HuntFish918
Member
I finally achieved the holy trinity when I won the auction on a K-32 Target Masterpiece!
Companion to K-22 Masterpiece
- Thread starter GunTher
- Start date
HuntFish918
Member
My 32 is a Four Screw!
HuntFish918
Member
I suggest the .38 to go along with the .22 - and if you're lucky, the .32
I have completed my quest for the three Target Masterpiece revolvers and the two Combat Masterpiece revolvers.
All are Five Screw except the .32 and it's a Four Screw.
You'll notice the single address line on the .22 and .38 because they both have 4-digit serial numbers, made in 1946.
I have the original box for the .22
They are all a blast to shoot and extremely accurate.
Eventually I will part with the collection, but not today!
Good luck in your quest! Mine was a lot of fun.
I have completed my quest for the three Target Masterpiece revolvers and the two Combat Masterpiece revolvers.
All are Five Screw except the .32 and it's a Four Screw.
You'll notice the single address line on the .22 and .38 because they both have 4-digit serial numbers, made in 1946.
I have the original box for the .22
They are all a blast to shoot and extremely accurate.
Eventually I will part with the collection, but not today!
Good luck in your quest! Mine was a lot of fun.
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HuntFish918
Member
Now that is a sweet collection! I can't believe how pristine the boxes are!!!
WildBillWJW
Member
I agree that a different caliber K series would be the most natural addition, especially for a collector. Or someone who just loves accurate .38s. But, just hear me out, would a thicker barreled and full under lug K frame like the 19, possibly more duplicate the overall weight and feel of the K22…(the k38 having more steel removed from cylinder and barrel)same barrel lengths of course? The few model 19s and 66s I've owned have been incredibly accurate. And what if the practitioner is wanting a 22 to simulate their 357 defense shooting? Just for discussion.
Bill
Bill
Sounds like a plan. How much are kidneys bringing on GunBroker these days? Mine are C&R, so that should add collector value.
I'd go for a K-32 Masterpiece as a companion to the K-22 and K-38 Masterpiece.
My knee-jerk reaction was to say there's no such thing as a "Target" Masterpiece, but it most certainly has been said before; so there's not much point in saying it again.
Ralph Tremaine
I totally understand what you are saying Ralph. My suggestion was mainly about versatility - the .357 revolver's ability to ALSO shoot 38 specials.
If the OP has the option to buy BOTH revolvers chambered in 38 special AND in .357 magnum, then the Model 14 Combat Masterpiece is the obvious choice. However, if the OP's budget constraints require making a choice between one or the other, then I stand by my suggestion to look for a .357 caliber revolver for the additional flexibility.
FWIW, I have a "pre" Model 14 (pictured below) 38 Combat Masterpiece, and it is a GREAT example of a S&W target revolver. But if your budget requires you to choose only ONE revolver - in 38 special OR .357 magnum, I would still recommend the .357 over the 38 special.
Just because the .357 offers more ammo options - even if it is slightly less accurate when shooting 38 specials. After all, the OP did ask for recommendations for either 38special OR .357 magnums to go along with his K22.
Just my opinion, FWIW
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nicky4968
Member
It has always been my understanding that K 22 and the K 38 have different width ribs so, once loaded, they weigh nearly the same.
It would seem you favor compromise over perfection. Fair enough. I, on the other hand, am not inclined to include "close enough" in my values. It's either as good as it can be, or it's lacking.
I spent a good deal of time racing sports cars during my (much) younger years. I didn't win a whole lot more races than I won---goes with the territory I reckon. But when I didn't win, it was because of the driver----me; not because of his equipment. His equipment was the best of the best---no compromises allowed---not even considered.
Same goes for shooting---I didn't win more matches than I did win, but my equipment was never the cause. It would never occur to me to consider substandard equipment.
Ralph Tremaine
I spent a good deal of time racing sports cars during my (much) younger years. I didn't win a whole lot more races than I won---goes with the territory I reckon. But when I didn't win, it was because of the driver----me; not because of his equipment. His equipment was the best of the best---no compromises allowed---not even considered.
Same goes for shooting---I didn't win more matches than I did win, but my equipment was never the cause. It would never occur to me to consider substandard equipment.
Ralph Tremaine
Doug M.
Member
My M14-3(?) makes me look good, and it is fun to shoot to show what a decent group looks like. I will go in with BC38 as to the flexibility of a .357 because you can use anything from 38 wadcutter target loads to some pretty stout .357 loads depending on what you need. For the vast majority of us, the incremental difference in accuracy that may come about in the way Ralph Tremaine says is not that big a deal. Few people can shoot well enough to need that incremental difference.
In addition to my K38, I have a 4" 66. I shoot it more than the K38, but mostly because I do my LEOSA quals a couple times a year with it and an auto pistol. My 66 sees a lot more .38s through it; I can and have qualified with stout .357 duty ammo, but the better shooting (placement) with .38 SWC is worth it to me.
In addition to my K38, I have a 4" 66. I shoot it more than the K38, but mostly because I do my LEOSA quals a couple times a year with it and an auto pistol. My 66 sees a lot more .38s through it; I can and have qualified with stout .357 duty ammo, but the better shooting (placement) with .38 SWC is worth it to me.
You are correct Ralph. I don't favor the idea of "letting the perfect be the enemy of the good". Particularly in a case like this where the OP specifically asked for a recommendation for a 38 special OR a .357 magnum revolver.
If the request had been specifically limited to a 38 special, then the Model 14 would be the obvious choice.
BUT when the OP threw .357 magnums into the "mix" then, in my mind, the additional flexibility of the .357 magnum became the over-riding factor.
Just a difference in perspective, I guess.
Of course for those who can afford one of each, then that is the obvious answer - a M14 AND a M19!
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Originally, all Masterpiece revolvers had narrow ribs, offering different weights for different calibers. The narrow ribs were produced for just over 2 years. The factory approved wide ribbed K32s and K38s on 8/19/48 and the 1st K 38 Heavy Masterpiece was shipped on 2/4/49 serial number K66222 to Captain T. Thurmond Barrier, USMC. Below is a K38 narrow rib from 1948.
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Actually, the K38 Masterpiece, narrow rib version, continued to be cataloged until September, 1953. From that point on, only the Heavy Masterpiece was available.
The Model 19 Classic is only available with a 4.25" barrel, so not really comparable to a K-22 Masterpiece/Model 17. An older Model 19 with the 6 inch barrel is a good choice if you think you might want to shoot some 357 Magnum loads. If you do not plan on shooting 357 Magnum ammo, the look for a K-38 Masterpiece/Model 14.
Green Frog
Member
Nearly fifty years ago I acquired a nice, all matching K-38 in a trade. Thirty years later anice K-22 followed me home from an auction. I was pleased to note that their respective serial numbers suggest both were made in1948. Those two make great companions. Otherwise, you might want to go with a 6" Model 19 or pre-19 to go with your K-22.
Froggie
Froggie
Enablers? Just doing our job!You have probably noticed, this forum is overrun with enablers.
