SW Model 17- What to look for

[Maddawg46]

I shot a friends 17 the other day. It had a 4 inch barrel and was a tack driver. I want one. What should I be looking at? I don't have many revolvers and am new to what the older ones are. I want a nice blued one to shoot.

[fyimo]

Well the Model 17 is a great revolver and the 4 inch barrel is extermely hard to find asthe 6 inch barrel was the standard barrel length. In fact I have never handled a 4 inch Model 17 and I think they only started making them in 1990 with the full barrel under lug.

So the question is do you want an older 4 inch blued S&W model 17 then you should actually look for a Model 17-6 with a 4 inch barrel. It would be easier to find a Model 18 which comes in 4 inch barrel and they are great shooters. Or if you want new get a 617 with 4 inch barrel.

Model 17-1 22LR with 6 inch Barrel

Model 18-4 22LR with 4 inch barrel

Model 617 no dash 22LR with 4 inch barrel

[Maddawg46]

Yep I think I want the 18-4. Told you I was new to this. Nice pics! Thanks

[Engine49guy]

The last of the (pre lock) 18 line was the 18-4 and to simplify production S&W instead offered the 17-5 in both 4" and 6" lengths.

AS Jim pointed out the 4" 17-5 has a heavier barrel profile than any other K22 without any barrel underlug and fetchs a slight premium,
The early 17-6 looked the same as the 17-5 but later versions had a full underlug barrel like the 617 .
On a side note a very small batch of the 4" and 6" HB guns were made in SS stamped as 617 no dash,
these usually bring a hefty premium.

[Maddawg46]

Well now.......sounds like I need to learn a lot. Wher edit you find out all this info? I saw somebody had a 18-7 4" revolver. He did not list a price, but it's sold now. It sounded perfect for me. But, I snoozed so I lost out. Hope there will be another one soon. Never bought a used gun that I did not hold. How can you know what your getting?

[fyimo]

Originally Posted by Maddawg46

Well now.......sounds like I need to learn a lot. Wher edit you find out all this info? I saw somebody had a 18-7 4" revolver. He did not list a price, but it's sold now. It sounded perfect for me. But, I snoozed so I lost out. Hope there will be another one soon. Never bought a used gun that I did not hold. How can you know what your getting?

If you are serious about S&W revolvers buy a copy of the Standard Catalog Of Smith & Wession 3rd edition and you can buy it at Amazon.com. The book details all of the S&W revolvers made from the beginning to 2006 and it's the latest edition out there. If gives detailed information on each model including revision number changes (dash numbers after the model number), serial number date ranges, lists special order information, and product codes. It's a great reference book for all things S&W up to 2006.

[TexasRider]

The 17 was one of Smith and Wessons more popular models.

I was just out with my wife today shooting my Model 17 no dash (1958 production.). I was the the first day that it was not raining or drizzling in a few weeks. The smoothness of the older Model 17s is fantastic. She was having a good time at 10 and 20 yards with it in beween shooting some other revolvers and semi autos. Fun !

[wantmoresmiths]

Since the model 18 is no longer in production, you will need to buy a used model. The best advice I can give, is to put an ad in the "wanted to buy" section here in the forum. Be sure to ask for lots of pictures. You can usually get a good idea of the guns general condition from those pictures. Most honest sellers will also offer a 3 day no shoot return. Which means you have 3 days to really give the gun a thorough inspection from the time it arrives at your dealer. I usually ask my dealer to look the gun over as soon as he receives it. Still one more advantage of buying here on the forum comes from buyers and sellers not wanting to see their names spoken in a negative manner because of a bad deal.