Used Model 17 a Good Deal?

[RR586]

Visited my LGS today and found an old Model 17 in the used gun case; 6" barrel, 6-shot, factory checkered wood grips. Overall, the gun is in about 60-70% condition (holster wear at the end of the barrel, some pitting of the bluing, and cylinder bluing is somewhat mottled and discolored in numerous places. Inside of the barrel looks clean with no pitting in the rifling grooves, except for a small discolored (rust?) patch near the tip of the barrel. Pre-lock, forged hammer and trigger. Overall a handsome gun though and an extremely smooth action. The price is at $375 which made it that much more interesting to me since new S&W .22LR revolvers cost $700 - $800. Does anyone have any opinions on an older Model 17 and if that price sounds reasonable? It would be more of a woods/plinking gun for me and I am not necessarily obsessed with getting a pristine gun.

 

[Sealevel]

S&W 17

I'm also in the market for an older model 17 or 18 and would buy the piece you've found so long as the mechanical condition was sound. It seems that cosmetics bring a premium price for that model.

A month ago at one of our LGS I found a rather dirty looking nickel plated model 10 with original grips and a Tyler-t grip enhancer. It was listed for sale at $199.99. I gave it the MasterPSmith tests, which it passed. It cleaned up nicely and now in my modest collection of S&W "shooters" that old 10-6 has become my favorite.

While pristine and under $500 is what I seek, I can live with a 95 percenter. If it were me, I'd buy the 17 and enjoy plinking with her.

 

[sqhead]

it will clean up i'm sure,but with a little more looking,i think you could find one in great shape for maybe a few more bucks,i'd try and talk them down cause of cond.For me ,i draw the line when there is any pitting of rust,major scratches,etc.unless it's in the 100-200 range

 

[geoff40]

The finish being at 60-70%, I would offer the dealer $350. If the mechanics are all good-I don't think I've ever seen a S&W K frame .22 that they weren't-you'd have yourself a great shooter that could be deployed in about any condition.
I used to only look at guns in the high 90s finish wise, but in more recent times, I look at and sometimes buy examples of guns like the 17 you are considering, simply because I like shooting them so much that I can see the value of having one thats not something that I have to worry about damaging the finish on. Not that I beat on them or similar, but for example a gun that can get wet (rain, fishing) or be exposed to the salt air near the ocean, etc. There is a lot to be said for having a gun like that, and a Model 17 in 60-70% condition is something I would personally jump on if the price was right.

 

[fyimo]

I would also offer them $350 and buy the revolver if it was mechanically sound as you wouldn't find one around here for less.

 

[G-Mac]

Maybe a little high for my taste...but they sure aren't building 'em like that anymore. If you buy the gun and like it, a year from now the price won't mean much. I doubt they'll ever go down in value.

 

[Camster]

I'd point out the condition and offer 300 or 325-wait for their reaction.You might get lucky.(They took it in cheap,given that condition)
At some middle point,I sure a deal could be made.If you offered 350 for starters,I would think they would accept it.You might do better.In any case,I would be taking it for a 350 shooter.

 

[kas9412]

We all want a great deal, but let's face it, with the realative scarcity of these guns for sale, and the fact that they aren't making them any more, make great deals kinda scarce as well.

So assuming that it is in good mechanical condition, I would probably offer them $325 and take it at that or as high as the asking price. Maybe not a real great deal, but a fair deal. Good luck.

kas

 

[H Richard]

If the mechanics are good one of the finest .22's ever built. With that much wear I would try and negotiate it down a bit, but don't pass on it.

 

[Avery11]

Around here, "pristine 17" and "under $500" don't often collide in the same sentence

 

[mattallamerican]

id rather spend 150$ more and get a nice one

 

[RR586]

Update to Thread

I stopped back in my LGS today and this old Model 17 was still available. The resident gunsmith spent some time with me and cleaned up the gun with some teflon oil and 0000 steel wool. To my surprise a most of the mottled finish was just surface rust/residue, and actually cleaned up - the gun looks much nicer. Also determined that the spot inside the barrel is residue that can be removed - the rifling looks in good shape. It also locks up fairly tight. Darn - there goes some of my bargaining points. The S/N is K340015, and my internet research indicates this gun was manufactured in 1959. You can tell it has definitely been used, but I now feel more comfortable with the condition it is in (especially since it is a 22LR and was not subject to heavy recoil). Should I be concerned with purchasing and using a 52 year old pistol? Are there advantages to buying a later version of the Model 17? Looks like the Model 17 went from a "no dash" in 1957 to a "-4" in 1977 (not sure what year they stopped manufacturing it). Is my information accurate? Any advice or insight would be most appreciated.

 

[Culina]

I wouldn't think about it too long unless you put it on layaway

 

[fyimo]

After the gunsmith did all that I would have hurt my arm getting the money out to buy it. You should be running not walking down there to get it before I find the store and buy it (just kidding).

The thing that's funny is everytime I mention (4) 0000 steel wool and gun oil up here for cleaning old guns I get laughed at. My gunsmith taught me that trick in the early 80's and I have used it since then on all my guns. When I take one in to my local gun shop to put on consignment the owner always says that they are the best and cleaniest guns he gets brought in and that they look new.

 

[PMRet]

I'd offer $300 and try to meet somewhere in the middle, but based on your description $375 out the door is still a good price IMO. Many folks here (me included) feel like these older K-22's are some of the finest revolvers ever built.

This one from 1948 had quite a bit of surface rust and looked pretty rough when I found it, but the bore, chambers, and mechanics were excellent. It cleaned up nicely with some fine grade bronze wool and break-free, and I think it turned out pretty well.

 

[murphydog]

If it is mechanically sound, and since it cleaned up to your satisfaction from the description, $375 seems fair. One of my usual criteria applies here - how hard will you kick yourself if you walk in to the shop and it's gone?

 

[VM]

Buy the darn thing! It's a good deal and you'll have years of enjoyment from it. If you get tired of it down the road, you'll ALWAYS be able to recover your money.
We expect pictures of your new gun on your next post!

 

[TIMETRIPPER]

$375 for a 70% model 17 with good mechanics? Sounds like a winner to me! You wont find a similar priced 17 in my neck of the woods for under $400. It's one you can take afield and shoot the snot out of without fear of ruining it's collector value. And, as you've noted, at half the price of a new S&W.22. I'd go for it. Is it anywhere near central Pa?
John