I just bought a model 17-5 stainless in excellent condition but can't find
any information on the gun I've got.

It has a 6" heavy barrel with a small under lug.
The finish is satin SS with a polished hammer, trigger, and ejection rod.
Serial # AYL9xxx.





Any information will be highly appreciated.

Kimdo

What I see is a model 17 that has an aftermarket finish (not stainless), aftermarket rear sight (looks like Millett) and non factory trigger stop. I would think about 1988 if that is a -5 with AYL prefix.

Did you mean a 617?

Photos of the model # stamped on the frame opposite the crane would be helpful.

If it is truly stamped as a 17-5 then I suspect an after-market finish.

Typically a 617, a stainless version of a model 17, would have a full lug. This could be a limited production model 617 from 1991 done for Ashland Shooting Supplies without the full-lug.

Looks like a hard chromed 17-5 made to emulate an Ashland gun (below) but need more pics and details to be sure.


The front site has been modified or changed and it looks like it might be a round butted frame ? or is it still a square butt ?

Can you take some pics of the backstrap , the front site and barrel rib from above and from different angles,
also need clear (unblurry) pics of the hammer trigger and the stampings inside the yoke and under the grips.

take the pics with the grips off as they are not OEM.

I like it and have been debating doing something similar to a 17-5 .

Thanks for the prompt replies.
It is definitely a 17-5.
I will try to get some more info today but I think you are all absolutely correct.
It is a round butt.
The trigger has either been replaced or had a stop soldered on.
The hammer looks to be bobbed.
The rear sight has what could be a stylized M on it, the front sight is held on by an allen socket machine screw and the base looks too long for original.
The finish does look hard chromed. I'm wasn't familiar with that finish.
I'll return this evening with a report and more pictures.
Thanks again,
Kim

Your confirmation that it is a 17-5 helps figure this out. The round butt would be a modification. Did the modification obscure the serial number? If so does the serial number show up on the frame opposite the crane? It looks like someone might have tried to copy the limited production model 617 from 1991 done for Ashland Shooting Supplies?

Hey Kim, hope you find the information you are wanting, you came to the right place. And at the end of the day, you still have a nice gun. Enjoy. Ray

I talked to the dealer I bought it from. He took it in as a trade and really didn't know any more details. He confirmed that it is hard chromed and has a Millet rear sight.

I confirmed that it shoots very well.
The DA trigger pull is 9.5lb and the SA is 3.5lb.
The trigger is very smooth and consistent.

Looks like I finally scored at a gun show.





I'm new to the forum but not to S&W.

625-8
66-2
Model 41
17-5



Thanks again for your help.

Kim

Mystery solved. Neat looking revolver. Enjoy it.