I have a mint Smith model 17-6 with half lug 4" heavy barrel. I don't have the box. A friend is wanting to trade me a Smith model 28-2 with 6" barrel in the same condition without box. I'm not sure if I should make the trade. I don't see any of the 17-6 4" on the auction sites. I don't have alot of knowledge on the Smith revolvers, I'm still learning. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Here is a pic of my 17-6

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I would not. In my view your gun is a lot harder to find than his. Unless you really don't want the .22. The 28 would be a great shooter.

I think yours has more value than his on the market.

I would not make this trade.

I’d keep the 22

Agree with the other posters. Keep what you have.

A 28-2 is a great gun, but they are more numerous than yours, and IMHO, less desirable in the 6" version.

JMHO YMMV,

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BTDT, Got The T-Shirt

Yours is a much more desirable gun, in my opinion.

+1 for hanging onto the 22...

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Some Might Say.

Agree with everyone above. Keep that one and buy yourself a nice model 28. They are for sale frequently here.

The barrel on your Model 17-6 is considered to be a "heavy barrel", not a "half lug" barrel. Half lug barrels are characterized by a shroud enclosing the ejector rod as seen on K-frame and N-frame magnum revolvers (i.e.; Models 19, 53, 27, and 29).

A 28-2 is a fine gun, but in terms of value it is not worth what your Model 17-6 is, so you'd come out on the very short end in a straight-across trade. If guns are in equal condition, your gun is worth at least $200 more, and possibly a lot more. There just aren't that many Model 17-6 4" revolvers out there.

If the owner of the Model 28-2 lays two or three benjamins on the table, then you might be looking at a more reasonable straight-across trade. I still wouldn't make it.

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FBINA, 204th Session

I will add my agreement to the general agreement. The Model 28 is a decent enough gun, but it is an economy model. There are very common and not hard to come by at fair prices. On the other hand, the Model 17 has always seemed to command a bit of a premium, particularly on the used market. It is fit and finished to a higher standard. Some barrel lengths are not common, adding to its potential value if it has one of these and it sounds like yours does.

I would not trade even. I might be talked in to it if he were offering three or four hundred bucks boots. That is what it would take to get me to start warming up to the deal.

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NRA Life Member

I appreciate the help. I will be keeping the 17.

The gun in your pic appears to be a 18-6, rather than a 17-6.
Best,
Gary

Don't believe the 18 existed during this period. The original run ended in the mid 1980s and the only ones since are the Classics, if I recall. My Catalog is elsewhere at the moment.

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Psalm 27:2

The 17-6 with a 4" barrel was catalogued 1990-1994; some early 17-6s reportedly without full-lug barrel.

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FBINA, 204th Session

The gun in post #1 has the heavy/wide rib barrel of the K-22 Masterpiece/model 17 series. rather than the tapered/narrow rib of the .22 Combat Masterpiece/model 18.

And the 18-4 was discontinued in 1985. In typical S & W fashion, the next similar model in 2007 was named...the 18-7. Go figure.

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

I would make the trade in a heartbeat……….but I prefer P n’ R N frames!

KEEP THE .22!!!!!!!!!!!!

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S&W Accumulator

Go look on gunbroker for a gun like your 17, and then look at model 28's. Then grashopper, you will see what the correct decision is.....Very nice 17 BTW.

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Todd

Sell the 22 here and then buy a 27 and something else.

I'd love to buy it off of you but unfortunately I think their value has surpassed my allotted gun allowance. I'd shoot the heck out of it.