I want a .22 S&W pretty badly
I'm referring to used prices... used .38 S&W revolvers in good condition come up all the time for $350-$450 range vs the $500-$600 range for .22 S&W revolvers
Ah, I see.
Possible reasons: (1) S&W made more .38/.357s than .22 revolvers; (2) A lot of the used .38/.357s are former police guns in various states of wear (although many are still excellent shooters); (3) Firing .22 LR puts little stress on a revolver, so everyone knows a used .22 sixgun in good shape will probably last forever.
Oh yeah, (4) as more people switch from revolvers to autos for defense, revolvers get looked at as mainly sporting/recreational guns. Especially full sized revolvers -- snubbies still hang on in the defensive role. So would you rather relax by shooting a .22 with adjustable sights firing cheap, quiet, accurate ammo? Or a fixed sight .38/.357 firing expensive ammo? = More demand for the .22s = higher prices.
Possible reasons: (1) S&W made more .38/.357s than .22 revolvers; (2) A lot of the used .38/.357s are former police guns in various states of wear (although many are still excellent shooters); (3) Firing .22 LR puts little stress on a revolver, so everyone knows a used .22 sixgun in good shape will probably last forever.
Oh yeah, (4) as more people switch from revolvers to autos for defense, revolvers get looked at as mainly sporting/recreational guns. Especially full sized revolvers -- snubbies still hang on in the defensive role. So would you rather relax by shooting a .22 with adjustable sights firing cheap, quiet, accurate ammo? Or a fixed sight .38/.357 firing expensive ammo? = More demand for the .22s = higher prices.
what ever the reason for the higher prices.... just not ready to spend $500-$600 on a .22 revolver.
hey if you don't like it... vote with your wallet...
no hurry... when the right deal comes up... I'll buy it
besides... it's not like I don't have any .22 pistols to shoot.
my .22 Ruger MK II target shoots right nicely...
hey if you don't like it... vote with your wallet...
no hurry... when the right deal comes up... I'll buy it
besides... it's not like I don't have any .22 pistols to shoot.
my .22 Ruger MK II target shoots right nicely...
I shoot the fire out of mine.
Great little gun.
Expensive? Yup.
Worth it? Probably.
It should hold it's value over time.
Certainly not the only 22 I have.
Certainly not the only one I shoot.
But probably the best.
Great little gun.
Expensive? Yup.
Worth it? Probably.
It should hold it's value over time.
Certainly not the only 22 I have.
Certainly not the only one I shoot.
But probably the best.
Boy isn't that the truth! I would really like a S&W .22, but not going to pay that. Prices keep climbing. They do hold their value.
Actual, current retail price check for same revolver as in my pics above -- 4" ten shot S&W 617 -- they want $729 for the one at H&H today. 
Plus sales tax! That's over a $100 price increase in the last few years.
I've heard what's going on with S&W revolver prices is this: double action revolvers have always involved higher materials and labor costs than autoloaders, especially now that most autos are polymer guns. For many years S&W effectively discounted the price of its revolvers, accepting a lower profit margin on them across the board to keep them competitive with autoloaders at retail.
In more recent years (the story goes) they stopped doing this. They price their revolvers for a similar profit margin to the autos. And the current price$$$ are the re$ult.
Someone more in touch with the biz can confirm whether this is accurate.
Plus sales tax! That's over a $100 price increase in the last few years.I've heard what's going on with S&W revolver prices is this: double action revolvers have always involved higher materials and labor costs than autoloaders, especially now that most autos are polymer guns. For many years S&W effectively discounted the price of its revolvers, accepting a lower profit margin on them across the board to keep them competitive with autoloaders at retail.
In more recent years (the story goes) they stopped doing this. They price their revolvers for a similar profit margin to the autos. And the current price$$$ are the re$ult.
Someone more in touch with the biz can confirm whether this is accurate.
Both of my .22's are Smith's: M41 and M617.
Never can decide which one I like better.
Never can decide which one I like better.
There's nothing wrong with them,,,
They just don't trip my personal trigger,,,
That's the only reason I would not purchase a Model 617.
I think the reason the older S&W .22's are so expensive,,,
Is because they are not as common as their big sisters in .38/.357
On any given day I can find dozens of models 14, 15, & 36 for sale,,,
I have a bit more trouble finding a comparable selection of Models 17, 18, & 34.
I got lucky and found a well used but not abused Model 18,,,
I got it a few months ago for only $375.00,,,
It's a perfect match for my Model 15.
I had to pay a bit more for my Model 34 snubbie,,,
It was in excellent shape and went for an even $500.00
I expect I will be paying $500.00 or more for a decent Model 14.
That mid 60's Model 18 of mine,,,
Outshoots any of the Taurus that I or my friends own,,,
My friends Model 17 is still a benchmark for target/hunting accuracy,,,
And my Model 34, it has the smoothest trigger of any snubbie I have ever fired.
Yes, the S&W .22 revolvers are pricey,,,
But well worth it in the long run.
.
They just don't trip my personal trigger,,,
That's the only reason I would not purchase a Model 617.
I think the reason the older S&W .22's are so expensive,,,
Is because they are not as common as their big sisters in .38/.357
On any given day I can find dozens of models 14, 15, & 36 for sale,,,
I have a bit more trouble finding a comparable selection of Models 17, 18, & 34.
I got lucky and found a well used but not abused Model 18,,,
I got it a few months ago for only $375.00,,,
It's a perfect match for my Model 15.
I had to pay a bit more for my Model 34 snubbie,,,
It was in excellent shape and went for an even $500.00
I expect I will be paying $500.00 or more for a decent Model 14.
That mid 60's Model 18 of mine,,,
Outshoots any of the Taurus that I or my friends own,,,
My friends Model 17 is still a benchmark for target/hunting accuracy,,,
And my Model 34, it has the smoothest trigger of any snubbie I have ever fired.
Yes, the S&W .22 revolvers are pricey,,,
But well worth it in the long run.
.
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