I'm not considering a specific Model 17 but my search is leading me in that direction. Some of my reasons for the 17 include, not being able to see the ramp sights common to some other models and not wanting a pistol with a full underlug. Also, I really like their looks. One of the things I'm a little confused on are the names I'm running into such as, Model 17, K22, Outdoorsman, and the liberal use of the word Masterpiece. I am also seeing some referenced as being pre 17's. Do these names refer to specific dash number versions or are they just generally used to describe them all (pre 17 is pretty obvious)? Prices seem to wander all over the place ranging from around $600 to well over $1000 for very similar pistols. I'm not really interested in the re-issue. I'm thinking something up to about a -4 (I think). Any help or insight would certainly be appreciated since I'm pretty unfamiliar. I did a search but couldn't really come up with what I'm looking for.

Lots of information on these in previous threads you can find by using the search button at the top of the page. A quick summary though the Outdoorsman was pre-WWWII and there is no rib on the barrel. Post WWII are often referred to as "pre" 17s; model numbers were started in 1957. All are sometimes referred to as "K22;"s with the first Masterpiece actually named that being the pre-war (second model); and then post war K22 Masterpiece. Some here will argue about the proper nomenclature but K22 will cover them all. Great revolvers and you'll likely find any of them satisfactory including the new versions (617s). And $600-$1000 is about right for pricing. Frankly, if I just wanted a nice K frame .22 to shoot I'd buy a new four or six inch 617. Good luck.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

I own a 17-3 bought new in the early '70s.My daughter owns a 17-2 bought used a few years ago.Both are working A1 and I don't remember ever having a problem with either.
They are great guns and balance exactly like my model 14 in .38spl.
You can't go wrong with it.
Around here,a good used one will go for 6-700$Can.used in great condition.

This is my Model 17-6 not the youngest out there, 1996

But it had what I was looking for, pre lock, full underlug.

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Jeff gave you a pretty good rundown.

Me .....just the nudge.

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Paul
S&WCA #2726

Thanks for the replies guys. I have nothing against stainless revolvers but do not want a full underlug. If a stainless version was available I would probably go that way but not with the full underlug. I did notice that the 8" barrel seems to be bringing more than the 6". It was just the opposite with my model 27. I did do a search but apparently not good enough. I didn't actually see any comparisons between them.

I can't think of the run/name right now but do think they made a run of 617 without the lug for a certain distributor.

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Paul
S&WCA #2726

Well, you could hold out for one of the 617 Mountain Guns; there were a couple here for sale recently, asking price $20k for the pair if I remember correctly. Nice, but not too many of them around.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

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617 Mountain Gun.jpg (109.0 KB, 18 views)

The model 17 was marketed as a target gun henceforth the longer the barrel the better ergo the higher price for the 8".