Googled Bangor Punta S&W. In this era of Smiths, the article mentioned many changes in production. We know the changes. One thing mentioned, may be going on today, is QC. It has been posted here about tight 22cal cylinders. My K-22, Mod 17-3 was one of them, of the era. A little extra push to get the cartridges in the charge holes. Once fired was another thing to eject them. Took it to a true gunsmith. Upon looking at it, he drop the cylinder ream in the holes. There was a good 1/4 of the ream sticking out. Reaming and polishing the charge holes made all the difference. Didn't seem that the cartridges were tight or real loose. The fired brass came out if with a little help with the ejector rod, sometimes fell out. I don't know if this was a QC issue, or was to be that tight. Works and functions fine.

but others (CCI's? and Remingtons and sometimes Winchesters) do not. My 17-3 was made about the same time as yours. So, it may not be a K17 problem but rather ammo QC... or not. [8>)

well manufacturing of ANY kind goes through all of these phases......., the old owners let things 'slide ( wear out or down) and the new owners "cut corners, cut costs, bean counters comeup with ways to "save time and money"...nature of the beast..but bottom line, ask any machinist and they'lll tell you in time any cutting tool can and will wear down, dull up and get smaller, your nominal specs in sizes on any given parts drawing now willl change, small chamber, oversized bullet, only a matter of "thousandths" either way and things will NOT fit or work right.....yes, this is supposd to be where "QC" enters the picture, BUT again "humans doing human things"........time of the week, end of the shift, and on and on.......as often said there is never time to do it right, the first time around, but always time to redo it later on.............kept us "service folks" in business for many years..........
exacly as said above, same goes for the ammo...........

__________________
dan
NRA Benefactor,PMA