S&W 17-4 thoughts

1ActuaL3 · #1 10-25-2021, 10:13 PM

Y’all I traded a shooter’s grade 669 with 2 mags for this 17-4. I’m very happy with the trade myself but have some questions about finish. Unfortunately the previous owner stored this piece with a cleaning brush that seemed to have traveled all around the revolver for a while. Any tips on removing the light scratches and bringing the finish back to its former glory? Secondly, the cylinder has some rough pitting on one side. Does anyone by any chance have a 17-4 SS cylinder they would like to sell? I’ve looked on eBay and the various parts sellers and all the ones I’ve seen are blued. Regardless, I’m still a very happy camper!

dmar · #2 10-25-2021, 10:37 PM

Well, looks to me like your Model 17 was worked on pretty hard by a wire wheel, presumably to remove rust and pitting, and then hard chromed. Model 17s were all steel/blued guns, not stainless steel, or chromed.

That’s a pretty rough condition, refinished gun, I don’t believe you’re going to buff that out... If it’s a good shooter, just enjoy it, they are great guns!

chief38 · #3 10-25-2021, 10:44 PM

AFAIK there is no such animal as a SS M17 Cylinder.

From your pictures to restore it to its former glory you would need a full restoration and a new Cylinder. That, i am sorry to say would probably cost more than you should be putting into it.

You could strip the guns finish, polish it and remove many of the sins on the barrel and frame, but he cylinder looks to be in need of a replacement which also might require some minor fitting. After all your work was done, the gun would then need to be re-blued.

Again, I doubt it would all be worth the money - just might pay to shoot it and enjoy it as it is.

1ActuaL3 · #4 10-25-2021, 10:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmar

Well, looks to me like your Model 17 was worked on pretty hard by a wire wheel, presumably to remove rust and pitting, and then hard chromed. Model 17s were all steel/blued guns, not stainless steel, or chromed.

That’s a pretty rough condition, refinished gun, I don’t believe you’re going to buff that out... If it’s a good shooter, just enjoy it, they are great guns!

Well that would explain the lack of Cylinders! I plan on using it either way so it’s not the end of the world. Also tells you how much I know about finishes 😅. In the off chance, think the S&W performance center can re-finish it? Or is that more or less off the table?

3rdgeargrndrr · #5 10-25-2021, 11:35 PM

Please tell me that gun was stolen at the tail end of Vietnam, smuggled to the Mujadeen inAfghanistan, then pirated to some South American civil war before it ended up in your hands because it needs a story to match the wear that looks like hell.
Fwiw it still might be the most accurate firearm you own.

1ActuaL3 · #6 10-25-2021, 11:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3rdgeargrndrr

Please tell me that gun was stolen at the tail end of Vietnam, smuggled to the Mujadeen inAfghanistan, then pirated to some South American civil war before it ended up in your hands because it needs a story to match the wear that looks like hell

I am highly doubtful that it has an interesting story. Pretty sure it got some rust and someone (as previous user mentioned) beat the hell out of it trying to restore it. Functions perfectly fine but it sure ain’t pretty! 😂

TAROMAN · #7 10-25-2021, 11:41 PM

Heavily rusted and then a PO took a wire wheel grinder to it.

3rdgeargrndrr · #8 10-25-2021, 11:52 PM

Remember thats bare metal you have. Get some wax or oil on it

1ActuaL3 · #9 10-25-2021, 11:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3rdgeargrndrr

Remember thats bare metal you have. Get some wax or oil on it

I take it a Silicon oil gun sock would fit the bill?

DGNY · #10 10-26-2021, 08:04 AM

To the OP, it certainly is a tribute to the design and manufacture of Smith & Wessons that this survivor so excites your admiration. Tip of the hat to you!

Please get back to us and let us know how it shoots. As a survivor, it may yet prove a noble example of how durability triumphs over such conspicuous lack of care (or accidental damage), later so fervently wire brushed.

All best!

rays44 · #11 10-26-2021, 10:48 AM

I hope the barrel and cylinder chambers are in better condition than the frame. I'd take a peek under the side plate as well and look at the action. In the end, if it shoots well and you're good with it, nothing else matters.

Scharfschuetzer · #12 10-26-2021, 12:16 PM

As noted above: for a shooter, it's the condition of the bore and charge holes as well as the internals, i.e. action, end shake, springs, etc. The finish... I guess I'd just Ceracote it as that will cover up much of the damage other than that severe pitting on the cylinder.

I hope that it turns out to be a good shooter for you.

I once bought a little Model 31 in 32 S&W Long for a song because its finish was absolutely gone; much like your Model 17-4. The important bore, charge holes and internals were just like new. Go figure. As it was such a good shooter and vermin killer, I had it Ceracoated. Other than it's not the original finish, it makes the gun look like new.

Here's what it looks like now.

1ActuaL3 · #13 10-26-2021, 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scharfschuetzer

For a shooter, it's the condition of the bore and charge holes as well as the internals, i.e. action, end shake, springs, etc. The finish... I guess I'd just Ceracote it as that will cover up much of the damage other than that severe pitting on the cylinder.

I hope that it turns out to be a good shooter for you.

I once bought a little Model 31 in 32 S&W Long for a song because its finish was absolutely gone. The important bore, charge holes and internals were just like new. Go figure. As it was such a good shooter and vermin killer, I had it Ceracoated. Other than it's not
the original finish, it makes the gun look like new.

Here's what it looks like now.

Wow that does look pretty good honestly. I’ll take a look at the internals later today. When I checked the bore it looked spotless save from some dirt/left over lead. I’ll get back to everyone in an update later today.