Getting a Model 17. New or old?

[Daisyman]

I've got a 17-3 that's just like it. Someone before I got it did a trigger job on it and it shoots like a rifle. Awesome!!

 

[chrisbroz]

I inherited an 'original' K22 from my dad in 1984...a 5 screw made ca 1955 - 57...still has that gorgeous S&W highly polished blue...promised my dad I'd never sell it - pawned it a few times but always redeemed it.

 

[JimKatz]

I own several Model 17 revolvers. My first purchase was 17-8 full lug with the aluminum 9 shot cylinder. My favorite is a 17-4 full target 6 inch barrel. The earliest K22 that I own is a 1947 vintage model. The only problematic gun that I own is a 17-6 which has a very difficult extraction issue, if anyone has ideas on how to cure this I would like to hear them.

 

[1937]

I'll have to pay closer attention next time, but I think I noticed one tight chamber on mine. Would be good to know how to address that.

 

[captaint]

1937 - the tight chamber can be corrected with a 22 rimfire reamer.. Not that big a deal. If you don't feel like doing it yourself, get a gunsmith to do it. Not expensive. Either way, you will want to do all six chambers. You'll be removing VERY little material. Mike

 

[DR505]

Didn't realize this thread was YEARS old.

 

[bmcgilvray]

Since this thread is about the Model 17 it is auromatically forever valid.

A 4-inch K-22 from 1952 lives here as well as the 8 3/8-inch Model 17-4 that I bought new in 1980. Pinned and recessed 6-shot K-22s are best in my book. No full lugs or 10-shot cylinders required here.

 

[colkid]

The first K22 i bought was a gun from a man who had just sold his Pawn shop. I have never had to clean a gun so much as that one. When i took it to the range. The first shot was at a pop can at 25 yards. Hit it the frist time. Wonderful.

 

[1937]

Didn't realize this thread was YEARS old.

Old guns old threads.

 

[bmcgilvray]

Oh well ... Model 17s were good in 2016. They're still good now.

 

[Repeater]

I, too, am biased toward the "old"

All my S&W's are pinned barrel...and you can't beat an old 17!

 

[colkid]

Stop Pawning it. You will lose it some day. You promised.

 

[skierd]

I love my 17-9. Purchased brand new in 2016 or so. It had to go back to the factory to fix a too tight barrel to cylinder gap, but it’s always been very accurate for me. It hates golden bullets, too dirty and things get gummed up quickly. With CCI or non-white box Federal ammo I can get through 250+ rounds before cleaning is necessary.

Accuracy is still better than my ability to shoot it off-hand…

 

[toad67]

If you don't care for the grip color, don't refinish them, list them in the classifieds and buy a new set of walnut grips from Altamont, they're currently in stock. Congrats on the new gun, it's a beauty...

 

[1937]

Yes, computer printed but no SPEC ORD or four digit numbers.

I just found a faint stamp inside the grips, Jan 5 1989.