Questions about my 17-2

[Firecom911]

Hi, folks!

I was advised in the New Members forum that 17-2s were made between 1961 and 1967, so I believe I'm in the correct forum for my questions.

1. Can someone tell me when my revolver was manufactured?

Serial number is K6380XX.

2. I bought this revolver as a "Model 17-2", but I am reading about other names as well.
Is this revolver also known as "K-22" and "Masterpiece"?

Are those actual tradenames or just nicknames?

3. From the pics, can you see any other attributes or info that would be good for me to know?

In the past I have owned other Smiths...a M29, a M39, and a M19, but this is my first S&W .22.

Thanks!

Steve

 

[442js]

Very nice model 17!

The K22 Masterpiece became the model 17 when S&W began numbering their guns in 1957.

Looks like your stocks (or grips if you prefer) are not original to that gun. Someone who knows more will talk about that.

I believe your gun was made in 1965. Can't tell you any more than that so if you want more information you should probably get a letter for it.

Happy Shooting!

 

[jrod]

Very nice! Beat your boots Airborne!!

 

[Firecom911]

I have fairly large hands and long fingers and I REALLY LIKE those larger grips.

They remind me of the grips my M19 4" had.

 

[Engine49guy]

Hi, folks!

1. Can someone tell me when my revolver was manufactured?

Serial number is K6380XX.

2. I bought this revolver as a "Model 17-2", but I am reading about other names as well.
Is this revolver also known as "K-22" and "Masterpiece"?

Are those actual tradenames or just nicknames?

3. From the pics, can you see any other attributes or info that would be good for me to know?

In the past I have owned other Smiths...a M29, a M39, and a M19, but this is my first S&W .22.

Thanks!

Steve

First Welcome Steve and Conrgats on your first Smith .22 revolver,

I am no expert and do make mistakes on occasion but might help explain a few things .

First...According to the SCSW your gun was made in 1965.

While they differ in barrel length, front site style and caliber generally all Post WWII K frame Smiths that have target sites are called "Masterpiece" ,
This includes Models 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 and their stainless counterparts.

Usually the 4" barrel versions have a ramped (Baughman) front site (for holster draw) and are referred to as "Combat" Masterpiece.
The 6" or 8 3/8" barrel versions have a "Patridge" front site and are usually called "Target" Masterpiece for their longer target barrels.

When the word "Target" or "Combat" are not used usually its the 6" (Target) version. (You will learn why later).

It has already been pointed out that the stocks on your gun are of incorrect vintage,
The proper stocks would have been either K Magna stocks with diamond center or checkered K diamond target stocks.


The complete way I might describe your gun would be:
A 1965, three screw Model 17-2 , high polish, blue, 6" K .22 Heavy Target Masterpiece, wearing 1980's style checkered target stock GA's (Goncalvo Alves) with speed loader cutout .....
Or feeling lazy I might just say a 65 blue 17-2 with 1980's Target stocks.

DO NOT dry fire this handgun as its a rimfire and will damage the cylinder of the gun.

On a side note....
If you need an owners manual for reference there is an electric copy available for printing or download on the internet.

Hope some of this helps....Congrats on a fine firearm !

 

[sw44spl]

very nice gun you have there

 

[fyimo]

Congratulations on the Model 17 as they are wonderful shooting revolvers and it's a blast to shoot them for hours and hours for less then $20 for the ammo.

 

[Firecom911]

Thanks, folks, for all the great info!

I didn't know that dry-firing rimfire guns was harmful.
I haven't been doing it, but I checked my revolver...the cylinder counterbores look sharp around the edges...no sign of peening that I can see.

Even though my grips are not correct, they fit my hand very nicely. I think I will keep them.

I don't have the original box, but my revolver was shipped in a newer blue plastic S&W box with foam insert.
I added a S&W screwdriver with fluted handle and a S&W cleaning rod from earlier Smiths that I owned.

I still have some of the original Hoppe's #9 from the 1970s, so I'm good to go.

I've only been on this board for two days, and I'm finding out that every time I click my mouse I learn something new!

.22s are accurate and good ammo is cheap.

Every shooter should have a .22 handgun and a .22 rifle.

They are just too efficient to NOT have one.

Steve