New K22 owner

[LMV88]

Hello! I'm new to the forums, and this is my first post. This weekend my father gave me a very nice K22 5 screw that he found sitting in a box getting ruined. He fixed it up and I took it to the range today (who agrees that's a great birthday present?), and it's such a dream to shoot. Really boosts my confidence, as I am a new shooter, and it's very light.

What I was wondering (and I am really sorry if you all are sick of answering this question), if I can get a little info on it. It's a K22 5-screw K135xxx. I can get some pictures up if that will help!

Thank you again, and I'm looking forward to posting some more!

 

[DCWilson]

Welcome to the forum. By all means get those pictures up! We love pics of all guns here. The K-frame Masterpiece series of revolvers is one of the greatest firearm lines any manufacturer ever produced. The K-22 is particularly loved.

With that serial number your gun probably shipped in late 1951, maybe early 1952. If you have the six-inch barrel, it is called the K-22 Masterpiece. If you have the four inch barrel, you have what the company called the .22 Combat Masterpiece -- not that anyone planned to take this model into a gunfight. The "combat" designation just refers to design features that would allow any gun to be produced quickly from a holster if urgent need arose. These include the shorter barrel and the snag-resistant ramp front sight.

Great way to make an introduction. :)

 

[LMV88]

Thanks for the quick response! It's a 4-inch barrel. Sorry for the lack of info, I'm still learning about all this.

 

[DCWilson]

Thanks for the quick response! It's a 4-inch barrel. Sorry for the lack of info, I'm still learning about all this.

I thought it might be a CM because you mentioned how light it was. Just FYI, the best .22 group I ever shot in my life was with a .22 Combat Masterpiece. I do OK, but not spectacularly well, with the six-inch barrels, but it was like I couldn't force that CM to hit outside of the red circle.

When S&W adopted model numbers in 1957, the K-22 Masterpiece became the Model 17, and the .22 Combat Masterpiece became the model 18. As a shorthand way of classifying revolvers, you will hear the guns produced between WWII and 1957 labeled as as "Pre" models. The early K-22 Masterpieces would be called Pre-17s, for example, and guns like yours would be Pre-18s.

I should have said earlier that the .22 CM was introduced in 1950, so you have one of the early ones. You can find lots of threads about these guns with a forum search. You will get some hits for a Combat Masterpiece in .38 Special; as you might imagine, that's just a K-38 Masterpiece with a four inch barrel and ramp front sight. One of the reasons the .22 Combat Masterpiece exists is that it was used as a training weapon for law enforcement personnel who would be carrying the .38 version as a duty revolver.

Ah! The photo appeared while I was composing this message. That's a nice one! You need to give us a range report and show us some targets when you have a chance. :)

 

[fyimo]

Congratulations with the new K22 that your father gave you. That is one gun that stay with you for all your days on earth. They are a blast to shoot and accurate.

 

[steamloco76]

Very nice K-22 CM! The first time I shot my six inch K-22 (1954 ship date) my wife said I was grinning like a fool-they are fantastic .22 caliber revolvers.

 

[RdrBill]

Sir.
Nice K22. You have a gun that everyone here wants. Some more than others.
Bill@Yuma

 

[PMRet]

Wise Father, great birthday present. As a new shooter, this is THE gun to start with. Great way to develop your skills, and a natural segway to centerfire revolvers like the Model 15 .38 Special, etc. if you choose to move up to something a little more powerful.

 

[LMV88]

I don't have photos of when we went to the range yesterday, but I can tell you I was having 2-3 inch groups from the very start (We were also shooting our new Mosin). Just like steamloco76, after the first shot I turned to my husband and said, "Woooow!" haha. It is such a breeze compared to our Glock 26, which gives me trouble. I am very eager to take it out again.

 

[LEO918]

Great gun. Many hoarders of K-22 guns here in ARIZONA. Be very careful when anywhere near Yuma. And welcome to your new home online.