Indecision

Reader Roger S. sends me this little conundrum he’s faced with:

I recently acquired (through an estate) this 1953 Smith & Wesson K22. A 5-screw, pinned & recessed 6″ K frame .22 rimfire beauty. AKA the holy grail of rimfire revolvers.

I believe that it has been fired very little as it appears to be new all over with just a beginning tiny turn line on the cylinder. No scratches, dings, dents, no worn blue or chipped grips. Like New.

Now the problem I face is what to do with it. Shoot the hell out of it, enjoying as it was intended? Save it as a true heirloom & protect it from fools, idiots and other non believers while NOT shooting it? Sell it to someone that will appreciate it and use the $$$ to buy something to bang away with without feeling guilty?

What to do, what to do?

I know what I’d do, but that’s not the issue.  What would you do, O My Loyal Readers, in a similar situation?

(I’ll post my thoughts in Comments, after y’all have had your say,)

22 comments

  1. Guns are made to be shot. Cars are made to be driven. These aren’t consumables that once you use them, they’re gone. Personally, I don’t like the idea of purposely not using something for the sake of saving it for some future unknown person.

    1. Yes, that’s like not banging your girlfriend so as to leave her in better condition for her next boyfriend.

      I have pretty much the same item, but made in ’52 (same as me) with a 4-inch barrel. My oldest son solved the “what to do” problem telling me to shoot it all I want, take good care of it, but sell it. This is usually followed up by questions about my health.

      1. “I have pretty much the same item, but made in ’52 with a 4-inch barrel (same as me).”

        There, I fixed that for you… (sorry I couldn’t resist…. LOL)

  2. No conundrum here, boss

    I’d shoot her

    I don’t worry about my self defense guns getting scratched or banged around in my pocket, truck console, briefcase, etc

    But I pretty much baby my range guns

    I shoot them very carefully and gently, but I clean them and store them in a protective environment

    I would do the same with this beauty

    If I want to invest money, I give it to our wealth advisor

  3. Shoot it often, clean it well, and still pass it down to your grandchildren.

    Or not. Shoot me a starting price and let the bidding begin.

  4. I’d shoot it but take some care to clean and maintain it. I wouldn’t leave it out in the rain or let it rattle around in a metal tool box but as others here have said, guns were made to be enjoyed.

  5. Shoot it, keep it clean, pass it on when you’re done. No guilt in using and caring for a gun as designed.

  6. I don’t have a gun “collection”, it’s more of an agglomeration accumulated over the years. There’s not a one that I don’t shoot; if there were, I’d probably sell it and buy something I would shoot.

    My favorite long gun is a simple Savage boltie from a few decades ago in .30-06 in stainless/synthetic. The original (over 12-pound pull) trigger was replaced with a Timney, but that’s about it. It’s been bashed around the woods, dragged through swamps, and held in shivering shooting-mittened hands for endless hours in a northern MN tree stand. The plastic cap has long ago been busted off the end of the pistol grip after slipping on some rocks while crossing a crick and the stock is so marred up with scratches and divots that it looks like I’ve been driving nails with it.

    But even after all the abuse it still shoots Federal 180-grain rounds into a 2″ group at 100 yards.

    If that K-22 were mine it would be a range queen rather than a safe queen, and as everybody else has said, it’d be taken out only in nice weather, shot, and then carefully cleaned and oiled for the next time. That’s the reason it was made; to shoot, not to look at in a glass case.

  7. I’d check timing, which is likely perfect, tear it down, clean out the old dried up waxy oil that’s probably inside, polish the cylinder stop to minimize the turn ring, oil it thoroughly and shoot it, and shoot it again.
    Like others said, no tool box or other like storage, take an old towel to the range to protect it from bench wear, store it in a gun run rug, and enjoy it as long as I live.

  8. +1 to the above comments. Nothing profound to add. Yes, shoot it and care for it. Give it a life. God forbid it languish pristine and unused, only to wind up in the hands of someone who neither knows or cares, and turns it in for a Visa gift card.

  9. Don’t sell it, shoot it. I’ve sold two guns in my life and I regret selling both.

  10. If you have the box and papers with it then I’d consider using it as an investment or just selling it.

    I bought a K22 made in the 60s without the accoutrements and have shot it a great deal. I doubt I added much if any wear to it. These are fantastic revolvers that will last more than your life time. So shoot the thing. A 22 revolver is always in my range bag because they are cheaper to shoot and they’re fun!

    JQ

    1. JQ,
      I think you have the truth of it. With box and papers, this gun is definitely a desirable piece for collectors of the K-22 — there are a lot of them, and they have been known to pay stupid prices for the guns. In that case, it’s always an option to sell it for stupid money and get a modern .22 revolver (unless, of course, Roger already has one of those).

      Myself, I’d keep that sweet little thing and shoot it every chance I got, papers or no papers. Tin cans, targets, junkyard rats, whatever. Just looking at the pic makes my trigger finger itch.

  11. I’ll take the contrarian view here.

    It’s not a family heirloom, full of fond memories. If you could sell it at a profit, and get a replacement that’s as good a shooter (or already have one), I’d do it. Money is money, and there’s no sentiment here except the desire to own beauty.

    I have my dad’s .32 S&W revolver he carried concealed as a police commissioner, and I shoot it.

    Of course, I’m approaching 70 years old, and I’m considering culling my collection. I’ve already given some to my son just to make room in the safe.

    Unless you’re wealthy, or have plans to deal in firearms after the apocalypse, there’s nothing wrong with letting go of guns you’ll never shoot.

  12. Get shooting! If Lynn Parks can race Shelby #10 you can shoot and enjoy a K22. Lucky devil you.

  13. I’m with JQ & Kim on this one. If you don’t have the papers etc., go out and have fun with it. If they still made the ammo for it I’d get a S&W model 1-1/2 I inherited, fixed and I’d be plinking away with it. I DO have Dad’s old .22 single-shot rifle (probably a Savage) ca. 1930, and It’s not a gunsafe queen for sentimental reasons. Nope. It was meant to be used.

    I’ve also got my great grandad’s 135 y.o. Elgin pocket watch. It needs fixing (again), but it goes on a chain and in my pocket. It’s not going on display under a bell jar as long as I’m on this Earth.

    Go. Have fun.

  14. I have to agree with everyone who says use it and take good care of it. I still shoot my High Standard Model 106 Military that I bought new in 1969. A very few dings and some wear but it is still in great shape and shoots very well, better than I can. I put 100 rounds through it today. Guns are made to be used, but also taken care of. And it can still be passed on to the next generation.

  15. I have a Tanfoglio 9 shot 22LR pistol with a 5″ barrel that is a dream to shoot. The S&W K22 looks to be a bit nicer. I would shoot it and sell the lesser gun.

    I have a K frame 357. It is a keeper. I like the K frame .

  16. I have a 1960 build Model 14, so a similar gun in similar condition chambered in. 38 Special. It’s a fine piece, and I take great pleasure in just holding it my hand. The balance is marvellous.

    I take mine to the range and shoot competitively with it every few months, then I clean it and return it to my safe until the next time.

    Guns are made to be shot. Having a gun and ot shooting it is denying the spirit of the machine, and the skill of the craftsmen who made it.

    Shoot it, care for it well, and leave it to your children.

  17. Sell it to a collector, and use the money to buy a top quality 22 target pistol.

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