The original question in Post 1 has to be a trick question. There is simply no other 22 revolver apart from the K22, Model 17 and its variants, including the 617 10-shot. I am aware of no other 22 revolver, available anywhere, at any time, at any cost, that balances, shoots and which is as reliable as the S&W K22. The possible exception would be some long gone Colt's revolvers, but they were certainly no better, in my opinion, than the K22. Equal perhaps, but not better.
By my way of thinking EVERYONE should learn to shoot with one, and only when they can qualify at least at Marksman level on the old 50 YARD bullseye course of fire, should they move on to any centerfire. Learning to shoot on a revolver allows EASY checking for "flinching" or anticipation of the shot by surprise loading only some of the charge holes and then watching for the tell-tale "jump." Of all of the semi-autos out there, only a tuned 1911 is capable of that kind of precision at 50 yards. Service pistols, whether polymer, aluminum or steel frame, regardless of manufacturer, are just not capable of this kind of precision for the most part, save the SIG (not SIG Sauer) 210. Without the ability to shoot a precise weapon capable of that kind of accuracy, most new shooters starting with a "service pistol" will never get better than "minute of paper plate" at 3 to 7 yards, or less.
