smith and wesson 6 shot k frame 22 calibre revolver

Introducing new target revolvers just as the Great Depression was taking hold was bad luck for S&W, good luck for those who could afford them (and for collectors in later years). The revolver shown here has an outstanding, crisp 2.5-pound, single-action pull, and a very smooth 9-pound, double-action pull. Single action pull was carefully tuned to a nominal three pounds. Evidently polishing was done after the sight was fitted, as the fit is so close it’s hard to feel where the parts join. The adjustable rear sight was beautifully fitted into the topstrap. At any rate S&W soon changed to a silver-colored bead which appears to be of stainless steel. Some sources say the bead was brass I’ve never located an example, and if I did the owner would likely not let me pry the bead out to check. The first 500 or so K22s feature this “Call bead” made of gold. Revolver fans adopted the term.Ĭharles Call, a well-known competitive shooter, had developed a front sight with a round bead insert. 22 auto pistol, “The Woodsman.” At any rate S&W touted the K22 as the “Outdoorsman’s” revolver. Maybe they were concerned the competition market might not be big enough, or they may have been impressed with the success of Colt’s. Perhaps S&W was also getting requests from hunters and campers. When the last revolver of the series was made on Decema total of 17,117 had been made.

The new model was called, oddly enough, the K22 Target Model.

By late 1930 production was underway, with the first completed revolver presented to Douglas B. 38 Special target revolvers on the medium K-frame for many years. 22 models from Colt and S&W would prove to be very popular. Target shooters wanted bigger and heavier revolvers, similar to their target. 22 revolvers were mostly made on small frames - “small cartridge, small gun” seemed to be the rule. In the early decades of the 20th century.

Smith and wesson 6 shot k frame 22 calibre revolver