S&W Model 17?

sailor723

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So school me in S&W Model 17's (or 617's).... best choice in a .22lr revolver?......significantly better than a Taurus,Ruger or Alfa Proj?.....worth the money?

I'm specifically looking at a 17-6 right now. I believe that's the later model. Is an earlier version more desirable or better made?
 
Just replied to your other thread on Revolvers!
K frame .22LR is excellent. Good trigger. The 6" barrel looks great and they are accurate! Super sturdy for the size. And gorgeous to look at. I used to teach with the K-22s and Ruger Mk.2s back 25 years ago and I loved shooting the M-17. There were some for sale on the EE. Nothing wrong with an older version either!
 
I own a 617 and it is one of my best handguns. Very solid, S and W quality and a very precise shooter. I highly recommend it. Oh yes and mine is a newer model. I bought it new about 6 months ago. So far= flawless

Gilbert
 
My 17-3 almost always comes to the range with me. I love it.

I shot it off the bench at 25 yards to test it's accuracy. I will never be able to shoot it to it's potential.

SW17.jpg
 
Other than finish, is there any difference between a 17 and 617? I think actually prefer the blued finish/wood grips look myself although I don't mind the stainless w. wooden grips look either. (maybe it's just the rubber grip look I don't like)
 
Other than finish, is there any difference between a 17 and 617? I think actually prefer the blued finish/wood grips look myself although I don't mind the stainless w. wooden grips look either. (maybe it's just the rubber grip look I don't like)

17 - 6 shot - $600+

617 - 10 shot - $900+

M
 
Other than finish, is there any difference between a 17 and 617? I think actually prefer the blued finish/wood grips look myself although I don't mind the stainless w. wooden grips look either. (maybe it's just the rubber grip look I don't like)

The grips are nice to shoot with thou..if you don't like em just change them I did and went back to the Hogues..
 
I love my 17-3, they are the top of the pile for .22 target guns I believe, but I do need to acquire a Colt Diamondback to make a fair comparison. Not only do they shoot very very good, but they look even better. I love my K frames in general, and the only thing I like better than the K22 is my K38 (Model 14-3).....amazing guns! Get one, they are worth the money, and the older are better in my opinion. These are my Ks, the 14, 17, and 19

DSCN0341_zps2b8a6cf9.jpg
 
That's quite a price spread. What makes the 617 worth so much more?

617 = 10 shots v.s. 17 = 6 shots. 617 = Stainless v.s. 17 = blued.

617 - 6 shots are out there if you want one.

In S&W terms, 6 means stainless.

M
 
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I haven't shot the Alfa Project rimfires but before I got my own 17 I tried four of the other brands. Sadly not Colt or Korth. Hi Standard and H&R older guns from back when they made OK revolvers.

But they are just OK. The S&W blows them all out of the water. Yes the S&W costs 3 to 4 times as much for a 17 but it also delivers accuracy which is limited by the shooter and not the gun. So when you're ready to get better the S&W is ready to carry you there.

The other guns were already shooting worse than me when I bought them. The only one I've kept is the top break H&R Sportsman simply because it's a top break.

The one bright light on the horizon that I'd really like to try is the Ruger SP101-22. Apparently it's got a hard DA pull but that can be helped with a spring kit.

If you're serious about getting a rimfire revolver you really owe it to yourself to be patient and pay the eventual price for the older K22, a Model 17 or a Model 617. The Colt and Korth are the only ones that are arguably better when it comes to a double action revolver. Well, unless Dan Wesson made some in rimfire. But all of these will cost you more to MUCH more than a S&W. So if you're already balking at the cost of the S&W then you can forget about a Colt or Korth or Dan Wesson unless you trip over some sort of once in a lifetime deal.
 
Model 17 for the revolver and the model 41 for the semi automatic. Have used both for 40 years. Then the old browning
challenger/medalist pistols.
 
Model 17 for the revolver and the model 41 for the semi automatic. Have used both for 40 years. Then the old browning
challenger/medalist pistols.

That's a classy set would not mind a medalist if the parts were readily available and in good shape..
 
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