I must admit it...

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.
I really should obtain or download the latest S&W catalog so that I know what I'm talking about. :D Like I said, that new Model 17 "Classic" took me by surprise (and in a nice way except for the price tag :eek:).
 
To me "want" and "need" are the same thing. There are many times I make a purchase with the rationalization that "I ain't gonna die without it". In reality a few hundred dollars one way or the other doesn't have any bearing on tomorrow. Larry
You sound like a guy with a good, healthy income and/or lots of money in the bank! :D I have neither and I can tell you that it does make a difference. ;)

Still, being poor doesn't stop me from wanting what I want... but it does make it a whole lot harder and takes longer to get those things. I haven't bought a gun as expensive as that Model 17 "Classic" since 2009. In fact, at the Cabela's price, that gun would actually set a new record. :eek:

But I would hope to get one a bit cheaper than $1K. :o I just need to figure out availability and confirm that it would be the same gun before going forward with a transfer or buy through my local dealer.
 
I'm just steps ahead of the guy with the scythe also, and for those hard to find firearms I desire in that price range, there is no dawdling. I'd have scooped it up then and there.

If I overpay slightly, then the few hundred dollars lost to my estate at liquidation is the cost of the enjoyment to me while I still can.
 
None of the above. I'm just not wired up plumb right. I've been told I'm dumb as a clam. :D:) Larry

I'm just steps ahead of the guy with the scythe also, and for those hard to find firearms I desire in that price range, there is no dawdling. I'd have scooped it up then and there.

If I overpay slightly, then the few hundred dollars lost to my estate at liquidation is the cost of the enjoyment to me while I still can.
I guess it all boils down top that age-old question as you approach the end of your "good years"... namely:

How do I achieve everything I want to achieve without running out of money before I'm in the ground? :D
 
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:


While I am a little younger than you, I am still on the older side as well.

My suggestion-if you can afford it buy the new one now and be shooting it tomorrow..or even the same day! Stop messing around finding the best price when you could be putting lead down range.
 
While I am a little younger than you, I am still on the older side as well.

My suggestion-if you can afford it buy the new one now and be shooting it tomorrow..or even the same day! Stop messing around finding the best price when you could be putting lead down range.
Well, I couldn't be putting lead downrange today, but that's just because my local range is crazy overcrowded on weekends. ;) But I get your point. :)

Read my OP again; specifically, the questions. I really do need to find this same exact gun cheaper if at all possible. From other posts (above) , it sounds like I might be able to do so. But if it isn't possible... and if that Model 17 "Classic" is still there next month... I'll try my best to go for it. :D
 
A used Model 617 may still be a good alternative. Those firearms school training guns are being blown out for $550 each. I didn't look at all of them but I do fear that they may have been abused just a little too much to be a good safe buy.

I would look into those 617s. Just because they were training guns doesn't mean they were abused and junk.

That is the one good thing about 22lr revolvers. The cartridge is so gentle, that it is almost impossible to wear a K frame out shooting 22s. So you rarely have to worry about a 22lr revolver having been hot rodded.

It sucks that certain states are so restrictive and definitely has an impact on what you can find and the price. I thought I paid too much at $650 for my 17-4. Just glad I am in a free state.
 
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I would look into those 617s. Just because they were training guns doesn't mean they were abused and junk.

That is the one good thing about 22lr revolvers. The cartridge is so gentle, that it is almost impossible to wear a K frame out shooting 22s. So you rarely have to worry about a 22lr revolver having been hot rodded.

It sucks that certain states are so restrictive and definitely has an impact on what you can find and the price. I thought I paid too much at $650 for my 17-4. Just glad I am in a free state.
I've got to admit that I've got mixed feelings about those revolvers. The price is certainly right and I should be able to inspect them to the point where I'd feel comfortable choosing one. :o But like I've run into before, just one gunsmithing fee to correct an undetected problem and there goes all the savings vs. buying a brand new one. :eek:

These are well-worn guns with a bit of accidental or inadvertent student abuse thrown in for good measure. :( Let's put it this way: They wouldn't be selling them off if they were still running like brand spanking new. :o
 
Not sure how old you are, but I'm 74. Buy the bloomin thing! If you can afford $850. you can afford 1K. I think the 1K may be a mental block for you. You don't want to be on your "death bed" wishing you had bought one.

Beware of used .22 revolvers due to the fact that so many like to dry-fire, which is a no-no (according to S&W as well as some "experts" like Grant Cunningham). I bought my 617 new because of that. I shoot my handguns at my gun club almost every week. When I'm not doing that, it's air pistols in my basement (which is MUCH more productive than dry-firing).
 
Just looked 163 Model 17's on GB for less than 1K, might pay to take a look.
But how many of them are in MA or qualify for import into MA by having a former MA pedigree (i.e., previous record of MA ownership)? :confused: That's what I'm up against. :(

In a blued K-frame .22, only the Model 17-9 is on our MA EOPSS list (i.e., allowed for dealer sale or transfer)... although some will tell you that our anti-2A AG lady doesn't really care about revolvers. :rolleyes:
 
Not sure how old you are, but I'm 74. Buy the bloomin thing! If you can afford $850. you can afford 1K. I think the 1K may be a mental block for you. You don't want to be on your "death bed" wishing you had bought one.

Beware of used .22 revolvers due to the fact that so many like to dry-fire, which is a no-no (according to S&W as well as some "experts" like Grant Cunningham). I bought my 617 new because of that. I shoot my handguns at my gun club almost every week. When I'm not doing that, it's air pistols in my basement (which is MUCH more productive than dry-firing).
Understood on the dry-fire issue. :o It's one of my key concerns, but it goes a bit beyond just that.

Age-wise, you may have a few months or years on me... and I do know that my remaining "good years" are running out fast. My aches and pains remind me of that daily. :o In the abstract, you may be right about the extra cost to buy the one at Cabela's right away... but tell that to my good wife, my wallet and my rigorous budgeting & tracking system. I don't think that they would be amused. ;)
 
Forget the ugly silver colored ones. Forget looking for one you might find. Forget looking out of state. Forget looking to save $150. Just go buy the dad-gummed gun you want. Tomorrow!
 
Forget the ugly silver colored ones. Forget looking for one you might find. Forget looking out of state. Forget looking to save $150. Just go buy the dad-gummed gun you want. Tomorrow!
Figuring in tax, it would be something over $200 extra to get one today instead of next month. :) That's a lot of money to throw away for an old fool like me whose only income is social security (you'll find out what that's like someday). :o

Anyway, money aside, it's not even practical today or this coming week. :o I can wait. :)
 
I bought my 617 because it has 10 shots. If I miss with the first 6, I don't have to reload, and I still have 4 more chances. ;)


Actually, I wish my 617 only had 6. My gun club has a rule that only allows 5 to be loaded at a time. Lining-up the cylinder with the one empty is much easier with 6 than 10. Part of that is due to the greater space between the 6 cylinder spaces. A .22 is not exactly a "home defense" gun.
 
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