I'm a FNG here and am ignorant as to the meanings of the dash number following the model. For example 17-1, 17-3 etc.

Thanks

Paul
Salome, AZ

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Paul
Salome, AZ

Basically a reflection of design changes, or "improvements" on the original model over the years since the model's introduction.

See if you can find a copy of the Sandard Catalog of S&W at your local library, or purchase one. Filled with data about the company and the models introduced over the years.

https://play.google.com/store/books/...8A6Q&gclsrc=ds

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Ret. LE, FA Instr, S&W Armorer

If you google the model # 10-? and go to the Wikipedia link it will note what change occurred requiring a change in the variant -1, -2, -3 etc., most are insignificant until you get to the variant that indicates a change to the dreaded (by some) MIM parts, non pinned barrels and so on.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smith_%26_Wesson_Model_10

Reflects an engineering change to the design. Could be minor like switching to a left handed thread on the knob to something much bigger. You need a program to keep up with all of them.

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No life story has happy end.

Welcome to the forum.

Thanks much.
Paul
Salome, AZ

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Paul
Salome, AZ

Often, the change is something to make manufacturing simpler or cheaper. Or something like adding a heavier barrel to meet customer demand. Some changes are attractive to collectors as they may not have lasted very long before another change was incorporated and not many were made, creating scarcity. At least from a user perspective, the change is usually inconsequential. The same thing happens for many other non-gun products. Think of it as just like computer software which goes from, say, Version 6.1 to Version 6.2 as a result of eliminating some bug discovered in the earlier version or adding some additional capability.