Which Would You Consider The Best S&W .22 Revolver Ever Made?

[johnnyflake]

I have been thinking of picking up a high quality, top shooting, .22 revolver, vintage or new era.

Which S&W .22 revolver would fall in that category, for you and why?

 

[snowman]

Well, I can only speak from my own experience. I have four Smith .22s: an 18, a 17, a 63, and a 34. All things considered, the 18 is the best of the four.

Andy

 

[gregintenn]

I consider a pinned and recessed 4 inch model 18 perfection.

 

[Aticus]

I'm kinda partial to my K-22.

 

[Wyatt Burp]

Vote #3 for the Model 18. I liked this one so much I bought it twice. Once in the early 1980s for $175, and again twenty years later from the friend who traded me out of it. This time it cost $450, which was my offer price.

 

[cmort666]

Without a doubt, the Model 17/K-22.

It's the only .22 revolver I've ever owned, and probably the only one I ever will.

 

[6518John]

Without a doubt, the Model 17/K-22. It's the only .22 revolver I've ever owned, and probably the only one I ever will.

I think it may be THE finest revolver made by S&W of ANY caliber! (Of the "normal" revolvers any of us possibly stand a chance of getting, not including Registered Magnums and the like).

With the 17/K-22 Masterpiece, the Model 10, 27 and 29 I am not sure what else one would need.

 

[LoboGunLeather]

I have owned and used the 6" K-22, 4" Model 18, and 2" Model 34. All are excellent for different purposes. They have all been more accurate than my shooting is likely to be. As long as I do my part right these revolvers will do theirs.

If I wanted a .22 for target shooting or hunting I would lean toward the 6" K-22 or 4" Model 18. I love the Model 34 on hunting, fishing, and camping trips, and I've forgotten how many meals it has provided for me with grouse, cottontails, or snowshoe hares. Carries easily in a vest pocket, and a box of .22LR rides easily in another vest pocket, so I know I'll never have to starve to death in the woods.

 

[Grayfox]

I don't think S&W ever made any bad .22 revolvers. They're all great. Just depends on which model strikes your fancy.
Personally, I prefer the K-frames with the Model 18 being my favorite.

 

[glowe]

I would certainly vote for the K22 Masterpiece. The only question is what era gun you should own. I have read from many of our experts that the post-war/pre-model revolvers were the best guns ever made by S&W.

 

[vrichard]

I don`t think this one is the best 22 cal.

This Combat Masterpiece has to be the best 22 cal.

Dick
Dick

 

[Brian41]

I only have a model 17 and pre-model 17 in 22lr so only ones I can speak of. I like them real well and one always goes to the range with me.

 

[H Richard]

I've got a 17-4, 617-6, Pre18 combat masterpiece, 34-1, and a 63-1. It's tough to say which one is best as they all shoot wonderful. If I was going to use it at the range only and shoot targets I would probably say the 17 or 617 is the best. Bur, I do like t woods roaming gun and then I would probably toss a coin between the Pre18 and the 63. If I was taking my grand kids to the range or woods I would grab the 63 and 34. My recommendation, buy the 18, the buy the 17, then pick up a 63 or 34, you can't have just one.

 

[redlevel]

I have owned 2" Model 34s, a couple of Model 18s, and currently have a Model 63, a late 40s K22, and a Model 651 .22 mag. I don't know which is best, but I have shot the Model 63 10X more than all the others put together. It might be my all-time favorite S&W revolver.

 

[brucev]

I have bought, owned, shot and sold a number of S&W .22 LR revolvers. Of them all, it is my considered opinion that the Model 18 is just about the best of the best. I use mine for practicing SA and DA shooting at the range. I use it in the woods and fields for shooting targets of opportunity as well as small game. It is just about the superlative .22 LR revolver that any man could ever want. When circumstances required me to let some of my handguns go, the 18-3 that I own was one of the few that I refused to consider selling. If it came down to it, that little 18-3 would stay even if I had to let every other revolver and pistol go.

 

[NYlakesider]

I have a 17, 18 and a 34. I thinkt the 18 is the best all around gun.

 

[Wyatt Burp]

Around 1984 I was shooting my Model 18 posted here earlier and told the girl I was with I would break this bottle poking out of the weeds about forty yards away. She said I couldn't hit that, so we made a bet. I can't say here what the bet was without getting in trouble, but I HAD to make that shot. I sat down like Elmer Keith did in Sixguns and slowly squeezed the trigger. She said, "You missed!" I said "Bee Ess!!" and ran over to it. I know I saw it move. Then picked up the bottle and the bottom which was obscured by weeds was shattered. When I pick up that gun nowadays I think about that shot and that girl who was no welcher. That's the most accurate handgun I ever owned.

 

[Iggy]

I've got a Model 18, two 17s, and a 34, but I don't think any of them will out shoot my 1939 vintage K-22 Outdoorsman.

 

[johnnyflake]

Vote #3 for the Model 18. I liked this one so much I bought it twice. Once in the early 1980s for $175, and again twenty years later from the friend who traded me out of it. This time it cost $450, which was my offer price.

Nice holster, wish I could see more of the gun!

 

[6518John]

I've got a Model 18, two 17s, and a 34, but I don't any of them will out shoot my 1939 vintage K-22 Outdoorsman.

I personally think it wise to listen to a man who use to bet his life everyday on what was on his hip. That takes gun "fancier" to a whole new level. My bet is too is that in most of his career if he had back-up within 30 to 45 minutes he would have felt like he had an army with him!