pistolpete10
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Older 17 and 18.
Best S&W .22LR revolver?
- Thread starter Tanners Owner
- Start date
JAREDSHS
Member
My wife’s model 17-6 when she lets me shoot it!
"readily available." is a subjective term
Is that the reason you left the Models 34 and 35 off of the list?
For me it is not possible to have only one 22LR revolver. I believe in the proper tool for the job
I use an old K22 Masterpiece when teaching novice shooters. This is also the starting point for shooters who are afraid of recoil or muzzle bark .
I carry my 10 shot 6" 617 when we go out plinking golf balls. It is nice to have the ten shots as we roll the golf balls down the field
I often pocket carry a Model 34 snubby that is set up as a 22LR/22Mag convertible.
I have also recently acquired one of the eight shot 3" Model 63 for toting around. What a great idea 8 shots in a Kit Gun
I suppose if I had to own only one, it would be a Model 17 since I need the larger revolver for teaching so I would give up carrying a 22 for fun.
This one is Very Accurate and I love the old nostalgic look. It would work for 80% of my 22 LR revolver needs
Except that Model 17 does not work when I start channeling my inner Maxwell Smart. Then I need a suppressed revolver
Hard not to love a 617 doesn’t really matter the vintage
The modern 10 shots are lots of fun and get the most range time
The older 6 shot guns are works of art with a much more forgiving double action feel, at least for me
The modern 10 shots are lots of fun and get the most range time
The older 6 shot guns are works of art with a much more forgiving double action feel, at least for me
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I really like my full lug 17-6s and 648, but there’s something about an 18 with a tapered 4” barrel that makes me smile.
cjcutter1
Member
617 4" & 17 4" owner love them both but the 17 takes the cake outta the pair!
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Rpg
Member
Your poll misses the best Smith 22: the M34.
Green Frog
Member
Currently I own 2 S&W revolvers chambered in 22 LR. One is a 1948 vintage K22 Masterpiece in the expected 6" narrow rib barrel configuration, the other is a '20s vintage Heavy Frame Target model that had to be rebarreled due to a bulge in the original barrel. Both are entirely adequate for what they are intended to do, and the K22 is in fact one of my favorite and most used guns.
OTOH, if I didn't already have these and were contemplating buying one S&W 22 revolver as my only one, I would look for the earliest Model 18 I could lay my hands on, and would feel perfectly well equipped. I would not buy the 4" Model 617 unless I could find one of the rare ones that left off the full under lug... that's just more weight than needed unless I were dwelling under the impression I needed to match a similar centerfire revolver, but that's unlikely. If I could have more than one, I'd go with a 6" K22 Masterpiece and a 4" J frame Kit gun such as a Model 34 or perhaps a Model 63 (for better weather resistance knocking around in the field.)
All of this is personal opinion, of course. In the words of that late great philosopher, Ricky Nelson, "...ya can't please everyone, so ya gotta please yourself."
Froggie
OTOH, if I didn't already have these and were contemplating buying one S&W 22 revolver as my only one, I would look for the earliest Model 18 I could lay my hands on, and would feel perfectly well equipped. I would not buy the 4" Model 617 unless I could find one of the rare ones that left off the full under lug... that's just more weight than needed unless I were dwelling under the impression I needed to match a similar centerfire revolver, but that's unlikely. If I could have more than one, I'd go with a 6" K22 Masterpiece and a 4" J frame Kit gun such as a Model 34 or perhaps a Model 63 (for better weather resistance knocking around in the field.)
All of this is personal opinion, of course. In the words of that late great philosopher, Ricky Nelson, "...ya can't please everyone, so ya gotta please yourself."
Froggie
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Was No Option.....
for the Model 53/ .22lr cylinder, so I voted for the Model 18
Good luck everybody.
Ned
for the Model 53/ .22lr cylinder, so I voted for the Model 18
Good luck everybody.
Ned
OP
Tanners Owner
US Veteran
Partially, but also due to ignorance on my part
Grayfox
US Veteran
I've said many times that the Model 18 is my favorite S&W revolver. I shoot mine more than any other gun I own. I've also said that this is the gun that taught me how to properly shoot a revolver in double action mode. 
I have a K22, a 34-1 and two 43's
For accuracy and fun shooting it is the K22 hands down.
For pocket carry, the 34-1
For all day carry in a holster, the 43
Hard to pick one. Kind of like asking "which is the best screwdriver?"
The answer is "Depends - best for what purpose?"
For accuracy and fun shooting it is the K22 hands down.
For pocket carry, the 34-1
For all day carry in a holster, the 43
Hard to pick one. Kind of like asking "which is the best screwdriver?"
The answer is "Depends - best for what purpose?"
stratplexi
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Not even a poll choice for the Model 35 
My all time favorite is the model 18-4 I have had since I bought it new. I do have a pre 18 and a couple pre 17s all great guns. My I frame 22 with a 4 inch barrel is starting to sneak up on them. .
S0, the 18 wins because of my personal history with one, it being very easy to carry around with the I frame coming close because of it sizes, But it will never replace that 18 in my heart.
S0, the 18 wins because of my personal history with one, it being very easy to carry around with the I frame coming close because of it sizes, But it will never replace that 18 in my heart.
