Question about 17-4

[Agustus]

Question for you.....

My lgs recently got in 2 VERY NICE 17-4 6” models. One has the regular grips and no box, probably a 98% or higher gun. The other is a 17-4 maybe 95% gun with the box but no tools but has the target hammer, target trigger, and target stocks.

I can get them for about the same price ($775). Did anyone ever get a non triple t model and wish they had gotten the other?

Went this evening and looked at them again. I’m torn ..... I have a 617 4” and a 5 1/2” model 41. Not necessarily looking for a target gun but I have meat hocks for hands and the triple t feels slightly better but I like the looks of the other grips.

I’d love to hear opinions both good or bad

Many thanks for the responses ahead of time!
Rick

 

[RSinOR]

Go with your gut feeling. The looks of the other grips are not going to cause the gun to be more accurate but the 3T's sure go a lot further toward making it a more accurate shooting revolver.

 

[Agustus]

Go with your gut feeling. The looks of the other grips are not going to cause the gun to be more accurate but the 3T's sure go a lot further toward making it a more accurate shooting revolver.

Thank you. I kinda figured that. I’ve never shot a 17 so I’m anxious to see what all the hype is about!

Thank you for the response!

 

[Babysitr]

I have both and love both.....but......I also have big hands, and 3T's sure feels good. that's how I'd go...is the box correct?

 

[Agustus]

I have both and love both.....but......I also have big hands, and 3T's sure feels good. that's how I'd go...is the box correct?

Yes the box is correct. The only reason I liked the first one was bc it looked pristine. When I examined the 3T 17, it had a very light scratch but neither was shot much at all.

I think I’m going to go with the 3T. I wear a xxl glove and the 3T felt very good and so did the target hammer and trigger.

 

[greenmachine]

I've been a huge fan of the 3 T's since day one (many years ago). My first two Smiths were a 25-2 and a 14-2 with 3 T's. My latest purchase was an 18-4 with, you guessed it, 3 T's. I just love the look and feel.

 

[Agustus]

I've been a huge fan of the 3 T's since day one (many years ago). My first two Smiths were a 25-2 and a 14-2 with 3 T's. My latest purchase was an 18-4 with, you guessed it, 3 T's. I just love the look and feel.

That’s super. Thank you!

 

[Sevens]

If it were mathematically possible to assign values to two categories, whereby one number was “love for S&W revolvers” and the other number was “pure dislike for the 3-T’s”, I believe that I might have the highest ratio on this forum!

I don’t mind the target hammer, I think it looks nice and it doesn’t really bother me and doesn’t get in my way. At the same time, I don’t really get any use out of the upgrade. On the other hand, I have a genuine loathing for the wide, horribly grooved target trigger. I find that to be a small torture device on my trigger finger for the double action shooting which is my preference.

I understand that others folks (most...?) totally dig the 3-T’s. I suppose I need to trade parts with these guys!

 

[H Richard]

I'm also one that doesn't particularly care for the target trigger. I like the hammers and definitely the stocks, but the guns I shoot regularly only one has a .50 target trigger and that one has had the grooves ground off and contour polished.

For those guns I collect and seldom shoot the .50 trigger is nice.

 

[Agustus]

Many thanks for the opinions. Going either this evening or tomorrow evening to get ONE. Gonna handle both of them again and walk out with the one that feels best.

When I handled them yesterday. The larger grips definitely filled my large hands better.

 

[Narragansett]

Me just being me, generally opt for the older one, or the better condition. I have 3T guns, and I can take or leave the TT/TH feature. I do prefer the the target stocks but sometimes like the magnas on a smaller K frame.

I would opt for the better condition, but again that is just me.

Let us know your choice please

 

[oysterer]

I like as close to unfired as possible but I also highly value target stocks as I can not shoot magnas. Real nice target stocks are much more valuable to me than a box, tools etc. It may come down to carefully examining the action on all chambers.

 

[Agustus]

Between the 2 very little difference as far as quality. I think the one with magnas and regular trigger and hammer is slightly better and probably cared for more, but the other with the box and targets was probably owned by someone who had a gun and never shot it but didn’t clean it to the pristine quality of the other. Very good condition none the less. Neither had probably been shot more than 100 times.

 

[Agustus]

Me just being me, generally opt for the older one, or the better condition. I have 3T guns, and I can take or leave the TT/TH feature. I do prefer the the target stocks but sometimes like the magnas on a smaller K frame.

I would opt for the better condition, but again that is just me.

Let us know your choice please

I’ll be sure to let you know. Thanks again for the advice

 

[Agustus]

Picked up the 3T 17-4 this evening. Cleaned up beautifully. Excited to put some rounds through it this weekend.

Thank you for all the help and suggestions. It just fit my large hands so much better and I actually liked the dee of the target trigger.

Thanks again
Rick

 

[hittman77]

Excellent choice, I would have selected that one too.

 

[saemetric]

Mine is a 17-6 and a great shooter. Enjoy yours.

 

[Agustus]

Could t wait to get out and try the 17-4 yesterday. I’ve read about the right chambers and noticed that the cci (all of which did the same thing) were tight from the very beginning. Shot about 150 rounds without getting too difficult to eject the spent empties.

I did notice that the forcing cone had MUCH LESS buildup of lead than my 4”617 after some shooting. Heading out again here soon with my son and enjoy this gem some more with him.

 

[Sevens]

Mine is a 17-6 and a great shooter. Enjoy yours.

Your 17-6 is like my 17-6, it is the earlier run. The later 17-6 guns had the full lug barrel and combat stocks.

 

[Agustus]

Shot a bunch and noticed that the cheaper bulk pack federal 40 grain ammo doesn’t seem to be as tough as the cci ammo. VERY nice shooting gun. We had a blast with it and plan to do it again very soon. Bet I’ve already shot more ammo through this gun than the previous over ever had.

 

[sodacan]

All target, all the way, for me anyway. The difference between a 95% and 98% gun is negligible. I probably wouldn't notice much of a difference.

 

[Birdgun]

Good choice, Agustus. I too have a 17-4 with 3T and love it. It's a tack driver. So much fun to shoot.

S&W Model 17-4 "K22 Masterpiece" in .22 Long Rifle

Thanks for looking at my 17.

God bless,
Birdgun

 

[Agustus]

Good choice, Agustus. I too have a 17-4 with 3T and love it. It's a tack driver. So much fun to shoot.

S&W Model 17-4 "K22 Masterpiece" in .22 Long Rifle

Thanks for looking at my 17.


God bless,
Birdgun

Beautiful pictures Birdgun!