So 34 or 18?? Pros & Cons

[45NUTT]

I have my 1948 K-22 & 1980 48-4 and am wanting to add both of these eventually. I'm just trying to figure out which one is next in line.

Please wax eloquent while extolling the virtues of each revolver! Also, what is considered a "decent" price?

 

[22hipower]

Whichever one you find first in nice condition at reasonable cost. As you're already aware, you'll have both eventually anyway.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

 

[Spurdann]

I normally pay too much, on the other hand two of each is a good start. Price wise, they aren't making them like they used to. I spent way too much for my 18 but it still puts a smile on my face when we go to the range.

 

[murphydog]

You have two K frame .22s, so if you shoot them well a model 18 is an obvious choice. A J frame .22 is a bit more difficult to shoot but larger stocks will help. Please post photos when you get them both.

 

[Retired W4]

When it comes to rim fires the little Kit Guns are great but there is nothing like the K22 Combat Masterpiece...in my opinion.

 

[Narragansett]

If I wanted 2- 22's I would get an 18-3 first, and a say 17-3 next. The 18 is 4" , the 17 is 6". I would stay with a K frame for accuracy and balance. Expect to pay 750 to 850 for the 18 and 750 for the 17.

If you want to shoot long distance for fun, the 17-4 is a good choice with the 8 3/8' bbl. I have seen 1200 asking for these. I think 900-1K.

Nothing wrong with paying a bit of a premium for condition.

Want more, a 5 screw K22 6". 800 or so.

I do not kave the K22, but I have the others.

 

[sodacan]

I have no experience with "J" frame frame 22lr revolvers, but I have a 1953 K-22 Combat Masterpiece that is a terrific revolver in all aspects.

 

[rockquarry]

J-frame guns are far more difficut to shoot well than the larger-framed Model 18. I like them both but you'll do a lot of practicing with the J-frame to develop the necessary shooting skill. The 18 is a much better beginner's gun.

 

[Smithboomer]

I teach about 50-60 new shooters (beginners) each summer using S&W .22 revolvers.
I have both J-frames and K-frames , Mod 34,63,17 and 18.
Overwhelming favorite is the 4" Mod 63.
Second is the Mod 34.
Nobody likes the Mod 17 but the lighter Mod 18 does get some favorable comments.
My advice: Get a J frame.

 

[crows]

I have a pretty good collection of K frames, among them a K22 and a Mod 18. I have never been a fan of J frames, and have only owned one N frame, so I can't give a fair and unbiased answer. Buy a K frame .22.
My K22 is an early post WWII piece, a great shooter. But where I to choose between the two, I would go with the Mod 18.
And thanks for bringing up this topic. I am headed to the range tomorrow and I will be taking my Mod 18 along.

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

Whichever one you find first in nice condition at reasonable cost. As you're already aware, you'll have both eventually anyway.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

True. I have multiples of both.

 

[CH4]

My 2" 63 is a hoot, but I prefer my K frame rimfires for their handling characteristics.

 

[.38SuperMan]

There are positives to be said about both your choices. I have both a 34-1 4" and 63 no dash 4" and a K22 6" and a scarce 17-6 4" with a partial under lug. The 17-6 is essentially the same as the 18 but has a non tapered barrel. As to my favorite, it depends on my mood at the moment. Recently I've been enjoying my J frame 22's but will cycle back to the larger frames at some point.

Another option might be a 617 which is a stainless K frame with full under lug and is currently available new in 4" and 6" barrels. I owned one until I acquired a new Colt King Cobra 4.35" 22. After handling the Colt I fell in love with its size and weight. It between a K frame and J frame in size and strikes a nice balance of weight, balance and size. You might say it's not too big and not too small.

If you want old school charm in aColt you might look for a Colt Diamondback 22. I have a 1st series in 4" blue and it's the closest you'll come to a vintage Python chambered in 22 cal. It's on a small er frame and about the same size as the new Colt King Cobra 22 and shared a lot of its visual attributes.

The first image is the Colt King Cobra 22 with aftermarket grips.
Second is the Smith 17-6 and third is the Colt Diamondback 22. Forth is my nickel 34-1 with Sambar Stags. At the moment I do t have a photo of the 63 no dash.

 

[sophie]

When it comes to rim fires the little Kit Guns are great but there is nothing like the K22 Combat Masterpiece...in my opinion.

^^^Yep, what he said^^^

 

[DR505]

I like 18s and 17s. Here is a 18-3 and a 17-6.

 

[steelslaver]

I have several K22 both 4" and 6" I shoot them better than my I frame 22 with a 4" barrel. My I frame if one of the later ones with a coil main spring, right before they made the grip frame and cylinder window a bit bigger and called them J frames like the model 34

 

[sodacan]

"K" frame 22's are excellent revolvers. Shown below are a 1939 Outdoorsman, a 1947 K-22 "LERK" and a 1953 Combat Masterpiece. The quality of these guns is off the chart.

 

[Dvus]

Since you already have 2 K22s, a J frame could add a little flavor, however, I personally would recommend the model 18. I would also be picky about it and hold out for a 3T (Target trigger, hammer and stocks) model 18. They are hard to find, but well worth it. A run of the mill 18 won't feel any different that the 1948 K22 you already have, except the barrel length. I have had multiple 17s, 18s, 34s, pre models of each and others, but the 18s remain the hands down favorites.

 

[45NUTT]

You guys RULE!! Now I want a #63 and a nickel 34 and (gasp!) a Colt King Cobra 22. A fine bunch of enablers y'all turned out to be! Which is why you start a thread like this to begin with.

I'm looking at a nice 34 with the box and a 2T 18. I have a set of target stocks for the 18 and I might get it first sine the target H&T are harder to find.

 

[JP@AK]

I happily paid $800 for this Kit Gun ten years ago. It is a 4", round butt, nickel plated 34-1 from 1981. It is almost the same age as the Model 14-4 (shown below), which I purchased new in 1983.

 

[Grayfox]

I'm a big fan of the S&W .22s. While I dearly love my 4" 34-1 and will never sell it, One of my Model 18-3s goes along on almost every range trip.

 

[rock doc]

I have a 63-5 and 18-3. The 63 is an eight- round cylinder and is fun to shoot. However, the 18 gets shot a lot more often when I go to the range. I like to show it off.

Not much help, but buy what you find at your price-point.

 

[MajorD]

I have had multiple J&K 22's. Enjoyed them all. I would go for a J as you don't have one yet. S&W revolvers ( older classics which I prefer anyway) are surprisingly hard to find in my neck of the woods at a not insane top dollar price. The J's are less common in my experience so that is what I would seek out first, but then again if you stumble over an 18 I could be convinced to jump on a good deal there too.
About 15 years ago I decided I wanted a 34. I really like the 2" versions, and Definitely prefer a square butt. I am also a fan of blue ( can't stand stainless and only reluctantly will consider nickel) to find a gun that fit my requirements within my price range took 5 years! And at that point, I had to accept nickel. It was right near the top of the price range I was willing to pay, but have been very satisfied with it.
Regardless of frame size or barrel length it is hard to go wrong with a 22 revolver from S&W

 

[Model19man]

Personally I like the J frame Smiths. I think you should save up until a Model 35 comes your way. They are the best.

 

[A10]

I'm a big fan of Model 15's. Were it my decision I would go with the 18 then find a matching condition 15 to go with it. Then search for a 4" 16. Trifecta!

 

[.38SuperMan]

I'm amazed at the prices dealers are getting for the J frame 22's especially the 2". I'd love a 2" but absolutely refuse to pay their insane prices. -8's in nice condition won't bring what a 4" J frame will bring. There's V2 a dealer that comes to the local shows that has a pretty nice 18 with sn asking price of $900 and has had it for quite a while. $900 will get you a challenged 34-1 4" possible and a nice one for $1,100-1,200.

I would consider a 43c but have read too many nightmare stories. I'm baffled as to why Smith can't get it together on that gun. It seems as if they could make 34's and 63's they could make a 43c that would go off every time.

Colt introduced the King Cobra 22 and both myself and my brother bought them. It's a midsize frame sim similar to the the Fetective Special or Diamondback in size. It's between a J and a K frame and is a very nice size and weight. It's basically a 22 caliber Python and is available in 4" and 6" barrels. Now I'd love to see Colt introduce a 2" in the KC. Colt made a 2" Diamondback but they're impossible to find and if you do find one you'll pay $2,000-$2,400 or more to get it. Come on Colt!

 

[Dvus]

...It's a midsize frame sim similar to the the Fetective Special...

That would be "Defective Special"

 

[Repeater]

Just admit it to yourself...you're gonna wind up with those two PLUS all the others mentioned here!

 

[minconrevo]

If you have small hands or your carry space for a handgun is on the small size, the 34 has things going for it there. Otherwise, the 18 is the winner hands down for 1st to acquire. The 34 will need bigger grips, such as the S&W target wood grips or the S&W banana grips, for someone with any hand size other than petite. I don't like the banana grips for centerfire J's but find them a winner on the 34.

Regardless, whichever of the two you find first, in the condition that you desire is what you should lay out bucks. Of the 2, I think you will shoot the 18 more, by a big majority. The 34 is more akin to a carry much, shoot seldom.

 

[Sagewind]

I found a 34-1, 4" SB w/ box, papers, and tools- unfired. I paid $600, pre-covid. I have left it that way, but that may change.
I bought a 18-3, 95%, no box for $850 at Cabela's two years ago. What can I say- I wanted it. It will be used regularly. If I had to pick one to own or own first, it would be the 18-3. Good luck w/ your search! I will add that I had been looking for the right 17/18 for a while, the 34-1 just fell into my lap.