s&w 17-8

[dan]

howdy,
  been looking to buy a 22 pistol, and came across a s&w17, with a 6" barrel, this is a 10 shot. read where the cylinders are not made of steel, anyone have and shoot one? and does $400 seam right? also, are the 6 shots better? thanks.....dan

[Tacoma]

First , you made an excellent choice with a S&W revolver!
Next, You might ask over @ www.smith-wessonforum.com.  These guys will hook you up with the details.
 This is a 617? (stainless , full under lug?) Condition?
Price? $400 for any model 17 is decient to excellent depending on shape.  ANY S&w .22target revolver will usually bring $300-$700 in 95% or better condition.  (You can price check over @ www.gunsamerica.com) Lots of minty used 17's around as well as the newer 617's.
Here's what I can tell you from my own research ( and purchasing spree into Smith K22's /mod 17/617's.

1) The 10 shot flavor is not quite as hot on the market. They tend to have a shorter cycle/different "feel" in the DA fireing cycle that many 6 gunners gripe about. They just feel different (not bad, just different).

2) The 6 shot 617's came out with Ssteel cyl. The 10 shot had alloy. The 10 has been reciently updated to Ssteel. I remember some gripes about the alloy but nothing specific.

3) The earlier 17's were blue and had no underlug. Many (not all) preffer their lighter weight and ballance to the newer heavier (stainless) 617s.  

4) All of the above models shoot EXCELLENT and are a step above any .22 revolver I've ever handled or own. (I've had a few! I now have a 17-4,  a prewar K-22 and am eyeing a 617 4":-) .


Me, I like em all ( and would probobly buy this one :-)

hth

[Old Griz]

:cb2: I've got a 6" 617 6-shot, and it has to be one of the finest .22 handguns ever made. I have heard a lot of complaints about the 10-shot alloy gun, but never any about the 6-shot. Just because of this, I'd stick with the 6 shooter. $400 is a great price. Smith also made a 10-shot "blued" version for a while (517?), but I don't know if they still do. The finish was black, and it would flake off very easily as if they spray painted it on.

[geo]

go with an all steel older model 17   (6 shooter)  There's no finer .22 revolver !!  (and I've shot lots of other brands)

[dan]

howdy,
  well i have bought a 6" 17-k22, have not rec'd yet, it is a 6" barrel, with the 3 t"s, target trigger, hammer, sights. was made late 60"s, suppose to be mint condition, would like to thank everyone for there information, will let you know when i rec. it. thanks......dan

[Tacoma]

Well dan, where is it? :grin:

[TScottO]

I paid 489 for mine pluss tax earlier this year, a six shot 617. I went with the six shot because I don't like the feel of a 10 shot action when it cycles. Hope you get to pick it up and enjoy.

Be Safe,
Scott

[Spencer]

10 shot, 6" barrel 617.  has performed flawlessly with a burris 2X scope.  I am currently using it in my rimfire league.  I would not sell it.  Picked it up for $425 about two years ago.

[fyrepowrx]

i am a confessed K-22 nut.. they say admitting your problem is the first step on the road to recovery...

i have a 17-8 that is topped with a Leupold 4x EER scope.. functions just fine, but have to say it is noy my most accurate k-22... the one i have now is the second 17-8 i have owned, and the first one was also about average in accuracy. at 25 yards i can pretty much hit a quqrter every shot off the bench... adequate, but my stainless 10-shot k-22 shots groups half that size with an identical scope. i squirrel hunt with mine, i like the matte black finish. they aluminum cylinder has held up fine, but when i am scrubbing & cleaning the gun i am careful, its too soon yet to tell how well that black anodized finish will hold up over time. maybe its my imagination, but i think the aluminum cylinders are more succeptible to powder & fowling build up than steel.

my much older 17-2, also a 6" (pinned/recessed gun) shoots better than the 17-8, so does my 8" model 17. ... so as K-22's go, my 17-8 is probably my least accurate, but it does still get plenty of use.. of course accuracy variations from one gun to the next can be substantial! i would have to say jump on it if the price is right, i have never had a really "bad" K-22, i dont think there is such a thing!

[Old Griz]

:cb2: Now fyrepowrx, why would you want to recover?

[fyrepowrx]

griz...

guess thats why i wont ever get better..  :-D ya have to want to get better and i definitely DONT want to! my wife has accepted it as just one of my many mental defects, so i am happy with my obsession! i like to think that in some way i am stimulating the US economy by spending far too much on cool stuff... and after all ya cant be TOO patriotic!