Author Topic: Is the K22 the best handgun ever made? (Read 4421 times)

Autorim · « **Reply #30 on:** February 24, 2010, 04:22:57 PM »

I don't know if it is the best or not, but when I shoot I usually take the 617's instead of the 17's. They are all accurate. I bought my first K-22 about 1958 and shot lots of small game and aerial targets with it.

The last time I went to the farm to shoot, I took three 617's, one custom 10/22, two Browning .22 auto rifles and one Ruger .45 Colt. We shot them all.

pastorp · « **Reply #31 on:** February 25, 2010, 03:29:46 AM »

The way some folks answer this question makes me wonder if you really know what a K22 is. There have been several references to the 617 being prefered oner the 17. Folks these K frame 22s are all classed as K22s. Just different variations of the K22. There were a lot of K22s mfg before there were even model # assigned to S&W revolvers.

If I had to choose one vintage it would be the K22 outdoorsman. For a post war K22 it would be the model 18. But that just me, however the point is they are both K22s.

Regards,

Hank08 · « **Reply #32 on:** February 25, 2010, 06:16:33 AM »

The best, maybe, maybe not but certainly one of the best and a wonderful handgun. Here's my 1957 along with a 1957 5 screw pre 29 another great S&W.

shotgunner · « **Reply #33 on:** February 25, 2010, 04:08:24 PM »

I have decided to hide under Hammerdown's back porch, and wait for him to put another one of those Smiths on the railing, then while he is focusing his camera....................................... Shotgunner

Savage_99 · « **Reply #34 on:** February 26, 2010, 04:54:56 AM »

Of course the workmanship and even the art of S&W handguns has been superb over the years.

I have a few of some other brands also. The Colt Woodsman has always been the favorite of myself and my late dad. They shoot and carry best for us.

The Colt Woodsman Bullseye Match Target is the best looking handgun ever made in my view.

S.B. · « **Reply #35 on:** February 26, 2010, 08:17:02 AM »

I own a model 17, 18, & 617 and they all shoot like K22s to me? The best .22LR outdoorsman's revolver handgun ever built. My $.02
Steve

shotgunner · « **Reply #36 on:** February 26, 2010, 08:46:29 AM »

Hammerdown

I am getting cold and hungry here under the porch. You must have another S&W you need to photograph. Shotgunner

WIL TERRY · « **Reply #37 on:** March 07, 2010, 11:33:53 AM »

NO, ABSOLUTELY NOT...NO HOW...NO WAY...NO SHAPE... NO FORM.....Now stop and think...if it were there would never have been any reason for S&W to make anything else in any style nor in any caliber. Furthermore, how can you ask the question in this manner when the same k-frame gun has been made in 32, 38, 357, all of which can be handloaded to put a K22 in the shade in the accuracy department

YEP, I own every caliber mentioned [ and a few not...] in every barrel length and have tested 'em extensively with tens of thousands of rounds [all added together..] . I think it is interesting to note all four of my K22 sixguns will shoot one-hole groups at 25 yards with their favored 22LR loads. BUT....at least half of my RUGER SINGLE SIX and SUPER SINGLE SIX test guns will outshoot the best of my K22's.

And so it goes...

saddlebum · « **Reply #38 on:** March 07, 2010, 04:08:42 PM »

I guess I'm on the same page as Hammerdown. Although him being at the top and me being at the bottom of the page. If I could only own 2 handguns they would be the M-57 and the K-22. Mine is a pinned and recessed 4". The K-22 I rescued from a pawn shop. It's an early post-war 6" model before the hammer and trigger change. Is the K-22 the best ever made? I would say it is one of the best production handguns ever made, lumping it in with all S&Ws made before maybe say 1960. It IS THE BEST .22 production revolver ever made, in my humble opinion. I have not seen one that comes close to it right out of the box, all things considered like fit and finish, function, and accuracy........They don't call them a Masterpiece for nothin!

pastorp · « **Reply #39 on:** March 07, 2010, 06:41:06 PM »

Wil, your a lucky man. I've owned dozens of single sixes and never had one that would outshoot my best K22s. Of course as I age it's getting harder to tell, but I haven't always been old and with bad eyes.

JMO

Regards,

S.B. · « **Reply #40 on:** March 07, 2010, 10:47:05 PM »

pastorp, my experiences exactly. Why I'm so hooked on the K22s.
Steve

Hammerdown · « **Reply #41 on:** March 07, 2010, 11:11:54 PM »

Quote from: pastorp on March 07, 2010, 06:41:06 PM

Wil, your a lucky man. I've owned dozens of single sixes and never had one that would outshoot my best K22s. Of course as I age it's getting harder to tell, but I haven't always been old and with bad eyes. JMO

Regards,

Hello pastorpop
I agree. I have Ventured to the Other side and Owned a Few Ruger's One being the single six, another being a Bull Barrel Mark-II and Lastly an Sp-101 that was Built Like a Tank but did not group well and none of them functioned Nor shot as Tight as any S&W I have or have had in the past Period. I have not owned any Bersa's, Nor Astra's or any Walther's endorsed by S&W, As I simply won't Put my money out on Guns of that Low quality, But I can tell you my K-22's have out shot any of the Fore-mentioned. I Use Mainly CCI ammo in all my K-22's as it works well, But have seen other's complain that the Cheap Bulk ammo does not perform, But a Man has to Know his Limitations and I would Rather own a Rolex than a Timex. Below is a Target shot with my 1947 K-22 at the 20 Yard line being six shots of CCI Mini-Mags off hand and I have never seen any other .22 revolver group any better than than this, if anyone has Proof of it on Target I sure would like to see it. Now, I tend to be Pro-S&W but after the results I have seen on Target with them, Why wouldn't I be ? I Can't tell you how many rounds I have shot through my .22's in the Past 30 Year's as I tend to shoot quality over quantity and accuracy is always Supreme with me..., and with results Like Below, I didn't have to shoot all day to get there, and I can back my claims I do own Many S&W's in almost every caliber they made them, and I can't remember any of them not performing well. Most of my collection is of Pre-Models made before 1957 and I would soon Give Three times the price of one of those Rather than Own a half Dozen cheap handguns that will Not perform or Yield me a Higher return on my money should I decide to sell them or swap them off..

shotgunner · « **Reply #42 on:** March 08, 2010, 12:01:43 AM »

I have to admit that I have a few Ruger handguns. I am a S&W guy but I do own a Python, SAA, HighPower, Walther PP and a couple of 1911s. I have a couple of single sixes and Blackhawks in 32, 357, 41 and 45. I like the single action guns but the Rugers just do not compare with the S&Ws, especially those made in the 50s and before. The fit and finish is not close. The trigger pull on the Rugers always leaves something to be desired. Some of them shoot OK, they take more to get them to do so, the long hammer fall and heavy trigger being the reasons. I have never met a shooter who did not shoot better with a better trigger, especially off-hand which is what counts. They are not bad when shooting double action either. I once won a bowling pin match, a 22 match with the pins on the back edge of the table, shooting my K22 against all of the autos. Shotgunner

Hammerdown · « **Reply #43 on:** March 08, 2010, 12:08:09 AM »

Quote from: shotgunner on March 08, 2010, 12:01:43 AM

I have to admit that I have a few Ruger handguns. I have a couple of single sixes and Blackhawks in 32, 357, 41 and 45. I like the single action guns but the Rugers just do not compare with the S&Ws, especially those made in the 50s and before. The fit and finish is not close. The trigger pull on the Rugers always leaves something to be desired. Some of them shoot OK, they take more to get them to do so, the long hammer fall and heavy trigger being the reasons. I have never met a shooter who did not shoot better with a better trigger, especially off-hand which is what counts. Shotgunner

EXACTLY Right...

S.B. · « **Reply #44 on:** March 08, 2010, 01:08:47 AM »

For all you model 63 lovers here one:
http://smith-wessonforum.com/guns-sale-trade/127238-fs-s-w-63-no-dash-4-a.html
Steve

shotgunner · « **Reply #45 on:** March 09, 2010, 12:17:40 AM »

"I think it is interesting to note all four of my K22 sixguns will shoot one-hole groups at 25 yards with their favored 22LR loads. BUT....at least half of my RUGER SINGLE SIX and SUPER SINGLE SIX test guns will outshoot the best of my K22's."

Will Terry

No disrespect intended, but if you K22s shoot one hole groups and your Single Sixes out shoot them, what are the group sizes you are talking about? Do the S&Ws shoot one BIG hole? I am not sure I understand. Shotgunner

WIL TERRY · « **Reply #46 on:** March 10, 2010, 10:15:46 AM »

Quote from: shotgunner on March 09, 2010, 12:17:40 AM

"I think it is interesting to note all four of my K22 sixguns will shoot one-hole groups at 25 yards with their favored 22LR loads. BUT....at least half of my RUGER SINGLE SIX and SUPER SINGLE SIX test guns will outshoot the best of my K22's."

Will Terry

No disrespect intended, but if you K22s shoot one hole groups and your Single Sixes out shoot them, what are the group sizes you are talking about? Do the S&Ws shoot one BIG hole? I am not sure I understand. Shotgunner

NONE TAKEN. The K22's will cut irregular holes [ elongated slots..] with all six touching but never in a nice tight circle.
The 4 5/8" SS BISLEY will put six CCI MM SHORTS in nice round groups of about .45". The BISLEY 6 1/2" 22 will put various brands of 22LR ammo in groups averaging .70" at 25 yards. The RUGER OM 6 1/2" SSS will cut six-shot clover leafs at 25 yards with about any CCI 22LR ammo including the el cheapo CCI BLAZER stuff, all shots cutting each other in a circular cloverleaf fashion. The 9 1/2" OM FT SINGLE SIX will put a 22LR bullet anyplace of my choosing on a 50 meter field pistol sillywet pig. THey bet against me putting all ten shots on the pig's ears or dicks, alternately, to knock them off the stand. After they repainted all the targets I won all the bets every time and want to note I have never shot this particular SINGLE SIX on a piece of paper, but I do know this too will shoot waaaaay under and inch at 25 yards, TAKE IT TO THE BANK... LO L !!!
Let me add here that I grew up shooting SA sixguns and find them a hell of a lot easier to shoot well than the DA sixguns of any make. I still prefer any SA sixgun to any DA sixgun in any caliber but have nothing against any DA sixgun and indeed do own S&W sixguns in every caliber they ever sold in nearly every barrel length and nearly every style. They are all shootin' guns, Not lookin' guns, and I like shooting them to a farethewell, but I for damn sure cannot shoot 'em as well as a SA sixgun. Even the COLT OFFICERS MODEL 38 , a tackdriver , is a bear to shoot for me in comparison to the 2ND GEN COLT SAA 5 1/2" 38SPL. Got NO clue why either. Most DA sixguns I can shoot far better DA that SA to tell you the truth.

Drilling Man · « **Reply #47 on:** March 11, 2010, 05:11:43 AM »

Quote from: pastorp on March 07, 2010, 06:41:06 PM

Wil, your a lucky man. I've owned dozens of single sixes and never had one that would outshoot my best K22s. Of course as I age it's getting harder to tell, but I haven't always been old and with bad eyes. JMO

Regards,

I've owned numerous single six's too, also several other 22 revolvers, includeing some M-17's, and even a few Colt and Ruger and other semi auto 22's. Of everything i've owned, the most accurate 22 revolvers i've owned were the S&W's, and i kept a M-18 because of it. Of all the 22 handguns i've owned, the High Standard Victor is the most accurate 22 handgun i've ever owned or shot. I still have that one too...

DM

saddlebum · « **Reply #48 on:** March 21, 2010, 11:05:57 PM »

Hamilton Bowen Custom K-22 Conversion to .32-20 and 327 Federal:

Gene R · « **Reply #49 on:** March 22, 2010, 02:49:43 AM »

I don't know yet, But I can't wait on my 617 to come in so that I can give my opinion as well.

docdc · « **Reply #50 on:** March 22, 2010, 01:19:13 PM »

Guys...I have to smile. What is the criteria for "the best .22".
1. Fit and finish
2. Durability
3. Accuracy...
and a host of others.

Fit and finish. Hard to beat the smith K22. Other .22's have excellent finishes too. But the old Smith finish is superb.
Durability certainly is a strong point of the K22s. They just don't seem to wear out. A Ruger will do that too. Colts not as durable.
Accuracy is hard to beat in the K22. I have a Single six made in the 70s that will stay right with my 17. 2 others I have aren't in the same galaxy. They are fun to shoot but I won't kill a squirrel with those two at 20 yards.

So maybe we should agree that, gun for gun, in consistency in the above categories, the K22 is the best. I certainly think so. But...due to design tolerances between humans and design tolerances between guns, there are always exceptions. Wil shoots better with the Rugers. Frankly I am getting older and I don't shoot better with anything. I have a tack driving model 63. A one holer at 15 to 20 yards from a rest. I have a second one of the same vintage that is a one barnsider at 15 to 20 yards. I guess I could say from my experiences that 50% of the Model 63's are tack drivers. Not true, but I could say it.

Ok, enough of my long winded drivel. I think we could say over the run of the K22, it has the title of best .22. Certainly best .22 revolver. There will always be case by case exceptions.

By the way, Hi to everybody from Northeast Ohio. I hope this post wasn't an intrusion. I found this thread fascinating to read.

Doc

saddlebum · « **Reply #51 on:** March 22, 2010, 01:43:07 PM »

docdc; Welcome! Since you said you have a couple of .22s that don't shoot to good I thought you might want to read this thread elsewhere on this forum. http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,177974.0.html

saddlebum · « **Reply #52 on:** March 22, 2010, 06:15:00 PM »

http://www.gunblast.com/Cumpston_K22s.htm Good stuff on K-22s

pastorp · « **Reply #53 on:** March 22, 2010, 07:25:54 PM »

I agree, your not intruding at all Doc.

Were glad to have you on board.

Regards,

shotgunner · « **Reply #54 on:** March 23, 2010, 01:53:15 AM »

Docdc

I was the one who started this thread. I thank you for your comments. You obviously thought it out and left an intelligent post. I am of the opinion that every shooter should be issued a K 22 early in his shooting carrier. There would be better shots if they were. I am biased, which is why I am on a S&W chat. I like all kinds of 22 handguns, and had a hard time selling a Colt Officer's model 22 a couple of months ago, but the K 22 is king in my book. Shotgunner