I have only one S&W .22 revolver. A 1980 Model 63. Would like to have a pre 1981 Model 18 (pinned barrel). Enjoy shooting it. For me the target stocks are better suited than the factory standard one.
I have a 34-1 Kit Gun and a Model 17-3. Between the two the Kit Gun is probably my favorite, even though the 17 is a more recent acquisition. The 34-1 is simply so size-efficient for a .22 and is very fun to shoot.
I have a number of J and K frames in 22 LR and 22 MAG. Two that are favorites are 17-4 and 18-2 but all of them are really good shooters. Here are some pictures I happen to have access to now.
From top to bottom is M51, 48-4, 34-1, 18-3, 17-4, and 617 ND
I only have three .22's that fall in the '60-'80 range. An 8 3/8" 17-4 that would be the most accurate of the three,
a 4" 18-3. This one is the best all around for plinking
and a 3 1/2" round butt model 51. This one is a literal blast to shoot. It ain't pretty but since only around 600 of the round butt ones were made I doubt I'll find a better one sitting in a local pawn shop.
Here’s a Model 18 and a Model 17, both from the 70’s that I enjoy shooting. The Model 18 had sticky extraction so I reamed the cylinders and cured that. The Model 17 never had an extraction problem.
Hard to decide on that one. I guess if I had to choose one to put at the top of my list it would be the K22 Combat Masterpiece, although I have more 6" K22's. This gun belonged to the Chief of Police in Seminole, TX for the shooting club he started. Chief LeBleu obviously took good care of his guns. I purchased it from the estate of his son, Tom LeBlue, who lived here in Atlanta. Sometimes you just get lucky.
I've really decided for every day I prefer 4 inch barrels when it comes to K-Frames. So, without question for me it is my K22 Combat Masterpiece. When I go shooting it always goes with me.
My "Post Office " pre Model 45 is a close second. The fixed sight K-22 should have been a regular cataloged item.
A nice 18-2 showed up not long after the above family photo was taken...
My favorite for all 'round shooting is probably the full underlug 17-6, but for offhand target shooting the 17-2/3 are king. The K22 1st Model Outdoorsman is a thing of beauty, but I shoot the post war guns better.
I have a 34-1 Kit Gun and a Model 17-3. Between the two the Kit Gun is probably my favorite, even though the 17 is a more recent acquisition. The 34-1 is simply so size-efficient for a .22 and is very fun to shoot.