S&W's Brand New Model 22-4; Real Close to Indy's

Indy45 · Post by **Indy45** » Thu Feb 02, 2006 9:41 pm

Great article in Mar/Apr 2006 American Handgunner about a new offering from Smith & Wesson.

A 4 inch, blue, 45acp, N frame, Square Butt, groove rear sight revolver!! Case hardened hammer and trigger, 4 screw side plate, and old style cylinder release latch, too!

There are differences from the Indy Bapty; front sight is a rounded, pinned blade (more like the Stembridge); heavy shroud on the ejector rod (like the Hand Ejector Model 1); magna style grips without S&W medallions, and a keyed integral hammer safety lock. The firing pin is frame-mounted (not part of the hammer). Barrel lettering is "45 CAL. MODEL 1950", and -NO- lanyard ring.

Article said groups 2" at 15 yards, but no mention of list $$ price.

But a really Excellent looking filler for your Indy holster, no cutting or gunsmithing required! (You know how careful I am, Marcus!)

Regards,
Indy45

Pitfall Harry · Post by **Pitfall Harry** » Fri Feb 03, 2006 12:20 am

I wonder how much it's going to cost. Great looking gun. I hope they aren't to pricey.

I was looking at getting the S&W Model 10 .38 Special but now that I see this I may get it instead.

Pitfall

Indy45 · Post by **Indy45** » Sat Feb 04, 2006 7:43 am

Reading back over my original post, I lent impression the Bapty was a 45ACP. It's the STEMBRIDGE (the non-shooter, suitcase gun) that was 45ACP.

The Bapty probably was either .455 Eley or 45 Long Colt. I'm still trying to verify the exact caliber.

All the ROTLA revolvers, I think, SHOULD have been 45ACP, particularly if they went with a 1911 45ACP auto instead of the HiPower 9mm in ROTLA. (Bad tactical decision to carry two different types of ammo in a far away location...)

We Strive for Accuracy, Written and Downrange...
Indy45

Mojave Jack · Post by **Mojave Jack** » Sun Mar 05, 2006 12:18 am

I think the piece your talking about is the Thunder Ranch Model 22.

Very nice! Thanks for giving us a heads up!

Pitfall Harry · Post by **Pitfall Harry** » Sun Mar 05, 2006 3:32 am

Yeah, it is......

It's a nice gun. I would like to get one myself someday but I don't have the cash right now.

By the way does anyone know what the going price on that gun is?

PITFALL

J_Weaver · Post by **J_Weaver** » Sun Mar 05, 2006 9:58 am

I've seen the Thunder Ranch model 22 going in the $650 - $750 range. The reason its so expensive is because its a limited edition piece.

Pitfall Harry · Post by **Pitfall Harry** » Sun Mar 05, 2006 10:11 am

Great!

I wonder how long it will be around? $650-$750 is a little more than I wanted to spend on a revolver.

PITFALL

J_Weaver · Post by **J_Weaver** » Sun Mar 05, 2006 12:01 pm

I don't look for the price to change anytime soon. Handguns are just plain old expensive thses days.

Ona side note, don't rule out finding an original HE2. I got mine for $400. However, I never had it "Indyized".

Indy45 · Post by **Indy45** » Sun Mar 05, 2006 12:08 pm

Pitfall,

Here's an S&W Military and Police that I was lucky enough to find at a little VFD gunshow yesterday.

It's only K Frame .38 Special (kind of a lil Indy!) Hand Ejector, 5 screw; all numbers match, even the number pencilled on the back of the right grip. (S&W had a practice if writing in pencil the pistol s/n on the back of the right grip; something to look for as a collector.) The brass medallion grips indicate it was built 1910-1920 (I'm still checking, but due to s/n, I think it was built in 1916). Close in look to the Stembridge, but no lanyard ring. The pistol is an M&P '4th Change' because the s/n is later than 241703.

It was buffed and re-blued at some point, and the grips show a lot of hand wear. The gunshop seller said he thinks it came from a little WestVA police department trade-in.

The Model 10 came later, post WWII. The WWII "Victory" model will have the lanyard ring but sandblast blue or Parkerized finish and smooth walnut grips. Be careful if you find a .38/200 British Service revolver; it's like the Victory, but since the .38 S&W cartridge is a little smaller diameter than the S&W .38 Special, the gun isn't safe to shoot with .38 Special ammo.

Regards,
Indy45

P.S. The Staff of RA headpiece is a Magnoli with chain.

J_Weaver · Post by **J_Weaver** » Sun Mar 05, 2006 12:23 pm

Wow, that is an excellent find! When I got my HE2, my local gun shop had a very good condition Victory model .38 for around $400. If I had the extra cash at the time I would have bought it too.

The history of that piece is very interesting. My grandad is retired for the WVSP. However, by the time he join the department after Korea, they were using the Colt Offical Police.

Post by **Michaelson** » Sun Mar 05, 2006 12:48 pm

Model 22, eh? That kind of throws me in regarding the usual Smith numbering system. The '22' number was usually reserved for .22 caliber type revolvers...such as the K-22 Masterpiece. The .45 calber number was usuall a model 25, a .44 caliber was a model 24, and so forth.

A model 22 is definitely a departure to the old system.

Interesting they'd go that route!

Neat!

High regards! Michaelson

J_Weaver · Post by **J_Weaver** » Sun Mar 05, 2006 12:53 pm

Yea, I thought that was very strange too. I never under stood why it wasn't the Thunder Ranch Model 25 instead of 22.

Post by **Michaelson** » Sun Mar 05, 2006 1:08 pm

Could it be a possible typo?

Regards! Michaelson

J_Weaver · Post by **J_Weaver** » Sun Mar 05, 2006 1:24 pm

Michaelson wrote:Could it be a possible typo?

Regards! Michaelson

If it is, not only has S&W have it wrong, but so does several magazines.

Post by **Michaelson** » Sun Mar 05, 2006 1:28 pm

WELLLLL, you know how rumors get started....

Regards! Michaelson

Marlin_Fan · Post by **Marlin_Fan** » Sun Mar 05, 2006 5:09 pm

I have one of the new revolvers. The trigger was smooth but heavy, this is to be expected from a handgun which could be used for self defense. Had the trigger slicked up a bit. Good shooter now. The old HE2/1917s are great guns, I have three 1917s. Remember, these are over 70 seventy years old and parts could be hard to find!

RonC · Post by **RonC** » Fri May 12, 2006 4:49 am

Michaelson, the designation "Model 22"is correct for the .45 ACP revolver. When S&W changed over from the old system of designating their revolvers, the "Model of 1950 Military", which was the postwar designation for the updated Model 1917, became the Model 22. S&W just reverted to their older designation with this revolver. Intersetingly, the new Model 22-4 has "Model of 1950" stamped on the left side of the barrel.

Ron

Trebor · Post by **Trebor** » Wed Jun 07, 2006 3:13 am

I've swore off new Smith's due to the lock. But, this one is sooo tempting.

J_Weaver · Post by **J_Weaver** » Wed Jun 07, 2006 1:18 pm

Trebor wrote:I've swore off new Smith's due to the lock. But, this one is sooo tempting.

I hear ya! Its a shame that most of their revolvers are available in stainless only.

There is nothing like a blued steel S&W revolver. Its about as cool as it gets!

pigirondan · Post by **pigirondan** » Thu Jun 22, 2006 4:27 pm

Just ordered one. Lord have mercy.

Post by **Michaelson** » Thu Jun 22, 2006 5:30 pm

What did it set you back, if I may be so nosey?

Regards! Michaelson

J_Weaver · Post by **J_Weaver** » Thu Jun 22, 2006 6:23 pm

Hey, I want to be nosey too.

Congrats pigirondan! Be sure to give us a full report when you get it.

pigirondan · Post by **pigirondan** » Thu Jun 22, 2006 7:44 pm

Michaelson wrote:What did it set you back, if I may be so nosey?

Regards! Michaelson

$846.99.

J_Weaver · Post by **J_Weaver** » Thu Jun 22, 2006 8:21 pm

It looks like the price has gone up some. It seems like they were going for around $750 when they first went into production.

pigirondan · Post by **pigirondan** » Thu Jun 22, 2006 8:51 pm

J_Weaver wrote:It looks like the price has gone up some. It seems like they were going for around $750 when they first went into production.

I was becoming concerned with availability.

J_Weaver · Post by **J_Weaver** » Thu Jun 22, 2006 9:00 pm

Yea, I not sure if there even in production now. Your lucky to be getting one.

Post by **Michaelson** » Thu Jun 22, 2006 9:25 pm

Actually, not a bad price at all.

When I was a gun dealer back in the late 70's, early 80's, all N-frame Smiths were sold to me wholesale directly from Smith for around $280. Suggest retail markup at that time was over double, so the cost could start at over $560, and climb from there. If you only paid that price in 2006 dollars, they've either held the line on costs, or they've lowered the wholesaler price.

Anyway, you didn't get hurt at all, my friend. WELL done!

Sorry to be nosey on that one....old professional curiousity got the best of me.

Regards! Michaelson

J_Weaver · Post by **J_Weaver** » Thu Jun 22, 2006 9:30 pm

Michaelson wrote:Suggest retail markup at that time was over double, so the cost could start at over $560, and climb from there. If you only paid that price in 2006 dollars, they've either held the line on costs, or they've lowered the wholesaler price.

Wow, would that go for the Mountian Gun too? I paid $574 for my Mountain Gun (new in box) and thats including the $20 dealer charges.

pigirondan · Post by **pigirondan** » Thu Jun 22, 2006 9:59 pm

Michaelson wrote:Actually, not a bad price at all.
When I was a gun dealer back in the late 70's, early 80's, all N-frame Smiths were sold to me wholesale directly from Smith for around $280. Suggest retail markup at that time was over double, so the cost could start at over $560, and climb from there. If you only paid that price in 2006 dollars, they've either held the line on costs, or they've lowered the wholesaler price.

Anyway, you didn't get hurt at all, my friend. WELL done!

Sorry to be nosey on that one....old professional curiousity got the best of me.

Regards! Michaelson

No worries. I have a couple of 1911-A1's so ammo is not a problem. N-frames are for real. The practical application of the .45 ACP in a wheelgun is an overlooked possibility for self-defense. (It wasn't lost on Indy though!)

Post by **Michaelson** » Fri Jun 23, 2006 10:50 am

True....just a pain in the backside to reload.

Regards! Michaelson

pigirondan · Post by **pigirondan** » Tue Jun 27, 2006 9:30 am

I payed for it yesterday, and did the paper work. It is even more sweet then I hoped for. Ten days until the range.

J_Weaver · Post by **J_Weaver** » Tue Jun 27, 2006 11:08 am

pigirondan wrote:I payed for it yesterday, and did the paper work. It is even more sweet then I hoped for. Ten days until the range.

Congrats! Do you guys have a waiting period in CA?

pigirondan · Post by **pigirondan** » Tue Jun 27, 2006 11:52 am

J_Weaver wrote:
pigirondan wrote:I payed for it yesterday, and did the paper work. It is even more sweet then I hoped for. Ten days until the range.
Congrats! Do you guys have a waiting period in CA?

Yes, a 10 day wait, and no more then one purchase a month, more or less.

J_Weaver · Post by **J_Weaver** » Tue Jun 27, 2006 12:01 pm

I never have understood the waiting period.

Around here all you do is fill out the paper work and the dealer calls the FBI (I assume) and they run your SS#. If your not a criminal you walk out with your gun.

pigirondan · Post by **pigirondan** » Tue Jun 27, 2006 1:07 pm

J_Weaver wrote:I never have understood the waiting period. Around here all you do is fill out the paper work and the dealer calls the FBI (I assume) and they run your SS#. If your not a criminal you walk out with your gun.

I was filling out the paperwork around 3:30 yesterday afternoon. Mine was the 400th gun sold that day in California.

Post by **Michaelson** » Tue Jun 27, 2006 1:27 pm

I'm sure happy the great State of California is protecting us from ner-do-wells such as yourself, pigiron.

Regards! Michaelson

pigirondan · Post by **pigirondan** » Tue Jun 27, 2006 1:49 pm

Michaelson wrote:I'm sure happy the great State of California is protecting us from ner-do-wells such as yourself, pigiron.

Regards! Michaelson

Indeed.

pigirondan · Post by **pigirondan** » Thu Jun 29, 2006 11:42 am

Through an ordering error on my part, I purchased 50 full-moon clips. Threehundred rounds ready to go may seem excessive, but how can you be too prepared?

Edited to reflect my ignorance to simple math. Thanks Bufflehead!

Bufflehead Jones · Post by **Bufflehead Jones** » Thu Jun 29, 2006 12:41 pm

Wouldn't that be 300?

pigirondan · Post by **pigirondan** » Thu Jun 29, 2006 4:32 pm

Bufflehead Jones wrote:Wouldn't that be 300?

You are so right.

pigirondan · Post by **pigirondan** » Sat Jul 08, 2006 10:04 am

Took the 22-4 to the range yesterday. I loaded up 15 Moon clips. Five each of 230gr. Ball, 230gr. hollow point, and 200gr. SWC. First up, SWC, all 6 in the black @ 25 yards, single action. Have mercy. All the rest double action, not all in the black, but quite satisfactory.

I shoot 1911's, so this wasn't a stretch to achieve, but still, I'm very pleased.

pigirondan · Post by **pigirondan** » Mon Jul 10, 2006 1:09 pm

I'll be trying some 230 grain lead round nose soon. Seems fitting.

dr. tyree · Post by **dr. tyree** » Fri Jul 28, 2006 3:45 pm

BTW, the current issue of Guns annual has an article mentioning this gun and other great six shooters, called "Curse of the Wheelwolf," by Massad Ayoob. It's a funny article, check it out if you get the chance. It refers to the gun as an "Indiana Jones style big bore Smith and Wesson sixgun" and states that S&W have sold more of this re-issue edition in the first two years than they did in the 21 years of production on the original edition. If this gun comes out in .45 LC, I am all over it. HUAH!

pigirondan · Post by **pigirondan** » Fri Jul 28, 2006 5:16 pm

dr. tyree wrote:BTW, the current issue of Guns annual has an article mentioning this gun and other great six shooters, called "Curse of the Wheelwolf," by Massad Ayoob. It's a funny article, check it out if you get the chance. It refers to the gun as an "Indiana Jones style big bore Smith and Wesson sixgun" and states that S&W have sold more of this re-issue edition in the first two years than they did in the 21 years of production on the original edition. If this gun comes out in .45 LC, I am all over it. HUAH!

Was Ayoob pro or con?

dr. tyree · Post by **dr. tyree** » Sat Jul 29, 2006 12:43 pm

Neither, it wasn't a review on this particular gun, but a celebration of revolvers in general and how they retain a devoted following even in the days of plastic framed jam-omatics. Ayoob is in the Revolver Liberation Alliance, a new booster group. This new Smith is one example he gives of how the revo isn't dead yet.

There is a current review out on this gun by John Taffin, who, as you might expect, absolutely loved it. Can't remember which magazine.

Post by **Michaelson** » Sat Jul 29, 2006 12:48 pm

Ayoob is also the author of a couple self defense handbooks. He's definitely pro revolver, regardless of brand.

Regards! Michaelson

pigirondan · Post by **pigirondan** » Sat Jul 29, 2006 1:03 pm

I've switched up a bit. Swapped the Magna grips for some Pachmayr's. A good move to be sure. Double action shooting is more consistent.

s10lamarr · Post by **s10lamarr** » Sun Jul 30, 2006 4:42 am

nice gun!!!!!

Mystique · Post by **Mystique** » Thu Aug 03, 2006 9:52 am

On my recent vacation while visiting my sister in law in Ohio, we were in an older part of Columbus windowshopping. I happened to walk into a gun store and they had a model 22 Thunder Ranch. It was a beaut and only 650! Unfortunately I couldn't spend all my vacation money since I was still headed to NYC. Such is life

pigirondan · Post by **pigirondan** » Sat Aug 26, 2006 11:01 am

I have 500 rounds down range. 200 grain SWC, 230 grain SWC, 230 grain FMJ and 230 grain FMJ-HP. The Ball and hollow points have been POA/POI @ 25 yards. Fantastic actually. Both SWC shot a bit low. This is a combat revolver.

S&W's Brand New Model 22-4; Real Close to Indy's

S&W's Brand New Model 22-4; Real Close to Indy's

OOoops

Pitfall Harry - Here's an S&W M&P

Did I want that gun!!!!