Model 17 range report

[Heinz]

Took my wife to the range today. She tried out her Model 17-3 at ten yards. Put 72 rounds through it. Might need one click to the right
She got this and a Model 19-3 at Christmas. She has shot the 19 with 158 grain +P but this was her first dance with the .22
The ejector rod had a bit of a tendency to unscrew. I need to remember it is Not a right hand thread on this. Otherwise it ran like a clock. It ejects cleanly. She likes the trigger.

Both revolvers are 6 inch barrels and have target grips, hammers and triggers.

 

[Peak53]

I like it, except that it is boringly normal Congrats!

 

[DGNY]

Congratulations on having a wife so adept in her shooting! And congratulations to you for picking such a talented bride.

 

[ameridaddy]

One click? I dunno, awful dense group there to decide? Do it again from a rest at 25 yds with 10-20 rounds and she'll have a better indication where the weighted center really is.
Looks like she's a natural - enjoy it!

 

[ruger 22]

With a group like that I would leave the sights alone!

 

[stansdds]

A Model 17 and a Model 19 make a great pair of K-frame Smiths.

 

[Patrick L]

A little bit of loctite will hold that ejector rod in place. Excellent shooting!!

 

[John020]

Nice shooting, I guess she enjoy that .

 

[MTC(SS)Ret]

Very nice shooting. That gives me more incentive to buy the 17-3 I have been looking at my LGS. It was born in 1968, a one-owner piece, box and all original paper work, and a shooting log kept by the owner showing a total of 68 shots through the gun. Only 68 shots in 53 years!!! It is in immaculate like new condition. They are asking $1200.

 

[GSP Fan]

S&W M 17, 18, 19 what's not to love? The wife is an excellent shot and congratulations on all fronts

 

[Heinz]

MTC, grab it up and never look back.

 

[jjfitch]

NO, NO, NO

A little bit of loctite will hold that ejector rod in place. Excellent shooting!!

Locktite on an Ejector rod could be your worst day ever.

Learn how to tighten it properly.

 

[michael1000]

With a group like that I would leave the sights alone!

...and don't even think of messing with the girl, not one that can shoot like that!

 

[Cooter Brown]

Learn how to tighten it properly.

Care to learn us how?

 

[cmansguns]

A very good tool for ALL S&W ejector rods!!

I posted about the same issue with my Model 34-1 a few weeks back and the Forum gave good advice to get a proper tool and tighten it correctly.

I did just that.....bought a special tool ( a pair of small vise grips with perfectly machined inserts that have twin holes to match all the frame size rods for S&W).

As instructed, I inserted 6 fired 22 LR cases (to avoid twisting the star), used the powdered rosin included), tightened in proper direction (OPPOSITE of "righty tighty..lefty loosy").

Shot another couple hundred rounds....zero, zip nada issues! Checked some other K and N frame Smith's and found one more that was loose to the touch, tightened with the tool and no more issues.

I would not use Loctite...the wrong kind, or too much can really ruin your day in the future.

I highly recommend the tool from Gunsmither and I have no connection with them other than they got my money, I got their tool....both happy.

 

[cmansguns]

Sorry...forgot to add pics of the tool

Sorry forgot to add the pics of the tool and the instructions that came with it to my above post

 

[Baxter6551]

Heinz - don’t touch those sights !
Cman that looks like a great tool !

 

[MTC(SS)Ret]

MTC, grab it up and never look back.

I am giving it a lot of thought, I know it's a collectible piece. It would be a good investment as a heirloom for the next generation but I really have no one to pass it on to who would appreciate it. I would be afraid that if I shot it, which I would really like to do a lot, it would diminish the value for the next owner.

 

[GSP Fan]

Buy it, use it, enjoy it. If you take care of it the next caretaker isn't going to mind. I prefer a little honest wear to pristine never used/enjoyed. They were made to be used.

 

[DGNY]

I am glad that you posted your recent comment, MTC(Ss)Ret. Many of us have felt this way - that we somehow are not worthy, or the proper person, to enjoy the use of a pristine object, whether a Smith & Wesson, a collector car, a model train set, whatever it may be.

Actually, each of us, if we avoid consummate greed, is fully worthy to acquire and use something of great value to us...valuable not for its monetary worth, but for the extraordinary pleasure that it will give.

I would say, unless you have several of those already tucked away in boxes gathering dust, acquire it and use it - and report back the smile that it gives.

All best to you in your worthy decision.

 

[jjfitch]

Tightening an ejector rod

Care to learn us how?

There are specific tools for gripping the rod without damaging it.
I use an old 1/2 inch drill "spindle chuck" or "that thing that holds drills while drilling stuff"!

I tighten the "spindle chuck" as if it were a drill, this gives something to hold onto during tightening.

P.S. I've seen a couple of revolvers completely locked up because someone used thread locker. this stuff creeps and gets into places that will break your heart!

Smiles,