Model 17 loading question

[gb70840]

I just acquired a new to me model 17-3, SN-3K269xx, from about 1972 I think. Very accurate shooter, nice to look at, too! Pics and range report to follow.

My question is about loading the gun. After cleaning this revolver, I went to the local indoor range for a test fire. For the first six shots, the .22 LR rounds dropped freely into the cylinder. I fired the six rounds and extracted the empty brass. As I reloaded the next six rounds, they didn't drop in freely, I had to push them in. Fired fine, extracted, the next six I had to snap in. Fired fine, extracted, had to go.

I had cleaned the cylinder with Hoppes #9 and ran patches through it until clean and dry. I didn't oil the cylinders. Learned that lesson with my 14-2.

Is this normal for a model 17 or am I doing something wrong? Ammo was CCI Standard Velocity.

GB.

 

[bigmoose]

Completely normal. S&W .22 chambers are tight and after a few shots the shells will be harder to seat and unseat. Use a .243 wire brush after every dozen or so and you'll be fine. You have one of the finest .22 revolvers made....enjoy.

 

[scooter123]

It's pretty normal for the 22LR, some loads are extremely dirty to shoot and will foul the chambers in the cylinder quickly.

One of the most accurate 22LR that I've tried is the Winchester Xpert HV from Walmart. After 50 rounds of this loading the cylinder requires firm pressure with the thumb to get each round fully seated. Cleanup is also a real chore because it leaves lead deposits on the outside of the cylinder and under the top strap. BTW, my 22 is the 617 and everything is quite visible. The only reason I keep using it is because it'll group under 2 inches at 35 yards.

Now compare it to another bulk ammo, the Federal bulk pack. I've run over 100 downrange in one session and it never became difficult to load. In addition cleanup takes about half as long as it does with the Winchester. Bad news is that it's not as accurate as the Winchester, so far I have yet to get it under 3 inches at 35 yards.

Bottomline, with the 22 caliber there is a distinct varation in how clean some loading shoot. I use the Winchester when I want the best accuracy I can get, for just plain fun shooting I'll use the Federal.

 

[Chubbs103]

I have a Model 17 very close to yours (I don't have the SN handy right now though). Mine does the exact same thing. The degree to which it happens is ammo dependent.

These revolvers tend to be extremely accurate, but can also be picky about ammo. A quick break down of brands for mine (but may not apply to yours):

CCI Mini-Mags- very accurate. Best performance to cost ratio for my purposes.

Winchester Xpert- very accurate. Leaves so much lead stuck on the front of my cylinder and inside the barrel, I can't stand to shoot it.

Remington bulk- doesn't group particularly well


I've shot a larger variety, but these tend to be the easiest .22lr for me to find at reasonable prices locally. I can't guarantee the same results. .22s are picky.

Chubbs

 

[diamonback68]

I've found the Remington bulk pack to be the dirtiest of them all.

 

[fyimo]

I have a pre 17 K22 that has tight chambers and it's really bad with Remington Bulk pack ammo. For plinking now I use Federal bulk pack as it seems to be cleaner and has less rounds then Remington that fail to fire.

 

[gb70840]

Thanks to all for the info. It sounds like this is just part of the joy of owning and shooting the model 17!

GB.

 

[What the]

Your right, it is one of the idiosyncrasies of the k-22/17 models. I have found through trial and error that Federal Automatch loads and ejects very well in 2 of 3 of my revolvers. As a bonus it seems fairly accurate. I believe some people have used a .25 caliber swab and polishing compound on a slow drill to polish the charge holes. It is on my to do list and I will post after it's done.

 

[Art Doc]

Target grade guns are tight with close tolerances. Makes them accurate but they foul quickly and can malfunction if exposed to mud, dirt, etc. This is why military guns, where reliability is more important than precise accuracy, are much looser than most commercial guns. They must function in the mud and the blood and the beer.

 

[crsides]

CCI has a tendancy to be long in the case. Many CZ 452 shooters have experienced a hard to close bolt that is avoided by changing ammo brands.



Charlie

 

[Simpleminded Rob]

I quickly found that I had better success holding my Model 17 muzzle up when ejecting spent cases. Muzzle down caused unburned flakes to accumulate under the extractor star and quickly made the cylinder drag. Aside from that, it was a dandy revolver until I foolishly traded it as part of a Remington 1100 deal.

 

[bvanwoert13]

I have a pre 17 and an 18-3 and both need frequent cleaning to keep loading easy. At the range I use a bore snake every 25-30 shots. I note several people mention misfires. I had them with my pre 17 until I fixed the end shake problem and got better ignition. I have not had a misfire in at over 2000 rounds. I shoot Walmart's federal Lightnings at under $15. a brick with tax. When I shot bulk Remmingtons I had countless misfires with all my .22s.

 

[lebomm]

I have quite the same behavior in my High Standard Sentinel as well as my 8 3/8" K-22. Clean, ctgs just slip into place. However, about twice around the wheel, and you gotta push 'em in. Extraction is always easy, but never just fall-out.
Hey, .22s are dirty. IMHO, that's the price of their being cheap, accurate, and universally available! You're supposed to clean after shooting anyway, right?
Even a cup of the finest coffee has some grounds in the bottom!

Larry