From the Vault: Smith & Wesson Model 17 K-22 Masterpiece
HTML-код
- Опубликовано: 15 сен 2024
- When it was introduced in 1947, nobody offered anything like it, not even archrival Colt. Many experts believe the Smith & Wesson K-22 Masterpiece is the FINEST-shooting .22 LR double action revolver of all time. Brownells Gun Tech™ Keith Ford tells us the K-22 story. After World War II, Carl Hellstrom became president of Smith & Wesson and embarked on an ambitious plan to boost production - and thus sales and profits - from hundreds of guns per month to thousands. Revolver designs were simplified with the goal of reducing production costs BUT without compromising performance. An early product of this era was the new K-22 Masterpiece, a premium gun built on a K-frame, with S&W's lustrous, high-polish blued finish. Although later redesignated the Model 17, the K-22 was an instant classic.
Keith's two K-22s / Model 17s are in mint condition, one from ca. 1969-70, the other from 1983, which he planned to convert into a snub-nose. The 1983 gun came with all its original paperwork, including the credit card and store receipts from when the first owner purchased it AND a receipt for subsequent custom work done at the Smith & Wesson factory. Keith managed to track down the original owner, who confirmed that this K-22 had never been fired. Those plans to bob the barrel? Cancelled!
Model 17 production continued until 1998, when S&W dropped a lot of blued steel revolvers from its lineup in favor of less-expensive to produce stainless steel guns. The Model 17 returned in the mid-2000s, but the new gun isn't up to the quality standards of the original K-22 Masterpiece. If you can get your hands on a pre-1998 gun at a good price..... grab it!
Finest shooting revolver in the world is an understatement. I’m hoping for a revolver renaissance soon. Thank you for sharing these.
A revolver renaissance sounds cool to attend
@@deadandblue Yes indeed!!..
There's been quite a large resurgence in revolvers in the last few years.
I paid a premium for mine. Best shooting gun I own.
I inherited a low number on the serial 5 digit K22 from my grandfather who bought it in 1947 brand new in Littleton Colorado. 5 screw model. Diamond handle. Is the best pistol I have ever shot or owned ever. I love it. I see why my grandfather did too.
My grandmother bought a 1950 K-22 as birthday gift for my grandfather. I still shoot it all the time. Love the gun.
I was lucky to find a 17-3 with an 8 3/3" barrel. Fine revolver. Thanks for the review.
I’m an infidel. My Smith “Target Masterpiece” is a late-1940’s K-38 (later M14) with a six inch barrel. It is MAGNIFICENT. I’m not trying to interfere with this excellent K-22 video, but they’re largely the same firearm and they are incomparable with anything produced today.
Brought my Model 17 K-22 in 1973 with original Target hammer & trigger (it has a hair trigger). Added Combat S&W grips and kept original grips. Original box screwdriver and cleaning tools. My first handgun. Thanks for the informative videos you at Brownells do..
One of the best 22 revolver ever made.
I found a Model 17-4 yesterday at my LGS.
A little holster wear on the lug, a small scratch on the barrel.
But rifling is beautiful and crisp in the borescope.
Serial puts it about 1980.
Pinned barrel, Same stocks.
It actually made me jump to see this video pop up less than 24 hours later.
Paid $800 gladly.
On the whole wall of guns in that store; new and used, that beautiful 17-4 and it's hand polished blue immediately caught my eye and I bought it without hesitation.
I will shoot it today at the range.
What timing!
I bought one years ago, and it is a great revolver. I will never sell it.
I inherited my dad's K-22 in 1984...promised him I'd never sell it...still have almost 40 years later
Some people trash gun broker, however this video proves you can find some real gems out there I have found a couple. Thank you for the awesome video.
The site is what people make of it. If there's nothing going for a fair price, don't buy it. Eventually sellers are going to lower cost or sit on the product.
I own a 1948 K-22 S/N K-44 xxx, whoever owned it before me did not use it very much, hardly a mark on the chamber. This is an addition to my S&W collection of firearms..
I am Glad that you decided to keep it as is! Proper!
i have one of these and yes it is one of the best shooting guns i have....it was given to me by my uncle and as far as i''m concerned it's priceless..i got it in the mid 70s and have enjoyed it ever since and will enjoy it for many many more.....and as far as a shooter...even with my old eyes i can still keep all six shots in a quarter at 25 yds...it shoots as good as my mod. 41 S&W and it's a tack driver....
I bought mine back in 2007. It’s pre-17. I love shooting it. It goes great with a Marlin 39 Carbine.
I have a mint 1959 model 17/K22. I'm gonna take it to the next local to Houston Gun show. Love the old iron be it guns, cars, bikes, etc..
When I started in Law Enforcement in the early 70's we used the K22 for target practicing at the range as it was quite a bit cheaper than 357 Magnum ammo and the gun was almost identical.
Have a 1948 manufacture K-22 Masterpiece. Wonderful fantastic.
A dear friend of mine that's in his older years got me into the K22, I was able to find one in a local gun shop about 10 years ago, it doesn't have the target trigger, sights, hammer or grips but the grips it came with do match the serial number. My buddy had a nice set of target grips that he gave me and I can't remember a time I went shooting and I didn't take this gun. It shoots like a dream, mine was made in 1951 and it'll out shoot anything I've seen. ;-)
I picked up a 1952 K22 Masterpiece, And I now know why they named it that. Shoots like a dream very smooth action,It's the Cadillac of 22 revolvers.
I inherited my 1948 K-17 from my Dad, who got it from his dad, and it's the best thing I've ever fired...full stop. It's unbelievably accurate; you just can't miss what you're aiming at, sort of ever. I group them at about the size of a half dollar, 50 out of 50 times, every time.
Both Dad and Grandpa were physicists, and that's the thing about the K-17: it's all about the physics and the quality of the engineering. It has a heavy frame, a light round (and it'll chamber LR) with awesomely smooth hammer action for both single and double. It's a classic. I'd never, ever sell it even if it weren't a family piece.
My K 22 was bought new around 1975 the gun had less then a box of shells thru it and the owner went blind. A few years ago I bought the gun from is wife after his death. It had been wrapped up in a tee shirt for all of those years in a drawer the gun is in perfect condition .
My great uncle passed me an early k22 in his will it was the first hand gun id ever shot and im pretty sure that memory is why it eventually became mine. it's easily my favorite firearm, when you said easily the most accurate 22 pistol of the time. The pistol I know stands up to that statement.
I inherited a K22 from my dad in 1984...still have it..
My pile contains a very nicely preserved pre WWII K22 6" barreled Outdoorsman. Includes the original walnut diamond checkered grips along with a factory fit early walnut diamond checkered target stock. We do shoot this piece on occasion as it is too much fun & entertainment value for safe queen dedication. Handled correctly will nearly perform as well to 100 yards in comparison to many rim fire rifles. Yes I realize this sounds much like many fishing stories you've been told. However, find yourself one of these fine outstanding revolvers & see it for yourself. Thanks again Brownell's 👍
Agree to your comment! One time at the range we were blazing away at the 22 silhouettes with our rifles. None of us could hit the- I think it was- turkey at 70 yards. I said, I'll get that thing and hunker down with my model 17 on the bench, and got it with the second shot. Now I'm not that great a pistol shot, but a k22 makes a person into a whole new shooter!
@@mjo4981 Copy that 👍 My hope is for others to realize the S&W K22 is the rim fire revolver that anchors any pew pew pile. Thanks for sharing your K22 story. My bet is there are many K22 stories out there that coaberate with ours. Carry on & best wishes 👍 🇺🇸
Just picked up a 1948 K22 Masterpiece (K49, XXX) with a great bore and a tight lockup - can't wait to shoot this one. Really appreciate what you do with these "From the vault" videos - it is so nice to remember some of the greatest guns and learn their history
I bought my first M17 in 1989 as a self indulgent present for my graduation from engineering school. It has an under lugged barrel and the combat finger groove barrel, 6 inch. It is indeed fine. I've since picked up an earlier version with a 6" pencil barrel. The older one has been shot and is smooth as silk.
Okay text me for more information
Great S&W .22 caliber revolvers. I have a first month K22 Outdoorsman, a 1948 and 1953 Pre-17, and a 17-3. Love ‘em all!
I just added toy S&W collection a 1984 model 17-4 target. Other than light drag marks on the cylinder, the firearm appears unfired. At $750.00 I considered it cheap. Now I'm in in a quandary whether to shoot it or not. Oh hell I'm going to shoot it. Can't wait.
Thank you and Brownell for your post. Very educational.
I purchased a Model 17-5, with a 8 3/8” barrel in 1987. It is one of my three favorites. My other two are Model 14-3 and a Model 25-2.
I have a early 70's Model 17 6" with the target hammer, target trigger and target grips. It is very accurate and smooth, it's my favorite 22 revolver.
One of my favorite shooting revolvers. I have a 17-4 or 17-6 with the 8 3/8" barrel.
Just picked up one 1948 built. Honest carry wear but tight as a tick. Superb!
Thank you for the great history lesson!
I just bought a 17-3 made in 1971 at a local gun auction here in Vienna, Austria. Mint condition, perfect timing, 340,- €. Couldn't be happier.
Just last week I scored a 17 no dash on gunbroker. Seller didn't want to use their payment system. When I called to arrange payment I asked what he knew about the gun. Told me a woman, whose husband resently passed, brought it to him to sell with the original box of cartridges. Didn't have 100 shots through it. My winning bid was $665. Cool thing is it was made in 1958, just like me - but it's in considerably better condition. 😆
My Uncle Vester Creech taught me to shoot on a K-22 and later a K-38. His were a matched pair ordered from S&W in the 50's or 60's. Consecutively serial numbered. I wish I had them.
The fact that you plan to protect this gun is outstanding! I will never find one even close to it. My dad had a K 22 made in the mid thirties. My oldest son has it now. I learned pistol shooting on that revolver. The only reason I don't have it is because I bought a Colt Diamondback .22 decades before my dad passed away.
I have a 17-3 made in 1972. Awesome 22
this was my first gun, my first revolver, bought it 40 years ago, later came a 686, Blackhawk, Redhawk, Cattleman, but the K22 is still my favourite, not only because it´s my first but because no one of the others is better processed, action like a swiss clock, perfectly blued, inside no milling marks, and the classic look - a simply perfect beauty !
Had two sold one to my friend. Now i wish i hadn't. My dad had two also, 1 from the 50s which got stolen so he got another in the late 60s. I inherited it. Got my own in the early 80s. But no box or p/w except for the bill of sale from a gun shop in Beaver Falls. Pa. Now an auto parts store. Sold that last year to friend kept Dads.
Probably came from DeGoff's Firearms. They were located in Mechanicsville, about that time (there are a couple of other possibilities though). I bought a few guns from them myself over the years. Sadly they closed down several years ago, but as far as I know, the owners simply retired.
I just put a 1952 version on layaway myself. Great guns, that's for sure.
I own a Mod 17-4 and you are right, it is a magnificent gun. Believe it or not, I traded a Colt series 70 .45 auto for it.
Bought mine new in 1979 and still have it box and all! Thanks for a great video!
First hand gun I ever shot. Learned from my Dad at 5 years old. We used it for coon hunting for years. Finally switched to a single shot "boys" rifle. This was the start of my love of revolvers, especially Smith and Wessons.
You hit the jackpot on that '80s pistol!!! Now if they just made an eight shot version.
Great description and history. Thanks!
Mine was bought new in 1979 and I'm really enjoying it more now since I retired on my small farm. Great target and varmint gun!
A truly beautiful example of the gunmaker's art. No piece of matt black plastic will ever be as beautiful to me.
My favorite little revolvers to go play at the range with!!
Nice Keith! I have a very nice 1948 K22 and a 17-5 nib with almost as much paperwork as your 17-4.
I have a 8 3/8 Mod 17 1974 vintage
I love that revolver.Had a bazillion rds
through it.Might be my all time
favorite.Only thing wrong with it
ejector rod is white.Perfect other wise.Woudn't mind having an old 6".I have hunted with it,use it NRA
Silhouette , plinking,training for my centerfires.Thanks for bringing fond
memories back.God Bless
I recently picked up a Model 14 with an 8 3/8 inch barrel from the late 70’s. It shoots better than almost anything else I’ve got. After that I started looking around for other Smiths and came across this video. Now I have a K22 from 1951 that looks really nice on the way. This seems to be an addiction and I need to stay off the internet for a while! You’ll find me on the range.
I lucked into one of these a couple of years ago - a 17-3, I think. 6" bbl, Pachmayr stocks and a trigger shoe on it, bit of holster wear on the muzzle. This has THE best trigger of any gun I own. Smooth as silk. I'm actually glad it's not pristine - I feel ZERO guilt about shooting it. Guns aren't meant to be collected, they're meant to be shot, and I shoot this.
I love those revolvers
I recently acquired one from my recently departed uncles collection. It’s a 1971 17-3 in like new condition with box, receipt papers, kit ect. Like yours from the 80,s it’s NOS. I’m very happy to have gotten it and to have learned more about it from your Video here. Thanks, nice collection!
P/S, also I couldn’t pass up his other like new complete NOS 1962 model 53 REM Jet with extra .22Lr cylinder & Jet .22Lr sleeves. What an interesting hammer design it has.
Yes Sir I did like shooting, bought my 17 from Clark,s brothers, around early 80,s, sent it back to S$W new barrel, cylinder, trigger job, and I put some of those I think Holt hand grips, a red wood with the finger indentations, I bought it because i have a mod. 29 and they both have 6 inc. barrels, if fact they are the same guns, well divorce took my 17, it is still irght there in Haynesville Va, and I,m here, outside of Pittsburgh Pa. Anyway it was good to see you, and you have you head on Stright, so use care and keep away from the Crazies, they got the Coody's, See yeh....BB
I purchased the Ruger GP100 22 LR as I liked the three point support versus just two points of cylinder support in the 617 S&W 22 LR. The semi-lug 5 1/2 inch barrel on the GP100 also balanced better in my hand then the full lug 617 S&W 22 LR revolver.
Lots of women do prefer the gp100
I had a buddy that is gone now, and I always told him that. Sorry, I couldn't resist.
They named that pistol well.
Gorgeous revolver 😌
Yes, I’ve added one to my collection and it’s a joy to shoot! 👍🏽🤓
The K-22 is a fine revolver. I own 2 both 4 scew transitional models . They both shoot lights out.
I prefer the pre war outdoorsman.
The masterpiece is nice too.
Sweet shooters.
AT-4 in the background waving to me. 😮
Yes I have one 17-4 like yours. Shoots great.
The match grade S&W Model 17 Masterpiece revolver and the semi-auto Model 41 are my favorite ,22 handguns. Get the Model 14 matching companion to the Model 17 if you want an equally fine target .38 Special revolver. There was also a .32 caliber matching K-32 Model 16 Masterpiece revolver, but they are made from unobtanium. Only accurate handguns are interesting. Missing counts only in horseshoes.
You got that right sir but off the subject a bit of the K-22 my Frankenstein 1952 post-war Smith & Wesson Regulation Police consisting of parts made from 1949 to 1952 in the venerable .38s&w caliber wood diamond grips and the 5 screw I frame with its 4 inch barrel and its half moon front sight lined up perfect I can't miss my target out to 15 yards unless I miss on purpose and that's how accurate those old Smiths are and now I want to test it out on paper indoors at 7 yards single action of course and shooting those 5 shots into one hole dead center of the bullseye and I think I can do it certainly I know the gun can !!! CHALLENGES got to love it !!!
THANKS
Wow!
So I owned a Model 17 back in the mid 70s. I decided that I wanted to switch to a 4 inch barrel so I bought a model 18 . I stil have this pistol and cannot tell you that I have not seen another one since I bought mine. I can easily shoot offhand at a 4 x 5 inch index card and keep 3 out of 5 shots on that card at 100 yards
I have the Gold Box K-22 Masterpiece with the tool bag, wax paper, and the original brochure with the police officer pictured shooting one. Revolver is in 99%.
...I inherited my dad's K22 - he asked me to never sell it...here it is 39 years after his passing and I still have it...I wish I'd saved the original dark blue box and original grips with the Tyler T-grip
Thanks for the history. I have one. I don't know the year, but I know it matches the 2nd one in your video, not the first.
I bought a Colt Trooper Mk3 .357 magnum last august from original owner. He bought it in 1970. Pristine as new condition just like yours. A month ago he had found stuck away in another box in his closet the original box and all contents including display card and target dated 2-6-1970. Amazing how revolver and box came back together after 52 years. I am just like you. Your revolver would be kept as is forever. Beautiful guns like that make most of us drool. Love the content and keep up the good work. Just curious, was $800.00 that I paid for this gun a good deal? Now that the original box is now back with it?
I have my Dad's Colt Trooper .357 from when he was a cop in the 60's. He's gone now but I still remember the first time he let me shoot it as a 10 year old.
Mine was made in 1952, so accurate and so tight that if I shoot 50 rounds I need to clean the cylinder face as it starts being hard to cock for the next shot because of powder residue building up. I bought it used in the 70s and I'll never part with it.
Awesome review TY for sharing
First gun I ever fired as a kid.
I had one years ago and wish every day I never sold it
I just watched this video. I was given one of these in excellent condition that my dad bought. He bought it in 1947 for I think $47.50. It's priced on the original box I have. I also have the holster. Where can I find out what it's value is? I have it as a memory from my dad, but it might mean more to someone that collects.
Just order mine today over $1000 ...
I have the OPPORTUNITY to purchase a 1951 K22 Masterpiece with the target stocks, it's in VG+ condition. It's at a pawn shop for $895.99 but I know if I pay cash and have bought several other weapons from them they will come down a bit maybe down to $800-$825 out the door. The lock-up isn't like my Colt from the same time period (Colt 3-5-7). Should I get it? I LOVE MY 22lrs ESPECIALLY THE OLDER ONES, 1960 and earlier to the turn of the century. I did have a 2nd year production Winchester 1885 22 short with milled receiver but unfortunately it was a wall hanger when I first got it for $200, rough and non functional. I was able to RESURRECT it but not with original parts because that could be QUITE EXPENSIVE and I was trying to get out with as little as possible. Had to replace the barrel for 2 reasons: someone hacked about 5"-6" off the end of the barrel and it wasn't squared off, the BORE was HORRIBLE. Shooting black powder 22shorts for 30-40-50 years or MORE and was it cleaned at all during that time of use. I had to replace 2 FLAT SPRINGS that were AVAILABLE from a company in WYOMING, they would make an entire rifle to your specifications from scratch and would be EXPENSIVE. I sold it at a gun show to a gentleman who was TICKLED to get it for $625, I probably had MORE than $500 in PARTS and then rifle and my time installing the parts were worth a bit as well. I really didn't make much money on it but it was a interesting project and learned a lot about the HISTORY OF IT AND JOHN M. BROWNING.😉😁👍
Wish you would go into more detail on how to date these guns by serial number. Thanks, Jim
Just bought one unfired in the box just like that
Interesting video. I have a "Beakert" type .22/32, but have always been fascinated by the Masterpiece revolvers. My questions of anyone here: Were the Masterpiece revolvers (K-22, K-32, K38) and the .357 finished more finely than the regular Smiths ? And also, how do the Masterpiece revolvers and the .357 (pre 27) compare with the Colt Shooting Master?
my daddy bought two of them in 1964 if I remember correctly he said he gave 64.00 apeace . they have a screw at the front top of trigger guard, open the cylinder it shows k375734 k_17 in good shape. Would appreciate information about it. papa
I found one at my LGS for around $1250. Is that a good price ? Sounds a little high .Thanks.
My K22 is way nicer to shoot then my 617. I’ve fired 200-300 rounds in a session with zero issues but my 617 needs to be scrubbed every 30-60 rounds because it gets too tight to close up and eventually the trigger suffers from fouling drag. Both are very accurate, more so then I can truly appreciate, but it’s still nicer to shoot my K22 from 1956. It’s ugly and the blue doesn’t look so good anymore but that just means it’s not worth selling so I get to keep and shoot it. 😀
Sweet plinker
How would accuracy be compared to the s+w 41 ? Thanks
Thanks for that information I just picked one up anybody know how to figure the date of manufacture?
Thanks yall
What’s wrong with the current production guns?
Excuse me, sir. Is that an AT-4 in your gun cabinet? 😂
From the vault 👍🏼👍🏼
You need to review the crown jewel of K-22s, the K-22 Masterpiece, 2nd Model , aka K-22/40. Just over 1000 made in 1940 before the feds took over the S&W plant.
Stainless guns are very nice but Blue guns are beautiful - the difference between a girl you take to the movies and a girl you take to the opera Lol
Is that a Javelin missile in the gun safe ?
Sir revolver price
Is that an anti air launcher In the safe? 😂
Way too expensive for me. Taurus is my choice.
Are the new one's really that bad?
👍👍
👍🏻👍🏻🇺🇸🇺🇸☕️☕️💯💯🛎