A friend of mine has a 17 that he's interested in selling to me. I haven't seen it in a few years so I don't know too many specifics. I just want to get a general idea of what a fair price would be.

I hope to get photos of it and I'll try to load them up here. He doesn't know the dash number but I would estimate it's from the late 80s or early 90s. It's a 6" gun, no box. Now the bad part, he's stored it in a pistol case for a few years and described the finish with words such as "bad" and "multi colored." I do know the gun functions flawlessly however.

I'm not looking for a collector or show piece, I just care that it goes bang and puts holes in paper and maybe critters. I just want a fair estimate of what it might be worth given the limited info I have right now. Any insight would be greatly appreciated.

Without photos of the damage and more info about the exact model no one is going to be able to give you anything other than a wild guess or a very broad range.

Here's a guide to the changes:
http://www.americanrifleman.org/mobi...e.php?id=13322

I was toying with the idea of collecting one of each change since my 17-3 is my all time favorite handgun.

Then I looked at prices on GB for good+ guns and nearly had a stroke. Maybe not high to some folks, but they are to me.

if its a newer vintage in good mechanical shape, but rusted and pitted, i'd say between 3-400. i have bought semi-rough older 4 and 5 screws for 400-500. the good news is since its fairly new vintage, you wouldn't be hurting the value to send it back to s&w for a reblue. probably actually increase the value if its bad enough.

jtcarm - thanks for the link, a lot of info there. I agree, some of the GB prices are seriously high, but they really seem to be all over the board.

pumpgun - thanks for your help, like I said, I hope to get a couple photos up soon. I can't really conceive this M17 being worth too much, unless my friend is overplaying the level of corrosion

In good, tight mechanical condition, regardless of finish, it's worth an easy $300.00.

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Why, I aughta.....

I can't really conceive this M17 being worth too much.

I can but I've owned and shot a few and it depends on what your take on too much is.As the above poster said 300. + may still be a very good deal.

She may be a very good girl with a skin condition

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Paul
S&WCA #2726