New (to me) K-22

[RePete]

Did a little trading yesterday and scored this this nice little shooter.

http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o222/CharlieB401/K-22.jpg

I've always wanted a K-22, but somehow have let 58yrs slip by without one.
Well I can check that off of the list now.

I did some reading and found this one to be an early post war, four digit serial#. It has the six grove (as opposed to ten) backstrap, and the narrower rib which by my research puts the date of manufacture at 1947.
It has some holster wear on the blueing, but not much. It appears to have been carried quite a bit though because the right side grip is faded and has a few nicks and dings, but the left grip is near perfect. Indicating a right handed person was doing the carrying. I Think?:confused: The #'s all match including the grips, but no box.
Haven't shot it yet, but I plan to take it to the range on Fri. so I can set it on sandbags and get the sights dialed in if needed and give it an accuracy test.
It seems to function well and doesn't have any major rust or scratches. The gun's three years older than me, but in alot better condition. :(

I'll shoot it Fri. and report back.
Thanks for looking.

[Rick in Oregon]

RePete: Congrats on the score! That's a nice specemin of a K-22 being that old. I bought a new K-22 back in the early 70's, a 8-3/8" version I HAD to have for ground squirrels. Shot it for a few years, traded it for a 6" K-22.

After about 15 years, I decided I 'needed' a shorter barrel for easier carrying in the field while shooting PD's and ground squirrels. This is what my K-22 fever has morphed into:

http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g66/packrat1/P4220840.jpg

Not a classic like yours, but easy to carry, stainless, still a Smith, and ten shots vs. six. Maybe in another 50 years, it will be a classic, eh? ;)

I hope your K-22 shoots as good as it looks.....bet it will. :)

[RePete]

That's a beauty Rick!!!

I would love to have a 4" Combat Masterpiece K-22, but the nice ones I've seen fetch alot more than I usually have when I see one.
I'm looking for a nice hunter style Leather holster for this one so I can take it along on hikes and horn hunting outings.
We go down to So. Idaho a few times each year for some Ground Squirrl'in.
I'm hoping I can shoot this one well enough to take a few with.
I'm not much of a pistol shot though, so time will tell.
Maybe with affordable ammo and a quality revolver I can get the practice I need, and improve a bit.

Thanks, Repete

[Rick in Oregon]

RePete: For some nice gunleather for that sweet K-22, check out El Paso Saddelry's website. Most of my gunleather comes from there, and they have the old traditional Hunter style you mention, as well as more modern stuff with thumb breaks, retention screws, etc.

A classic like that nice old Smith deserves good gunleather, and I think you'll find exactly what you're after at El Paso.

With some practice, those squirrels there are going to learn to fear that old Smith! (All of mine love Winchester Power Points.......)

[RePete]

Thanks Rick,,,,,,,, I'll take a look.
I'm picky about my equipment and always like to get good quality.
Holsters are no exception.

[Rick in Oregon]

I realize this is not the syle you're after for that K-22, but here's one they did for me last year for my S&W M29 Classic 3" Unfluted/Full Lug in the FBI high hip, thumb break style. It's lined, no wasted space, fits like a glove, comfortable, and exactly what I specified.

http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g66/packrat1/DSC_0019.jpg

They offer gun belts, any kind of tooling on the leather you can think of too. Good service, reliable, and been in business since the 1880's, so they know a bit about holster making. ;)

[T.D.C.]

One thing I never understood about the K-22s. Why are there used ones? I cannot imagine anyone in their right mind trading or selling one once they have shot a box of ammo through it. Of my drawerful of pistols, that would be the absolute last one to go. Assuming I needed money for chemo or something like that.

[crowmagnum]

First time out with my k22 (sometime in the 70's) a friend
& I couldn't hit ANYTHING with it. Looked down the barrel,
and NO RIFLING! Called Smith & they freaked out & asked
me to return the gun to be rebarreled. They paid freight
both ways.

Wish I had kept the smooth bore.

[TinMan]

Nice piece, RePete. I don't have a K-22, but do have a 4 inch barrel Model 18 with target trigger and hammer from 1954 or 1955 that was my long departed Uncle's. In the early 80's, I received that and his Win 62A that were his horseback riding, desert bumming choices when he lived in the boonies outside Globe, AZ. He had a 4" Model 15 also, but some wayward girlfriend got that before the family was notified of his passing. They are cherished possessions.

[papapaul]

I bought this one new in 1973. At the time I also had a model 14 to match it, but now I have model 19 instead of the 14. I have shot hundreds of gophers with this K22. For years it rode in the pocket in the door of my truck. If I was working or hunting in the great outdoors I had it with me. Dozens of jacks, three or four fox, skunks, possum, racoons, starlings, squirrels, and a bunch of cats.

[papapaul]

forgot the picture.

[papapaul]

I'll try again.

[RePete]

I realize this is not the syle you're after for that K-22, but here's one they did for me last year for my S&W M29 Classic 3" Unfluted/Full Lug in the FBI high hip, thumb break style. It's lined, no wasted space, fits like a glove, comfortable, and exactly what I specified.

http://i53.photobucket.com/albums/g66/packrat1/DSC_0019.jpg

They offer gun belts, any kind of tooling on the leather you can think of too. Good service, reliable, and been in business since the 1880's, so they know a bit about holster making. ;)

Rick,,,,,,,,,,, That's a very nice looking holster. I browsed their web-site and actually their pricing is right in line with Bianci or Galco. I kinda like the full flap idea. A little spendy but it sure would eliminate any chance of damage when I stumble which seems to happen more frequently the older I get, plus I kinda like the trigger covered on a hunting holster. I see no need to wory about quick-draw, since I'd just shoot my foot if I tried anyway.
I requested a catalogue but the pic you posted really shows the quality. I'll look and ponder for awhile, but their stuff is at the top of the list right now. Thanks again for taking the time to post it.

papapaul,,,,,,,, Anybody that shoots feral cats is all right in my book.;)
Anymore if they're any farter than 1/4 mi from a farmhouse they're feral in my eyes.

I couldn't stand it anymore, so yesterday I did take the K-22 up in the woods behind my place and shot a dozen rounds at a target stapled to a Pine tree at about 20 paces. The second 6rnd group shot off hand actually had three touching. Like I said I'm a lousy shot with a handgun but that might just change now that I have a gun I can afford to practice with.
Time will tell.

[RePete]

Took the K-22 to the range today.
The first 6 shots had 1 flyer on the first shot, (I oiled the gun pretty well and the barrel probably didn't appreciate it) then the next 5 shots wer all touching. You could have knocked me over with a feather. Like I said earlier,"I'm the worlds worst shot with a handgun".
I was shooting with sandbags at 10yds, which one of the regulars that knows about handguns recomended. I shot 5 more 6 shot groups and all were about 1" or less.
I'll go again Sunday and try moving the target to 50' and see how I do. At this point if I struggle at least I'll know it's me and not the gun.
One thing I plan to change is the paint on the front site. It has what looks like red fingernail polish now. I don't know if they colored the front bead in 1947 or not but the red is faded and the bead blurrs for me. I'm going to put a dab of white-out on it and see if that helps me focus. I figure it will come off pretty easily if I don't like it.
I will obviously have to move on to shooting off hand, but for now I'm verry pleased with my new evdevor.

Thanks

[cpttango30]

I had the 8" barrel with target trigger and hammer. Mine came to me with awful looking stag grips. So we got a wood set in the trade that were not the skinny ones but a bit larger. This pistol would outshoot any 22 pistol I had ever seen. man was the sucker accurate.

[Bruce Herndon]

Nice revolver there, I like S&W's myself. If you go to www.smith-wessonforum.com and ask around there is a gentleman on the forum who refurbishes the factory grips...a worthwhile investment on a K22. There is also a man there who makes stag grips for a reasonable price.

BTW, I believe I am this boards worst handgun shot.:D I grew up watching Roy Rogers and Sky King on T.V. and have always been fascinated with handguns. Had I kept the first one I ever bought, and practiced religiously with it, I would be a decent handgun shooter. Haven't bought one in two weeks but I am looking for another as I type this.

[RePete]

Bruce,,,,,,Thanks for the link,,,,,,,,,,, I was wondering when you were going to show up. I've seen the pix of your S&W's and I find it hard to believe that you could be a worse shot than I am with a handgun.
I hope that with an accurate revolver that's affordable to shoot I'll improve, but for now I'm confident that I'm this sites worst handgun shot.
With the way the political wind is blowing, I'm also looking for another revolver right now. I plan to get a CCW permitt and was intrigued by the article in Dillon's blue Press last month reguarding the 3" Model 13. It just seems like it would be just right for me. Maybe a 3" Model 10???? They're both fairly hard to find in decent condition, but I'll keep watching Gunbroker and a few others.
I'm going to the range today and I'll practice with the K-22 some more.
Later

[Bruce Herndon]

So you want a S&W #10, 3" HB, RB?:D So does everyone else, LOL!! There is a 4" tapered barrel, RB at Schuler's in Commerce, GA for $359.00. It is a 10-5, probably made 1967-1969. I have one, and thought I needed a pair but my wife told me otherwise.:eek:

CDNN in TX (www.cdnnsports.com) had S&W #64, 3" HB, RB police trade-ins for $319.99...virtually the same gun in stainless. I am constantly looking for S&W 3" HB, RB #10, 64, 13, 65 revolvers. A local police supply company made a bid on a large amount of such revolvers recently from a big city police department here in the South but who knows if they win the bid or when that transaction will take place. If you are not in a hurry I can keep you informed.

Older S&W handguns without the ILS are bringing high dollars down here. Occasionally, things go my way. I have a total of $250.00 in this little S&W #30-1 .32 Long I got two Saturdays ago.

http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/s_w30-1c.jpg

[kelbro]

My K22 would be one of the last firearms that I would ever sell. Very accurate at 25 yds with most any 22LR ammo that I have fed it.

[Dog Buster]

Had one for about 20 yrs...8 3/8" full target...lost interest in it & sold it...replaced it with a SS 617 10 shot...

[Dave Allen]

RePete..i'm not much of a handgun man..meaning i just don't know much about handguns' & i guess now that i think about it..not much about anything else either !! "however" that sure look's to be a beauty..i'm glad for ya..