K22, something about your name should suggest to the OP a S&W revolver.
A 6” model 28 Highway Patrolman given to me by my Naval Dentist Uncle, made me a believer!
You nailed it. I acquired my first S&W Model 17 (K22), 22 LR revolver, 6"-barrel, target hammer and trigger, target stocks (factory) in 1970. My dad gave me the money to purchase it as a gift. I was home on leave from the Army. It cost $87. Can you believe that.
In my opinion, it is the greatest pistol ever made. I shot NRA bullseye with it (qualified Distinguished Expert), Small Bore Hunter's Pistol Silhouette (qualified AAA), won Hi Revolver in 1987 in the US Revolver Association 22 RF Slow Fire match and hunted small game with it. I still have it today and while at 76, I am not where near as good a shot as I was, on a good day I can still shoot a 90 or better on a B16 target at 25 yards. But I have to use two hands due an arthritic elbow.
Prior to that I had an H&R, top break 22 revolver which I "cut my teeth on" learning to shoot a pistol. But I wanted an S&W in the worst way and my dad made it happen!
Over the years, I have owned the entire range of S&W revolvers from the great 44 Magnum Model 29 to the Model 34 "Kit" revolver. I hunted ground hogs extensively with the S&W Model 27, 357 Magnum but only ever took one deer with this pistol.
I also shot the centerfire stage of NRA precision with an S&W 38 Special, Model 14. I won the Outdoor Pittsburgh Metropolitain Police League Center Fire in 1985. One shooter shot higher than me but didn't not shoot enough matches to qualify for the title.
But it wasn't until I joined the Army post pistol team that I learned how to really shoot a pistol. We used Hi-Standard 22 semi auto target pistols and accurized 45 ACP's. However, I always favored a revolver. I guess I watched too many episodes of Gunsmoke.

An of course, there was Dirty Harry!