Why Is K22 So Over Represented?
- Thread starter fxntime
- Start date
I thought one K-22 was enough. WRONG.
Model 17-6:
Model 617-1:
Model 48-4:
1953 K-22:
Pre Model 18:
1948 K-22:
1952 K-22:
Model 17-6:
Model 617-1:
Model 48-4:
1953 K-22:
Pre Model 18:
1948 K-22:
1952 K-22:
fat tom
Absent Comrade
Larry from Bend
Member
The K22 IS in a class by itself (as already mentioned). Diamondbacks were overpriced and hard to find. If you wanted a high quality double action 22 -- this was (is) pretty much it.
This 1959 no dash was my grad. present to myself in 1971 -- I've shot it a gazillion times. It's killed thousands of varmints. I still have a sub-one inch, 6 shot, 100 yard group I once shot with it. I've won turkeys and hams with it. Hands down, my best firearm purchase --- ever.
This 1959 no dash was my grad. present to myself in 1971 -- I've shot it a gazillion times. It's killed thousands of varmints. I still have a sub-one inch, 6 shot, 100 yard group I once shot with it. I've won turkeys and hams with it. Hands down, my best firearm purchase --- ever.
rburg
Member
Where to start. Maybe I'll take the negative approach since I've been having a bad day so far.
OK, like the OP here, I consider myself a newcomer to the K22s. I didn't start buying them until I was 25 back in 1973. Simple reason was I couldn't afford one until then. Things like school and baby got in the way.
At one time a few years ago I had 36 of them and realized I kind of had a problem. So I dumped 2 dozen of them into the market, and have remained happy ever since. I still look at them whenever I see one up for sale, but for me to buy it will need to be better than one I've kept (not going to be easy) and I'm going to need to part with one I've already got. That'll be difficult, too.
We like them because they're great guns. I don't limit myself to the postwar, having only 6 nearly perfect prewar models. My shooter is a ratty old one that came to me having been shot a fair amount. The only evidence I have of that is its been *'d (starred?) and the honest wear it shows. Some day when I get some ambition, I'm going to try to wear it out. I'll need more ammo.
I made that above comment about it being ratty for a good reason. I doubt anyone here would describe it that way. And it worries me a lot. A huge percentage of K22s I've picked up over the years show almost no wear and tear. Some appear new in the box, others so new I had to mate them with a suitable box (katrina trailer.) What worries me most is how so many great guns can remain new showing now use at all. If they were such great shooters, you'd think the original owners would burn them up in the first year or two. Yet my early 1930s guns are perfect. It would appear to me the owners never discovered how great they really are.
I figured I need to test this theory by asking it here. Recently we had a poster put up pictures of a well used one. I'm going to guess he's the exception, not the rule. How many of you have well used K22s showing a bunch of wear and tear? Out of my dozen, only the one can be described as a working gun. I bought it originally because of the serial number, K155. It didn't bother me it had the star, at the time it was the lowest number postwar I'd seen. So it gets to have all the fun while the other ones get punished for their good looks.
And I really don't know why we all love them so dearly. I sure have fallen for them, and a whole bunch of others seem to have, too. Clearly the original owners didn't experience them, to their detriment but my gain.
Boxes are even highly sought. I still remember very clearly 20 years ago (give or take, it kind of blurs) walking the aisles of National Gun Day and finding a book vendor with extra tables. I don't know, maybe he didn't buy them and just expanded to make the show look full. On one of his extra tables, he had gun boxes. We could call him a Dan Tanko light. The two that interested me were the gold and red K22 picture boxes. He wanted $25 each for them, but using my best negotiation tactics, I got the pair for $40. My friends were almost rolling in the aisles laughing at what a fool I was. Thinking forward, I know one lost his retirement in the stock market, the other never saved a dime. Maybe I wasn't as foolish as they thought. Point being its not just K22s that are well loved, its the accessories.
Want to spend some money? Go out and try to buy a screwdriver some time. I know, you can buy one at Harbor Freight. For the price of a prewar model you can buy half the store. The nickel ones have vanished off the gun show tables. I tend to assign that to our discovery and publication of the idea the K22 2nds came with them, as did the very early postwar guns. Not sure there ever were enough blued/black oxide ones to satisfy the demand.
I'm going to guess we really don't know why we like them so much.
But I'm as bad as the original owners. They remain in their boxes. And I've stuck in a screwdriver and the other accessories when there wasn't already one. I even have period boxes of ammo in the box, in the empty triangle under the barrel.
OK, like the OP here, I consider myself a newcomer to the K22s. I didn't start buying them until I was 25 back in 1973. Simple reason was I couldn't afford one until then. Things like school and baby got in the way.
At one time a few years ago I had 36 of them and realized I kind of had a problem. So I dumped 2 dozen of them into the market, and have remained happy ever since. I still look at them whenever I see one up for sale, but for me to buy it will need to be better than one I've kept (not going to be easy) and I'm going to need to part with one I've already got. That'll be difficult, too.
We like them because they're great guns. I don't limit myself to the postwar, having only 6 nearly perfect prewar models. My shooter is a ratty old one that came to me having been shot a fair amount. The only evidence I have of that is its been *'d (starred?) and the honest wear it shows. Some day when I get some ambition, I'm going to try to wear it out. I'll need more ammo.
I made that above comment about it being ratty for a good reason. I doubt anyone here would describe it that way. And it worries me a lot. A huge percentage of K22s I've picked up over the years show almost no wear and tear. Some appear new in the box, others so new I had to mate them with a suitable box (katrina trailer.) What worries me most is how so many great guns can remain new showing now use at all. If they were such great shooters, you'd think the original owners would burn them up in the first year or two. Yet my early 1930s guns are perfect. It would appear to me the owners never discovered how great they really are.
I figured I need to test this theory by asking it here. Recently we had a poster put up pictures of a well used one. I'm going to guess he's the exception, not the rule. How many of you have well used K22s showing a bunch of wear and tear? Out of my dozen, only the one can be described as a working gun. I bought it originally because of the serial number, K155. It didn't bother me it had the star, at the time it was the lowest number postwar I'd seen. So it gets to have all the fun while the other ones get punished for their good looks.
And I really don't know why we all love them so dearly. I sure have fallen for them, and a whole bunch of others seem to have, too. Clearly the original owners didn't experience them, to their detriment but my gain.
Boxes are even highly sought. I still remember very clearly 20 years ago (give or take, it kind of blurs) walking the aisles of National Gun Day and finding a book vendor with extra tables. I don't know, maybe he didn't buy them and just expanded to make the show look full. On one of his extra tables, he had gun boxes. We could call him a Dan Tanko light. The two that interested me were the gold and red K22 picture boxes. He wanted $25 each for them, but using my best negotiation tactics, I got the pair for $40. My friends were almost rolling in the aisles laughing at what a fool I was. Thinking forward, I know one lost his retirement in the stock market, the other never saved a dime. Maybe I wasn't as foolish as they thought. Point being its not just K22s that are well loved, its the accessories.
Want to spend some money? Go out and try to buy a screwdriver some time. I know, you can buy one at Harbor Freight. For the price of a prewar model you can buy half the store. The nickel ones have vanished off the gun show tables. I tend to assign that to our discovery and publication of the idea the K22 2nds came with them, as did the very early postwar guns. Not sure there ever were enough blued/black oxide ones to satisfy the demand.
I'm going to guess we really don't know why we like them so much.
But I'm as bad as the original owners. They remain in their boxes. And I've stuck in a screwdriver and the other accessories when there wasn't already one. I even have period boxes of ammo in the box, in the empty triangle under the barrel.
keith44spl
Member
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.
Dang Sax,
What's up with them "Targets" no that lit'l K frame?
They do look nice fer sur don't they.
Su Amigo,
Dave
69HEMI-R/T
Member
Well, I have yet to get my Model 17, Pre or otherwise but it is only because I just have not been looking hard enough yet. I do have a few Model 18's and they are K22's too but are just not called by that. Guess I better get busy and find me a Model 17 or a pre-Model 17 if I am lucky.
Here is a pic of my first Model 18. It is a model 18-3 and is a tackdriver! It really does not belong in this forum as it is not that old but it is my first!
Here is a pic of my first Model 18. It is a model 18-3 and is a tackdriver! It really does not belong in this forum as it is not that old but it is my first!
Last edited:
CAJUNLAWYER
Member
It goes in waves. A while back it was 27's and 520's. Then it was 10's and Victory models. Now it's K22's . I remember for a while it was triple locks for a brief time.
I've got a Ruger 22 I want to sell-think I'll start threads about them, build up a little momentum turn it into the HOT gun, stir the market up, list it for sale at the high water maek, make a lick and then move on
I see that happen here. Right now the K22 is a HOT gun as are the Model 10's- Awhile back it was 27's. For a while there was a frenzy on the old NYSP 520's. The trick is to figure out what the next hot gun will be, buy it now and sell it at the high water mark. Just me thinking.......
I've got a Ruger 22 I want to sell-think I'll start threads about them, build up a little momentum turn it into the HOT gun, stir the market up, list it for sale at the high water maek, make a lick and then move on
I see that happen here. Right now the K22 is a HOT gun as are the Model 10's- Awhile back it was 27's. For a while there was a frenzy on the old NYSP 520's. The trick is to figure out what the next hot gun will be, buy it now and sell it at the high water mark. Just me thinking.......
Sebago Son
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You can also use a K-22 and not beat it up. The first new gun I bought when I was 21 was a 6" 48-4. I am a lot older than 21 now and the gun still looks good even after several thousand rounds down range. How? you ask. 1. Store the gun properly. 2. Keep the gun clean. 3. Leather makes a good looking holster but it is hard on bluing. When I have carried the gun it is either a lined leather holster or a non leather unit. 4. No dry firing unless snap caps or empty casing in place.
RHINOWSO
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This is what my 1953 Pre-model 18 looked like when I bought it... Some muzzle wear, light dings here and there... I bought it online from a shop in Maine, so from the looks of it with the wear, replaced grips, etc... It was someone's working / woods plinker... Used, but not abused... But not vacuum sealed in a temperature controlled safe with the box, tools, papers, only havings seem test rounds fom the factory...
I haven't shot it alot, but it usually goes every time to the range for a couple cylinders, maybe a box of 50 RDS...
Here it is now with better grips and a Tyler-T...
I haven't shot it alot, but it usually goes every time to the range for a couple cylinders, maybe a box of 50 RDS...
Here it is now with better grips and a Tyler-T...
Now this is one nice .22 Combat Masterpiece. Drew, do you have a bunker full of S&W's on your property?
Another old log....
Drew
How did you snag this one from under Sebago Son's nose?
This is what my 1953 Pre-model 18 looked like when I bought it... Some muzzle wear, light dings here and there... I bought it online from a shop in Maine, so from the looks of it with the wear, replaced grips, etc... It was someone's working / woods plinker... Used, but not abused... But not vacuum sealed in a temperature controlled safe with the box, tools, papers, only havings seem test rounds fom the factory...
I haven't shot it alot, but it usually goes every time to the range for a couple cylinders, maybe a box of 50 RDS...
Here it is now with better grips and a Tyler-T...
phenson
US Veteran
Simply put, there's never been a better .22 handgun ever made.
durco
Member
Why is the K-22 so over represented? Well.... two reasons, actually.
For the collector - the K-22 is to .22 revolvers what the P-51 Mustang is to WW-II fighter planes.
For the shooter - the K-22 is a tack-driver, reliable and inexpensive to operate.
When you find a firearm that both shooter and collector admire, it is going to be the topic of numerous discussions and it is going to be sought after.
Mike
For the collector - the K-22 is to .22 revolvers what the P-51 Mustang is to WW-II fighter planes.
For the shooter - the K-22 is a tack-driver, reliable and inexpensive to operate.
When you find a firearm that both shooter and collector admire, it is going to be the topic of numerous discussions and it is going to be sought after.
Mike
rburg
Member
Timberpigeon
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k22 madness!
it is a crazy thing...i didn't own one until about 5 months ago and today i have 8 with a model 48 no dash in the mail..
I compare it to the movie Close Encouters of the Third Kind, where the character Richard Dryfus played didn't know what he was obsessed with but he just kept getting more obsessed. He started with small, loosly detailed sketches and then worked his way all the way up to building a huge three D sculpture in his living room. The scultpure being the metephoric equal to the big stash of K22's all of us are piling up in our safes......
Say, does anyone have any K22's they are willing to part with?
it is a crazy thing...i didn't own one until about 5 months ago and today i have 8 with a model 48 no dash in the mail..
I compare it to the movie Close Encouters of the Third Kind, where the character Richard Dryfus played didn't know what he was obsessed with but he just kept getting more obsessed. He started with small, loosly detailed sketches and then worked his way all the way up to building a huge three D sculpture in his living room. The scultpure being the metephoric equal to the big stash of K22's all of us are piling up in our safes......
Say, does anyone have any K22's they are willing to part with?
Part of the answer might be that a lot of us learned to shoot and grew up shooting K22s. I did, and I still have my Dad's K22. It is no collector's item, for sure, but I wouldn't trade it for one, for obvious reasons. In my teenage years, I probably put 10,000 rounds through that gun - maybe twice that many. I remember being told to rake up and throw away empty .22 cases because they were so thick on the ground next to the driveway where I stood to shoot that it annoyed my Dad. I guess he thought I needed a little lesson in general tidiness.
The K22 is about as perfect as it gets when it comes to a .22-caliber handgun, if you are concerned with hitting something. It's only "drawback" is its weight, but the weight also is what makes the gun very shootable, when fine accuracy is a requirement. In field shooting, the Model 34 is probably about half as accurate in my hands as a K22. Sure, the 34 is a lot handier, for a woods loafer, but the handiness definitely comes at a price. I like both models, but the K22 would always be my first choice if I could only have one.
Well....for those of you who haven't heard it yet, and those who are expecting it...here I go again:
I NEVER MET A K-22 I DIDN'T LIKE
I NEVER MET A K-22 I DIDN'T LIKE
Mac44reasons
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having just aquired a pre war K (1935), with all intentions of selling ! i mistakenly joined this forum and suddenly back stepped the idea and began to read and ask questions ! as one poster commented , the recent purchase is why the confusion of its popularity ! just by sensing the " pure enthusiasm" from k owners on here haulted my rush to sell , and ignited my rush to learn ! they do have a magnetic charm that lies just beneath their vintage patina ! what that charm is , i dont know ! but i am closer to finding out thanks to the informative members of this site, whom find no hesitation displaying what they feel when a uneducated newbie stumbles into their mist !
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