psychiatric help for me and my 17-3 please....

[toad67]

Purchased a 6" 17-3 from a friend a while back. The gun was purchased by his grandfather back in 1970 from a hardware store in Chicago and has not been fired since it left the factory. It sat in my buddy's safe for a long time until I recently became the new owner. The gun has the matching box and all of the paperwork, but is missing the tool/sat kit. It still has the hang tag on it from the hardware store.
As much as I love my S&W's, I'm not really into new/unfired safe queens and prefer to use the ones I have. The blueing of that period is incredible and I'd hate to put some wear on it since it's went 52 years in mint shape. I know it's not very collectible per se, so I can't make up my mind if I should just take it out and shoot it, or trade/sell for a used 17/617. Pull me back, or push me off the ledge please.

 

[Old cop]

Go to the range & enjoy it, I would.

 

[murphydog]

I would say it is quite collectible. Unless you need the funds, I would find the correct tools for it, store it and find a used model 17 that you can use without any guilt. And now for the contrary opinions...

 

[22hipower]

What murphydog said!

Jeff
SWCA #1457

 

[toad67]

Already a 50/50 split, haha... Don't need the funds at all, and I did put up a WTB ad for a tool kit in the classifieds.

 

[rock doc]

What 22hipower said.

 

[delcrossv]

I'd shoot it. It's a gun, not a paperweight.
OMMV.

 

[diecidecimi]

A handgun is an object. Moreover, its economical value depends on fashion, political and variable evenements. After several decades since its DOB, if it will be still desirable it will worth around the same money , both if as new or fired. What is important is that it will survive us, and someone else will own it. I don't care if he will like better a NIB or a shooter: I will be flesh for worms.... For this reason I shoot my safe queens, but I like to keep them in excellent conditions.

 

[Mike0251]

Todd I had one in my safe as well, never fired, tools unopened, etc. I took it out last month and shot it! All I can say is wow, superb accuracy, and a ton of fun. I am glad I did it.

 

[bigmoose]

Mike0251, It appears your K22 has the rare red post front sight. What are your thoughts on ease of use regarding sight picture at the range? Very nice gun!!

 

[Baxter6551]

Toad - go shoot it! I got my 17-4 at an estate sale a couple of years ago. Far from unfired but had the box tools and matching grips along with an original S&W holster so I consider it still nicely collectible. I shoot the heck out of it. You should too.

 

[Sevens]

I'm from the "can't un-ring a bell" camp, guns are only mint/unfired/as new until someone shoots them. I would also not shoot it, I would tuck it away and preserve it.

I also like to poke the bear and counter the "wisdom" with wisdom.

They say "guns were meant to be shot." But the real truth is that guns, at least commercial guns, were built for only one purpose and it wasn't to be shot. That one purpose was to be sold.

A 17-3 is a beautiful revolver but not rare, any choice you make is likely to be the correct one.

 

[Mike0251]

Mike0251, It appears your K22 has the rare red post front sight. What are your thoughts on ease of use regarding sight picture at the range? Very nice gun!!

Thank you. I shot it outside so there was plenty of light and all I can say is after lining up the sights and pulling the trigger I was very surprised with the accuracy. Keep in mind that I also use SPS shooting glasses with a 1.25 reader dot so I can see the front sight clearly lol. Shell ejection was easy and smooth so no issues there either.
I thought long and hard about should I shoot it or not, but at 67 I'm shooting it while I can! Glad I did.

 

[M29since14]

Another vote, as if it matters, for shoot it and take good care of it. I don't really understand the mentality of buying, storing, and never using - but on the other hand it's not my revolver so I've nothing against that. I have bought revolvers as "spares" that never got used before I sold them, for one reason or another, so I guess I am guilty of that, too. Good luck with your decision.

 

[Marylander]

IMHO, a S&W, no matter what condition,safe queen or truck pawn,in reality,
is only worth what somebody else will pay for it.

 

[tops]

There have been thousands of them bought new and shot. If you want a good .22 revolver to shoot go ahead and shoot it. If you want to say you have one that has newer been shot then don't shoot it. Larry

 

[steelslaver]

See new in box 17 for NIB price, buy, a nice 17 or 18 and enjoy it for thousands of rounds.

 

[Drm50]

I got my 1st m17 in 1964. I was 14 and had a Ruger Single-6. Already involve in wheeling and dealing I had no interest in shooting the NIB K22.
I had poor respect for DA revolvers because of all the H&R, IJs and imports. Buddy pestered me to shoot it and been carrying it since. A lot of other people in my circle wanted them after shooting mine. In 1964 a new
m17 was about $100. A lot of people weren't making that much a week. Those were different times. Not every Tom, Dick & Harry had a safe full of guns. Like somebody said guns haven't gone up, money has come down.
Stashing NIB guns for investment right now is iffy at best.

 

[racoonbeast]

When I spend my hard earned money on a gun, it is for my pleasure. I am not paying to enhnace the pleasure that might be enjoyed by posterity. Posterity can earn its own money and buy its own damn guns.

Virgins are nice and popular with everyone. But, in the end, they are not much fun if they remain virgins. I say shoot it and enjoy it. The next guy won't care if you treat it right.

 

[bananaman]

Mine is a little older. -2 from 1964. Picked it up used on G.B. Had bid on a bunch of 17's and minutes before the end was outbid. So when I saw this with a $550 BIN price it became mine. No box or tools. It shoots great though. This was before the nutty prices. I also have Diamond Magnas for it. Bob