Hi all,

I went to the Honolulu gun show today and found a beautiful Model 17 with a 8 3/8" barrel. I was looking for one in a six inch barrel...but this one caught me off guard. It looked new. The owner let me try the trigger and it was so light and smooth...I couldn't resist. I liked it so much I forgot to haggle. I paid $600...was that fair? If I was in my right mind I probably could have talked him down some. But, the trigger and sight picture put a spell on me.

Anyway, I don't have any photos because I have to wait for the two week registration process.

The owner said he purchased it new. Can someone tell me about when it was made? SN: BDE 533X (X is a number)

He said it had a target trigger. Did the 8 3/8" barrels have any different treatments then the 6" versions?

Anybody else have one of these. I'd appreciate any thoughs you may have. Thanks,
Dave

Dave-at work and don't have access to my SCSW, so can't give you a year of manufacture. If you look inside the crane you should see the serial number and then Mod 17-x (x being the version of the gun). Smith offered what are called target triggers, hammers and stocks (guns with all are known as 3T) the target triggers and hammers are wider than the standard. The target grips are thicker and wider than the standard. Just as a guess, your gun probably shipped with all three. The long tube guns are fun to shoot and balance better than you might guess. Enjoy it. This is my 3T 17-4:

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Jim
Many K and N Frames

Looks like 1989.

You did fine. As to price... you did fine. If someone else finds one for less, so what? As to the revolver itself, the Model 17 is one of the finest target revolver ever produced by S&W, superior to any .22 LR revolver produced by any other manufacturer.

Buy yourself a little 50 round box of every type of .22 LR ammo you can find. Carefully shoot six shot groups at 25 yds. and note the size and shape of the groups produced. Rank the ammo in terms of results produced. Then... go buy as much as you can of the lot number of that ammo that produces the best results for your revolver. Buy the other ammo based on it's ranking. The result will be that you will have the makings of many many happy and rewarding hours at the range and in the fields and woods. JMHO. Sincerely. brucev.

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Thank you very much for the info. It's good to know it was a fair deal.

I called the seller to ask some follow up question since I had tunnel vision at the show. He said the trigger, hammer, and grips all came in the target version from S&W. He said there is also a set of factory scope rings and mount that he's throwing in that was not displayed at the show. Cool. He put a couple hundred rounds through it...and he confirmed that it's very accurate.

I appreciate the tip on the ammo. I should have considered that before buying 4000 rounds of CCI Standard Velocity Target .22's at the show. My Rugers like them. I assumed the S&W would like them too.

I'll post photos when I'm able to take ownership after the two week registration process.

By the way, how was the quality coming out of S&W in 1989?

Thanks,
Dave

Good deal, you will like it when you start shooting it. When I go to the range I usually warm up with my 17- 8 3/8" , consistent 1" groups at 25 yards. The only problem with them is when you do miss, you can't blame the gun LOL

Wow, 1" groups at 25 yards. Why shoot anything else?

What kind of groups are you getting with your other guns?

Thanks,
Dave

After the two week registration process I was able to bring my 17-6 home. The trigger is fantastic. The seller found the box, original receipt...and pretty much everything. I can't wait to shoot it this weekend.

Thanks,
Dave

Its a beautiful revolver, I think you got it for a good price too, enjoy that one

Looks very nice.
I think you did well considering the box and all.

Nice gun. Good price. Enjoy. I have the 17-3 with the 6" barrel and love it. You might have found the same gun, or the 6" for less, some day.Next week, next month, next year, next decade......or not. In the mean time you have countless hours of fun for not much money.

You can`t go wrong with a model 17.
To look at the long barrel 17, you would think that it would be very nose heavy. But the balance is actually pretty decent for a long barrel.

This 17-4 is a little older than yours. Made 1981.

Good price and great gun for plinking or the range. CCI std should do well in your new M17.


Charlie

Super Dave, you asked about the quality of revolvers made by S&W in 1989, I would consider 1989 to be a bit of a banner year for them as IMO some of their most desirable models are specifically stamped "Model of 1989." They were using higher quality parts and procedures in comparison to today's MIM parts and what would seem like lower quality control.

In short you did good and I would have picked that gun up for 6 bills in a heartbeat.

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Son of a Gun...Smith

Very nice gun at a very reasonable price. The model 17s are great guns and very accurate. You're gunna love it!

In 1989 the 17-5 was stopped for the 17-6 full lug versions. There are a good handful of those without the full lug barrels, and you have one of them. I think you did GREAT. Not sure how many had the long tubes, either. Great gun. Great purchase. I would have had to have that one in a heartbeat! Enjoy your special gun.

I think you did very well. The gun looks to have been shot very little. Glad you got the box and all materials, that makes it all the better. My M17---8-3/8" dates to '79 and is a good shooter.

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James

Excellent. Thanks for the feedback. I can tell the quality was better than my 686 made about 10 years later.
Dave