Cowgirl Corner: vintage S&W Model 17-3

[North Country Gal]

Although our current production Model 617 S&W in 22 LR probably rates as one of our most used handguns - it seldom misses a range trip, being Bill's favorite gun - we also have it's blued ancestor in our 1973 vintage Model 17. Doesn't see the continuous use as our 617, but shooting this 1973 vintage Model 17-3 is a step back in time when S&W made their guns better than they had to be. That is an experience in itself.



This Model 17 just oozes quality. Smooth as butter and a trigger that is classic S&W, through and through. Deep rich bluing and an action that does justice to a fine Swiss watch. Owning a 22 revolver like this really does spoil you.

Not my best 25 yard target with this gun - not even close - but it's what I shot, today, while taking a break from our Contenders. Good enough to show what a fine 22 LR revolver can do, though.


And speaking of Contenders, here's one I was shooting, today, along side the S&W. It's setup as with a 22 LR Match barrel and a vintage Nikon 2x scope.


And here's why I seldom post about these Contender handguns. They don't shoot like conventional handguns, so it's sometimes tough for non-Contender folk to relate to them. They truly are a specialty handgun in every sense of the term. Yup, at first glance a similar group to the S&W, but notice that it was shot at twice the distance, namely of 50 yards, not 25 yards and, once again, not my best 50 yard group with this gun - not even close - but good enough to show the difference between a great revolver and a Contender.


Back, next time, with some of our other favorite shooters. Hope you enjoyed it.

[PT7]

"Vintage" is always a pleasure to view. Your 44-year-old revolver is more than special, NCG, and very sharp-looking. I would really like to let my fingers wrap around that beautiful wood grip. Can only imagine holding and shooting "smoothness!"

BTW, an excellent fall foto!

....shooting this 1973 vintage Model 17-3 is a step back in time when S&W made their guns better than they had to be. That is an experience in itself.



This Model 17 just oozes quality. Smooth as butter and a trigger that is classic S&W, through and through. Deep rich bluing and an action that does justice to a fine Swiss watch. Owning a 22 revolver like this really does spoil you.

[ditto1958]

Darn. And I just deleted all the Model 17’s that had been on my GunBoker “watch” list!

NCG, that’s a beauty.

[RetiredSeabee]

You have done it again. Triggered my Pavlovian response. Yep gotta clean the drool off of my keyboard.... again.

[Sir Henry]

I'm drooling over the Contender. I've never owned one but look for them every time I go to a gun store.

What ammo were you using?

[North Country Gal]

The Contender 22 LR Match barrel does very well with any standard velocity target ammo, but it especially likes CCI Target or Eley Club, which I was using this time. Even a standard (not Match) 22 LR Contender barrel, though, is pleasingly accurate and will still compete with the best revolver, such as the Smith. (What makes a Match barrel a Match barrel is the tighter chamber, so usually takes a bit of a push to seat rounds.)

The beauty of a Contender, of course, is that I can change to a different barrel with the same gun in a matter of a couple minutes and go from shooting 22 LR to monster cartridges such as the 45-70 and everything in between. More than that, though, is the fact that I can tune a Contender trigger to equal the finest semi-auto or bolt action match grade trigger.

[North Country Gal]

Speaking of Contenders and single shots, in general, these guns form the bulk of our collection and our shooting time, now. with an occasional break to shoot our lever guns and bolt guns (and even some of our CZ bolt guns wear single shot adapters) or our few revolvers and every now and then, one of the 1911s (the only semi-autos we shoot). No doubt about it, we're way off the curve in our shooting tastes in this day and age of the semi-auto and the emphasis on self-defense shooting, but it suits us. Nothing against other types of guns, of course. Just that we enjoy the more traditional stuff more.

[RanchRoper]

Very interesting info. Great targets too, thanks for the report. 50 yds with a handgun.....holy smokes.

[gunman5646]

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I love those older Smiths as well. I found this old gem at a local shop, just looking to be loved. For a 4" it's right on the money out to 50+ . Genuine 5 screw, 1953 manuf. pre-model#. The beauty of a wheel gun in 22 LR is they'll shoot anything, when compared to an autoloader.

[ditto1958]

Man, that 17-3 has me envious. When you decide to sell it, let me know.

[ditto1958]

I have a similar gun, a Colt Officer’s Model, made in 1930. I’ve often thought I need a Model 17 to keep it company.

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[Travlin]

Those are some quality revolvers. Years ago I bought an old S&W .22 revolver for $ 60. I found out it is a K-22 Outdoorsman made in the 30's. I still have it along with a 17-3 with an 8 3/8" barrel.

[North Country Gal]

What I love about these vintage Smiths is the philosophy behind them, when they were made, to build them better than they needed to be, not to mention all that old time hand-fitting of parts. If Smith still made their revolvers this way, they'd be out of business, of course. The new stuff is still good, but made in a very different way, now.