Model 17 and 18 OR .22 Diamondback 6"

[phils]

I owned a .22 Diamondback when they first came out and quickly sold it (darn) because the front sight was so small I could not get a decent sight picture.

 

[Guero]

Buy the Diamondback. I see a lot more 18s and 17s than I do Diamondbacks. I bought a 6 inch satin nickle one a dozen years ago or more and actually carried the thing around with me. Lent it to my son who was a field biologist at the time. I was chided unmercifully by a serious collector about it and put it up. Found an 18 carried it the same way until I was taken to task by a serious collector... you get the point.
Diamondbacks are sort of neat, the final evolution of the Detective Special. They are just like land, they don't make 'em anymore. Get it while you can.

 

[DGNY]

Of course, get what makes you happy! If that is the Colt, so be it!

That said, a good Model 17 is hard to beat. Ditto the 18. My experience also is that it may take 2 or 3 Model 17s to find one that is superbly accurate [e.g.: < 1" benched @25 yds]. You would spend a LOT of money trying that with Colts, as I doubt they are more accurate than the Smiths.

Regards,

Dyson

 

[hsguy]

Get the gun you want, only thing that would give me pause is to pay $1200+ collector price for a ANIB gun when all I want is a shooter. John

 

[Buzzsaw]

I have noticed lately the growing popularity of the Diamondback. They are cool...BUT so are these S&W's. I have a four inch 18-3 with Houge grips I might be twisted into selling.

 

[Oldrifleman]

Not a 22, but I just got rid of my 38 diamond back. The trigger sucked so bad! Traded for a newer model 27. I know they look real cool (I had wanted one for a while too), but unless you really find a good one and you like the trigger pull, I would skip it!

 

[Red Rover]

The tally so far is 2-1 for the S & W option. I have found plenty of Pre 17s and 17s on the different auction sites that are in very good shape and fairly reasonable, although some are priced to high to start.

I think I will be going with the "two for one" option and looking for two nice S & W 22s. I just can't see paying the $$$$ that most of the Diamondbacks are posted at.

The Model 17 is really appealing to me now that I have seen quite a few in the 98% to ANIB grade. I don't mind a gun with a little more honest wear either, as long as it hasn't been abused.

Buzzsaw, I will e-mail you about the Model 18.