hello, i ran across a k-22 4 inch at my LGS yesterday. it is a 5 screw in about 90% condition. this is on my bucket list but i'm a little hesitant on the price. $700 seems a bit high.

i really like the 4 inch and to be honest, this is the first one i've seen. i run across the 6 inch from time to time. i guess my question is it worth shelling out $700 for? are the 4 inch harder to come by? all my searching has turned up 6 inch guns so i'm a little stumped.

i own 5 pre 1980 smiths and love them all. but i mainly shoot .22's. thanks

I bought one about six months ago. A 4" k22 with numbered to the gun grips and just a little freckling on the frame. The Gun Shop was asking 700 I offered 600 and we settled on 625. At first I thought I bought it at too high a price then I shot it. That money is gone but this revolver will be able to be handed down to my kids and meanwhile I'll shoot the the snot out of it.

Five-screw K-22s are in demand, and the five-screw 22 Combat Masterpiece (the K-22 Masterpiece with a four inch barrel) is even more in demand because there are nowhere near as many of them. My 22 CM is spectacularly accurate; I can shoot it better than any six-inch K-22 I have ever had a chance to shoot.

I think $700 is a little steep, but not by much. If you can get it for $600, you will be doing well. If there is no flexibility on the price, I think you will not regret paying $700 for it as the years go by. "Price is forgotten and quality remains."

Five-screw 22 CMs were made from 1950-early 1956. This configuration became the Model 18 when model numbers were assigned in 1957, but by then the guns were four-screw models.

ADDED: And of course I should have said this first: Welcome to the forum.

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David Wilson

This pretty much sums things up. Mr. Wilson is good at that. My CM too shoots better (for me anyway) than my two six inchers.

The Masterpiece, on the left, letters to Abercrombie & Fitch, December 1947. I have not lettered the CM, but it's from around 1951. I got it through the generosity of a forum member. Not sure if the target hammer is original; both DA and SA trigger pulls are beyond great.



Let us know if you get the K22, and if you do, please post pictures.

If mechanicals are very good then I'd offer 600.

If been following .22s on the auctions and I'm amazed at the prices the 34s, 317s and 617s are bringing. I haven't seen may like 'yours', either.

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HIS Trains 'a LEAVIN

A 5 screw pre 18 for $700 is not overpriced if its in good condition and you are specifically looking for one which it sounds like you are.

If thats the case I think you should try to bargain the price down $100 but either buy it or regret not buying it as clean ones do not pop up very often.
Pre 15 top with a 5 screw pre 18 below it.


Here is a comparison shot of a Model 18-2 (left) 17-5 (center) and 17-6 full underlug (right)

You have a great family of the major variations of the 4" K22s. All you need now is a 4 screw Model 18 pre dash #. I like having all variations of a favorite model.

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Jim
S&WCA #819

thanks for the help. i think i'm going to pick this up. hopefully they will come down a little bit. i'll post pics when i get it in a couple weeks. i love your pics too.

Darn, Dewey still out and about. Sure have missed your posts over the last few years.

There's a new metric in the world. Guns double in price at the same time your house drops to half its prior value. Used to be you sold your car after it got to 3 years old because it hit 75,000 miles and was becoming undependable. At 6 years it was a clunker. These days a 15 year old car is still viewed as serviceable.

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Dick Burg