Why Is K22 So Over Represented?

[fxntime]

Don't get me wrong, I just picked one up recently and this site was very helpful and the people were great. It's just that I was wondering why they seem to be extremely popular to find and collect. Was it that they produced and sold scads of them, people want a cheap round to shoot for target or small game, or that it's a niche collector revolver?

They certainly don't seem to be any cheaper to buy then the center-fire S&W revolvers of the era sans registered .357s or small run models, is that due to the interest in them or just the fact that they "just don't make them like they used to" perception? [I do understand that]

I don't have many S&W revolvers, just a USP marked Victory and the K22, and I'm looking for a Mod 18 but I'm surprised at the interest the K22 seems to have and the number of posts on it as opposed to other models and was just wondering why that is so.

 

[Ga Johnny]

I just picked one up recently

Well you can't be expected to understand..............yet

 

[fxntime]

I just picked one up recently

Well you can't be expected to understand..............yet

I'm not going to beat around the bush, I've been buying Colt 1911s and A1s for many years, was turned off by a horrible early run S&W 686 that couldn't hit a barn from the inside and stayed away from S&W since then til recently. Far more interested in older S&W revolvers then new ones, but that is also somewhat true of other firearms for the past few years, very little new manufactured firearms interest me much, I can appreciate how they were screwed together years ago as opposed to the "crank them out" as cheaply as possible ideal today.

I bought the K22 partly because I'm getting tired of policing .22 brass out of the grass and because it seemed to be screwed together well. Originally [it was in a blue S&W K17 box] I didn't think it was as old as it turned out to be but I'm not complaining about that.

I do understand the interest of certain era's products, It's just that I am surprised at the number of K22 posts from this era and was wondering why that was. I'm shooting a lot more .22 now as opposed to the past and it's one reason I picked one up.

 

[tbury]

K22 is as well made as any S&W and you can shoot it a lot more for a lot less. Plus it is the ideal gun to teach new shooters, wives, and children how to handle a handgun. It has low recoil and does not allow rapid fire that you see in a lot of Youtube videos. So it tends to allow concentration on marksmanship rather than rate of fire. The local gun shop I frequent cannot keep K22s in the case especially this time of the year.

 

[PMRet]

Was it that they produced and sold scads of them, people want a cheap round to shoot for target or small game, or that it's a niche collector revolver or just the fact that they "just don't make them like they used to" perception?

All of the above, and more...oh, so much more.

 

[steamloco76]

The K-22 (and later Model 17 and 617) has never been inexpensive which means there are less of them in circulation than the center-fire target models of the same era. As shooter-collectors fill their safes with .32's, .38's, .44's and .45's they soon realize all center-fire guns cost exponentially more to shoot than the .22LR. If the shooter-collector wants a high quality DA .22 revolver from the same era as their bigger bore guns, they then need a K-22 or Colt Official Police/Police Positive. This want/need keeps the market hopping and prices up on the quality older (and newer) .22 revolvers.

I have an early 50's K-22, a late 70's Model 17 and model 617's from the 90's and recent production. The 1950's gun has old-school class and grace. The late 70's 17 is superbly finished and very accurate. All the 617's I've ever owned or shot have been remarkably accurate too. All are still K-22 Masterpieces and all have held their value or appreciated right along with the old classics. They are truly a firearm that any gun enthusiast worth his bacon should own and shoot!
Classic 1952 K-22

Still Great in its 2008 form

 

[Dadsnugun]

I've kind of been wondering the same thing, fxntime, even though I've had a pre-18 for years, and was just able to identify it with the help of the fine folks here. It's typical S&W to shoot (not a bad thing at all!) and the only thing that really makes it "special" to me is that it once belonged to my Granddad, but it wouldn't be less special if it had been a model 10, 15 or 28 on ad-infinitum. If I had the money and didn't have a .22 Combat Masterpiece already, I'd spend it on a Highway Patrolman instead...or a 4" Model 29...or Model 66...you get the idea...

 

[10/22]

K frames

The so called K frame was the premier and marketing success for S&W for as many years as it was produced. The K 38 being the champ of double action .38's. When I was just a boy, it was the revolver everyone said was THE one. The easy to handle size and great balance beat out Colt for its DA action, with a smooth pull and no stacking.

That Smith & Wesson built the K in .22, .32 and .38...all at the same weight and feel was a boon to target shooters. In this day of high ammo cost and a less shooter friendly environment, the K 22 offers the same feel and quality as a .38 with lower cost, noise and recoil.

All quality .22's are at a premium these days and the S&W K is a top of the line value.

They had it right from the very first and the public know and appreciate it. My 17-2 was a ranch gun for several years and is the last gun I would be willing to give up...I love it! It seems to shoot where I point without much thought.
(Wood Stocks are put away to preserve them).

10/22.

 

[Art Doc]

Not sure that I agree with your premise. I don't think the K22 gets discussed significantly more than other models. Topics run in cycles. For a while you see a lot Registered Magnum threads. Then you see a bunch of Victory Model discussions. The last few days there have been a number of K22 posts. That's the way it goes.

BTW, here's my K22.

 

[glenncal1]

They are just cool. How is that for scientific reasoning.

 

[Bearcat]

K22 is as well made as any S&W and you can shoot it a lot more for a lot less. Plus it is the ideal gun to teach new shooters, wives, and children how to handle a handgun. It has low recoil and does not allow rapid fire that you see in a lot of Youtube videos. So it tends to allow concentration on marksmanship rather than rate of fire. The local gun shop I frequent cannot keep K22s in the case especially this time of the year.

That just about nails it on the head!

 

[s&wchad]

Many of us learned with a .22. The first gun I ever shot was a .22 rifle and I still enjoy shooting them today. The cartridges are about 1/10th the cost of factory centerfire ammunition, so you can shoot a lot more for the same money. They have virtually no recoil, less muzzle blast and report than most other chamberings and are quite accurate. Many of the guns are crafted with the same care and attention to detail as their larger bore counterparts, so there’s no sacrifice in quality. Virtually all American firearm manufacturers produced a number of different .22’s, which means there’s enough variety to keep collectors interested for a lifetime. I know of several local collections that are based solely on .22's.

I almost never go to the pistol range without taking at least one .22 pistol and I typically fire more .22 L.R. cartridges than any other caliber. Recently, because of a forum poll, I tallied up the handguns that I’ve accumulated over the past 35 years. The .38/.357 came in first place, but the .22 L.R. was a close second. If you separate the .38 Specials from the .357 Magnums, the .22 wins hands down. I can’t speak for all other shooters, but I can tell you that the .22 is overrepresented in my collection because I like them and they make me smile!

 

[markeb]

Here's my 1955. Are there more?

 

[Sebago Son]

K-22's are the Crack Cocaine of Post War S&W collecting.

Here's just a few of mine..

Once you get hooked, there's never enough...

Drew

 

[Joe in SC]

I think it's because the K-22 is in a class by it's self. Lots of folks made 22 revolvers, the K-22's and model 17's were just the creme of the crop, very desirable for the craftsmanship and shootability.

You may mention the Colt 22's and to that I say they were scarce according to my observation and too pricy as compared to the S&W models.

 

[GF]

A. From the OP, "..they seem to be extremely popular to find and collect."

B. From S&Wchad, " ...I still enjoy shooting them today."

C. From glenncal1, "They are just cool."

I'm goin' with C!

Oh I had to Edit to give a nod to this statement !!! "K-22's are the Crack Cocaine of Post War S&W collecting. "
We have a winner!


GF

 

[jhde69]

I went to the range a few days ago to run some rounds thru my 39-2 and k38. Got the truck loaded and something was not right. Back to the house for the k-22,It seems I can not go to the range with out a 22. The K22 is the one revolver the grandson's make sure is with us on a trip to the range. It's just a great handling revolver.

 

[markeb]

Anyone have a gold K-22 box for sale?

 

[fxntime]

I think it's because the K-22 is in a class by it's self. Lots of folks made 22 revolvers, the K-22's and model 17's were just the creme of the crop, very desirable for the craftsmanship and shootability.

You may mention the Colt 22's and to that I say they were scarce according to my observation and too pricy as compared to the S&W models.

I'll absolutely agree the Colt .22 revolvers are scarce and no one tends to get rid of them often, it took me several years of looking to find a nice 4" Diamondback at a decent price. There are a LOT more K22s out there and since Colt quit building revolvers years ago, there isn't a ton of choices past S&W if you want a US made .22 DA revolver. [yes I know Ruger is now producing them]

 

[ar33]

For me, I bring it along to the range to further my day of shooting. Shoot the others first, then finish with the k22. I don't worry about the price of ammo and it will always be a mainstay in my rotation.