Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Handguns Tell me about old K-22 S&W

Found a nice looking k-22 with adjustable sights but grip isn't original or even that great. Metal work is nice deep blue and is 6 shot cylinder. Serial #9350. I don't know about serial v9ntage but it seems older. I'm thinking about jumping on this one. Suggestions?

Is that the serial off the bottom of the butt? If so it’s probably an early K22, likely preWW2. If it’s off the inside of the yoke that’s an assembly number and not the serial.

If it is a PreWar gun it should have the small friction adjustable sight and the thinner front blade or even a bead. Will be a long action as well and most likely shipped with the small service stocks.

They’re neat old guns for sure and I doubt you’ll wear it out.

Pics would help. There's a LOT of variation in S&W revolvers.


Okie John

I don't have it on me yet but just found that it's an k-22 pre-war. I will get some pics probably tomorrow. I'm leery about it not having the factory grips

What makes you so leery about it having aftermarket stocks? That’s probably the most changed item on any handgun since handguns were invented. Much better to have it wearing the wrong stocks as opposed to some poor refinish or weird sight mods. You’re one screw away from having it back to factory with only the grips changed.

What is on it now? Some of the older aftermarket Target stocks can be worth more than the revolver, IE Ropers. As well, later factory stocks can be worth several hundred dollars depending on what style they are. And of course any old junky Franzites or J Scott’s can be tripped at the next gun show on EBay or a forum, or simply thrown in the garbage.

A little time watching EBay and the S&W forums will likely turn up a proper set of stocks if you want to go back to original. And the K frame stocks are the easiest to find due to it being the most produced frame size through the years.

I'll get some pics up as soon as I can.

Mine wears a Pachmyr stock now. The targets were too big for my hands. I was probably stupid for selling the originals, but I bought the gun for me to use, not what someone else might want after I am dead.

I have a couple of 1960's-1970's era M-17 K-22's and they are fabulous revolvers. An earlier one would just be more of a good thing. Unless it has been attacked by Bubba in some meaningful way, I would be all over that gun. You cannot pay too much for one; the worst you can do is pay too early.

Back in the early 1980s, I bought a brand new pre-82 (pinned barrel) Model 17. Loved that gun. I had a steel target trap in the basement, and did a lot of shooting down there (probably not a good idea without serious ventilation, but I did it anyway). I also took some cottontails and gray squirrels with it in the woods out behind the house.

Sadly, even though it was in a hard padded case for the flight, when I arrived at my destination the rear sight blade was broken in half. I called S&W and told them the exact model, but they sent me a replacement rear sight blade that made the gun shoot too high, even on the lowest setting. I tried it again, after explaining to them the problem, and they again sent me the same rear sight blade. I ended up selling it, which I would never have done if I could have gotten that rear sight right again.

Why wouldn't you just file the sight blade?

I would jump on that in a heartbeat

Looks like and older K-22 Masterpiece I have the Later Model 17 no Target Trigger and Hammer, my Brother bought a K 22 Masterpiece years ago at a gun show in Oregon. 2 tables down from where I bought mine both were $200 each! Mine is more accurate.

That’s an old one.

Just wonderful....

Do it!

Yes, that's a nice old one. I like the grips, too.

Wow!

Even the incorrect grips are super nice and fit great.

I really like those old 5 Screw Smiths.

I know Colts have gone thru the roof, but those 5 Screws are showing impressive climb in value and IMO, are a good investment.

DF