S&W K22 5 Screw ... good/bad/ugly price?

[Handgun]

Hi,

I am not wise in the ways of the 5 screw S&W revolvers ... please help ...

I can get a K22 5 screw with mild holster wear at the muzzle for $375. Is this good/bad/ugly pricing? What pricing have you seen?

Also, would this be an OK shooter or should it have "collector-only" status since it is a 5 screw?

Thanks.

 

[jar]

The price is okay, not a steal but I'd certainly pay that to get back the one I sold.

It's a shooter. They are all way to great and accurate to be safe queens.

 

[FPrice]

That price would probably be considered very good up in my state, the People's Commonwealth. Other places it may be a tad high, but for something like a five screw S&W revolver, not really that bad. IF it is in good mechanical shape (look for Jim (March/Keenan's???) floating thread on checking out a used revolver). If you can describe it better, i.e., barrel length, grips, serial number, etc., we can make a more educated guess.

I would shoot it unless it were absolutely NIB with the original box and all the things that came with it, and NO dragline on the cylinder. But in the shape you describe it should be shot just out of respect.

 

[FPrice]

Here is the thread...

http://thehighroad.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1430

And it is Jim MARCH. Sorry for the confusion, all these Jim's look alike online.

 

[Old Fuff]

Posting a serial number (found on the revolver's butt) whold help determine the value of the K-22 you're looking at because there are several different sub-models that had 5-screw frames.

The example you described (on average) would have both a shooter's and collector's value. There is enough finish wear to slightly reduce the collector's value, and since a small amount of additional wear wouldn't be noticed there is no reason you shouldn't shoot it.

The price is neither bad nor exceptionally good, unless it is one of the less common sub-models. If that was the case price might be exceptionally good.

In any case, if you pay a bit too much, but take care of the gun it won't be too long before it's value catches up.

 

[Handgun]

Thank you for the replies so far. I have not seen it yet so I can not give a better description. I posted here to get some advanced intel. I will be looking at it today and get back to you all with more info, including serial number, etc..

 

[Jim Washburn]

I got a 5-screw K-22 at the Pasadena (Texas) gun show last Saturday. Excellent condition. Most of the bluing is still very fine. A bit of muzzle wear and just a few tiny dings. Private sale. $300 OTD. I'm delighted with the deal.

Jim

 

[farscott]

That price is a bit high for this region of the country, but I would probably pay it and not think twice. These revolvers are no longer made, and I would not let a few dollars keep from the joy of owning and shooting one.

I bought a 1948 K-22 Masterpiece for $300 this summer. I shot three hundred rounds through it the day I bought it. I also picked up a four-screw from 1956 for $325. That revolver is now my most often shot revolver, averaging three hundred rounds per week. I really like the K-22 Masterpiece, and I would gladly pay $375 for another one.

The K-22 is a shooter. It does not deserve to be punished as a safe queen.

 

[El Tejon]

IIRC, I paid $200 for my last one. Great guns--the Bowman Special.

 

[Handgun]

I just got back from looking at it.

Overall bluing looks great with the exception of the previously mentioned holster wear at the muzzle, some barrel dings/scratches, and some rust spotting on the butt of the grip. It's not perfect but is certainly in the 90% or above range. These is a relatively light ring on the cylinder and it does not look like it has been shot much. However, most of the bluing is warn off of the extractor rod. The serial number is K2089XX. Any more insight that you folks can provide would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[DennisE]

Serial number makes it look like a 1953 pre-Model 17. S&W started stamping the model number on the 17 in 1957. 1st ed. of the S&W catalog would seem to indicate a value for the thing in the shape you described of between $250 and $300 but demand for the K-22s seems to be picking up (check prices on www.gunsamerica.com). Dennis

 

[Topgun]

I paid $64.50 for mine.

NIB. plus tax though. Best trigger I have ever felt.


Oh, it was in 1963.

 

[Old Fuff]

At $375.00 I think it's a bit overpriced. However I'm not sure that would stop me from buying it. I don't know what they are going for in your area, or how available they are. I would walk into the dealer's store with a wad of $50.00 and $20.00 bills and see what kind of a deal he might want too talk. If you really like it, buy it. I think it's just worn enough so that you wouldn't worry about shooting it.

 

[Standing Wolf]

I paid quite a bit more than $375 for mine a few months ago, but am perfectly happy with it. I'm not entirely sure, but believe the stocks are Ropers.

 

[SnWnMe]

In a country west of the US, called California, you pay much, much more for these things. Everybody here knows you can't get em out of state so they are priced accordingly in here. I got mine for about $360.00 but I also traded in some gun related junk (which thankfully, didn't cost me anything). I would say that the value of my trades were about $200.00

It's the one in the middle

 

[Litlman]

All it took was one trip to the range with my buddy shooting the one that his dad gave him as a kid and, the search was on for one for me! I ended up getting a k-22 from 1947 P&R 5 screw for $400 out the door. Boy is it sharp and, what a shooter. I am looking local for a m-18 . They go quick around here.