Model 17's!

[CScott]

Bottle caps!

Soda cans for sure. I'm 64 also and I give bottle caps fits too! At 25 yards! (Not every time) I took bunches of squirrels in N. California years ago and head shots were the best. Now I'm in New Mexico and desert cottontails are just as much fun. I bought my M-17 new in 1974 or 75 to match my M-19 for inexpensive practice. I've had to sell some Smiths over the years but not my M-17 (or my M-19).
Scott

 

[Isis1200L]

Usmc5811...that's a nice picture of your "kids". Love those 22's!
I also have a 17-4. My 34's a -2. Have yet to have a 63 find me.

 

[Usmc5811]

17-4

Thanks Isis I have been lucky I have found some good deals I think. I didn't pay more than $550 a piece except the 63-5 was $500. I have the box and papers for the 63's. Not as lucky with the 34-1 and the 17-4. I assume that my 17-4 would have originally had the magna grips? And on another note I also recently picked up a Marlin 39a 1st variation in really good condition for the age and that Ballard rifling is still more accurate than me. I picked it up for $325 at an estate sale.

 

[Usmc5811]

I guess you could say I have a 22 caliber problem. But with 2 young girls what better firearms could I get them to learn how to safely handle firearms, and not develop bad habits. They have already claimed "their" 63!! I might be in trouble..lol.. Nothing makes me happier than getting the whole family out for a day of plinking.

 

[jaymoore]

Have never hauled a 17 into the woods as it's apt to get wet, sweat covered or briar scratched. As far as accuracy goes, it's a combo of revolver, shooter and ammo. Any one of the three may be less than satisfactory. Changing any one element may solve the problem. But if you find a revolver and some ammo that work for you hang on to 'em!

This old 617 (not a 17, granted) has taken many tasty squirrels:

Little'uns and big'uns.

 

[kevin in nh]

back to Front...pre-17....Model 18....Model 17-2...all are accurate but the pre-17 action is so smooth

 

[Isis1200L]

This old 617 (not a 17, granted) has taken many tasty squirrels:
Little'uns and big'uns.

Jaymoore? What kind of huge squirrel is that? The one in the bottom pic? Where on earth do you live that the squirrels get that big?! He's got a very pretty coat.
I've only used a rifle for squirrel. There've been quite a few pics I've seen, especially with 17's, 617's, with the bushytails they dispatched.
I think I'll try that out myself this fall.

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

Jaymoore? What kind of huge squirrel is that? The one in the bottom pic? Where on earth do you live that the squirrels get that big?! He's got a very pretty coat.
I've only used a rifle for squirrel. There've been quite a few pics I've seen, especially with 17's, 617's, with the bushytails they dispatched.
I think I'll try that out myself this fall.

\
Not Jaymore but around here we call "em" Fox Squirrels. They are about twice as big as grays.

 

[Isis1200L]

Thank you, Mike, SC Hunter. I trust, by your monicker, you know of what you speak. Fox squirrel, eh?
I don't know if I'd actually want to see them 'round here. We've got enough problems with the grays messin'
with the plants in the garden.
Looks like one of those fox squirrels could up and walk away with the whole dang tomato plant!

 

[Usmc5811]

Okay so I will ask you guys who are more knowledgable in the 17's, how hard would it be for me to find a target hammer and trigger for my 17-4? I haven't fired it yet, but if all goes well tomorrow and I can get out of honey do's that will change.

 

[Drawdown]

Setting down to an late afternoon meal of fried squirrel, apples, & biscuits, taken over open sights is about the perfect day for me! Enjoyed many a day like that with a rifle, but with a handgun, now that's something else I want to enjoy before I get to old to get around the woods.

These 17's must be the real thing, and hope to be looking over the barrel of one this fall underneath the hickory's!

Thanks for all the pics and keep em coming!

 

[jaymoore]

Jaymoore? What kind of huge squirrel is that? The one in the bottom pic? Where on earth do you live that the squirrels get that big?! He's got a very pretty coat.
I've only used a rifle for squirrel. There've been quite a few pics I've seen, especially with 17's, 617's, with the bushytails they dispatched.
I think I'll try that out myself this fall.

Fairly scarce in these parts (SE US). Have only found them in old pines or nearby. So scarce that I'm more excited to harvest one than a deer! Have heard they are more common up north. There's a red variety of fox squirrel near Vicksburg, MS. that are very common. They supposedly have an all black type, too.

Greys are supposed to be the more aggressive species, and have read that they can displace the fox squirrels altogether.

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

Mine is a 17-5, 6", picked up without box or papers about 3 to 3.5 years ago for $500. My best friend just got a 17-2 (he says 1957) a month ago for $700 or 750. I have 3 different grades of Federal target ammo. All chamber and extract a little difficult in tight chambered 22's due to the way Federal forms the brass. There is a tiny radius at the wall/rim junction. I also have several bricks of Eley in (from lowest to better grades) Sport, Practice, Club, Club Plus and Team (if you can find team now it runs about $12/50). The Sport is Eley brass and primed in England, but loaded in Mexico. As of last Thursday, Champion Shooters Supply in Utica, Ohio had about 20 bricks of Sport for $35 a brick. I also have a few bricks of Wolf in both of the lower grades. All of these different grades of ammo go bang, but as the price goes up the groups get smaller. To the point that in a good rifle at 100 yards Club Plus and Team hit 1/4 inch objects at least 75% of the time (and more like 90%). I'm still getting adjusted to pistol iron sights and pistol distances. But with the 17 it is fun learning. My brother thinks his Stainless Single Six is accurate (and it one shot kills squirrels all the time) but this fall I plan on giving him a lesson with the 17. Ivan