Need S&W Input ...

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DoItRight

New member
To the Group -

I recently got bitten by the "shooting bug." I got myself an instructor, and am learning how to participate in the hobby correctly. (That is, sensibly, responsibly, and safely.) I'm not interested in hunting or carrying, just spending time at the range shooting (and learning/perfecting my technique) for the fun of it. I'll be purchasing my first gun at the end of the month and therein lies the rub.

As background, the gun that started me down this path to begin with was the Beretta NEOS. I saw one at a local shop and it called my name! Had a chance to shoot it at the range and it felt like an extension of my hand. (I know that some traditionalists don't care for it but that's gonna be my gun -- soon!)

WELL ... last week, I stopped at another gun shop and ran across a S&W 617. Oh-boy! The first thing I thought when I held and pointed it was, "Ahhhh ... now THIS is an 'old-school' GUN!" I dunno but there must be something about a revolver that just feels right! A totally different feeling than the Beretta. No better/no worse -- just different but still right.

Anyway -- I've decided to splurge and buy BOTH of them. I figure that I can get the best of both worlds this way. Since making that decision, I have been doing more research and have learned that many enthusiasts actually prefer the earlier "K-22" models of the S&W 22lr.

To that end, I started searching the net and have come up with an interesting option: K-22 For Sale - Click Here

Since I am such a newbie, I am very interested in the group's input on whether this seems to be a good gun or is it "pawnshop trash?" (FWIW, the seller has EXCELLENT feedback ratings.)

I welcome your input
 
The M17 (or K-22) is an excellent revolver. This one will depend on the condition of the action. With the price being what it is now and still having 8 days left in the auction I would keep an eye on it. Right now it's close to what it's worth in that condition to me and most likely will continue to go higher. They have been made since the 1940's I think so there are plenty of choices out there for you to shop for. Many will be in much better shape than that one.
I paid about $150 more than the present auction bid for my M17-3. It's pictured here with the my M14-3.
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Everyone should have a .22,but no more than one.
I wouldn't buy a .22 revolver myself.There's no point really.A .22 auto is a different thing,almost any sort is OK--my preference would be a Browning,and a Medalist--or a Colt Woodsman (if you can find one that's not too costly)---Reason? Revolvers need experience to shoot.You need trigger control,it's not just a pull and go like an autoloader.With a revolver you need to turn the action as well as set off the round.For me I'd buy a .38 revolver first up,and maybe the .22 auto as well for fun only.
I'd like to know what others think--Is there any real shooting benefit in having a .22?Or is it just a time consuming and unhelpful stage in learning to shoot?
 
K-22s are dandy guns. IIRC... I paid $350 for this "left over" 17-4 NIB a couple of years ago.

17_4_l.jpg


The one you linked to on Gun Broker is bidding quite low right now. I'm guessing that will change...

Good Luck...

Joe
 
Blue Heeler,

Learning to shoot a double action revolver proficiently is the best thing you can do to help your trigger control habits. .22 LR is, by far, the cheapest ammo option out there. Dry fire practice can only help so much, live fire practice can reveal faults in your technique that cannot be revealed during dry fire runs (recoil anticipation, for one) An auto can help with that, but not as much on the trigger control issue.

Using a K-22 instead of a buckmark or some other auto for your learning pistol will also eliminate that annoying end-of-session necessity of cleaning up hundreds of .22 brass casings that the auto would have spit all over the place, too :) If you can afford to do the training time with a .38, that'd be just as good. However, even with a reloading press, it's several times the cost per round around these parts.

If you've never shot a K-frame, you can't understand their addictive qualities. A K-22 is such a nice piece, the great size and action of the K-frame, without the expensive appetite of the centerfire models. If I could only have one .22 pistol, (auto or revolver) it'd be a Model 17 / K-22.
 
To the Group -

This is excellent feedback and I appreciate it all! I just wanted to add some additional thoughts/questions ...

... there are plenty of choices out there for you to shop for. Many will be in much better shape than that one.
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Sounds good but what specifically is "wrong" with this one? (I need to learn how to determine what is good vs. what is bad.)

I wouldn't buy a .22 revolver myself. There's no point really. For me I'd buy a .38 revolver first up,and maybe the .22 auto as well for fun only ... I'd like to know what others think--Is there any real shooting benefit in having a .22? Or is it just a time consuming and unhelpful stage in learning to shoot?
Click to expand...
Ya gotta remember what I am in this for to begin with. As I said in my first post, "I'm not interested in hunting or carrying, just spending time at the range shooting (and learning/perfecting my technique) for the fun of it.

With that said, I would think that a revolver and a semi-auto would provide me with two different experiences to start with/learn from as a newbie. Now do understand that I am smart enough make room for the possibility that at some point, I will want something that is bigger/more powerful but for right now, I'm interested in:

1) Getting comfortable handling a firearm.
2) Learning how strip/clean/reassemble one.
3) Becoming familiar with the basic points of shooting.
4) Understanding how to be accurate.

In other words, I am taking some reasonable, carefully thought-out steps into what is a "brand-new world" for me. I want to do it right and I don't want to spend an insane amount of money doing so.

To my way of thinking, the .22's will do just fine! ;)

(P.S. If I am getting this wrong, please feel free to slap me around about it. I am here to learn!)
 
DoItRight: First up, let me state that I am an instructor. So far you are indeed doing it "right," in particular in starting with .22's. I find it no easier to learn revolvers than semi-auto's, and I think you will actually learn more by buying one of each.

There is nothing wrong with the Model 617. It is a very competent handgun. The Model 17 or K-22 is also a super gun. (I have two of them!) The specific one that you are looking at on the auction has a fair bit of wear on it, although finish wear alone won't hurt a gun. I would not personally pay more than $250 for the gun in the pictures, and that amount only if the lock-up is tight and the gun checks out in all other respects. I LOVE to buy guns at pawn shops. You can get some bargains that way. Just be sure to know what you are looking for when you do it. Since you are new at the game, it might be to your advantage to buy new guns for your first ones. On the other hand, most auction sites require a 3-day return priviledge, and that would give you a chance to reject a real dog.

I highly recommend the NRA Basic Pistol course. It teaches both revolver and semi-auto shooting and concentrates on the basics. The course is nominally a one-day course (about ten hours as it stand right now) but it can be conducted over two or more days.

Good luck and good shooting. It is a fine hobby.

Clemson
 
Even with the obvious wear on the gun pictured, it's easily worth the current asking price, though I wouldn't go over about $225-$250 for it. In my neck of the woods, Model 17's just aren't all that common. I paid $345 for this one a couple years back...

m17.jpg
 
Another 22

I just cannot agree that we only need one 22. This one is from 1951, and since this was taken, She now wears Ivory shoes. :D A 22 is a great way to begin your shooting, and those of us that have been at it awhile, whether we hunt, or just enjoy the range time we can find a couple hours to enjoy, will sooner or later return to the (lowely) 22. :rolleyes: Magnums are great, and sure have their place, but learning to shoot a 22 revolver will never go out of style. I would never choose a 22 auto for a beginner, but that is just my choice. Enjoy your new hobby in whatever you choose. :) Just allow me to add here. While the link you listed would no doubt be workable piece, and the price is not bad, you might wish to take your time and consider to look around a bit. Sometimes we are happier buying a better grade piece in the long run. ;)
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The S&W K22 (Later M17) and the S&W .22 Combat Masterpiece (Later M18)are wonderful revolvers. VERY accurate and just a lot of fun to shoot.

A good example of these revolvers should run in the $300 area. Don't be afraid of holster wear so long as the gun is in good mechanical condition... it often results in a very good price. Keep in mind S&W will do a tune-up on these for around $50 that will return the gun to factory new mechanical condition.

You won't go wrong with a S&W .22 revolver.

FWIW


Chuck
 
Uhhh ... no thanks!

To the Group -

Great feedback ... this is very helpful!

As an FYI however, the price on the K22 on Gunbroker.com is up to $300. After adding shipping and other fees, I think that's a bit much for this particular gun. I think I'll keep looking.

(By the way, I had a chance to visit a gun show over the weekend and found some very interesting K22's being sold by people who were highly recommended. Stay tuned!)
 
I'd like to know what others think--Is there any real shooting benefit in having a .22?
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Blue Heeler,
Personally I feel the .22lr belongs at the two extremes of shooting.
It's both an excellent beginner's round as well as the ultimate challange to one's shooting ability.
 
First off, Tusker, that gun is beautiful!

"Anyway -- I've decided to splurge and buy BOTH of them."
This is not a unique solution, but it is an effective one. It is usually my solution.

The .22LR handgun is a great gun for people who only want to target shoot. Having a smaller hole in the target makes for more precise shooting. I own several .22 handguns, and I love them all. If I ever find a K22 at a reasonable price, that puppy is MINE! If more people started out learning marksmanship with a .22, the bar for acceptable average marksmanship would be significantly higher.

Here is a link to Jim March's Revolver checkout. http://www.thefiringline.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=57816
Practice the checkout, commit it to your memory, and shop those pawnshops. Yes, there is pawnshop trash, but there is pawnshop treasure as well. Here is one of my recent pawnshop finds, for a paltry $125. (Yes, it's a .38spl, but I bet you will try a M&P soon........)
Smithandwessonmilitarypolicestag.jpg
 
Hey - I did it!!!

To the Group -

Just wanted to give you guys an update ... I got my K-22! :cool:

k22.jpg


Per my research on the serial number (K309xxx), this gun was manufactured in 1957 and it is a 4-screw model. I have removed the original diamond stocks (grips) and will put them away for safekeeping. As you can see, I've replaced them with a set of Hogues that I like quite a bit!

I got it for $325 from a private seller who came (VERY!) highly recommended to me as a good guy. According to him, it is one of the sweetest shooters he's ever owned. Tomorrow, I'll go to the range and see for myself.

Thanks for all the advice -- I welcome your feedback! :D

- DIR

P.S. I'm still getting my Beretta NEOS. I'll be picking it up next week. ;)
 
Congrats!! No that's much nicer ( and even cheaper) than the one you first posted! Enjoy it.

p.s. Guess I'm really outta wack. I own 15, .22 revolvers and am still buying. :eek: No particular reason or purpose other than that they are just a joy to own and shoot. To each their own I guess.
 
Ah.. another one bit by the shooting bug - next you'll have to move up into the centerfire cartridges. That's what we did with the handguns (already had rifles+shotguns). My husband got a Neos, I got a P-22, then it was matching 1911's now we've also each got a 9mm. Next on the list are a pair of .357 revolvers, then....
 
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