MISSED IT BY THAT " " MUCH!

[Kiteman72]

Yep. I have the regular one, a fairly rare blued one and (still) need the inox model to complete the set...

But yes, it was one that 'got away...'

Is the blued one rare? I managed to swap a matte finish 21a in 25 ACP for a blued one in 22LR. I thought I came out way ahead in that trade, caliber wise anyway. If you're putting together a set there's also a 21a out there w gold accents that is kinda hard to find.

To the OP, I've missed so many good guns I can't stand it! The latest was a 34-1 2in w box and goodies and a great price and I just didn't have the darn cash. The stupid thing stuck around until the day I went to buy it; of course it sold that very morning! I know I'll find another one, but probably not at a killer price.

Hope springs eternal in this hobby, I'll keep looking, and so should you. Like we have a choice.

 

[eveled]

Eh, it happens... Don't worry too much.

I found a gun I wanted - on sale even - walked away and it was gone when I went back. It was an inox Beretta 21a

I have a 21a and it has been flawless, but I feel a lot better with an airweight j frame in my pocket. Believe it or not the little Beretta is not that much easier to carry.

Only one way to look at a gun that you missed out on. Something made you hesitate, it if really was right you would have jumped on it. Maybe your subconscious was telling you something.

Usually I pass on a good deal, then find a better deal on something I want more. Good luck. Ed.

 

[VAdoublegunner]

I guess we all have "the one that got away stories" if we have been in this pastime long enough. Sometimes there are others, sometimes there's a long wait in between. The key is to know when to wait or take the immediate gratification pain because of the uncommonness of what you hold in hand or seek. Knowledge is power. And, hopefully if that right one comes along, we all have something to move on to someone other's wish list if it is easier to replace.

I see a Model 63 is #1 on your wish list. Good choice. If you ever hold in your hand one like the one below (lower; its big brother Model 651 is on the top), at a reasonable price, trust me ... don't wait. Mine was a lucky find at the time. It stays with me.

 

[JeepinSoldier]

Keep your eyes open and one will turn up soon for ya'.
Probably at the most least expected time.
Like when your flat broke. Haha

Aint that the truth!

The one that got away from me recently was the 'Jovino' 3" Model 60 that was listed in the for sale section of this forum. I looked at it every day until it sold. Just could not put the money together.

A few weeks ago, I saw one of my Grail Guns, the 2" 940. Did not have the money for that either. Decided I was not going to miss out on that one and overdrafted my checking account.

I have overdraft protection and paid it back on payday. Now the 940 is mine and not a memory of another that got away! I also met another outstanding forum member so it was doubly worth it!

 

[Jim NNN]

Very sorry for your misfortune. You'll find another.

 

[Isis1200L]

Very sorry for your misfortune. You'll find another.

Thank you... Love the thumbnail.
LOL! FanTAStic! Someone who recognized the reference!

Thank you all for the encouraging words.
I'm going to my club tonight, and the woman who's been griping about
her revolver is going to be there. Happens to be, that her "messed up" gun, (second trigger job) is a model 63.
I'm not going to fret about this one, it's a slim chance she'll sell.
She said going to try to "like" it again, since so many people have told her it's a "nice" revolver.
She's admittedly got one safe queen already. I've not pressed the matter. I'm going with the flow on this.
Easier on the brain.

 

[mojave30cal]

Maybe it just wasn't meant to be. I've lost out on a couple of
rare S&W's because of hesitation, but next time I will be ready
to pounce on a deal without deliberating the pro and cons. Plus,
I've done some more research, so I'll be better prepared the
next time. And, there will be a next time!

 

[Engine49guy]

Curious of what you meant by " heavy barreled
Model 17" ?
Also what was the condition and asking price?

We had a member the other day regretting passing up a clean Model 27-2 but it was a little over price.

 

[Isis1200L]

Well, I'd say it's like a regular 17, but with a full lug under the barrel.
Like a 617, but blued, and beefy looking, but not quite as beefy as I'd rate 617.
It was in superb condition. Just a hint of a ring on the cylinder. It was in the low 7's.
I'd only seen one once before, at my club.
The guy who owns it bought it ages ago.

 

[Engine49guy]

Well, I'd say it's like a regular 17, but with a full lug under the barrel.
Like a 617, but blued, and beefy looking, but not quite as beefy as I'd rate 617.
It was in superb condition. Just a hint of a ring on the cylinder. It was in the low 7's.
I'd only seen one once before, at my club.
The guy who owns it bought it ages ago.

Even though the full underlug 17-6 is heavier technically speaking the only HB K22 that S&W made was the 17-5,

The blue FU (Full underlug) could be a 17-6 or 17-7 IIRC and its not mentioned but guessing the FU you saw was a 6" barrel ?

$700's for a 6" is a fair deal in high condition with OEM FG (Finger Groove) combats, The 4" is closer to $850 with OEM FG combats that are worth $150 by themselves, (less without them)

BTW the 17 series came in 4", 6" or 8 3/8" lengths ...
Im pretty sure an 8 3/8" gun posted in the for sale forum 2 days ago for $800 but the longer tube full underlugs only appeal to a certain group of shooters that prefer heavy long barrel K22s.....

I have a 4" and a 6" 17-6 with the "FU" barrel and while they are good guns unless you either prefer the full underlug or like heavier 22lrs the 6" 17-4 and older P&R guns can be found for closer to $600 if your patient.

I passed on a 6" 17-4 last week for $600 because I have 2 17-3's and really no difference except the gas ring is on the cylinder vs the yoke.

BTW later 17-4 and up guns do not have pinned barrels but are still recessed,


I truly believe the ones that are meant to be ours come to us eventually...Keep your feelers out and you will find the one that is meant to be yours.

 

[DR505]

I found this nice unfired 4" 17-6 one day while looking for another revolver. One will come along.

I let a 2½" barreled 686 (with combats) get away...they were asking $681 last summer. Ah well.

 

[Isis1200L]

Even though the full underlug 17-6 is heavier technically speaking the only HB K22 that S&W made was the 17-5 ...
I truly believe the ones that are meant to be ours come to us eventually...Keep your feelers out and you will find the one that is meant to be yours.

Cool! Thanks for the lesson, Engine49guy. I didn't even know there was an HB designation. It just looked heavy to me!
Since I was so excited, the idea to look for the model number
didn't enter my head. So, I can't say for certain it was a
17-5. Sounds like it, though! There was a K22 in the case too.

I've joined a small network of revolver fans who all look out for what each knows the others might be hunting for.
If I don't spot something, I hope one of my buddies does.

 

[Isis1200L]

Maybe it just wasn't meant to be. I've lost out on a couple of
rare S&W's because of hesitation, but next time I will be ready
to pounce on a deal without deliberating the pro and cons. Plus,
I've done some more research, so I'll be better prepared the
next time. And, there will be a next time!

Yeah, mojave30cal, Engine49guy just learned me sumpthin'. I'm going to make my list a bit more detailed, with the specific,
ideal features I'm looking for in each gun. That way, I'll know to pounce, or not.

This has been a great "conversation" with all of you. Thank you very very much for sharing your knowledge, empathy and
kind words.

I gotta go get ready for the 2nd Amendment support rally at
the old capitol building.

 

[Engine49guy]

We are all here because we enjoy the hobby , discussing the models and Helping people learn is all part of the fun !

The more gunshows , pawnshops and gunstores you visit the more K22's you will see, Another good resource to get an idea about different models and prices is the online gun auction sites such as Gunbroker and Gunsamerica etc, There is also private sale sites that can be filtered to your state such as Armslist as well as a number of other small local gun auction and sportmans sites.

Here is a picture that might help show the differences between the K22 barrel profiles,
These are 4" lengths but are the same profile as the 6" guns.

They are Left to right the 617 in SS, 17-6 (same as 617 but in blue), Model 17-5 HB and Model 18 (has the tapered barrel like early post war 6" K22's until 1955)



Note there was no 4" version of the pre war K22 or of the Model 17 to 17-4 .
The barrel profiles get narrower as you go back in time shown below (L to R) are the
wide rib K22 that appeared in 1950 and ran up to the 17-4, the early post war tapered barrel and the rounded barrel K22 is the Pre war K22 Outdoorsman,





Good luck and dont be afraid to come in and ask questions if you find something interesting, Its wise to be cautious and do your homework first rather than make a mistake you will regret.

 

[Isis1200L]

Thank you for the most excellent tutorial, Engine49guy. I like good photos.
Sometimes I need a good picture to "get the picture". Well, now
that I have all this wonderful information, I'm having a really
hard time not going back to "you numbskull".

It was a 17-6.​

However, as so many kind and empathetic posters have said,
hope springs eternal, and there'll be another opportunity.
Best of all, next time, in more ways than one, I'll know better! Thank you, all.

 

[Engine49guy]

Dont sweat it...
BTW If you have $750 burning a hole in your pocket and want a nice K22 my recommendation is to look for a super clean 4 or 5 screw 6" K22 or a clean 4" Model 18 .

The full underlug guns makes nice companions to the Model 586 / 686 but they are quite a bit heavier and you really dont need a heavy gun when shooting 22lr.

 

[S&W Fan]

I'm such a moron I've done it twice! The first was at one of my favorite shops, about 10 years ago, they had a NYSP marked 28, red ramp, etc. Went back the next day-gone. A couple of years ago at a gun show I saw a really decent 1917, price was right, seemed like a decent deal. Put it down to think about it, went back 5 minutes later to see another guy filling out the paperwork on it waaah haha.

Oh well, I had a good laugh about it. However I finally learned my lesson, not doing it a third time lol.

 

[rock doc]

This reminds me of an old saying. I think it came from England in the 15th century.

Thy snoozeth, thy loseth.

 

[Chukar60]

Anyone who pursues Smiths has a lost chance story, usually several.
I have an old friend who advised me that good deals are like city buses. Just wait, another will come along.

 

[crsides]

Don't leave the house without at least a grand on you. You never know when that number 1 on your list (or #2 or #3) will pop up. Do not hesitate. Buy, buy, buy

Charlie