Hello there Shooters,
Well as to the failure or success of the 17, it is in my opinion going to be a matter of ammo cost.
In the range of 5 - 6 bucks a box, it will never be the success of the 22LR.
Yes, I have paid up close to the $10 mark for a some LR ammo but it was only when I wanted to prove a point about self and rifle. At other times I was able to shoot with CCI blazers available as low as $.74 per box about 45 minutes from here or with some of the many loads available at a high of a bit over 2 bucks a box.
I still say, that the cost of $5 plus per box make the cost too high for too little. As a reloader, just a few bucks more will get me some real bang/velocity/range for my bucks and for just common Ol'plinking why pay a dime + per shot when I can bounce the same can for less then 2 cents.
I was only a short term fan of the 22MRF (too much for too little), and although the soon to be with us 17 markII does interest me a bit, it is really going to come down to the cost of ammo. Bring that ammo cost down to 3 - 4 bucks a box and well, I just might (?) be a bit more then interested.
Keep em coming!