Search for 617 leads to 17 no-dash

[kas9412]

Hi all,

After searching all the lgs for a new 617 with no luck, the last lgs I stopped at suggested a nearby pawn shop, as I had told him I would also consider a model 17. As luck would have it, I walked into the pawn ship and hanging on a peg was a model 17. It looked to be in good mechanical condition, but finish-wise, not so hot. The blueing is worn on the barrel and cylinder, and it has several small rust spots with some minor pitting. The bore and crown looked very good. I was looking for a shooter, so I bought it. It was marked at $500, I got it for $450. Probably paid more than I should, but overall, I am pleased with it. Took it to the range yesterday, and it shot very well. Its a model 17 with no dash, serial #k3603xx.

Questions:

-Where can I find an owners manual?

-Are there red-dot mounts available that don't require D&T?

-What type of grips were original to this gun? Right now its wearing S&W target grips with a football cutout on the cylinder opening side. I suspect these are not correct.

-This is the worse looking gun I own from a finish perspective. Is it worth getting it re-blued? If so, where and for how much?

Sorry for all the questions. Thanks in advance for your help! - kas

PS: This is my first revolver! I also have a 41 and a 52-2.

 

[What the]

That 17 will serve you well for many years, the manuals are available through Smith&Wesson. I wouldn't get it re blued if your gonna shoot it don't worry about that. Maybe pull the side plate for a good cleaning and lube and your good to go.

I'm sure someone will be along soon to tell you about grips and Red Dots. Holsters are available through most makers and readily available.
Good luck and good shooting!

 

[Speedo2]

Hiya kas, wlecome to the forum. I'm a bit of a K22 affectionado myself, so I'll take a stab at some of your questions:

Questions:

-Where can I find an owners manual?
Recommendation: place a want add here; the folks that frequent this site are very forthcoming with good stuff.

-Are there red-dot mounts available that don't require D&T? Recommendation: No, that just aint the cowboy way. If you want to do that, get a 617.

-What type of grips were original to this gun? Right now its wearing S&W target grips with a football cutout on the cylinder opening side. I suspect these are not correct.
Football cut-out, diamond targets may be correct. Most shipped with diamond magnas (up until 1968), but could be ordered with targets. Only a letter will tell for sure.

-This is the worse looking gun I own from a finish perspective. Is it worth getting it re-blued? If so, where and for how much?
No, probably not. Since it's model numbered, S&W could refinish it for around $200 plus shipping, but you will never recover the cost. If you just can't stand it as-is, then it may be worth it to you, but probably not to whoever you will eventually sell it to. This may be heresy, but if I had one that I just couldn't stand, I would consider hard chroming it; mostly because it would be unusual and it would be unlikely to ever be confused with an original finish. However, you should be aware that yours (I believe) is a 4-screw K22, which are kind of scarse. Consider refinishing it very carefully.

Sorry for all the questions. Thanks in advance for your help! - kas

PS: This is my first revolver! I also have a 41 and a 52-2.
K22's are great revolvers, but it will never be as accurate as your M41.

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[kas9412]

Thanks for your replys. I bought this gun for a shooter and I think I will shoot it for a while before making any changes. Unfortunately, I have older eyes, and have problems seeing the sights, so a red dot will likely be added sooner rather than later...

kas

 

[utahvaughn]

17 no dash

Go for refinish you will like this lovely gun more ,You will be proud of it. You will smile (inside or outside)every time you pick it up.

 

[mkflyfisherman]

No gunsmithing mount

Weaver makes a mount that does not require D&T. It does require that you remove the rear sight though. I bought one through Midway and I've seen them on auction sights. It is a bit heavy and "can" leave marks on the front of the frame, but that should not be an issue with a revolver with the finish you describe. I inserted a thin piece of mylar between the frame and the mount and it has not left any marks. Mine works as well as the D&T'd mount I had installed on a 66-2.

 

[H Richard]

B Square also makes a No Drill mount for the older S&W's, and if you are like me a little "age challenged", the red dot can make your shooting more enjoyable. I would not put a no drill mount on anything more powerful than the .22RF.

 

[TSQUARED]

Thanks for your replys. I bought this gun for a shooter and I think I will shoot it for a while before making any changes. Unfortunately, I have older eyes, and have problems seeing the sights, so a red dot will likely be added sooner rather than later...

kas

kas,
I have old eyes to (75+) and found that if I had my right eye prescription for seeing the front sight and the left eye for distance it allowed me to use iron sights very well. I also painted the front sight with fluorescent orange acrylic model paint.
Also i would not drill and tap the top strap for scope or red dot sights. If you want to do that purchase a 617 which comes from the factory drilled and tapped for a Weaver style scopre base.
Tony

 

[Green Frog]

KAS, I had one of the B-Square mounts at one time and moved it back and forth between several K-frame guns with good success. With your current state of worn bluing, I doubt very seriously that the clamp will leave a mark visible amongst all the other wear, and with the light recoil of a .22 LR, it should stay firmly in place forever without wraunching down on it too badly.

BTW, congrats on a great find. The price seems reasonable to me, but regardless, the joy of ownership will remain long after any pain of payment has dissipated!

Froggie
(with aging eyes also!)

 

[kas9412]

Thanks again for all the replys. I attempted to shoot this gun earlier this week, but I just cannot see the sights in the dim light of the firing line at the local range. I definately need to proceed with the red dot; I'll look for the Weaver or B-Square mount.

Given my sight issues, I can't really tell how accurate this old gun is, but it does have a very nice trigger; I think bettter than my M41. Just need to get used to the long trigger return.

I like the weight of this gun. My M41 weighs about 3.5 pounds with its MatchDot and Nill target grip. So while it feels real good in my hand and I don't have any sight problems, the 41 is now a bit heavy. So if I can get a red dot on the 17 without increasing the weight too much, I think I will have a winner.

Considering the age of this gun, and its unknown history, I am a little concerned about the 17's accuracy. This is my first revolver, and while I am aware of cleaning the barrel with a bore snake, the obvious way is down the muzzle with a rod, and I suspect it was likely cleaned this way, especially in the early years of its existence. While the crown and barrel look OK to me, I am a little concerned about damage. I don't have a real bore scope, just one of those cheap $8 lights I bought at Dicks. Do you think I have anything to worry about?

Thanks!
kas