Best S&W .22LR revolver?

[steelslaver]

The only reason the M18 hasn't got more votes is the M17 fans don't own a M18 to compare with. Oh, and not only is the barrel shorter and easier to carry around it is lighter by quite a ways.

Choices are good

 

[rjroberts]

Yes, K-22. Screw in front of trigger guard, too.

 

[MakeMyNight]

I own a model 17-2, a model 617no dash, and 2 model 63's both no dash.
For outright accuracy, the 617 grabs the brass ring. Carry comfort, the 63 shines brightly. The 17 shoots darn near as good as the 617, and probably has the best all around feel good in the hand.

 

[nbedford]

I have several Smith & Wesson 22"s, but my favorite is the Model 63 4". I always carried it rabbit hunting and creek fishing. It is also the most accurate 22 revolver I have ever had. Over the years the trigger has honed down to 2 1/2 pounds.

 

[Ron IL]

The one I most regret getting rid of was my Model 18-4. I got it new and then got more into rifles and sold it to a guy at work. Now back into revolvers I wish I didn't do that. Now I only have what I shoot. I don't want a safe gun. But I sure wish I had that one back.

 

[Tanners Owner]

Okay, this post inspired me to bring along a M17 to the range today. Hadn't taken this one out in a long time, and it shot great, such a nice trigger... It was beautiful shooting weather, 28 degrees with light snow.

I really do prefer the 17s. I love blued and walnut Smiths, and prefer the longer sight radius of the 6" barrel over my shorter barrel .22s. I get good accuracy out of them.

This side effect of the thread is something that often happens to me. Someone posts a comment that gets me thinking ...... sometimes I get reacquainted with a safe queen, other times, it costs me money

 

[Tanners Owner]

I shot my M63 yesterday, what fun.

With the ammo challenges we have, shooting the 22s is not only smart, but fun.

Seeing all these M18s is becoming awfully tempting........

 

[KalamazooKid]

Seeing all these M18s is becoming awfully tempting........

For me, the M18 would be a close 2nd to the M17 (or pre 17).

 

[OldRN]

I no longer have a .22 revolver and too many .38's. This thread makes me want to buy one. Locks on Smiths irk me. Main reason, even if ridiculous, I don't like my 686. Guess I need to run out and sell/trade something so I can get an "older" pre-lock .22

 

[3rdgeargrndrr]

617-Most accurate.
63- Most memories

 

[Mehutch]

If your going to have a 22LR handgun, go for the 10 shot M617 four or six inch barrel, and if you can a pre-lock frame. like mine.

 

[SweetMK]

I kinda like the S&W Mountain Gun,,, in 22LR,,,

 

[Shark Bait]

I really like my new 617 a lot and would really like to get my hands on a 617 Mountain Gun. But if I could have only one it would have to be my great uncle's pre-17. It has a lot of family history, including special memories for my father ,brother and I.

 

[glenwolde]

I don't care for the J frames, just too small and light for me. I voted Model 17 but any K-frame will do. Don't really care for revolvers that hold more than 6. That's just wrong. But I could live with it.

I no longer have my Model 17. I got tired of the 8 3/8" barrel and never got around to replacing it. I do have a no-dash 63 that belongs to my wife, though she hasn't shot it in 20 years. I bought it for her when we were dating so she'd have something to shoot. That was 40 years ago.

She found out what they are worth but wants to keep it for me to use with the grandkids once they get a bit older.

 

[steelslaver]

To me the only advantage of a 10 round K22 would be that it would be a little bit lighter. If I need 10 rounds to hit something its would be gone before I fired 6 times and I have never been in that big of hurry to put 4 more rounds in a piece of paper, My carry gun, my hunting gun and for that matter, except for a few 5 shooters, all my handguns are 6 shooters. My brain is wired to fire 6 and reload. Why confuse it with 10 rounds. To me the 10 shot K22 are just sales gimmicks. If you have one and are happy Great. I own 6(I think ) 22lr revolvers, all S&W, except one older Taurus I was gifted. The only one I would trade for a 10 shooter S&W is the Taurus. My 18-4 has a bunch of finish missing, I round butted it long ago, IT is going nowhere EVER.

 

[saemetric]

Likewise the Model 63. Others are too big and heavy for such a small cartridge.

 

[BAM-BAM]

To me the only advantage of a 10 round K22 would be that it would be a little bit lighter. If I need 10 rounds to hit something its would be gone before I fired 6 times and I have never been in that big of hurry to put 4 more rounds in a piece of paper, My carry gun, my hunting gun and for that matter, except for a few 5 shooters, all my handguns are 6 shooters. My brain is wired to fire 6 and reload. Why confuse it with 10 rounds. To me the 10 shot K22 are just sales gimmicks. If you have one and are happy Great. I own 6(I think ) 22lr revolvers, all S&W, except one older Taurus I was gifted. The only one I would trade for a 10 shooter S&W is the Taurus. My 18-4 has a bunch of finish missing, I round butted it long ago, IT is going nowhere EVER.

LOL..... I'm wired the same way ... which is why I passed on the 7 and 8 rd .357s. Figured I shoot 6 and dump 7

 

[steelslaver]

Ya I never get a click with a 6 round gun, When I shot a 5 rounder I have to remember or I will click it after 5. Years and years of 6 and your out has got my brain trained. On my bolt rifles its 3 and I have 3 bolt 223s that hold more, but I am not going to get more than3 shots at any coyote and prairie dogs don't matter.

 

[DR505]

Toss up between the 18 or the 17....luckily I have both! I give the nod to the 18 for a bit less weight.

 

[gfors]

Model 18 works for me!
Here is a 1958 M18 (4 screw) and a 1977 M18-3. 18's don't show up very often around here. See plenty of 17's and 617's, and the occasional J. I find the J-Frames too small for my hand, but have never shot one.

I bought a 617 ND, because it came with all the goodies, and was priced very attractively. It shoots great, but weighs as much or more than a 686.
I bought the No Dash M53, because it was so unusual, AND they had a case of .22 Jet, that I bought to go with it.
The 18's are still my favorite...