Which .22 LR model for practice?

[DavidB]

Wiley Clapp wrote about having a Model 18 and a Model 19 in his Fighting Iron column titled "Midnights" (Shooting Illustrated June 2009).
How are those guns?
What might be a good companion .22 LR for a 3" 65-5?
And what .22 LR to pair with a Highway Patrolman?
Thank you.

 

[pred]

65 is a K frame, So a model 18 would be great.
The HP is an N frame and they didnt make a .22 in an N frame,
So stick with the model 18....
If there was an N frame .22 I think I would want one though!
Peter

 

[Hunt200]

65-5 and a M617
Highway Patrolman and a K-22

 

[stevieboy]

I'm a big fan of 4" revolvers and, so, my "go to" .22 is a 617-1 4 incher. That gun accounts for 50% of my total shooting.

 

[Smithboomer]

I'd go with a Model 18 and a 617 also.

The 617 may be a K frame but it's as heavy as the Highway Patrolman.

 

[jimmyjoe]

17-6

I picked up a model 17-6 (22 cal.) at the gun show for $350. It is built on a K frame. Nice heavy gun and fun to shoot...

 

[8thill]

What is the difference between the 17 and 18?

 

[DCWilson]

The 17 has a six-inch barrel and the 18 a four-inch. Also the 18 has a ramp front sight instead of the target patridge on the 17.

In their early history these guns were referred to as the K-22 Masterpiece and the K-22 Combat Masterpiece. "Combat" just meant shorter barrel and ramp sight.

That's the core distinction, but I think there are versions of these guns in different barrel lengths.

 

[Sportsterguy]

I picked up a model 17-6 (22 cal.) at the gun show for $350. It is built on a K frame. Nice heavy gun and fun to shoot...

You CANNOT go wrong with a model 17. One of the best training and fun to shoot S&W revolvers ever made IMO. With ammo and supplies prices through the roof my 17-3 is getting shot very frequently.

You did good jimmyjoe on yours. KEEP IT!

 

[Stainz]

In my conversion to revolvers, I was complete except for the .22 LR - I should have started there! I sold my MKII last September - and bought a new X10 4" 617. I had put it off - it weighed and cost what a 'real' revolver did - and for a reason. Current production or not, it is a fine revolver.

I customized mine - softer springs - a little internal cleanup. Next, a raw cocobolo Retro Target grip from Ahrends - and my homebrew oil finish - worked great. Last spring - the DS-10 Speedloader and 6X10 loading block. Wednesday saw the arrival of the green HiViz sight (Especially short - for the 617 - #SW617!). Yesterday, a range trip proved it's worth.

To me it matters little whether you get an older partial lug blued example - or the current one like mine. My advice is simple - just get one! Oh, sure, in a perfect world, mine would be missing part of it's lug... it really looks odd to me and serves no purpose - to me! But don't wait - it is a lot more fun than you will ever believe.

I am serious. Sure, a few .45 Colts, .45 ACP/ARs, .44 Magnums, Specials, and Russians shot downrange can be fun... but look at the cost! I reload, and it gets to me. Sure, .22s are more than they were a year ago - still a bargain. They don't impress the rebounding steel plates much - unless you hit them awfully high - but stationary plates and paper targets don't care what your 'power factor' is. If dropping steel plates is important, get a .38.

Need one that matches your 'big guns'? Huh? Shoot a .22 revolver for FUN. Pick out the best one you can afford - that you like the looks & feel of. Here is my recent acquisition, a 5" 63, compared with the 617 shown above:

I bought this 63 from a friend's estate - literally new in box. I did some clean-up and spring changes - and got some J-frame Hogue square conversion monogrips for a bit larger grip - perfect! The 8-shooter runs ~10% less than the 617 - not a huge savings. I sold some old friends, long and short, to convert to revolvers - these guys have about completed the metamorphosis. Whatever your feelings about current S&W revolvers, I love them.

Stainz