Smith & Wesson Model 48

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Smith & Wesson Model 48

The Smith & Wesson Model 48 is a six-shot, double-action revolver built on the medium-sized K-frame. It fires .22 Winchester Magnum Rimfire (WMR). The model began in 1959 as the K-22 M.R.F. Masterpiece, based on the K-22 Target Masterpiece (Model 17) and sharing the same frame as the Model 10. A key difference from .22 LR guns is the barrel bore: .224 inch in the 48 versus .222 inch on .22 LR models.

Barrel lengths were commonly 4 inches, 6 inches, and 8 3/8 inches, with other lengths produced. The Model 48 was discontinued in 1986.

In 2010, Smith & Wesson revived the line as the Model 48 Masterpiece in its Classics lineup, tapping renewed interest in vintage revolvers.

Model 648

The Model 648 is a later double-action revolver in .22 WMR. It debuted in 1989 with a 6-round cylinder (later offered as an 8-round cylinder) and effectively replaced the Model 48 for a time. The 648 was discontinued in 1996, briefly reissued 2003–2005, and then reintroduced again in 2019.