Was there a 4 inch barrel 5 Screw K22?

[Onomea]

I'm pretty fond of my M18:



(I've always thought it as a "K-18," but I think that nomenclature may be unique to my befuddled mind...)

 

[FishKepr]

I noticed that some appear to have pinned front sights and others do not. What’s the deal with that?

 

[Muley Gil]

I noticed that some appear to have pinned front sights and others do not. What’s the deal with that?

Production methods change over the years. It may be that a 4" barrel was needed and only 6" were available. Cut one down & pin the front sight.

Different ways on different days.

 

[FishKepr]

The early post war K22 CM's were that satin finish

Thank you. Is $625 in range then? Not including transfer, shipping, etc.
Cheap aftermarket grips, no box.

 

[Onomea]

IMHO, I think $625 is a pretty good price for an M18, assuming finish is reasonable shooter grade. If finish is 95%+, it's a steal. Grips, original or aftermarket, to your liking are always available.

 

[glowe]

While records state that the 22 Combat Masterpiece was formally introduced in 1949, I have no shipping records for this model until 1951. A member here has an experimental serial numbered 4" 22 Combat masterpiece built in November 1946.

The Centennial Catalog of 1952 was the first I have found that describe the 22 CM, but only mention it as a target gun for law enforcement, not the general public. There was a brief mention of the 22 CM in circulars of that era as well. For some reason they did not publish the introduction of this 22 model to the masses. Apparently, the company was still concentrating on the law enforcement market. Pages from the 1952 catalog for the Combat Masterpiece in 38 caliber listing and the 22 CM paragraph.

Price and value is all about condition. I would say a 22 CM for $625 is a good price if the condition is around 80%.

 

[Retired W4]

Thank you. Is $625 in range then? Not including transfer, shipping, etc.
Cheap aftermarket grips, no box.

Condition is every thing. The after market grips would blow it for me, as it would have come from S&W with magnas with the serial number stamped on the inside of the right grip panel. Still, a 5 screw 22 Combat Masterpiece is a very desirable in my book. Here is one that came in a Masterpiece box.

 

[LPD256]

Same 1952 gun. 3 different stock variations. Shipped in December 1952.

 

[glowe]

The confusion about "K"22 and "K"38 Combat Masterpiece revolvers might be partially explained by the boxes used to ship them out. The gold boxes for the 22 and 38 Combat Masterpiece revolvers used the 6" box with a glued on label on the end of the box. The label did not contain the K, but of course the lid did.

 

[FishKepr]

Well crap. On close inspection after I got it home I noticed that the finish on the barrel is slightly more glossy than the frame. I also found a history note in the case that it was sent back to Smith and Wesson where a new barrel was installed.
That and the target hammer leads me to believe that it originally left the factory as a Target Masterpiece.
Oh well, it should serve well as a shooter.

 

[Engine49guy]

I did a one by one comparison of 4" Combat Masterpieces several years ago, Sort of an everything you wanted to know about the CM but we're afraid to ask.
Here is a link, scroll down to post 25 to start the tour.

Thread 'Some Combat Masterpiece eye candy'

Mar 18, 2014

Or perhaps a Christmas tree for 4" S&W Combat Masterpiece fanatics ?



Enjoy !

• Engine49guy
• Replies: 149
• Forum: S&W Revolvers: 1961 to 1980

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[austintexas]

In 1986 Smith & Wesson introduced a 17-4, a 4" heavy barrel w/serrated ramp on ramp base in place of the M-18. @ The Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson. Luckily I have one.
SWCA 892

 

[Engine49guy]

In 1986 Smith & Wesson introduced a 17-4, a 4" heavy barrel w/serrated ramp on ramp base in place of the M-18. @ The Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson. Luckily I have one.
SWCA 892

Iirc the 17-4 and 18-4 were the end of the older style K22 barrel styles.
The Model 18 was discontinued so there was no 18-5 and instead the 17-5 was introduced with a new wide rib thicker heavy profile barrel avaiable in 4", 6" and 8 3/8".
That style continued until the middle of the 17-6 run when it changed to a full underlug barrel.