I must admit it...

My LGS has them priced at $1200. Maybe once or twice a year a local big box outdoors store (Guns, Fishing and Other Stuff, a truly miserable place to do business) offers them $900ish. I would have to say that $1k is a fair price. If not a great one. Out here in the Peoples Republic you will 1, not find a good older one for sale anyway, 2, you achieved the impossible and found it in a gun store, clean in original box, you can double that $1000. Then you will end up with a revolver that, for some of us is too valuable to shoot. Around here a clean Security Six goes for $1000. I can't speak as to how well it will hold up, but especially with a wife's ok, you will regret buying it.
Sounds just like Massachusetts... only worse. :(
 
Seems like the same investment should be able to get you a pretty nice condition old original, and if you treat it well it will increase in value in the years ahead. Just the thought of some craftsman adding another stroke or two of the file and then being pleased with the fitment and function before passing it along is worth it to me. Neither you or I will live to see any of these "Classics" or for that matter, tributes of any sort, actually increase in value. The old gun will also stand up to regular cleaning after use, and the bluing won't wipe off if you get a little bore cleaner on it. They may be able to put a shine on one of these new ones, but it will never shine with the same light as one of the originals.
Yeah, investment-wise, I understand that the new one would not be a winner. :o Based on what others have posted, I am probably looking at $850-$900 out-of-pocket for an imported brand new one if my local dealer can and would bring one in for me. I'm going to see my preferred import dealer on Monday so we'll see how that goes. :o
 
Not sure if you are up to gun shows or not or if you are near any that are scheduled but gunshowtrader dot com lists them by State. I enjoy going to one once in a while and when I actually was in the market I had enough in pocket to pay cash for one if I spotted what I was looking for. And I did more than a couple times.

I would have posted the link but I am not sure if that is allowed but you get the idea.
 
So it sounds like your mind is made up! It's not a bad choice other than paying over MSRP. But then you do live in a very restrictive state....so that may not be a fair statement. Please post pics when you haul her home!
 
Looking online, Bud's Gun Shop has it for $832.00 online cash price. So, it sounds like your LGS has it marked up quite a bit over online pricing.
The one I saw was at Cabela's. First one I ever saw there. Actually, it's the first brand spanking new one that I've seen in many years. And Lord knows... Cabela's is not the cheapest place to buy.

Be nice if Cabela's would take mercy on ya TTSH being a retired slightly older "young" man but that ain't gonna happen. Tough when one has the gun bug bad but maybe ya should check out other possibilities like others suggest. But best of luck and keep us informed.
Well, you know how few "good years" I've got left. If I don't take drastic measures now, I may be taking the long dirt nap without ever having owned a K-22/Model 17. :(
 
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I got a nice 17-4, which is still P&R, and it had the numbered grips for $650 not all that long ago. No box or papers. Bought it from a forum member who said they bought it from the gorilla.

$1K seems like an awful lot of money for a new revolver. I ride on the wagon that older is better, and new don't interest me in the slightest. So I would look for an older one. Not only to save money, but better in my opinion.

Good luck.
Well, not to repeat myself, but I've been looking for a very long time. Maybe it's just time to give up and buy a new one? :confused: Maybe that's what God and Cabela's are trying to tell me. :confused:
 
Not sure if you are up to gun shows or not or if you are near any that are scheduled but gunshowtrader dot com lists them by State. I enjoy going to one once in a while and when I actually was in the market I had enough in pocket to pay cash for one if I spotted what I was looking for. And I did more than a couple times.

I would have posted the link but I am not sure if that is allowed but you get the idea.
I'll be attending my next gun show in 8 days... and don't think I won't be looking. :D

So it sounds like your mind is made up! It's not a bad choice other than paying over MSRP. But then you do live in a very restrictive state....so that may not be a fair statement. Please post pics when you haul her home!
I'd have to get it for less to make it work. That's pretty much a given. I'll know more after Monday if it's a real possibility. :)
 
Hmmmm, after the next gun show it sounds to me like you should give your LGS a chance to see if he could order one and get it for you toot sweet for a tad less than Cabela's. Otherwise, BUY IT! And never look back. :D Yea, it is easy to spend other folks' money.
 
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It looks like you are going to spend a G note in any event if you want a good one. I wouldn't hesitate to buy new, especially since you seem to have developed a crush on one. I have to say that I do try to avoid Cabela's as they caved in when the Mass AG put the pressure on them a couple of years ago to stop mail order ammo sales to Mass residents. I would much rather give the business to a local shop even if it cost a little more.

Good luck with the wife!
If my local dealer can get me one a bit cheaper, and if the one at Cabela's is representative of the current "Classic" line models and not something special to them, I think I'd be very happy. :)
 
Hmmmm, after the next gun show it sounds to me like you should give your LGS a chance to see if he could order one and get it for you toot sweet for a tad less than Cabela's. Otherwise, BUY IT! And never look back. :D Yea, it is easy to spend other folks' money.
That is the plan (I think). ;)
 
BTW, the S&W website shows a MSRP on the model 17 at $989.00, so Cabella's is following the standard S&W MSRP guide.
 
BTW, the S&W website shows a MSRP on the model 17 at $989.00, so Cabela's is following the standard S&W MSRP guide.
Yep... pretty much. :o A little background: Our local MA Cabela's does not have a huge handgun department. In fact, it's kind of pathetic compared to their stores in other states. New handgun selection is very limited and there are no used handguns sold out of the MA store at all. Trade-ins are all sent out of state. They blame our crazy MA laws and lists but it is really their own corporate management that is scared to do a broader, more complete firearms business in loony, anti-2A Massachusetts. :(

So the sudden appearance of this new Model 17 "Classic" was quite a surprise. They have a very short list from corporate of what they can sell in MA and, at least up until recently, I'm pretty sure this Model 17 "Classic" wasn't on it. Will this be a regular stocked item now? :confused: Very doubtful. Will it ever go on sale? :confused: Even more doubtful. Can I find the very same gun cheaper somewhere else? :confused: That's the $64,000 question. :D
 
Being a Ma resident as well..(I hate to admit to living here publicly) I feel your pain. Cabelas has been one of my favorite stores to shop online with for decades and when the store in Berlin was proposed I was excited. Unfortunately,they bulldozed one of my early hunting areas to put in the monstrosity. My first trip there was disappointing.Hundreds of thousands spent on taxidermy animals,yet every single mannequin in the store was..headless! I inquired about this,and was basically shown the front door. Anyway..best of luck at the Marlboro gun show..lately more and more "older" revolvers are making it to the tables..however carrying a steep price tag. Glad I kept all my "useless" revolvers when everyone was tripping over each other to buy the autos.
 
Being a Ma resident as well..(I hate to admit to living here publicly) I feel your pain. Cabelas has been one of my favorite stores to shop online with for decades and when the store in Berlin was proposed I was excited. Unfortunately,they bulldozed one of my early hunting areas to put in the monstrosity. My first trip there was disappointing.Hundreds of thousands spent on taxidermy animals,yet every single mannequin in the store was..headless! I inquired about this,and was basically shown the front door. Anyway..best of luck at the Marlboro gun show..lately more and more "older" revolvers are making it to the tables..however carrying a steep price tag. Glad I kept all my "useless" revolvers when everyone was tripping over each other to buy the autos.
You sound like one of those Cabela's agitators! :p LOL!!! :D

Yeah, I'm really not super hopeful about Marlboro next weekend. I think I know all the K-22's, Model 17's and Model 617's that regularly appear there by heart. :o Some of those guns have made so many trips there that they qualify for frequent flyer miles. ;) Others are so expensive (Think: Dave's) that I can't even afford to look at them. :(

But you never know. That's why we go again and again and again. :)
 
The one good thing I have noticed in the last two gun shows in Ma. (Big E and Sturbridge) was the lack of Spags crowds! (only us "old" locals will understand that simile..:) ) It was refreshing to be able to actually browse up to a table and talk to sellers without them constantly being barraged by paperwork and patrons. The Colts are out of reality priced but the S&W's have not hit those levels..yet. I bought a very nice Dan Wesson model 15 (no dash) .357 Magnum at the last show for under $500..with two barrels,so deals are out there..if you are a bit flexible. Again,good hunting!
 
The one good thing I have noticed in the last two gun shows in Ma. (Big E and Sturbridge) was the lack of Spags crowds! (only us "old" locals will understand that simile..:) ) It was refreshing to be able to actually browse up to a table and talk to sellers without them constantly being barraged by paperwork and patrons. The Colts are out of reality priced but the S&W's have not hit those levels..yet. I bought a very nice Dan Wesson model 15 (no dash) .357 Magnum at the last show for under $500..with two barrels,so deals are out there..if you are a bit flexible. Again,good hunting!
Oh, I've scored at the shows many, many times. :) Just not on the two expensive & elusive "bucket list" handguns that I go looking for there: A Browning Hi-Power in 9mm and a Smith & Wesson K-Frame .22LR revolver. :( There are always (or at least usually) some there... but never anything that has met my admittedly very difficult combination of acceptable condition and acceptable price. :o

Better to go there with an open mind and no agenda. Buy what you find that floats your boat with a deal that makes economic sense. Go there looking for one or two particular guns and you will almost always leave disappointed. ;)
 
Everyone has talked about the price, so I won't go there. As for fit and finish, here's some pictures of my Classic Model 29...
Now, how can you compare an engraved Model 29 to a Model 17 without engraving? :D Two very different animals! :p

Like I said above, my problem is probably that I've been looking at too many "affordable" blued S&W revolvers... so when I saw that brand spanking new one, it really struck me funny. :) I still say it was more nicely finished than other new ones I've seen lately... but maybe it was just me. Maybe I need some new glasses. ;)
 
Now, how can you compare an engraved Model 29 to a Model 17 without engraving? :D Two very different animals! :p

Like I said above, my problem is probably that I've been looking at too many "affordable" blued S&W revolvers... so when I saw that brand spanking new one, it really struck me funny. :) I still say it was more nicely finished than other new ones I've seen lately... but maybe it was just me. Maybe I need some new glasses. ;)

True that they are 'different', but they are both of the classic line, and the fit and bluing is the same. ;) People who dismiss the new "Classic" out of hand because of the IL are really missing some nice guns, IMHO.
 
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