***Correction-after double checking the grips are indeed numbered to the revolver***

Went in to my favorite shop today to pick up a gun I had on consignment (seller's remorse LOL, non S&W), was waiting on the background check when I spot a real jewel sitting at the back of one of the cases.

I've always wanted a 17 but the prices were always just a bit too high. Well the price on this one made my eyes pop. No box, a faded product sheet. A few "age marks" here and there-on the end of each side of the muzzle and just towards the end of the word "SMITH" on the left side of the barrel. A definitely ring on the cylinder as well. That's ok with me as I intend to shoot this one a lot. Typical bank vault lock up/timing and a nice smooth action. Right at $500 out the door.

Also a wear mark over the side plate that looks like from a safety strap on a holster.

Serial number is 1K46XXX which if I read the 4th Ed of the SCSW means 1971. Can't wait to hit the range-I have copious amounts of .22lr ammo to try out ahahaha. At some point I'll add some period correct targets but that's all I'll want for it.

Some quick cell pics indoors under natural light:

Nice looking 17 and you got a deal!

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Dan
Ps 96 SWCA 2930 SWHF 524

Nice. You stole it! Especially at a shop. Around here easily $200 more.

Id say you did well. A couple of years ago now I bought my Model 14-3 on a GB auction for about $100 less but it had grips by Goodyear and more barrel and cylinder wear... and of course it was a more common and less desirable 38 Special instead of a 22. I'd say you did quite well on that buy. The tight, smooth action you are seeing is typical of the vintage and the only problem you are likely to experience might be a difficulty with extracting empty cases, a problem you can eliminate with some judicious polishing of the chambers. My personal opinion FWIW is that you got a good buy on a very desirable gun. Congratulations.

Froggie

That's a real dandy you got a heck of a good deal on!! It is my birth year so if I had found it I would be extatic. So many 22's in my safe and the realitively high price for S&W22 revolvers has kept me too from owning one yet. Enjoy yours and give us a quick update after some range time.

Congrats.

I swapped many years ago for a 17-3 and it was one of the best trades ever.

On an impulse buy I paid 7 for one last fall. Shoots great. Just a little expensive for a 22, my own fault.

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Bob P.

Sweet find ! I would jump, too.

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" I don't recall, senator."

Mine’s a 17-6 but I really like it..has 3Ts but I put Ahrends Moradillo stocks on it.

Ya dun good!!!. I would be proud to have that as a shooter

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Pete
I ain't no fortunate son

Well done on finding a K22 and what a deal! I have a 1968 mfg 17-3 and IMO these are the finest .22 handguns ever manufactured.

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Some Might Say.

Plinking with a K22 did more for my revolver shooting than anything else.

They are just a ton of fun and a great tool to work on your revolver skills.

Good price on a great gun...congrats !

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1st smiles,lies.Last,gunfire.

As posted...you did super great especially considering it was in a brick and mortar gun shop where flip profit reigns supreme.

I paid a little more for my also 1971 (s/n 3K44xx) 17-3 about 2 years ago and that was a private sale. The guy had a one line newspaper add, that just said "S&W revolver for sale, call ....."
No caliber, bbl length, or price listed so I called immediately because I have gotten so many good S &W's from adds, from estate sales, from pre-estate firearms only sales, but need to be quick.

When I called the guy told me he was a contractor doing home construction/repairs and this was a 22 and was his "truck gun".
I thought it wouldn't be worth a 1hr drive to see a gun probably all rusted from sitting in glove box or console in all sorts of weather, and said he wanted $550 firm due to immediate bills.

Anyway I did go, and he had the gun in a Charles Daly, Sherpa lined, suede outer gun rug. The gun was absolutely stunning, 3T's, zero blue wear, very slight turn ring, not even a speck of dust. I usually haggle, but $550 was firm with him so I did the deal.

He said he told people it was a truck gun because that's what all his buddies in construction told him....that no one these days wants an old 22 revolver...but tell people it's a truck gun and they'll figure a real working man's gun.

I don't think it had ever been shot much when I got it, but it is one of the family favorite now. I agree 100% with Steelslaver about increasing your revolver skills by plinking with this 17-3, or even the 4" M34-1..all super fun for everyone.

Attached Images

	S&W M17-3B.jpg (37.1 KB, 55 views)
	M 34-1b reduced.jpg (37.0 KB, 55 views)

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Charlie B
SWCA#3083, SWHF#570

You can teach your kidz and grandkidz to shoot with that 17. In 50 years or so you might have to replace the mainspring like I did a few years ago with my 1936 Outdoorsman that has been in the family since new.

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Jim
Many K and N Frames

OP.....buy them like you paid ...all day long. Great purchase

I will tell you from experience that
One of these will not be enough!

I actually taught my sons to shoot a handgun with my late dad's 1981 4" 686 after progressing from pellet rifles through a 10/22. They're both very good shooters, the older son has consistently rated "Expert" on his military quals. Like me they both prefer a nice 1911 for serious and fun times but we all really love revolvers for just pure joy of shooting.

This 17 will eventually end up with my older son for him to enjoy with his two sons (currently 4.5 and 1 yr respectively lol).

Got out to the range today with a mishmash of ammo. What fun!! Of the stuff I brought it seems to like the Mini-Mag 36gr copper plated hp the best. I need to get some serious target loads and see how it does. There were a couple of times the extraction was a little sticky but nothing a gentle push on the rod couldn't take care of.

Edit to add that originally I said I wanted to add target grips-nope lol. Feels just right with the service stocks though a t-grip would be nice.

This is at 15 yards double action:


And here it is cleaned up afterwards

New info in original post. Got a t-grip too! New pic up later.

Got the t-grip woohoo!

very nice find and at a good price. My 1968 17-3 with Culina cocabolo exhibition targets on it

Attached Images

Model 17-3.jpg (80.9 KB, 29 views)

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Pete
I ain't no fortunate son

Excellent gun, also a fun gun to shoot. I picked this 17-2 up recently for $450.

Attached Images

Model 17-2 Left.JPG (196.8 KB, 33 views)

As others here think, S&W K22s are the finest outdoorsman pistol ever built! I've owned at least one since
I was 17 years old, now 70. You did good.
Steve

At some point this will go on to my older son for him to share with his two little boys (the older turns 5 in October, the other just turned 1 LOL). I look forward to hopefully taking them all shooting with it in the not too distant future (the older one at least).

Love my Model 17-4.


God bless,
Birdgun