. He just drew it, brought it up, and bang, dead coyote.
When one of my uncle's was a kid he'd drill holes in a board, stand wooden matches up in it and then stand back about 10 feet and try to light them. He said he burned up a lot of ammo, which he had to buy his self because Gramps sure wasn't going to, trying and missing but every once in a while would hit a match just right and light it.
The grips are extremely comfortable and they and the thumb rest create a perfectly balanced hold even when shooting one handed.
A kid I called my grandson and mentored for years before he enlisted in the Air Force wasn't a revolver fan but he loved to shoot it and since he has great eyes and no arthritis in his hands could get some amazing groups with it.
It's a real joy to shoot and got a lot of admiring looks and comments, along with quite a few offers to buy it, whenever I'd take it to the range.

 

[Bald1]

The trigger shoe is fine. Just make sure set screws are tight. It shouldn’t extend beyond trigger guard……. Remington 700s discharge by themselves. Ford Pintos blow up. K frame 357 forcing cones will crack and trigger shoes are DANGEROUS. blah blah blah. Shoots gramps gun and enjoy it just as he did.

 

[Jim Watson]

Did Pachmayr make checkered walnut grips?
All I have seen are rubber.