Smith & Wesson K-22

The Smith & Wesson K-22, a legendary .22 LR target revolver built on the medium-sized K-frame, originated from the demand for a rimfire companion to the company's popular .38 Special target models, which had dominated competitions since their introduction in 1899. By the mid-1920s, shooters and outdoorsmen sought a .22 version with similar balance and handling for precision target work and small-game hunting.

Development began in 1927, with the first prototype completed in late 1930 and the initial production batch finished on January 3, 1931—presented to company president Douglas B. Wesson. Dubbed the K-22 Outdoorsman (also called the First Model), it featured a 6-inch round barrel, adjustable target sights, Circassian walnut grips, and was warranted for exceptional accuracy: a single-action trigger pull of 3-4 pounds and five-shot groups under 2 inches at 50 yards. Priced at around $40 during the Great Depression, it quickly gained a cult following among target shooters and field users, despite limited production of about 1,000 units initially.

An improved Second Model followed in 1937, incorporating a shorter, faster action, micrometer rear sight, and anti-backlash trigger. However, World War II halted civilian production in 1941, as Smith & Wesson shifted to military contracts like .38/200 revolvers for Britain—only around 1,000 Second Models were made, making them highly collectible today.

Postwar, under superintendent C.R. Hellstrom's vision to create the "perfect target revolver," production resumed in 1946 with the Third Model K-22 Masterpiece (often just called the K-22 Masterpiece). Enhancements included a wider barrel rib for better sight picture (optimized for .22, .32, and .38 calibers), target hammer and trigger, and premium fit-and-finish. Demand was so high that buyers joined waiting lists. Early models (1946-1955) were 5-screw designs; from 1955, they shifted to 4-screw sideplates for manufacturing efficiency. Serial numbers ranged from K101 to K317822, with peak output around 1948.

In 1957, as part of S&W's numerical redesignation, it became the Model 17, alongside siblings like the K-38 (Model 14) and K-32 (Model 16). Production continued into the 1980s, with barrel lengths of 6 or 8⅜ inches most common, though variants like the 4-inch Model 18 Combat Masterpiece emerged for lighter duty. Over its lifespan, the K-22 earned its "Masterpiece" moniker through unmatched accuracy and craftsmanship, influencing modern revolvers like the stainless Model 617. Today, prewar models fetch premium prices among collectors, while postwar examples remain prized for plinking, training, and competition.

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