In praise of the Model 48

[PALADIN85020]

I think this particular revolver is a lot of fun. Chambered for the .22 WMR, it gives a .22 bullet the higher-velocity punch of a .22 LR rifle, but in an easier-to-carry package. I find it great for varmints in the field, and it can also serve in a serious self-defense role.

Anyone else out there have one?

John

 

[Housepuss]

I too really enjoy shooting the Model 48. Mine is a first year of manufacture. Every time I take it to the range, there is always someone who has never seen a 22 mag revolver, and never knew S&W made one.

Mine doesn't get a whole lot of use due to ammo costs but it's sure a lot fun to shoot.

 

[41]

I bought mine in 1974 from a guy in CA that got laid off and needed the money. I later added a 22 LR cylinder.

Great for shooting groundhogs.

 

[silentflyer]

I have a 8 3/8" M48,tack driver with 50 grain Federals.

 

[KalamazooKid]

My dash 4 is one of the coolest revolvers I own!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

[daddio202]

I love my 48-4 too!! It's at the gunsmith waiting for the n.o.s. 4 inch barrel I bought to be put on. Mine was a 6 inch but somebody cut it down to 4. Shot well and quite accurate just the dovetail front sight Bubba put on it looked horrible. I swear my single action can not be more than a 1.5 pound pull. No push off either so at least the trigger job was well done. Compared to 22lr ammo is pricey but I don't think $11 for 50 is real expensive neither. Always one of the gun's that went to the range. Can't wait till its back home!

 

[SuperMan]

One of my favorites also...have had:
(1) 6"
(1) 6" Convertible
(1) 8 3/8" Convertible
(1) 4" Convertible
(1) 17 6" with extra 48 cylinder
(1) 18 4" with extra 48 cylinder

Of the above only have the last one left...along with a 35 with a 51 cylinder and a 63 with a 651 cylinder...

Love the .22 Magnum in both rifle and handgun... Was in a shop yesterday that had some good prices on .22 Mag ammo and bought some Speer Gold Dot, Browning 40 gr. JHP, CCI TNT and +V... Hope to do some shooting and chronographing next week...

Bob

 

[nutsforsmiths]

Model 48s are a fun pistol. A 48-3 made in 1977. It also have the original grips for it as well as a 22LR cylinder. My cylinder has to be cleaned of powder residue from time to time when shooting it, but still a lot of fun!

 

[fkd713]

Mine is a 48 ND that I got earlier this year from another Forum member. It’s a shooter and I love it. Highly recommend that everyone should have one in their collection.

 

[lefty_jake]

Chambered for the .22 WMR, it gives a .22 bullet the higher-velocity punch of a .22 LR rifle, but in an easier-to-carry package.

To me this part is important. I like .22 Magnum handguns, but I have conversations pretty frequently with people who think that handguns will produce the ballistics listed on the box of 22 Magnum ammo. Just as you stated, that is not the case.

As you mentioned, a good rule of thumb is that with a 6" barrel, 22 Magnum will give ballistics similar to .22 Long Rifle ammo from a rifle barrel. From an even shorter barrel, it may do worse. Even the recent "short barrel" 22 magnum loads don't really have better ballistics, though they may have projectiles that are designed for their reduced velocity.

22 LR is also slower from handgun barrels than a lot of people realize. So when you compare both rounds in pistols, 22 Magnum does hit significantly harder.

I like pistols chambered for both types of 22 rounds, but I think it is important to keep a realistic view of their capabilities.

 

[weatherby]

Here is my praise.
I never considered the 22 mag an overly accurate round.
This one showed it most certainly could be.

 

[Walter Rego]

I have a Model 48-4 that is also wonderfully accurate with several brands of ammunition. I haven't fired it for a long time but now that .22 WMR ammo is more reasonable I hope to get it out more often.

 

[CH4]

Very nice!
I am still looking for a nice 48/648 to go with my 17-6s.

 

[992B]

My 1959 model 48 with 8-3/8" barrel is a fun plinker and small game getter for sure!! It was bought new by a farmer and he left it in leather holster between shots at groundhogs, skunks and such that wanted to make a home in his barn and outbuildings. The cylinder was badly rusted but the rest of the gun was better than one would expect. Had the cylinder refinished and refinished the original magnas and a thorough cleaning did the trick. gary

 

[Willyboy]

22 mag cylinders

Does the model 48 have the “stickey” chamber issues seen on some model
17 and 18 revolvers? I have hesitated to buy another 22lr revolver after
my model 18 had the difficult extraction issue. Thanks, Willyboy

 

[wundudnee]

Everybody should have a model 48 in their pile of S&W .22 revolvers. Mine is just left of the model 63 on the bottom. It's a 48-4.

 

[PALADIN85020]

I just purchased another companion gun for my Model 48 - this Ruger American .22 WMR compact with the polymer stock. This afternoon I scoped it and adjusted the trigger down to 3.5 pounds. Hope to get it test fired REAL soon! The trigger is sweet as it can be now - thanks, Ruger, for making it owner-adjustable! This has an 18" barrel, which is threaded for a can or flash suppressor. Two sectioned buttstocks were provided; the other one has a raised cheekpiece; I may switch it out for the higher mount which gives me a longer point-blank range. I've ordered a flash suppressor and an extra 9-round magazine. It should be a very handy field gun - overall length is just 32 inches. The rotary magazine feeds very reliably.

It joins my model 48, my old model Ruger Super Single Six convertible, and my Winchester 94/22 in the same chambering.

John

 

[Hasbeen1945]

I love 22 pistols revolvers or autos. But I’m really impressed with the model 48. The 22 Magnum really shines in revolver. Mine has an 8 3/8 barrel.

 

[nutsforsmiths]

Willyboy, My 48 does get the charge holes pretty dirty with burnt powder build-up, so I do have to clean it out under the extractor star from time to time while shooting it, just like I do with my Model 17. It doesn't bother me though.

I also have a 351PD in 22 Magnum and it has a different ejector star pattern. I have never had to clean out under the star when shooting this one.