Model 17 Full Lug - Value?

[dprobert1]

Hello everyone. I am new to the forum and am trying to help the widow of a good friend assign a value to a couple of what are now her guns.

Model 17 Full Lug - s/n: RFF 0503
(number inside of yoke - 645)
6-shot, 6 inch barrel, round butt wood grips with inletted finger grooves. I am not sure how to identify a target trigger and target hammer and hope you guys can help me with that. Rear sights are adjustable. Condition is 95%+, no box or paperwork.

1) Does the gun have target sights and target trigger?
2) What is a fair asking price for the gun?

Thanks!

 

[DocB]

Nice looking gun. Those combat grips add $200-$300 to the value pretty easy. I see so few of the full-lug ones out for sale, I'm sure no expert on price. I know I don't have one because they are always too expensive. I'll take a stab at it and say around $800 without the combat grips. An expert will be along soon and give you a better valuation.

 

[pharmer]

I'll take a stab at it and say around $800 without the combat grips.

Not an expert by any measure, but I agree with the value, as pictured. Joe

 

[two-bit cowboy]

I'm no expert, either.

1) No target trigger or hammer.

2) Depends...

If I were the buyer I'd probably like DocB's recommendation

If I were the seller I'd probably start a fair bit higher.

A few questions...

What's the number after the "-" where it's stamped "Mod 17"? I don't yet have the catalog that might help me figure that out.

Is there any obvious holster wear? I know you said 95%, but ratings tend to be a bit subjective, and the holster in the photo makes me leery. The photos probably don't do a 95% gun justice. Just me.

 

[AveragEd]

I also feel it could be worth $800 and will add that it is a square butt gun.

Ed

 

[dprobert1]

Thanks guys. Great feedback.

The only marking is Mod 17: there is NO dash..

 

[lowriderfxr]

Should be a 17-6 or it's been rebarrelled.

 

[Rpg]

I have no interest in full lug guns.

They have the full lug which I consider a manufacturing savings, not a shooting benefit.

Can't imagine why such a handgun would be considered anything but a manufacturing shortcut as are things like non fluted cylinders.

 

[JCFindley]

I have no interest in full lug guns.

They have the full lug which I consider a manufacturing savings, not a shooting benefit.

Can't imagine why such a handgun would be considered anything but a manufacturing shortcut as are things like non fluted cylinders.

One man's manufacturing shortcut is another's cosmetic enhancement.

Personally, I won't own a revolver that doesn't have one.

 

[josywales]

Rpg, interesting you say that. I've been "in to" S&W revolvers for about 10 minutes. I visited a friend who has quite a collection of Brownings, Colts, S&W, Winchesters, etc. Once in while, I visit and we chat, wipe down the pistols, etc.

A few weeks ago, when I really started getting interested in S&W, we were wiping guns, looking for a 19 he was going to offer me. I held all kinds of guns, then he hands me a 17, 4", full lug. I didn't know what it was, but it was going to be mine. Dozens of guns later, I said, what was that 4", I like that. It took some coaxing, but it's mine. I can't explain it, but it just felt right. I agree, the look of the full under lug is not as pleasing, but it does feel good to me.

BTW, we never did find that 19. We'll hit the other safes next time to find it. Must be nice...

 

[Rpg]

For me, the full lug guns aren't interesting.

I've never thought that such a thing added to shoot ability.

Hard to improve on the K22's for shooting.

They didn't need full length lugs to be great shooters.

S&W has gone to manufacturing short cuts.

Too bad.

The marketing guys have spun these shortcuts with some sucess
with folks that don't know better.

After an hour as a S&W aficionado, you'll understand. 10 minutes isn't enough.

 

[Kernel Crittenden]

While we all wait for that expert to come along, I'll add my own two cents......

First, I question the given s/n, since I've never seen or heard of a RFF prefix. I suspect the first letter is a B. That's common, would make the gun a -6 as a previous poster supposed (and as it appears to be), and would correspond to a ship date of......

June - December 1990.

It is not unknown for a S&W to be missing it's dash number. The s/n can be confirmed by removing the stocks and checking the bottom of the grip frame.

Regarding price, since it's missing it's box it likely won't bring tippy top dollar. I think a range of $750 to $1000 would cover 90% of those that sold recently. The Combat stocks are highly valued.

On the lug vs. no lug debate.... I like the look but dislike the excessive weight, which seems unnecessary for a rimfire. On a .44 or .357 Mag it's appreciated. My own M17 is a 4-inch -5 and has no lug. Looking forward to hear the opinion of that expert we're waiting for. [emoji6]

 

[dprobert1]

Thanks to everyone who responded. I now have an approximate value of the gun that I can pass on to my friend's widow. The serial number could begin with a "B" as Kernel Crittenden suggests. It is very small and the letters are missing some edges making it difficult to read even with bifocals. Thanks again.

 

[AveragEd]

Things that are not "usual" are often considered upgrades. Fluted cylinders on revolvers are "usual" so non-fluted ones are "special" yet rifle barrels and bolts usually are not fluted so fluted ones are considered better somehow.

Personally, I agree that a full-lug six-inch barrel is muzzle-heavy, especially on a thick-walled rimfire, but a four-inch one feels balanced. I have both barrel lengths of no-dash 617s and while both shoot very well, the four-inch just "feels better."

Ed