K22 v 17

[Old Griz]

Pardon my ignorance folks, but what is the difference between a K22 and a 17?

[John Traveler]

The S&W K22 was/is the .22 LR chambered target K frame revolver.  It was introduced a few years after WWII ended with the new "short action" K series.  At this time, S&W did not used model numbers to identify it's j, k, and n frame revolvers.

The model 17 was the designation for this revolver after S&W started identifying it's revolvers by model number in late 1958.

[Old Griz]

Thanks. I've seen pictures of folks' K22s and couldn't see any difference between them and my 17. So that clears it up. Again, thanks.

[Ken ONeill]

And what grand handguns both of them are !!

[Hammerdown]

Hello Old Griz
The First series K-22 was an Outdoorsman. It was a Pre-War revolver made from 1931-1939 with a small screw rear sight and long cocking action. The second series came in 1940 and had the new Micro click Bigger screw rear sight, along with a modified hammer to make it short cocking and an Over travel trigger stop and this one was called The Target Masterpiece. This model is the hardest to find made only in 1940 and all S&W Hand gun sales were Halted for the War effort until 1947 when they came out with the Third series which now had an addition of a barrel rib and Fast cocking hammer. Here is a 1936 Outdoorsman first series and a Post War Third series from 1948. After the War they also assigned the Model number Pre-17 and they all were called K-22's due to their medium Frame size, But all Pre-War Models had Hand Fitted Part's and After the War they made the Parts all the same to universaly fit all K-frame's, so we saw the hand fitting Glass smooth actions come to an end, In 1957 The Government required Model numbers on all hand guns so this one was Called the Model 17. I hope this helps. Hammerdown