Most accurate Model 17?

mossyoakpenn · Feb 13, 2009

Hi there guys, Im looking to buy a model 17 and was wondering if there is a specific 17 dash model that was usually more accurate than the others? I cant stand an inaccurate 22, Im buying this to plink and hunt with so I need to be able to hit what Im aiming at. What do you guys think, from the old pre-17 to the newest pre-lock models? Thanks a lot guys!!

Rigmover · Feb 13, 2009

I would think there all accurate as i have a pre-17 & 17-5 one is as accurate as the other they are a great 22 revolver for plinking or hunting small game.

HEADKNOCKER · Feb 14, 2009

Don't overlook the newer 617s either..
I foolishly let a 4" 617 No Dash pass through my hands & have been looking for one ever since.. I've seen a couple 6"ers but no 4" Yet!
I'd have to say that the 4" was way more accurate than the shooter, Like a Laser Beam It just couldn't miss, Talk about a Super Plinker.
My Ruger MKII was very jelouse of the 617..
Gary/Hk

Stranglehold · Feb 14, 2009

I've owned or shot a number of 17s of various persuasions over the years and every one would group into one inch or less at 25 yards when fed ammo they prefered.

.22s can be notoriously finicky about the brand and style they will shoot best. Trying lots of different ammo will pay big dividends. Don't assume target grade ammo will always give the tightest groups. I have a 17-3 that despises every brand of target fodder I've tried but will consistently put a cylinder of Remington Yellow Jackets well under an inch at 25 yds.

I honestly don't think you can go wrong with any model 17 (or 18 for that matter). I would think with or without underlug and how the gun balanced for you would be a greater determining factor.

17-4 with some trial ammo.

Roe

stevieboy · Feb 14, 2009

I have two 617s and a 17-5. I've been using the el cheapo Walmart federal bulk back in these guns and my 6" 617 no dash definitely shoots that stuff better than do the other two. I've also tried CCI standards and Minimags in all three guns and have not been impressed. Recently, I bought some Federal GameShock ammo which is about as amped up as the CCI minimags. To my surprise, my accuracy improved significantly with this ammunition. Once again, however, the 6" 617 seemed to outperform the other guns. Not by much, but by enough so that the difference was evident. What I can't figure out is whether the better performance is due to the ammo or because I'm just a better shot with that gun than with the other two. A great mystery.

cp1969 · Feb 14, 2009

I have a 17-3, a 17-6 and an 18-? and I can't tell any difference in the three. Also had a different 18 that was just as good.

In looking for the 'most accurate dash' model, I think you're looking for something that doesn't exist.

Texan · Feb 14, 2009

I have a 17-3, 17-4,and 17-5 and all shoot about the same.
The 17-4 with standard hammer & trigger is probably the best,
but not by much........

I have never shot a model 18 but would imagine they are pretty darn accuate
also.

Buy a 17 you will like it alot !

Texan

45Wheelgun · Feb 14, 2009

The correct answer is to buy them all.

bnewc75 · Feb 14, 2009

K22, M17, 617 can't go wrong

bloo · Feb 15, 2009

I have a 17-3 that will print one hole groups at 25 yards from a machine rest with Golden Eagle ammo.

onapar · Mar 4, 2009

here is my 17-3 a real accurate piece.

29aholic · Mar 4, 2009

So far this pre-17 shoots everything about equal.

I always start my trials with subsonic ammo and work up through the standard velocity stuff

fyimo · Mar 4, 2009

I have a K22 pre model 17 and I've had it a couple of weeks. I took it to the range once and I was shooting 2 inch groups off hand at 7 yards. I'm 65 years old and scheduled for cataract surgery in two weeks and in fact, my left eye is one row on the eye chart from being legally blind. I think the gun is plenty accurate.

jimmyjoe · Mar 4, 2009

I can't tell you which model 17 is most accurate, but my model 17-6 shoots good.

jspick · Mar 5, 2009

I have had probally 5 or 6- 17's and 2- 617's. I had one 17's that did not shoot well, timing was off. But all the others were good shooters. With every one of the revolvers there is one cylinder that doesn't shoot as good as the rest. If I leave that cylinder empty then my group sizes are noticably smaller.
John

rburg · Mar 6, 2009

Most guns in the K22 line will shoot better than most shooters. An earlier poster got it right by suggesting you try different ammo if yours doesn't like the brand you're shooting. For most of us old guys, a machine rest is the only way to tell!

One poster suggested you start ammo trials with low velocity. I'd suggest you try based on price. If yours will digest Federal 550 Bulk as sold at WalMart (if they have any), its a winner. Leave the high dollar target grade ammo for people who really shoot well. You've got to be a great shot just to tell the difference.

Guest · Mar 6, 2009

My conclusions were that most all of my .22s will shoot better than I can but seldom with the cheap stuff. One thing I did learn back in the days when I was shooting in 'Competition' is that I'd by the bulk Remington and then spend an evening weighing each cartridge and sorted I'd sort out my "Match ammo" from the rest. I'd sell the rest for what I had in it and never had a complaint but could shrink "my" group size in half by doing this simple task!

Gatofeo · May 10, 2014

I have a 17-6 given me about 1993. It prefers Federal brand over all others, and some of the others are so inaccurate that the margin is wide.
I have read and heard that computerized machining (CNC) produces specifications tighter to the standard than most machinists can produce. Consequently, CNC-machined guns are often more accurate than their predecessors.
Modern guns may not have the fine finish and smooth action of hand-worked guns of yesteryear, but their tolerances are tighter.
Or so I've read and heard.
Plenty of people on here would dispute that.
But it seems to make sense with my 17-6, which was CNC-made I'm told.
With my 59-year-old eyes, from a benchrest and good Federal ammo, it will put 6 shots into an inch.
An old-time gunsmith smoothed the action and reduced the single-action trigger pull to about 3 pounds. This aids accuracy tremendously.
I'm certain it shoots tighter than what I get from it.
It's my favorite .22 pistol. Roaming the remote Utah desert where I live, I carry it in a 1970s Safariland shoulder holster. It's well protected, doesn't snag on brush and readily accessible.
I also have a Smith & Wesson Model 14-8 that is CNC-machined. Limited testing indicates it is very accurate. Its action needs smoothing, and the single-action trigger pull reduced from about 6 to 3 or 4 pounds.
Very precise machining promotes accuracy.

CajunBass · May 10, 2014

If you miss with a K-22, no matter what vintage, don't blame the gun.

BAM-BAM · May 10, 2014

Let's see.... 2 K22s, a 17, a 4" 617 and oh ya, a 18-4............ 1947 to 1989

eny.. meny... miny...... mo ...... all will shoot better than I can with the right ammo.

Buy the one you can find......but please.... all steel and six shots......

rburg gives good advice.... and good ammo recomendations

Most accurate Model 17?

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