Looking for a shooter-grade .22 revolver, in DA, or SA if a break-top.
S&W quality has spoiled me for el cheapos.
Since this forum has a knowledge-base as big as the Library of Congress, I'd like to ask for help finding my "Grail" .22 revolver.
What I've come up with, is a revolver no bigger than a Modified
I-frame, with a 4" barrel. S&W made these in their Post-war and transitional 22/32, and their Model of 1953 22/32. (I think)
Prices are so high on the ones I've seen listed for auction, that I
can't even make a starting bid.
Rossi used to make a "Princess", I think it was, modeled after the
S&W model M, and NAA has some mini-master 4"'ers.
What should I look for? Is the 317 about the only thing out
there that will fill the bill?
Thanks for reading, and thanks in advance for any help. I might
add that some of the enablers here have turned me on to some
excellent shooters that fit me very well, and are a joy to shoot.
Just have to find a .22 now.
TACC1

If you want a small frame .22, the .22/32 Kit Gun of whatever vintage is pretty much your only S&W option. As you noted, they are pricey -- but a later Model 34 ought to be within reach if you keep your eyes open for a good deal. The prewar and transitional Kit Guns are wonderful revolvers, but so expensive they can seem like second-mortgage guns.

If you are willing to go a size larger, the 22 Combat Masterpiece is worth looking into. It's a K-22 Masterpiece with a four inch barrel. These aren't exactly cheap, but they are more affordable than the Kit Guns; the model-marked .22 CMs seem less expensive than the early five-screw models.

If the frame size preference is a matter of weight more than anything else, maybe the 317 is the way to go for a mix of shootability and relative economy.

Not that my shooting experience will mean anything to anybody else, but my .22 Combat Masterpiece is easier to shoot accurately than any I-frame .22 I have ever shot. I love the smaller guns, but I can't shoot them worth a darn. After recent range trips I may be getting sensitive to the issues involved, but it's going to take a lot more boxes of ammo before I can shoot a Kit Gun as accurately as I can the K-22 with a four-inch barrel.

Good luck. Let us know what you finally pick up.

__________________
David Wilson

Not exactly in keeping with the category, but something else to consider would be the M63; in either 4", 2", or perhaps even 5". M34's and M43's are also out there, as Mr.Wilson has stated. I also agree with his recommendation to consider the k-frame. Personally, I think that 317's have perhaps the worst triggers of any S&W and would strongly advise against one of those abominations. Here's my J-22 accumulation:

For some reason, I find that the RB M34 is the most accurate of this bunch; even better than the 6" M35. -S2

+1 on the M34/63. I've had a 63, no-dash since the early 80s!

Thanks folks, that narrows down the search. I'm off to find a RB
34 or 43. Also, from what I've read here on the forum, the 317
trigger must be as bad as a Taurus.
I will post results, TACC1.

PM sent on a 43