[xtimberman]

Re: Smith Wesson model 48 K-22 which version was the best m

I believe that one of those K-Chuk revolvers showed up at the local Cabela's about a year ago - but it was originally a M-48 instead of a M-17. Nobody in the store paid enough attention to it to see that it had been converted until I pointed out the reamed chambers and firing pin modification to CF. The head salesman in the gun room dashed over to the ammo aisles and proceeded to stick various cartridges in the cylinder to see what would fit. A .22 Hornet round chambered, so they re-marked the tag and sold it to someone as a .22 Hornet revolver. I don't remember noticing that the Hornet was too long, because he never closed the cylinder...

Also, the barrel was re-stamped with only a "CF" that nicely matched the other bbl. cal. markings.

xtm

 

[Guest]

Re: Smith Wesson model 48 K-22 which version was the best m

I am currently holding a 48x-4 in my hand. I have owned it for a number of years, and can find no fault with it. Accurate and excellent trigger. It is one that I shall pass on to someone who appreciates such things.

 

[shotguntom]

Re: Smith Wesson model 48 K-22 which version was the best m

I suppose I'm lucky, as I have a no dash 4 inch 48, with a factory fitted, numbered to the gun 22 lr cylinder. The mag cylinder almost never get used. I actually was looking for a model 18, and stumbled across this one. Had to buy it.
Tom

 

[Hammerdown]

Re: Smith Wesson model 48 K-22 which version was the best m

I suppose I'm lucky, as I have a no dash 4 inch 48, with a factory fitted, numbered to the gun 22 lr cylinder. The mag cylinder almost never get used. I actually was looking for a model 18, and stumbled across this one. Had to buy it.
Tom

Hello Tom
You are very lucky those Optional cylinders are not Very common. I have been told that if the Optional cylinder is serial number stamped to the Gun then it left the factory with the gun when it shipped new. Many like mine were returned for a fitting of that .22 L. R. cylinder, and of those I have not seen any serial number stamped.. I sure would like to see a Picture of it... Hammerdown

 

[Smithgunsrule]

Re: Smith Wesson model 48 K-22 which version was the best m

Hey all,just picked up my 3rd s&w,it's a md 48-2 8 and3/8th barrel.Only problem is the guy had it nickle plated.Looks great,but what does that do to the value?Ican shoot three cylenders before it needs cleaning.The grips are target,but are not smooth below the hammer on the left side,which leads me to belive they were not original.Ipaid $450.for it.Any info would be helpfull,thanx

 

[Hammerdown]

Re: Smith Wesson model 48 K-22 which version was the best m

Hey all,just picked up my 3rd s&w,it's a md 48-2 8 and3/8th barrel.Only problem is the guy had it nickle plated.Looks great,but what does that do to the value?Ican shoot three cylenders before it needs cleaning.The grips are target,but are not smooth below the hammer on the left side,which leads me to belive they were not original.Ipaid $450.for it.Any info would be helpfull,thanx

Smithgunsrule
Congratulations on your Purchase it sounds like you got a sweet deal on your model 48. If you Bought the gun as a serious collectible the Re-finish on average will Knock down the guns value around 50%. If you bought it as a shooter it really does not matter and the bottom line is if it looks good to you, and you feel the price was fair that you paid that is all that really matters.


Since you asked this in your post here I will answer your question honest & fair. In the realm of a refinish no matter what I think it look's like, I don't knock a man's gun, to knock a man's gun is just plain Rude in my book, and other than showing one's ignorance by doing that, what can be gained by that ? so if you like it, & it looks good to you and the price that you gave seems fair, that is all that really matters here. I also have seen many Refinished by the factory that some supposed serious collectors hold at a higher regard as they feel the factory does better work, but plain and simple no matter who did the work a Refinish is just that, a refinish, and if a gun is showing high signs of wear or finish damage a refinish is always better to look at than guns that have barrel burn or high edge wear on them.





On the subject of sticky extraction it could be it has slightly rough cylinder chambers causing the shells to stick which Later model 48's and model 17's meaning the dash series gun's, are notorious for. The Factory used to Burnish all cylinder's which is a fancy name for super polish but as a cost cutting measure this process was ceased. I would suggest you get some J. B. Bore bright to Polish the cylinder chambers with. I use a cotton bore swab placed on a battery drill to Polish the chambers. Turn it at a medium speed and check it as you go to see if it is getting smoother. The J. B Bore bright will Polish the chambers but not ruin them if you watch what you are doing you can se the change taking place. Once you reach the level of the internal cylinder looking shiny you have it where it ought to be. On the Burnt powder under the extractor, this will not cause the revolver's cylinder revolution cycle to bind up.




The only way I have found around this is to find good ammo that is less dirty in nature. I always' use CCI Maxi-Mag ammo in my model 48's as it seems to be the cleanest ammo out there. Try that to see if it corrects your problem, I know it work's for me. The grips sound like they have been altered but there are many out there used that have not been altered so if it bother's you, get another pair for it. I myself, like target grips on any target revolver as they seem to give me a better balance and feel. I hope this helps and welcome to the forum... Hammerdown

 

[Smithgunsrule]

Re: Smith Wesson model 48 K-22 which version was the best m

Thanks for all the info Hammerdown.I bought the gun to shoot,as with all my guns.All i have on hand for ammo is winchester and remington,as my marlin bolt action likes them,Have been looking online for some cci,but have only found FMJ,did find some 50 grain hollow points,but have to wait for those to get back in stock.I can live with the left grip,and dont mind cleaning guns abit.I love the gun,it's like having a little rifle in your hands.Thanks again,matt

 

[Hammerdown]

Re: Smith Wesson model 48 K-22 which version was the best m

Thanks for all the info Hammerdown.I bought the gun to shoot,as with all my guns.All i have on hand for ammo is winchester and remington,as my marlin bolt action likes them,Have been looking online for some cci,but have only found FMJ,did find some 50 grain hollow points,but have to wait for those to get back in stock.I can live with the left grip,and dont mind cleaning guns abit.I love the gun,it's like having a little rifle in your hands.Thanks again,matt

Hello Matt
I have found the model 48's are more ammo sensitive than the Model 17's in .22 LR Caliber. For the most Part CCI Maxi-Mag ammo seems to be the cleanest and most accurate out of Both of my model 48's. Wal-Mart handles CCI Maxi-Mag's if you happen to get by one. I hope this help's, Hammerdown

 

[Smithgunsrule]

Re: Smith Wesson model 48 K-22 which version was the best m

Hey Hammerdown,i live on an island off the coast of maine,so i do alote of ordering online.Does the 48 like any size bullet over another?My Marlin likes the winchester silver box 40 grain jhp,so i have them on hand.I also like shooting the bigger bullets as they have more "kick"to them,plus they carry more energy downrange.Next time i'm in rockland i'll stop by wallmart to c what they have in stock.Happy shooting,matt

 

[Hammerdown]

Re: Smith Wesson model 48 K-22 which version was the best m

Hey Hammerdown,Does the 48 like any size bullet over another?Next time i'm in rockland i'll stop by wallmart to c what they have in stock.Happy shooting,matt

Hello Matt
I have found that the Standard 40 Grain Hollow points or solid copper plated bullets in Maxi-Mag work well in both of my 48's.

It will fire the Federal and Wincester brands but not as accurate or clean as the CCI Brands. You will have to Poke around and try what is out there to see what you gun likes best as not all guns shoot the same when switching or trying different ammo. I did a Little digging since you are secluded where you live to find any CCI maxi-mag ammo with extensive travel and found a neat site that ships to you door and Has CCI maxi-mags in stock, just click on the link below. I hope this helps, Hammerdown





http://www.rrarms.com/catalog.php?action=1001&brand=CCI

 

[Guest]

Re: Smith Wesson model 48 K-22 which version was the best m

I regularly shoot my 48-4, k22 and 17. Little difference in overall quality. The 48 is about as accurate as anything I have ever used. I also have an Automag in 22 mag which is not bad. A friend has an FN57, and I find the 48 superior in accuracy, with ballistics that seem similar to the casual observer. Put a fer oranges on a rock, and the results are pretty much the same!

 

[Hammerdown]

Re: Smith Wesson model 48 K-22 which version was the best m

I I also have an Automag in 22 mag which is not bad.

Hello Willie
I have wondered about The Auto-Mag's accuracy ? I know where one is that can be had reasonable and I was wondering how tight they group ? what can you tell me about them, are they accurate and do they function well ? Regards, Hammerdown

 

[Rmahar]

Thought you’d be interested to know, I just received my letter from Roy, it states that my k48 serial k426xxx was delivered special order red ramp target grips hammer trigger white outline - naturally in October of 63. It’s a four screw. This somewhat conflicts with what you mentioned. Obviously there’s overlap and such. However I wanted to mention that just because my amazingly beautiful and rare red ramp 6” 48 didn’t come with a factory 22 lr cylinder, doesn’t mean it’s chopped liver. It just seemed that many of you put such great importance on that because it’s cheaper to shoot 22’s. What a pain changing over and why own a 48 if yer too cheap to buy mag Ammo. Perhaps a 17 would be better. I know, I know most of you are collectors. But remember that in the fifties and earlier of course, having an effective small to medium game handgun was very practical for sustanance without blowing it to smithereens. flat at 100 and more accurate. The 22 mag is underrated

 

[Wiregrassguy]

welcome01 to the forums from the Wiregrass! I scratched my head a bit at the terminology "K48" until I realized you meant Mod 48. For those folks who love them, they are underrated. I find them pricey to feed and noisy to fire. But that's just me and why there's plenty of room in this hobby for all kinds of collectors/shooters.

 

[K22]

I'll stick with the K-22.

 

[needsmostuff]

Loud , dirty and ammo costs money !!!!!!!
What HORRIBLE, uncivilized things to have associated with a handgun .
Yet I will struggle on against the current , with some dedicated 22mag shooters.
Cuz as Guy said , variety is the spice and all that.
If you have the venerable Ruger Single Six combo take the time and squander the money to give the Mag cyl. a good workout . Many NEVER use it but most that do find it shoots MUCH better than the 22LR. Such is the curse of combo guns.
Don't need a lot of them, a couple will cover the bases.

My crusty , used ,48-4 and a mod. 51 nada dash noisemakers.

 

[Layne12gun]

Frankly i feel that the model 648 round butt in stainless steel was the best of all the .22 magnums that Smith Wesson built. Mine is a very fine shooting gun cleans easily and does not foul up . Shoots just about everything .