Getting a Model 17. New or old?

[1937]

1st S&W, 1st revolver. Will I be better off with a new one or older NIB/LNIB?

 

[lrrifleman]

1937, I am biased. I bought my Model 17 back in the late 1970s. That revolver has been ultra reliable. It has served me well, and I would not consider replacing it.

 

[OldK22]

My vote is for an older one (pre 1980) but at least pre lock.

 

[chud333]

You can get a real nice pre-17 up thru 17-2 for 5-700
bucks if you look around. Especially now thru end of
January when Christmas bills come due.
Just me, but i'll NOT be buying any guns with locks
drilled into the frame.


Chuck

 

[Rpg]

I wouldn't dream of paying my money for a post 1980 S&W revolver.

Get an older 17.

It doesn't have to be like new to be a superior revolver compared to more recent production revolvers.

 

[iPac]

I got a 17-4 because it was still P&R. So I vote older too. Never would I buy new.

 

[1937]

How would I know if it's a pre-1980 product?

 

[iPac]

Anything pre '80 will still have the barrel pin and recessed cylinder chambers.

The barrel pin is easily visible from photos and located on the frame right behind where the barrel screws in.

 

[colt_saa]

I have a few of them. I use an older 1955 vintage 22 Masterpiece as one of my teaching revolvers.

But I really like the now discontinued Heritage Series. It combines old world looks with modern metallurgy and manufacturing techniques.

I have no problems with the current production except that I am not a fan of the full under lug on a Smith and Wenson 22 LR revolver. Though it is pretty cool to have a ten shooter instead of the old six shooter.

 

[colt_saa]

I got a 17-4 because it was still P&R.

Actually all Smith and Wesson 22 Rimfire revolvers have recessed chambers in the cylinders. It is only the pin that went away.

 

[FifthWheel]

Old. Cheaper and no MIM parts. Pinned and recessed. OLD!

 

[Qc Pistolero]

Mine dates from 1976(bought new)and still is perking along.Last year,my daughter wanted to get started in the sport;I found her a 17-2 that,since then,is doing just fine.Have fun with yours!
Qc

 

[fyimo]

The Model 17 had the Pinned barrel until 1982 when it was deleted. That was during the Model 17-4 version of the Model 17 and the later Model 17-4's didn't have the barrel pin.
Model 17-4 with 8 3/8 inch Pinned Barrel and a set of later S&W Combat Grips.

 

[THE PILGRIM]

All K-22s are great guns!
But I am also biased toward the older ones.
A guy with a 1937 screen name might want one made in 1937?

 

[1937]

All K-22s are great guns!
But I am also biased toward the older ones.
A guy with a 1937 screen name might want one made in 1937?

I'm a 1960 model, but it seems like things I'm most drawn to were produced @ 1937. My Harley Davidson 45 & Allis Chalmers WC are both '37s.

 

[1937]

I got a 17-4 because it was still P&R. So I vote older too. Never would I buy new.

What is P&R?

 

[Engine49guy]

.... I really like the now discontinued Heritage Series. It combines old world looks with modern metallurgy and manufacturing techniques.

.

IIRC Those Heritage guns were also one of only two K-22 Models made by the Performance Center, the other was a SS target gun made for European export with a slab side barrel and half ejector rod shroud.

Always wondered why they didnt offer the Heritage gun in 4" too

Maybe if we are lucky S&W will make another run of the 22 Mountain guns

 

[DocB]

Absolutely, get an OLD one. It's OK to get one up through about 1992 although it won't have a pinned barrel. They didn't really mess up the guns until a little after that. Mine is from 1970. Around 90%. Maybe a little better. Paid $500 two years ago. I overpaid a little, but it is all matching. Two to three years ago they just weren't available for sale, and I really wanted one. Thrilled to find this one back then at any price. The grips match too.

 

[H Richard]

I have a Pre -war K22 Outdoorsman, a 17-4, and a 617-6. They all shoot one hole groups from a sand bag rest with good ammo. My preference would be the 17-3 or -4, but the 10 shot 617-6 (with the IL) seems to get shot more than the others any more. Don't forget the Mod 18 if you like a 4" barrel.

 

[3rdgeargrndrr]

How good of a shot are you? My guess is 90% of shooters couldnt tell the difference. But we on this forum are a different medley than the norm. The triggers are very nice on the older 17's/K22's but good luck finding one. A LNIB easily fetches over $1k for a reason. I have a 17 with a faint turn line. Im sure it shoots well but i will never know.
My 2014 617 is dead nuts with All types of 22. A gem