Hello,

I have temporary custody of my dad's Smith & Wesson .22 revolver, which he says is a K-22. I'd like some help with a year of manufacture. Serial number is K706912, stamped on the butt as well as inside the frame behind the extractor rod. Below the interior number it says MOD. 17-2. So is this a Model 17, or a K-22? I know the designation "Model 17" eventually replaced "K-22," but my dad seems to think this is one of the older ones.

Pictures follow, and thanks in advance for any clarification!

Nice gun.

I looked it up in the “book”, which indicates 17’2 were made from 1961-1966.
The book indicates probably a 1966 manufacturing date.

The K22 3rd Models, or pre-17 (5) screws are generally considered the older guns.

I however have a 17-1 (1960) manufactured gun that is actually more scarce than Pre-17’s and might be passed over by some collectors.

Hope This Helps,
Emory

Nice gun. Should be a great shooter.

Model numbers were assigned in 1957. Before that the model you have would have been called the K22 Masterpiece.

But it's perfectly acceptable to call any model 17 of whatever vintage a K22. The "K" indicates the frame size.

Thanks for the information, gentlemen. I hope to take it to the range soon. It probably hasn't been fired in 40 years or more.

Shooting rocks, pebbles, acorns, beany weeny cans, bottles, bottle caps has a mysteriously gratifying effect on my mind. I have been a plinker all my life but the k22 just takes it to a whole new level.

I like shooting on a dirt background so I can see where my misses are hitting. I find that sort of instant feedback has improved my shooting in general more than anything else. And a 22 handgun allows lots of shooting and the k22 is accurate enough so your technique is what you have to blame when you miss

I have only found one ammo that my k22 doesn't like- the federal bulk in the red box. It loves the federal auto match, the remington bulk box and winchester (555) red box, but CCI standard velocity is the favorite.

Thanks, Beagleye. I'm a city boy so I'll be shooting paper mostly. I've got some CCI Mini Mags ready to go, but it's good to know that the Winchester 555s work fine.

For what it's worth, you might have to play around a bit to find ammo your gun likes.

I have three K22s and luckily all of them like the Federal bulk pack from Wally world.

Let us know how it goes!

I would recommend trying some standard velocity also, it is often more accurate than the High Velocity in a K22.

__________________
H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

Thanks, Cooter and H Richard. I'll definitely try some different types, including standard velocity. That's the good thing about the .22 round--I won't break the bank searching around for what the gun likes.