Question about a M17-4

[BC38]

How common is the 8-3/8" barrel?
I just bought one at auction, with fees, shipping, taxes & FFL, I'm sure I overpaid - or "bought it too early" as they say.
But I'm mostly curious about the possibly that this is an uncommon barrel length.
I'm not finding much about 8-2/8" K22s in the SCSW.
From what I'm seeing, it appears to be a 1980 production - SN 90K1xxx

8-3/8" pinned barrel
3T's - target trigger, hammer, & stocks
It has a few handling marks that weren't shown in the auction photos, plus a little muzzle & high edge wear, but I'd still rate it as better than 90% - maybe even as high as 95%
It's in BGC jail right now so no good pictures to post.
So is this barrel length "rare" or even "uncommon"?

 

[BC38]

WOW! 93 views of this thread and NO replies?
Surely someone has some info/opinions to share?

 

[wproct]

That would be a nice one to own for sure. Looking forward to pictures.

 

[AudieMurphy]

I own 2 of them well,ok one model 17 the other is a model 48 .22 mag. both with the 8 in. barrel. the research I've done awhile back is Smith only made them a couple years. Evidently they weren't a good seller,from what I read. Maybe someone else can shed light on them

 

[22hipower]

Not rare, not uncommon, but nice to add to your 4 and 6 inch 22s. Some here don't care for the 8 3/8 barrels but some of us like them. I only have one, a 17-2, in 22LR, although three in the M48 22 WRM.

Here it is, the lower one, along with the 14-3 I brought home the same day. Enjoy yours and we're looking forward to pictures.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

https://flic.kr/p/2pHF7Fm https://www.flickr.com/photos/194934231@N03/

 

[BC38]

I own 2 of them well,ok one model 17 the other is a model 48 .22 mag. both with the 8 in. barrel. the research I've done awhile back is Smith only made them a couple years. Evidently they weren't a good seller,from what I read. Maybe someone else can shed light on them

Not rare, not uncommon, but nice to add to your 4 and 6 inch 22s. Some here don't care for the 8 3/8 barrels but some of us like them. I only have one, a 17-2, in 22LR, although three in the M48 22 WRM.

Here it is, the lower one, along with the 14-3 I brought home the same day. Enjoy yours and we're looking forward to pictures.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

https://flic.kr/p/2pHF7Fm https://www.flickr.com/photos/194934231@N03/

Thanks for the replies guys!
I never expected it to be "rare".
However, if they only produced them in this barrel length for a couple of years, that would seem to fit the definition of "uncommon" - unless they produced a LOT of them those couple of years.
I broadened my search on GunBroker to include all engineering changes and found half a dozen in the completed auctions.
I also found 16 in the active auctions - out of over 500 M17s currently listed for sale. So around 3% of them currently for sale have the 8-3/8" barrel.
So apparently they aren't extremely uncommon, but they don't seem to be all that common either.
I'd love to have some more folks join in this conversation. I'm sure that there are more than 3 of us who own one of these.

 

[Narragansett]

I have one I bought from the original owner ( Taroman) that he only used a couple times. Those Army guys know how to take care of a weapon.

 

[BC38]

I have one I bought from the original owner ( Taroman) that he only used a couple times. Those Army guys know how to take care of a weapon.

Nice one! Since it is wearing "football" targets I'm guessing that one an earlier engineering change?

 

[glenncal1]

I think they made long tube 17's for a long time. Not sure when they started making them (guessing when they started model numbers or shortly after) and they were made at least through the -6 models. Here is a -5 that I own.

 

[dave1918a2]

I have a -4 long tube. Haven't shot it much, but I do enjoy it.

 

[lrb1200]

Not a fan of long tube revolvers...except my 17-4.

Bought new around 1980 for IHMSA competition.

Without doubt my favorite 22 handgun, it outperforms
my 1952 Colt Woodsman 'Target Match'

 

[BC38]

I think they made long tube 17's for a long time. Not sure when they started making them (guessing when they started model numbers or shortly after) and they were made at least through the -6 models. Here is a -5 that I own.

In my research on GunBroker I found both a pre-model numbered specimen AND a 17-6.
So they appear to have been produced as early as 1957 (at least) - as late as 1994
Quite a few years.
Looking at the active and closed auctions, the percentage with the long tube still seems to be between 5%-10% of the total number of K22's for sale.
The other 90%-95% were either 4" or 6"
So, again, that would seem to indicate they are not rare, but not exactly common either.

 

[BC38]

Not a fan of long tube revolvers...except my 17-4.

Bought new around 1980 for IHMSA competition.

Without doubt my favorite 22 handgun, it outperforms
my 1952 Colt Woodsman 'Target Match'

Yeah, I've never been a long-tube guy either. I've only got 3 or 4 with barrels longer than 4", and this will be my first with a barrel longer than 6-1/2".
But for some reason this one just spoke to me.

 

[GypsmJim]

For what it's worth, Gun Trader's Guide #43 shows a 17-4 in 4, 6 and 8 3/8" barrels all at the same price. So, to me that would indicate that none of the versions are more rare than the others.

 

[glenncal1]

For what it's worth, Gun Trader's Guide #43 shows a 17-4 in 4, 6 and 8 3/8" barrels all at the same price. So, to me that would indicate that none of the versions are more rare than the others.

A 17-4 4" would be a fairly rare bird. 4" 17's didn't start till 1986 when the model 18 was phased out and the 17-5 came out in 1988. Don't know if that brings any $$$ premium for a 4" -4.

 

[BC38]

A 17-4 4" would be a fairly rare bird. 4" 17's didn't start till 1986 when the model 18 was phased out and the 17-5 came out in 1988. Don't know if that brings any $$$ premium for a 4" -4.

Searching GunBroker, active and completed auctions would seem to bear this out. There are even less M17 4" barreled revolvers for sale than there are examples with the 8-3/8" barrel.

 

[TAROMAN]

I have one I bought from the original owner (Taroman) that he only used a couple times. Those Army guys know how to take care of a weapon.

Glad to see the 17 has found a great home.
While stationed at Quantico, Mayco (Follow on to Evaluators LTD) had a new 8-3-8" pair (14 and 17) in stock. Couldn't resist, purchased both. The 17 quickly became my favorite rimfire silhouette revolver. Scored pretty well in the 100 meter matches at Orange, VA.

 

[Imissedagain]

Bought a new 17-4/3Ts in '79, with the 8.375" barrel.
The '81 G&A annual, only lists them at 6" & 8.375".
Perhaps the best trigger in the Galaxy.
Drill and tapped it for scope and red dot, but usually
just wears the irons, with green florescent Testors up front.
The Mrs had her first confirmed Bufo Toad kill, that took
two CCI snakeshot rounds, with that Smith.
Bought her a Sec6 Snub soon after.

IIRC, there was an old ad, for the long barreled K22M,
that praised the accuracy.

 

[RKmesa]

This 17-4 got a lot of use prior to my ownership. It still gets a lot of use...

 

[22hipower]

This 17-4 got a lot of use prior to my ownership. It still gets a lot of use...

Rather unique stocks on that one too Richard. Do you know what the wood is?

Jeff
SWCA #1457