S+W .22 Model 17 - target model vs regular model??

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swampdog

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I'm looking at buying a used S+W Model 17 revolver. Some come with the target grip, wide target trigger, wide target hammer, and the adjustable rear sight. Others have the regular grip, trigger, hammer, and rear sight.

Can you more experienced shooters educate me on the pros and cons of the two revolvers? And would you pay more (and how much more) for the one with the 4 target items, if the condition of the two guns is equal?

Thanks for your help.
 
I just got my own Model 17 that has the target hammer and trigger. Compared to my other K frame regular triggers I find that it's a wash. But I had also done some mods to my gun. This involved reducing the cross section of the mainspring using a grinder and polishing the ground surfaces and making a new return block spring. While I did this myself it is the equivalent of installing a Wolff K frame spring kit and using the lightest of the return block springs with one coil cut off. And you can get such a kit for $17 plus shipping. Get a few and keep or sell them to other S&W K and N frame owners to help defray the shipping costs. You won't regret it as these spring kits really make the trigger pull super sweet.

As for the grips those are simple enough to swap. Any K frame set of grips will work just fine in your search to find an option that fits your hands well. You've got a very wide selection from S&W, Arends, Hogue, Pachymayr and others. My own 17 is currently wearing a set of Hogue wood grips. The finger grooves happen to fit my large size hand really nicely.
 
swampdog said:
I'm looking at buying a used S+W Model 17 revolver. Some come with the target grip, wide target trigger, wide target hammer, and the adjustable rear sight. Others have the regular grip, trigger, hammer, and rear sight.
Thanks for your help.
Click to expand...

I use my 17-3 as my practice revolver in lieu of my 357/38s so in the interest of standardization, I rather have similar configuration to the bigger calibers, which all have the regular triggers and hammers and adjustable rear sights. I have Hogues and Pachmyers on the bigger revos as well as the little guy.

I thought all 17s had adjustable rear sights but anyway the point is, choose a configuration similar to your full caliber revos...if practice for the big boys is your intent.

If you will just shoot the 17 for its own sake, then any will do, but personally I find double action shooting easier with the regular smooth combat trigger because my finger can adjust and roll as I press/squeeze the trigger. With the serrated target trigger, my finger is glued to the trigger face and I don't like the feel.

I prefer the narrow hammer as well....the wide target trigger looks outrageous like a sore thumb.
 
The only fixed sight .22 K frame was the Model 45, which was never a catalogue item and was made as a training gun for departments that used the Model 10 M&P. You are not likely to find one of these.

I prefer the narrow trigger for double action shooting, but would not pass up a gun with target trigger and hammer.
 
I have the Model 18 (standard trigger and hammer) and my father has the Model 617 (target trigger and hammer). I much prefer the standard trigger, the hammer makes no difference.
 
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