New S and W .22 revolvers-what to buy
- Thread starter rogo123
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You decide which one you want and go buy it ASAP. Some years back, I decided I wanted a 617 to go with my K-22, but I sure wasn't going to pay $600! I'd find a better deal!
Yep, I'm still looking.
Don't be me.
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A nice K-22 Masterpiece is currently in the $650-700 range, and someone else has already tested it and took care of the bugs (if any), so that would be my vote.
Green Frog
Member
Another vote for a blued K22, the earlier the better. My 1947 vintage Masterpiece will leave in my will. Some folks also like the 4” version, the Combat Masterpiece, AKA Model 18.
Froggie
Froggie
I would have preferred an older M18 or a K-22 like I had in my youth, but all the ones I've seen in my neck of the woods have been $1000 to $1100.
Money has been tight, so I decided to take a chance on a M617 that was for sale locally for $700.
No issues, and while the purists prefer a traditional 6 shot revolver, I am really liking the 10 shot capacity.
(Wanted to go shooting after reworking the shape of the grips, so I didn't get the medallions put back in until later).
Money has been tight, so I decided to take a chance on a M617 that was for sale locally for $700.
No issues, and while the purists prefer a traditional 6 shot revolver, I am really liking the 10 shot capacity.
(Wanted to go shooting after reworking the shape of the grips, so I didn't get the medallions put back in until later).
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I have a strong preference for older stuff. The three shown here are a 1939 Outdoorsman, a 1947 "LERK", and a 1953 Combat Masterpiece. Over the years, I guess I've fired a wide variety of .22 revolvers and there are lots of nice ones out there, but the K-22 has proven itself to be a great platform for the cartridge. Shoot what you like and like what you shoot.
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Bought a new 617 this last year.
Its probably one of my favorite guns. Just a joy to shoot. Very accurate and will shoot anything from blanks to Hypervelocity stuff. Ive even dispatched voles with it and some .22 shot.
The 10 round cylinder helps me keep up with autos in pin shoots. I even won overall with one of the leagues.
A speed bee loader and case was the best purchase in addition to the gun. Makes reloading fun and fast
Its probably one of my favorite guns. Just a joy to shoot. Very accurate and will shoot anything from blanks to Hypervelocity stuff. Ive even dispatched voles with it and some .22 shot.
The 10 round cylinder helps me keep up with autos in pin shoots. I even won overall with one of the leagues.
A speed bee loader and case was the best purchase in addition to the gun. Makes reloading fun and fast
Depends on your intended use. If carry/plinking I'd get the 63. If admiring with minimal use, I'd get the blued 17, If wanting a target grade and want to shoot the heck out of it I;d get the 617. I've had all of them and the 617 is my go to gun for lots of fun.
smoothshooter
Member
I have wondered for years why the manufacturers stuck with 6-shot cylinders in .22 rimfire for so long when they could have just as easily bored 8 or 10 chambers in cylinders.
Tanners Owner
US Veteran
I have a 617 & a 63 no dash. I shoot the 617 far more. Both acquired used.
If for range work, go with the 617, if woods work and carrying more, go with the 63 ( of the 2 I have experience with)
If for range work, go with the 617, if woods work and carrying more, go with the 63 ( of the 2 I have experience with)
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AveragEd
Member
I guess I'm just old school as I prefer the older six-shot guns (there's a reason why they call revolvers six-shooters). Way back when, I plunked down $144.95 for a new six-inch no-dash Model 617. Then about 15 years ago, I paid $350 for a used four-inch. I put Millett rear sights on both of them and a target hammer and trigger in the four-inch (could only find color casehardened parts). I used to use them in bullseye competition but cataracts along with no longer having steady hands at age 77 have driven me to benchrest rimfire rifle events.
I sorta think I could make a few bucks if I sold either one of them but that's going to be a decision for our son. Now, I just like taking them from the safe and fondling them. I shot the four-inch a lot more and it came to me as being somewhat polished but I'm thinking about having its brushed finish restored. There's no question about how much fun 22s are to shoot.
Ed
I sorta think I could make a few bucks if I sold either one of them but that's going to be a decision for our son. Now, I just like taking them from the safe and fondling them. I shot the four-inch a lot more and it came to me as being somewhat polished but I'm thinking about having its brushed finish restored. There's no question about how much fun 22s are to shoot.
Ed
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Iver Johnson, H&R, New England Firearms and probably others have been making 8 and 9 shot revolvers for almost a hundred years.
The Iver Johnson Super Shot Sealed Eight was a deluxe, large frame 8 shot .22 made from 1932 to 1958.
My Grandfather had a nice H&R Sportman that was a top break 9 shot, and a few years ago I picked up a used Iver Johnson 9 shot for cheap and gave it to my son-in-law as I knew he didn't have a .22 revolver.
First handgun I shot, back in the early 60s) was an H&R top break .22. The older I get, the more I shoot .22s. Have or have had S&Ws M17s, M18s, M34, M317s, M617s. love em all. My current favorite is a M18.
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M17 and M18
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To the OP: Gun luck in your search.
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M17 and M18
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To the OP: Gun luck in your search.
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Personally I like the older model 17 & 18. I don’t keep stainless but have had three 617s on trades. Shot them and found them to be functional & accurate.
If you stay on top of things you should be able to come up with a decent specimen from $550 to $750. Don’t forget inflation. My 1st K22 I got NIB on trade from my gunsmith. That was 1964 and K22 was just about $100 at the time.
If you stay on top of things you should be able to come up with a decent specimen from $550 to $750. Don’t forget inflation. My 1st K22 I got NIB on trade from my gunsmith. That was 1964 and K22 was just about $100 at the time.
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Yendor357
Member
The best 22 handgun Smith makes is a Model 41.
But if you have to have a wheel gun this is my choice: 4 inch, 10 shot 617. Plug the hole. Get some nice grips.
Good luck with your 22 revolver.
But if you have to have a wheel gun this is my choice: 4 inch, 10 shot 617. Plug the hole. Get some nice grips.
Good luck with your 22 revolver.
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Especially with the 9 shot High Standards in the 1950's. They were proof that there was no problem with more than 6 shots. Perhaps they just didn't want to change the hand travel.
firefighterjohn
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My first S&W .22 revolver was a beautiful 17-3 with box and papers. It is a great shooter. Since then I came across a 617 no dash which feels just like my 686 no dash, so that's a great training gun as well. My latest is a very nice 63 no dash with box, papers and tools that I had to add to my .22 collection. I grabbed that one as SOON as I held it.
Lately, I've noticed that the 17s are very hard to come by as no one wants to sell theirs, it seems.
Any of these would be great 1st S&W .22 revolvers to start you on your collection journey.
Good luck in your search, as others have said above, they AREN'T getting any cheaper.
Plink away!
Lately, I've noticed that the 17s are very hard to come by as no one wants to sell theirs, it seems.
Any of these would be great 1st S&W .22 revolvers to start you on your collection journey.
Good luck in your search, as others have said above, they AREN'T getting any cheaper.
Plink away!
hdfinder47
Member
Buy 'em all.
.38SuperMan
Member
If you want something easy to carry the classic 63 or 34 just can’t be beat. I’m fine with either a 6 or 10 shot but prefer the look of the 6. Saying that I have a beauty of a 5 screw 1955 M17. Wonderful revolver and won’t ever let it go. I also have a 314 airweight 3” that great for carrying and great fun to shoot. My wife has one too and she’d never let it go too.
I traded a shotgun some years back for a very nice 4” 617 and found it to be accurate and very reliable. I really like it but when Colt came out with the 22cal King Cobra I just couldn’t resist and sold my 617 and bought a 4” Colt. I’m happy I did. The Colt action is superb as was the Smith but they’re different. I like the slightly smaller and lighter Colt and the balance is better in my hand. In addition the Colt doesn’t feel as bloated as the Smith and there’s no darn lock on the Colt.
I still have my older Smiths, 34, 63, 17, newer 314 and probably won’t part with them but I enjoy my Colt more than the 617 feeling it’s better balanced and like the physical size and weight better.
I traded a shotgun some years back for a very nice 4” 617 and found it to be accurate and very reliable. I really like it but when Colt came out with the 22cal King Cobra I just couldn’t resist and sold my 617 and bought a 4” Colt. I’m happy I did. The Colt action is superb as was the Smith but they’re different. I like the slightly smaller and lighter Colt and the balance is better in my hand. In addition the Colt doesn’t feel as bloated as the Smith and there’s no darn lock on the Colt.
I still have my older Smiths, 34, 63, 17, newer 314 and probably won’t part with them but I enjoy my Colt more than the 617 feeling it’s better balanced and like the physical size and weight better.
