I think I'm beginning to understand

BC38

BC38

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I never quite got why people so love their K-22 revolvers.

A K-frame for shooting 22LR? Seemed like a LOT of gun for such a pipsqueak round. Heck, the J-frame or even a palm-sized semi-auto is more than enough gun for 22's, right?

That last part is still true, BUT, I now understand the attraction for the K-22, after my first trip to the range with my newly-acquired M17-3.

I'm no great pistolero, but here is my last 8" target of the day with the M17. Shot 18 rounds at 7 yards, single action, with a 2-handed grip. This is the closest I have ever come to one ragged hole. 11 of them in one 3/4" hole and the other 7 grouped around them within a 2-inch circle.

Like I said, I'm no great pistol marksman. But I think that's probably the best I've ever done with a gun the first time taking it to the range. I LIKE IT!

P.S. I added a couple of pictures of the gun for good measure.
 

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Years ago, when I bought my first one-line-address K-22 Masterpiece, I took it to the range a couple days later. I set up the target frame at 20 paces. Then, standing, with a two hand Weaver stance, I fired five times single action. Checked my target and I could cover the five holes with a quarter. I was impressed!

I had owned two or three K-22 revolvers prior to that, but never before had I shot one that performed as well as that gun. I have had a few others since then, including a couple one-liners. But I have never been able to quite duplicate that target again with any of my K-22s. I later sold that revolver to a friend, and he told me it was the best shooting revolver he'd ever owned.
 
Nice find the actions on these are sweet. That's Purdy. Be careful these can be habit forming. The colt officers target revolver is built on the larger 41 frame, then there's the h&r 22 revolvers but look around there are some still affordable. Over Johnson is another one but I haven't seen any. I think that h&r made the highest number of different models.

H&R Firearms - Wikipedia

I shoot every handgun at 25 yds. We must realize when the bullet first leaves the barrel it drops then climbs. I'm thinking the 22 lr is pretty much stabilized at 25 yds. Just my thoughts. I shoot handguns at the smaller rocks at the 100 yd berm after our shoot at 25 yds is over.
 
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Historically, S & Ws first .22 target revolver was the Hand Ejector (aka Ladysmith); if you have ever handled one, it is a wee bit small for formal work.

They next made the .22/32 "Heavy Frame" Target or Bekeart. Better but still a small grip frame and difficult to manage.

The sweet spot is probably the K-22 with the heavy barrel like yours. An 8 3/8" full lug K frame .22 is probably a bit much on the far end. :)
 
What's the story on why you bought it?

You say you didn't get the attraction ... but something made you buy it.

The first gun I ever shot was likely the 1955 K-22 up in my safe so I've always understood the attraction.
 
Congratulations. I think you will find that it will become a favorite.

I bought a Model 17-3 around 1975 and spent many hours shooting it along the Canadian River in Texas. I have said many times that it is my favorite S&W, probably because your can do a LOT of economical shooting ..... then don't have to do any ammo reloading! I still have it. I recently added a Model 18 "no dash" so the 17 would have a sibling!
 
murphydog said:
They next made the .22/32 "Heavy Frame" Target or Bekeart. Better but still a small grip frame and difficult to manage.
Click to expand...

...I don't know...the M35 I have is a joy to shoot...but it is kinda small...

That said if one is just going to have one DA .22 revolver a K-frame Model 18 or 17 is about impossible to beat...

Bob
 

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The general shooting public tends to look askance at large expensive .22's. The caliber is associated mostly with "cheap" guns. I guess since the ammo is cheap?

But each shooter has their own preference as to weight and balance. The "lowly" .22 can be extremely accurate. A .22 of such a configuration for the shooter is every bit the joy of the same thing in a larger caliber if not more! If the K22 works for you, a Model 14 should. You might have found your niche.

That's where mine is. Any 6" K or N framed S&W revolver without an underlug on the barrel. Sadly I do not have a Model 17. But if I ever run into one in person at a decent price I will. Until that day I'll have to suffer with a couple of larger autos for .22.
 
glenwolde said:
The general shooting public tends to look askance at large expensive .22's. The caliber is associated mostly with "cheap" guns. I guess since the ammo is cheap?
Click to expand...

So very true! I think it's also the image the the lowly 22 as a kid's gun. Often the firearms chambering it were inexpensive or downright cheap. Ammo is (was....) cheap. Many of us grew up with a 22 and moved up to bigger and better guns. So we thought. In my 20's the bigger the recoil, blast, smoke and flames, the more fun it was. A full load of 296 in a 44 Mag or 357 Mag was a hoot. I had to get myself a .458 Win. No need for the lowly 22. A kid's cartridge.

Older (certainly) and wiser (debatably) I've come full circle. I'm enamored with high end 22s. I harass myself by shooting weekly Bullseye matches. We go indoors in the winter and it's 22 only. I shoot long range silhouette out to 200 m with a 22 rifle, prone. There's something intriguing about that dinky cartridge in a well-made, precision firearm.

The 22 remains a great teaching cartridge as well. Good way to bring a newbie into our culture. A fond memory is being at the club one day when a guy and his girlfriend showed up. He was shooting a blaster. She was interested in it but looked terrified. She wanted to try shooting but was scared. I got her to have a look at my Model 17. I shot a few rounds and she saw how little drama there was. Showed her the lowly little 22 cartridge. I showed her how to dry fire and she tried that. Then I got her to hold my hand while I fired a round. "Want to give it a try?" Her grin said it all. She did fine for a newbie; hit the paper at 25 yds. That set the hook. On their way out, she told the boyfriend she wanted to go shopping for a 22.

Lots of good things to say about the lowly 22.
 
First gun I ever purchased when I turned 21 was a new in box K-22. Taught myself to shoot handguns well with that gun. Used to shoot cans off of a stone wall at 100 yds with it. Sold that one and at least two other 5 screws over the years, wanting something else more. Several years ago I walked into a LGS and spotted a 1948 5 screw in excellent condition in the case and purchased it for $375 as I recall. This one will stay with me for the duration.
 
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