A Ugly K22

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Going to look at this one in the morning serial number is in the K96000 range so thinking 1947 guy us firm at $350, but I figure if mechanics, chambers, and bore check out it should be worth that. Here are the few pictures he sent.
 

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Even though its a little rough cosmetically with non S&W stocks if the bore and cylinder are rust free $350 is a bargain if your looking for a quality shooter.

The wide target hammer was likely added sometime but in the $350 price range its a bargain as long as it is mchanically sound.

PS inspect the cylinder face for any sign it might be out of time,
also not advised to dry fire any 22 since the firing pin can land on the cylinder face so examine the cylinder face closely.
 
I own worse. Heck that hasn't even been bead blasted and parkerized. Give the man his $350 before someone else does.

A friend's K 90,xxx .22 books 1950 so I agree with Lee on the year but not on the stocks. They're wood, probably Sile's walnut. At the time S&W was giving buyers a choice of that ones Standard Barrel or the Heavy Barrel that would supersede it and continue on through a few decades of Model 17 production. The Standard Barrel is classier.
 
*** IS A ***, and will always be. Look at he For Sale guns and see what never sells...
~~Heavily edited by others~~ is there euphemism for hunkajunk?
 
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I would buy that K22 for $350 with no hesitation. A multi-day Kroil soaking, and then some light bronze wool treatment is all it needs. If it functions properly you should scoop it up. One of my local shops would give me $400-450 for it, and then sell it for $600 in a week (after cleaning it up a bit).

At $350, that gun wouldn't last an hour in the classifieds here.
 
Agree, a little cleaning and light polishing to make it a great shooter. Hopefully the owner took better care of the internals...
 
Picked up the K22 this morning action, timing, bore, and chambers all checked out. I just got done putting about 100 rounds through it with a little sight adjustment I was hitting a golf ball at about 20 yards. I am very happy with it going to give it a bath inside, out this weekend.
 

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I'll agree that a $350 K22 opportunity is not common , and such an opportunity arouses interest and enthusiasm , but in my book corrosion of that type does not constitute honest character. The condition of that revolver speaks of poor care and maintenance. Long term exposure to a moist environment. And the upper side plate screw has been tweaked. Hopefully the internals look better than the exterior.

I look forward to seeing the "after" pictures ; cleaning that one up could be rewarding.

A good deal , yes.
 
Picked up the K22 this morning action, timing, bore, and chambers all checked out. I just got done putting about 100 rounds through it with a little sight adjustment I was hitting a golf ball at about 20 yards. I am very happy with it going to give it a bath inside, out this weekend.
She might not be the belle of the ball, but it sounds like she has it where it counts. Enjoy that "seasoned" K22!
 
Gonna shot it or look at it. If you just want to look at it, thats not so great. If you want to shoot it its fine. I have a model 18 that is no beauty queen that shoots great and has given me many years of fun shooting.
 
It is called character.

I would say that s/n puts it in the late 1950's range.

That's an interesting way to say "neglect".

While it breaks my heart that no one cared enough to clean and oil that revolver, so it wouldn't rust, I'd still buy it.
I'd clean it up and if it shot as well as it should, it would be my constant woods companion.
Since the PO didn't care to maintain the finish, you don't have to worry about a mirror blue finish getting scratched up.
While the Sile stocks aren't original, the ones I have are great. Mine fit correctly, and the J frame "target (combat?)" grips I got from them fit my Improved I frame .32 just as well as they fit my 31-1 and 36, and are very comfortable.

Collector's piece? No. Great field and woods companion? Absolutely.

I'd be on that like ugly on a Glock.
 
*** IS A ***, and will always be. Look at he For Sale guns and see what never sells...
~~Heavily edited by others~~ is there euphemism for hunkajunk?

Seriously? We can't even say Papa Oscar Sierra here?
You've got to be kidding me. That's ridiculous.
How will we ever discuss Point of Sale credit card scanners?

I guess we could say "Davis .380" instead, since those are synonymous with "hot, steaming, pile of fecal matter". :D

After repeated failures to find a word that can be substituted for the sake of those with virgin ears. Finally found one we can say.
We can say it's a piece of dookie.

Papa Oscar Sierra is not the same as saying the exact phrase.
I don't see why it would be objectionable to the vast majority of members.

I love this forum, but sometimes I just have to scratch my head.

ANYWAY, even with the finish issues, I don't see you being able to find a .22 revolver that is anywhere near as well designed and built as that one, for $350.
I'm not even sure I'd get it reblued. I'd hate to scratch up the new blue finish.
That K22 would be great for any time you hunt/fish/hike.
Plus, I've been known to buy an ugly gun or two and shoot the fool out of them.
It's like adopting a toy from the island of unwanted toys, from Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer.
They don't appeal to everyone, but someone will love them.

If you think that K22 is ugly, you should see my 10-6 4". It was an evidence locker (suicide) gun.
I call it Ugly Betty. She has a sad history, but I thought she deserved a second chance.
She was so happy to be adopted by me, that she rewarded me by shooting as well as my 15-3, 15-6, and 586 (another one who's not so pretty, until you pull the trigger).
Eager beats pretty.
 
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Here is my "if I were in the OP's shoes" version:

$350 is not a lot of money when discussing vintage S&W revolvers these days. If that old K22 passed a thorough function test , AND if I were inclined towards a minor project , I would buy it , go straight to the Ed's Red bath , then disassemble it and get out the bronze wool , Flitz/Mothers' and get to work. Pretty good chance that the removal of the surface corrosion will yield something of a patina appearance , also partially in the white - which I would not mind. Well rubbed out , smoothed out an lubricated - you may well have something there.

If all else fails , once it is well cleaned it would be very easy to flip that K22 and get the money back - but I think it would be nice enough to keep.
Sounds like fun. That's what I'd do.
 

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