Author Topic: Is the K22 the best handgun ever made? (Read 4429 times)

shotgunner · « **on:** February 18, 2010, 03:18:24 AM »

I am a Smith guy and have a collection of N frames. My packing gun is a 4" 1950 44 special, one of the guns made in the 80s. My first handgun was a K22 however and i have a pre-war, a 5 screw and a modern example. They all shoot like a rifle and are a pleasure any time I use them. I carries one on a trap line and used it to collect more game then you could fit in a pick up truck, well maybe. I think that every shooter should own one, they are wonderful guns to learn with. The K22 is my overall favorite and I will never be without one. Hammerdown, I am sure we will hear from you on this one. What do you guys think? Shotgunnet

pastorp · « **Reply #1 on:** February 18, 2010, 04:09:29 AM »

Hard to beat a good K22 in any of it's vintages. My favorite as well.

I have 3 pre-war examples, one was shipped to my home town police dept in the first year of production and is still going strong. I also have a couple of post war examples as well.

Regards,

casper_zip · « **Reply #2 on:** February 18, 2010, 04:53:36 AM »

yes yes yes

Tom C. · « **Reply #3 on:** February 18, 2010, 07:21:36 AM »

I don’t know if it is the best gun of all time, but it is sure good. I found a very nice ’58 vintage Model 17 a couple of years ago. I also have several 617s. I like the 617s because they are stainless, but I prefer the balance and feel of the 6” 17.

Graybeard · « **Reply #4 on:** February 18, 2010, 10:27:56 AM »

Not sure I'd go so far as to say the best handgun ever made but certainly the finest double action rimfire revolver made. The Freedom Arms single action .22 revolvers are much finer made and more precise and if a person were good enough should be able to shoot better with one. Me I don't think I have and likely never had the ability to take advantage of the small advantage the FA guns can offer.

I've owned several K22s with 4", 6" and 8-3/8" barrels and like a fool have let all go. Man what I wouldn't give to have that last one with 8-3/8" barrel back. The next one I get will be in my estate when I die. While I sure can't afford it at this time if I were to run up on one with an 8-3/8" barrel in a store locally I'd take it home even if it meant pulling out the plastic to do it. I'd take a 6" if I had to but that longer barrel sure means a lot to my shooting ability.

I probably ran between 10,000 and 15,000 rounds down the barrel of that last one I had and it still shot better than I did.

Wyo. Coyote Hunter · « **Reply #5 on:** February 18, 2010, 01:50:08 PM »

At present I have three K-s.. All 6 in. models...one was my old trap shooting b uddies...I bought from his daughter after his passing..one is a mint 5 screw, and the last a newer one...All are excellent shooters...Hav e had K's for over 40 years now...still have kit guns and some Rugers, but the Smiths shoot best for me..I keep a 44 mt. gun with me outdoors loaded with specials..and my town gun is a model 60...each has a use, but the K's get shot the most over the course of a year...Lovely firearms...

dla · « **Reply #6 on:** February 18, 2010, 05:43:39 PM »

No. Not even close.

demented · « **Reply #7 on:** February 18, 2010, 07:28:20 PM »

Darn good 22's but I prefer a Colt Diamondback, personal preference only.

Hammerdown · « **Reply #8 on:** February 18, 2010, 11:24:34 PM »

Hello Shotgunner
I waited first to see those that Oppose them first.

In My eyes there is not a Better Built or designed Medium Frame .22 Rim Fire revolver. I have had Colts, they are nice but to me not as durable as a S&W K-22. A Lot of Thought went into the K-22's and I Like the Original Outdoorsman as well as the Later Target Masterpiece series. I have never owned a bad one meaning one that was Not a Tack driver, Nor have I ever owned one that got wore out or out of time like the fore mentioned brand. I know they must be doing something right in the design as it has been in production for well over 80 Years and still is the top K-22 rim fire revolver choice out there even in the newer stainless 617 Series. Below are a Few of my Favorites in my Stable. Both original and they do get shot fairly Often. The First one is the original series Outdoorsman K-22 Made from 1930-1939 and mine is a 1936. The following one is an Early Post-War Transitional revolver. It has a low Four digit serial number and also has the Pre-War extractor rod end of Mushroom style design. It shipped in Early 1947 with a sample Target I shot with it being Six rounds at the 20 Yard line off hand. The Third K-22 was a rescue case. It was an abused gun that had a horrible finish that I sent off to "Ford's Refinishing" In Florida and had a face lift done on in their Master Bluing finish. It shipped in 1948 and that was the first Year for the new Four Line adress on the lower right hand corner of the Frame area. They can make even an Inexperienced Target shooter look good as far as groups go. It was D.B. Wesson that Perfected the .22 round, so it would only stand to reason he would be the one to make such a Fine Target Masterpiece...Hammerdown

Bigeasy · « **Reply #9 on:** February 19, 2010, 12:10:44 AM »

I don't know about best handgun ever made, but certainly one of the best .22 revolvers ever made. I had a 6 inch K22 that I sold years ago, like a fool. I now have an old model 18, which is a K22 with a 4 inch barrel and combat sights. Bought it back when my duty gun was a 4 inch .357, as a practice gun. Its not for sale...

Larry

S.B. · « **Reply #10 on:** February 19, 2010, 01:40:07 AM »

I've started many of the younger shooter from my family with a S&W K22. Never had one of them say they didn't like them? And taken most small game species in my state with them.
I'd say they far out weigh any other .22 revolver made? This is the reason they called them "Outdoorsmans". Without the high cost of other like the Freedom arms guns. I need to be able to afford ammo after I buy the gun.
Steve

OLDHandgunner · « **Reply #11 on:** February 19, 2010, 05:29:18 AM »

Not sure it is the best ever made but it is probably my most used and most accurate .22 revolver that I own.
It will hold its own against my Colt Officer Model Match 22's. I don't like carrying my Colts in a holster to hunt with.

shotgunner · « **Reply #12 on:** February 19, 2010, 07:14:17 AM »

has to be the most agreed to thread I ever started. Hammerdown, as usual you have some very nice examples. I am sure that they are accurate because they are chambered so close, you need to press in any round that uses a plain lead bullet. Hey, I just bought a 4" 57. I will post a picture when I get a chance. Shotgunner

Hammerdown · « **Reply #13 on:** February 19, 2010, 01:12:30 PM »

Quote from: shotgunner on February 19, 2010, 07:14:17 AM

has to be the most agreed to thread I ever started. Hammerdown, as usual you have some very nice examples. I am sure that they are accurate because they are chambered so close, you need to press in any round that uses a plain lead bullet. Hey, I just bought a 4" 57. I will post a picture when I get a chance. Shotgunner

Hello Shotgunner
Thanks.. How about some close up's of that 1936 Outdoorsman shown above ? I will raise you a No Dash Model 57 4" Nickel example that I have when we see yours I will Plant Old Betsy right under it. She is my Ghetto Partner...Hammerdown

shotgunner · « **Reply #14 on:** February 19, 2010, 02:45:11 PM »

This is the new Smith. It belonged to a friend who had me sell a bunch of guns on commission. he sold it to me as a favor. Nice clean gun and a keeper. Shotgunner

Hammerdown · « **Reply #15 on:** February 19, 2010, 02:54:48 PM »

Quote from: shotgunner on February 19, 2010, 02:45:11 PM

This is the new Smith. It belonged to a friend who had me sell a bunch of guns on commission. he sold it to me as a favor. Nice clean gun and a keeper. Shotgunner

Hello Shotgunner
Nice model 57. Sit on it they are excalating fast in Value. Here is Old Betsy my Ghetto Partner. She breaths Fire when shot...Hammerdown

Wyo. Coyote Hunter · « **Reply #16 on:** February 19, 2010, 03:29:50 PM »

Some BEAUTIFUL SMITHS....CONGRADULATIONS ON OWNING THEM.....

shotgunner · « **Reply #17 on:** February 19, 2010, 03:54:45 PM »

My first handgun was a new model 17, ordered from J&G sales, back in 1980 or so. My second was a model 66. My first big bore was an 8 3/8" 57 brand new. I shot deer with it, and woodchucks. I was amazed at how far it would shoot, Spackle buckets at 200 yards were not hard to hit. I have always loved the 41, I sold the 6" gun I had, but this new 4" is handy. I have a 25-5 4" and never bought a 29, maybe I will shop for that next. Shotgunner

OLDHandgunner · « **Reply #18 on:** February 20, 2010, 01:48:20 PM »

Hammerdown, please stop posting all those pictures of your beautiful Smiths. I'm drooling all over my computer keyboard.

Congrates on such a nice collection.

WIL TERRY · « **Reply #19 on:** February 23, 2010, 05:20:50 AM »

NOPE.....Not even close to being the "best" [ whatever THAT means... ] S&W sixgun. Matter of fact I am always intrigued why folks ask questions like this.

Hammerdown · « **Reply #20 on:** February 23, 2010, 06:04:21 AM »

Quote from: WIL TERRY on February 23, 2010, 05:20:50 AM

NOPE.....Not even close to being the "best" [ whatever THAT means... ] S&W sixgun. Matter of fact I am always intrigued why folks ask questions like this.

Hello Wil TERRY
I guess why People ask questions like "Is the K 22 the best handgun ever made?" is, they feel the ones they own which they are fond of and want to Hear other People's opinion on them. I can't see anything Intriguing about a question like that but evidently you do, So Enlighten us here on who makes a better medium Frame .22 Revolver out there ? I guess Those of us that "Have been around here awhile " respect other Peoples threads by the way we respond and if we don't have anything Positive to add we refrain from causing Flame War's. ...Cheers, Hammerdown

diggdug · « **Reply #21 on:** February 23, 2010, 07:14:45 AM »

About 12 years ago I purchased a new K22 masterpeice on "sale" at my favorite gun store. "Bares" in St. Charles, Mi. for about half what I could get it for now. It is definatily my favorite .22 handgun.

shotgunner · « **Reply #22 on:** February 23, 2010, 11:17:13 AM »

It seems that a lot of S&W guys agree with me on this. It looks as if most of us view the K22 with some degree reverence. A 22 handgun is one of the most pleasurable things that a shooter can own. I find as I grow older I appreciate the 22 more, and the magnums a little less. I am sure I learned more about shooting a handgun with a K22 then any other. I once shot a bowling pin match, against a bunch of shooters with semi-autos, with my K22 and came away with the money. I have kit guns, and a 46 that really shoots and conversions for 1911s. There is nothing quite like a K frame 22 revolver. If anyone feels differently that is OK with me. Shotgunner

PS Hammerdown, do you have a model 46?

S.B. · « **Reply #23 on:** February 23, 2010, 04:22:06 PM »

HD, I agree.
Steve

dla · « **Reply #24 on:** February 23, 2010, 05:40:50 PM »

Quote from: shotgunner on February 23, 2010, 11:17:13 AM

It seems that a lot of S&W guys agree with me on this. It looks as if most of us view the K22 with some degree reverence. A 22 handgun is one of the most pleasurable things that a shooter can own. I find as I grow older I appreciate the 22 more, and the magnums a little less. I am sure I learned more about shooting a handgun with a K22 then any other. I once shot a bowling pin match, against a bunch of shooters with semi-autos, with my K22 and came away with the money. I have kit guns, and a 46 that really shoots and conversions for 1911s. There is nothing quite like a K frame 22 revolver. If anyone feels differently that is OK with me. Shotgunner

PS Hammerdown, do you have a model 46?

I agree that a good 22lr handgun is a great pleasure, but what does that have to do with the K22 being the best? I've got a 622 that I like 10X more than the old K22 I grew up with. I only regret not buying a couple M41's when they came out.

Hammerdown · « **Reply #25 on:** February 24, 2010, 12:50:21 AM »

Quote from: shotgunner on February 23, 2010, 11:17:13 AM

PS Hammerdown, do you have a model 46?

Hello Shotgunner
No, I don't have a model 46. I once had a very early model 41 with the 7-1/2" Barrel and it did not shoot well so swapped it off...I am a Loyal Revolver Person...Hammerdown

Hammerdown · « **Reply #26 on:** February 24, 2010, 12:52:20 AM »

Quote from: S.B. on February 23, 2010, 04:22:06 PM

HD, I agree.
Steve

Hello Steve
I appreciate your support, I would be Interested to see what other's feel is superior over the K-22 Revolver wise ...Hammerdown

Hammerdown · « **Reply #27 on:** February 24, 2010, 12:59:39 AM »

Hello
It is seldom Talked about, But I Like the K-22 Magnum model 48 as well. Most that have them do not like to spend for the .22 W.M.R. ammo so they sit more than get shot. I have Two of them, one being a 4" example that shipped in 1961 and is a Four screw configuration and a recent addition of the 6" Model that is a First Year Model 48 that shipped in 1959 and later was returned for a fitted .22 L.R. Cylinder shown with it...Hammerdown

pastorp · « **Reply #28 on:** February 24, 2010, 04:11:25 AM »

Well for me it's the best. Especially in it's pre-war variation the "outdoorsman".

And I've owned and shot most everything available including the freedom arms revolvers.

Regards,

shotgunner · « **Reply #29 on:** February 24, 2010, 11:25:15 AM »

A few people seem to think that the K22 is not best, my question then is, what is better? Is a 617 a different gun? How about a model 18, they did have looser chambers, mine shoots just fine. Shotgunner