Smith & Wesson Model 17 Question

deadman

deadman

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Just got a new project 17-3 in the mail the other day, and need some input. I'm planning to to some "customizing" to it. It seems to function properly, but the cocking lugs (wrong term?) look like they have been worn or filed. Can any of you model 17 owners post up a pic of yours for comparison? Thanks.

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Compare the Model 17 extractor to that of old S&W Victory, which is also a K frame.



I wonder why there is the difference? I looked at a Model 27 and the raised parts on the extractor are flat like on the Model 17, not angled like on the older Victory.

Maybe someone who knows more about this will chime in here.
 
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It looks fine to me. What sort of customizing do you have in mind?

The ratcheting lugs on the Victory Model look different because S&W changed the action design slightly on post-WWII guns.
 
Now you tell me. Where were you a couple hours ago?

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Starting to shape the new muzzle, want to duplicate the original.

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Going back to the shop now to try fitting the sight back on.
 
I was going to suggest 5 inches but I think that's going to look pretty nice when you are done.....keep us posted!
 
deadman said:
Now you tell me. Where were you a couple hours ago?


Starting to shape the new muzzle, want to duplicate the original.


Going back to the shop now to try fitting the sight back on.
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No disrespect, but I don't think you'll get a proper crown and good front sight mount without correct procedure and equipment.

Barrel cutting, re-crowning and remounting/aligning front sight will need more than a hacksaw and tape measure. Seriously.

I see a trip to the gunsmith in the very near future.
 
Take it to a gunsmith before you get in too deep! Some jobs are not DIY and this is one of them.

The most important part about working on your own guns is to know what you can't do properly yourself.
 
I'm aware that I can't do everything with a hacksaw. Obviously, that was just the first step. Talked to a couple gunsmiths today, but patience is not one of my virtues, so I will be continuing with this myself. Picked up a whole pile of different things to try, so we'll see what happens.

Never be afraid to try something new. Remember, amateurs built the ark; professionals built the Titanic. ~Author Unknown

If anyone's interested, I'll post my progress. Ahh, I'll do it anyway.
 
Before I cut into the barrel of a rather expensive 17 I would have found an old junk gun to try out my processes on so there would be a LOT less risk and I could afford to make a few mistakes and learn. Jumping into the deep end of the pool without knowing how to swim is NOT, contrary to some opinions, the best way to learn.

If I were you I'd put aside what you have for now and perhaps pick up a couple of old crap .22 rifle barrels from a swap meet or even find a busted action cheapie .22 revolver that you get for cheap and try out your tools and skills on and then just turn in the end results to the RCMP to be written off your holdings. Then, when armed with proven tools and equipped with proven skills, return to the 17 into 18 project with a better chance of success.
 
try crowning the backside of the cut piece first and see how you do, may be able to it just fine, remember man made it in the first place you should be able to do it without too much trouble, were it me I'd put a match crown on that pistol and have one of kind, its custom no, might as well make her completely custom.
 
Finally, an optimist! I actually did try it out on the cut off piece before attacking the barrel. The other thing I did was leave my barrel a little long in the event of having to try again.

This is what I've come up with so far. A trip to the range will tell me if it works or not.

Shaped and polished, front sight is pinned in new location.
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Old versus new.
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Flashed so you can see the profile (and where the saw chattered when I started cutting)
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Lookin good! I guess you have a few more tools then a hacksaw and tape measure after all...
Was it hard to drill the hole for the pin and how did you recess the sight?
Can you post a picture of the barrel end showing where the sight used to be.
 
deadman said:
I'm aware that I can't do everything with a hacksaw. Obviously, that was just the first step. Talked to a couple gunsmiths today, but patience is not one of my virtues, so I will be continuing with this myself. Picked up a whole pile of different things to try, so we'll see what happens.

Never be afraid to try something new. Remember, amateurs built the ark; professionals built the Titanic. ~Author Unknown

If anyone's interested, I'll post my progress. Ahh, I'll do it anyway.
Click to expand...

I'm interested. I'd love to know how you re-crowned and how it shoots. I've been thinking about doing this myself so your insight and experience is most interesting. Good on you! Tagged.
 
For the sight pin, I used my drill press and went up in size (didn't have the right size pin)

To cut the slot for the sight I drilled a row of holes to remove material, then used a little rotary carbide cutter in a cordless drill. Almost had a close call with that one.

I can take a picture of the original tomorrow.
 
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