I own a M63 no dash and M617-6 and recently due to the ammo shortages have rediscovered the joys of shooting these guns. This got me wondering what the team here thinks is the best 22 S&W revolver readily available.

Fully recognize the different models have different purposes, but if you had only one option to satisfy all your 22 wheelgun needs, which one would it be?

For me, it would probably be the 617, though I could be convinced otherwise....

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Guns + Dogs= Bliss

For me, the model 17.

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Pine_Worker
Ex-LEO, NRA Life

The 617, 10 shot.

Since K22 is no longer readily available, gotta go with the M17.

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Waiting For The Sun.

The 617, 10 shots, 6 inch barrel is what works for me.

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"In God We Trust"

My 617-1 4" and recently acquired 617-5 6" are the only Smith 22s I have so 617 for me. But I would not turn down a deal on an older 18 or 17.

Model 18. Just as accurate as the Model 17 and easier to shoot well than the 63 or 34.

If we're talking new inventory my vote would without a doubt be the 63.

All time favorite would be the 18.

Well for "there can be only one" ....my 4" 617 no dash.

Back up choice would be an older 4" 18.

BEST is the one you own and enjoy. Or your opinion really only matters to you.

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S&W Accumulator

I really like my 617 4". I had sp101 4" that was nice too. I just didn't need both

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

I'd been wanting a K22 for awhile. After doing some research, and reading opinions on the forum, I decided to get the 17. But we all know opinions are like... well you know.

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What could possibly go wrong?

I voted M18, but any 4" K frame, or maybe a 6" K frame without the full under-lug would do.

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My sgntr is mor thn 30 chrctrs

Model 63 for me. It is what I used to introduce my wife, Grandson and Granddaughter to shooting. All steel, 3" barrel plenty accurate for 7-10 yards and for new shooter it has enough weight so the gun don't recoil and scare them away.

I picked the 43 because it is the only one in current production without a lock.

I have a 17 6'' and a 18. While both are very good guns the 18 with the shorter barrel length just feels better.

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14 S&W Revs none with locks!

My only .22 double action revolver is my 617-1 with 4 inch bbl. I also had a 617 no dash 6 inch bbl full target & hammer which I sold, sure wish I hadn't done that.

My 17-3 8-3/8" 6 shot is simply magnificent now and over the past nearly 50 years. I never could get the absolute best groups from the 617-4" yet it has other considerable advantages.


Not ready to concede to geezer peepers, I added a 617-6" and gained considerable group size improvement....the final addition of a Red Dot has made it possible for *me* to make groups 'nearly' as good as the 17-3.


Entirely pleasing, the lot of 'em. I was inspired in Speed Steel by an LEO who demonstrated monthly what one could expect from a well tuned 18, yet after looking for decades, just never came across one locally.



So my choice in the above poll 'for all things' the 6" 617. With Red Dot.

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Dum vivimus Vivamas

If I could only have one, it would definitely be a Model 17, probably just like this one with the 3T's .....



Nice thing is they really are readily available, nicer examples are somewhat expensive however.

They’ve provided so many hours of fun shooting for me and the whole family.

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Pass it on.
Mark

I would choose a Model 17 if I was limited to post 1980 revolvers, however, my favorite .22 revolver is my Model 35 which I think of as a lightweight Model 17.

Older 17 and 18.

My wife’s model 17-6 when she lets me shoot it!

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JAREDSHS
LEO(retired)

"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

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"Acta non verba"

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

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I went model 17 since Outdoorsman wasn't on the poll.

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Front sight and squeeze

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.

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213th FBINA

617 4" & 17 4" owner love them both but the 17 takes the cake outta the pair!

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Take it easy. Chris

Your poll misses the best Smith 22: the M34.

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

for the Model 53/ .22lr cylinder, so I voted for the Model 18



Good luck everybody.

Ned

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Devil's afraid I'll take over.

Partially, but also due to ignorance on my part

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Guns + Dogs= Bliss

Right you are it was not on the poll. Even if It was my vote would still go to the 18. I have a Nickel 34 4'' and it indeed is a good gun, I put Mustang grips on it when I bought it circa 1974.

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14 S&W Revs none with locks!

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 had a M17-3. Too big & sold it
I had a M617 4” Also too big and very heavy. It got sold also
I still have a M34 that I got around 1975
And my favorite 22lr revolver is a 4” M63 that gets shot a lot and will never be sold

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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?"

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Send lawyers, guns & money...

617, 10 shot with a 4” barrel...love mine

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Not even a poll choice for the Model 35 😥

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SWCA #3356, SWHF#611

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.

Well, I’m presently selling the hoard. My K22 got new in 60s will be last handgun I sell.

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Model 17 or 35 I do better
With patridge sights and 6"
barrel.

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I'd have to vote for the K22 Masterpiece. I've got the M48-4, the .22 Magnum version. Looking for a LR cylinder and yoke for it.

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All I have ever fired are the 17, and a 617, 10 shot. I am happy with my 17-2, that I picked up a few years ago. I paid the Buy it Now price so nobody else would get it. Lost out on too many others. It shoots like a dream! Bob

For me the Model 34 4 inch. I have carried mine for countless days in the woods. So easy carrying you almost forget it is there. I do however enjoy my 617 4 inch 10 shooter. I always wanted the K 22 but by the time I had the money sadly were out of production. Around here rarely see a used one offered.

I have a 63-5. I think it has a great trigger considering it's a small frame rimfire. At the time I bought it, the alternative in the display case was a 617. I wanted a kit gun so I went small. Eight shots are enough.
I've put a lot of rounds through it. Things being what they are, it and my Glock 44 are what I shoot now.

My vote went to the Model 18. It's basically the time-honored Model 17, but with a tapered barrel and a ramped front sight. It's just as inherently accurate as the 17, but it's also an excellent practice stand-in for the popular center-fire K-frames with 4" barrels. It's also a better holster gun for field use.

John

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- Cogito, ergo armatus sum -

I'd tend to agree with you.

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Let's be careful out there

I think the older 17's and 18's are very nice but the original post was about "readily available" .22 revolvers. I think the 617's are easier to find in my area and for the shooting sports I do a 10 shot is a must have. I also have a new 8 shot 63 that I will carry when out for a walk in the woods but I can shoot the 617's better.

I'm with Mike, SC Hunter....the ones you own are the best of the best.

In order left to right: 22-32 HFT, 6" 1915; K22 Masterpiece, 6" 1947; Model 17-3, 6" 1971; Model 34-1, Kit Gun, 4" 1972.

Most frequently used? Toss-up: the Model 17 when wanting to punch close group holes in paper....the Kit Gun when plinking cans, spinners, etc.

Love em all.

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Charlie B
SWCA#3083, SWHF#570

The S&W Model 617-1 22lr 4"bbl Revolver.
The S&W Model 617-3 22lr 6"bbl Revolver.

K-Frame Size, very well Made, Stainless Steel, Simple,
Reliable, Heavy, and Accurate.

For me it's the Best 22lr Revolver on the Market.

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Model 63 for me...but true love is my pre-model 18...American Industrial Art.

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