Yesterday I drove 100+ miles into the big city (Phoenix) to the shop of Nelson Ford (The Gunsmith, Inc.) He's been in the same location since 1980. A wonderful chap with some awesome skills.

He's going to ream the cylinders, do an action job and add a dot to the front sight.

I've had this gun for years and haven't shot it much lately due to the difficulty of extraction.

I'm eagerly waiting its return.

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Paul
Salome, AZ

While I have no personal experience with Nelson or his work, his reputation is quite good even this far away. The tasks you have set for him, finish reaming the chambers and an action job, are probably both quite routine for him, and your Model 17 with those improvements will be a joy to shoot.

I’m finding as I age, a focal point is more and more important as I try to take aim, and the various beads and dots are becoming more and more necessary. While “classic” bullseye Style shooting almost always demanded a plain black Patridge-type sight, I think that dot will be a nice addition as well. Be sure and post again after you get your gun back and have had a chance to try it out at the range.

Regards,
Froggie

It's pretty hard to improve a Model 17 but your list is spot on. You should end up with one fine .22 revolver.

Ream the cylinders? You mean the chambers? How much and for what purpose? It would never occur to do this. Frankly, I can't think of why I would do this.

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No life story has happy end.

I stand corrected. He's going to ream the chambers. This to ease the difficult extraction.

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Paul
Salome, AZ

Unfortunately a way too common occurrence in S&W .22 revolvers.

My 17 was OK but I had to finish the job on my 18 and 34.

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14 S&W Revs none with locks!

I imagine he'll hone the chambers, not ream. Reaming would remove too much metal, IMO. .22 LR is a dirty round. I see people fairly frequently bring cleaning gear to the range so they can shoot more rounds.

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Guy
SWHF #474 SWCA LM#2629

I run a brush through both my 34-1 and 17-1 every time I load the cylinders. A pain but when retired it makes no real difference. I do recall however back in the 1950's and 1960's that the 22lr ammo was not coated as much as it is today and the cases did not stick very often.

I need to report back on my model 17 as received from Nelson Ford.
The double action is buttery smooth. Single action the trigger breaks like glass. He somehow touched up the little bit of blue loss around the muzzle and cylinder edges so the revolver looks like new. I recommend Nelson's work 1000%.
I am a happy camper.

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Paul
Salome, AZ

I'd love to see what kind of a Dot your getting on the front sight. Please post a picture when you get it back.

My 17 is only difficult to extract if I use most any ammo other than Federal brand..

So I don't.. and no problems..

Edit: I also have a NAA Sidewinder that is even worse than the Mod 17..but Federal saves the day..

The other brands casing swells in the extractor area and holds on.. ****** thin brass..

The autos eat any 22lr..