After buying the 16-4 I am suddenly on a S&W kick. I need a .22 revolver and have located a 17-6 with a 6 inch full lug barrel. It has the target grips and not the combats which is what I assume it came with if my limited research is accurate. What else can y’all tell me about this model? Like the 16-4 I am not looking for an investment but one to shoot the **** out of and I like the looks of a full lug K Frame. What is the going rate for these?

I have a 17-4 in 8 3/8" that remains a precision instrument now well into its second 'half-century' with multiple 10s of thousands of accurate rounds thru it. Prices for one without major cosmetic flaw in my area remain strong. It's sometimes hard to differentiate between a 'collector' and a 'shooter' version. There are 10 shot stainless steel versions in various barrel lengths as well. I haven't seen any versions bringing under $500 lately. More pristine = higher prices. The 10 shot models work well for such as speed steel as well as paper targets.

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Dum vivimus Vivamas

The 17-6 is basicly the carbon steel or blued version of the 617 (no dash).
The pros are that since its a 6 shot makes a great trainer for a 6 shot .38 .357 etc since the triggers are similar and they make a nice cosmetic pairing for the full underlug 686 or 14-5 era guns.

Cons no lifetime warranty, blued steel guns need more tlc than their SS counterparts and if you plan to plink alot require more cylinder openings compared to their 10 shot counterparts,
ex. firing 300 rds of ammunition requires 50 cylinder openings on the 6 shot but only 30 on the 10 shot.
As for value the 6 shot full lug K-22's are becoming collectable and bring a premium in high condition especially lnib with docs .
Shooter grade guns not so much.

Although I dont track prices
Imo likely
lnib is $1200
High condition with fg combat stocks $1000
Clean shooter with factory target stocks $800
Finish issues rubber stocks $550

I have had both a 17-4 and a 17-6. The 17-4 was an excellent shooter but the 17-6 was an outstanding shooter. Unfortunately I sold both off and currently only have a 617-6 (10 round), and a couple 1950's K22's. They are all good shooters. The only thing I didn't like about the 17-6 was I was trying to shoot it one handed for bullseye, and found it too heavy.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

I’ve seen 17-6s go for up to $1,200.
I think the 4” usually commands a higher premium than the 6”.

Two years ago I paid $950 for my 4" in 98% condition and felt like it was a very good price.

They came from the factory with combat stocks. I bought this one new.

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If the price is right buy it. If price/condition isn't acceptable I'll echo Engine49guy's thoughts and suggest buying a 617 (whatever dash you can find) especially if you intend to "shoot the **** out of it." That's not to say I wouldn't buy a 17-6, kicking myself a little bit for not grabbing the only recent one I've seen for sale; $800 and nice but not with original combat stocks. Good luck.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

I have a 17-6 and its an excellent shooter.
Changing out the Combat stocks for targets is quite common. I did it to mine. Honestly, I always wondered what S&W was thinking when they put combat stocks on a target revolver?

Here’s mine, got it at an auction for $ 400 5 years ago. Opening bid, no one else bid on it. Great gun, heavy but super accurate



With it’s big brother the 586 (on top)

To my eye the 17-6 is a nice looking gun that’s fun to shoot. It’d take a lot of sweet talking and cash to get me to part with mine.

The 17-6 wasn’t even on my radar until I stumbled upon my 4” at the Reno Scheels a few years ago - at first glance I thought it was a 586. Got it for $699. A month later I found my 6” at the Big Reno Show for $800.

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213th FBINA

Of course you can also look for the 38 Spl version (Model 14-6) with the same full underlug and be the envy of every other kid on the block. In some respects this trio represents the apex of the S&W Masterpiece Series, with the extra heavy weight that many target shooters desire. As others have said, the smooth combats are a bit out of place on traditional target revolvers, but they sure do feel good to me!

Froggie

Would love to find a 16-4 in 4 and 6 inch versions.

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213th FBINA

For me, the full lug 17-6 is too heavy (I’m old). My early 17-6 is much better.

Here's my 17-4 with 8 3/8" barrel.

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Ed

Are those Culinas

Of course!

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Ed