I’ve read GREAT things about that model . Ten years ago when Colt was preteen , my BIL ( born in 61 ) offered me his departed father’s , who was a NAVY man with some quality , yet simple , and small collection . I read up on it , was combination of the two and couldn’t find it in Feistads. My sons name is Colt , couldn’t have him shoot no smith - let alone his first handgun. But yeah , that’s a TOP quality.22 - as im sure you know . If you can obviously go with the mass rollmark , I’m certain you be very happy !

 

They're excellent!!!
Model 17-6 (1988) target hammer, target trigger.
I put the birds eye maple presentation stocks on it. It came with finger groove combat stocks which I've kept but don't particularily like.

 

I bought my first one, new, in 1974. It has a 6" barrel, target hammer, trigger and grips. I have no idea how many thousand of rounds I have put thru it. I also have an 8&3/8s Mod.17 and a 4" Model 18. I have several Ruger and Colt and other brand .22 pistols and revolvers. If I could only have one .22 handgun, it would be my first 6" K .22. I think that a serious gun accumulation should have several S&W revolvers. The K .22 is easy to shoot and I have seen very few people that could shoot up to the accuracy of a K .22.

 

I've had several of them from 30's Outdoorsman's to 17-4's. I find the older the better. I find that I shoot the long action Outdoorsman and a 17 no dash the best. But that's just me.
No experience with the new stainless 10 shots.

 

Have an early 17-6 with 3T’s. Like it better than the model 18 I had.

 

It's a fine wheelgun. I agree with Matt. The older, the better as long as it's been well-maintained.

 

I would highly recommend. Here's one of mine from 1955.

 

They are very nice revolvers!...I currently have 3, and shoot them all...and, the 4" M18, easily shoots as good , if you like stainless, the 617 is also very good

 

They are fine revolvers. I own and shoot a mid-fifties K-22 and a Model 17. Accurate, fun, and cheap to use.

 

I've had a Model 17 for close to fifty years and I cannot think of a better holster-size .22 revolver. I once spent an extended time informally shooting the national match course with this revolver, comparing it to the .22 autoloader target pistol I used in regular matches. In timed and rapid fire the autoloader offers an indisputable edge, which is why revolvers vanished from serious pistol competition decades ago, but for informal shooting it is an excellent choice. Unlike an auto pistol, one can substitute stocks which suit the individual shooter, and one avoids the expense of extra magazines.

 

I have a K22 that is a pre Model 17 gun and I could not ask for a better gun! It is a circa 1948 model that is still in original excellent condition. I have somewhat large hands so I put a set of Altalmont target stocks on it but otherwise it is completely stock.

 

When I was 18 my grandfather said I could pick a handgun out of a bunch of choices. I chose a k-22. Bricks were about $9 and I’d buy one and shoot it up every week and I learned to shoot a handgun well with that gun. It has served me well my whole life. Rabbits, squirrels, raccoons, woodchucks, ground squirrels.

One year in my late 20’s my state changed the law and I had to shoot for my concealed carry renewal. I wasn’t messing around i brought the k22. I think I was 25 yards with a 25 yard timed and rapid fire pistol target. The officer said I was the only person he ever had that shot a 100. All ten shots were in the x or 10 ring offhand.

This summer I was shooting the k22 and a marlin 39m with a receiver sight. At about 30 yards trying some different brands to see what shot better. I was using a rest with the rifle and with the k22. I was trying for good groups. When I was done I noticed that k22 was shooting better groups than the 39m. My k22 is a tack driver.

Mine is a pre17 around 1958’ with large Smith and Wesson k frame target grips.

 

First handgun I bought on my own was this 1951 vintage K-22. A K-22 is one of those iconic guns that I think every real gun person should own at some point. (BTW, not the original hammer and trigger, I swapped in the target hammer and trigger, the originals are sitting in the parts box)

They are great shooting 22s.

Best regards,

 

I had a Model 17 while on the PD so that I could practice easily with .22 LR ammo. When I finished up with that career, I sold it off and soon regretted it. I now have both a Model 17 and a Model 18, both early 70s production. I can't imagine not having one or the other for fun plinking and cheap shooting.

My current Model 17:

 

I have two as well, a 1960 no dash and a 17-6 from 1990.

They are excellent revolvers, great triggers in both SA and DA, very accurate and a joy to shoot, target, plinking etc..

25 m

 

I have a S&W model 18-4 from 1980. Target hammer and trigger that shoots better than any 22 I've ever owned!

 

I bought a new Model 17 about forty years ago. It's been fired a great deal and still shoots well. Accuracy is plenty good for anything but formal competition. It shoots about as well as my two Colt Officer's Model Match revolvers, but I find the Colts a bit more comfortable to shoot.

 

I think I picked mine up about 25-30 years ago. It's a tack driver for sure. Mine has electric pencil markings on it that say CD in a triangle. I figured it was a civil defense training gun.

 

Yes, a very good accurate revolver, mine is a 1954 4".

 

I bought my used Model 17 during the previous ammo / reloading component shortage so I could continue shooting NRA Action Pistol matches. Although it doesn't look very much like it did when it left the factory, it was very accurate and reliable with any of the bulk ammo I put through it.

The Model 17 is the bottom blued gun.

 

To answer the question, ABSOLUTELY I think you should buy a k-22. I have about 5, from the 50’s to the stainless 617 (all pre-lock of course). One of finest 22 revolvers ever made! My full lug 8 3/8” 617 shoots about like a rifle.

 

Thanks for all your posts and comments! This is something I have been giving thoughts to for awhile and after selling a couple of guns, I decided I wanted something that I didn't have to reload for and being a revolver guy a .22 was the logical choice. I will most likely go for an older model K-22 rather than the 10 shot models of more recent manufacture.

 

They are pricey for an older one in great shape. The last one I saw in 95% or better shape was in a pawn shop pre covid (2019) at $675.00 out the door. I would expect that to be more now, inflation and all in the gun market the last two years.

 

There is one at my LGS for $1350 and it comes with a brick of ammo. It's in mint condition and complete with box. I do not know the vintage but it has the ribbed barrel and smaller grips. But I know I have options and it seems K-22's are around, I just have to be patient!

 

With the price of ammo today the store for sell the brick and throw in the revolver.

 

I received a welcome tip from a customer on Friday in check form , and a 20 spot from the other. I traded in the combo of both for this box . Pretty insane price , .45 defensive price pretty much - but basically free , so I didn’t care , throwing business to my FFL. I don’t have much in target .38’s, and would NEVER pay that. Additionally, I feel .38 special has always been the hardest to find for me at any store , for the past five years ....... got in my truck though and looked at the price again and said damn to myself !