Another New One: S&W 17-2 .22 LR

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shotgunshooter3
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Another New One: S&W 17-2 .22 LR

Post by shotgunshooter3 »

*Cue Letterkenny* You walked into your LGS the other daaayyyy.....

And spied an interesting revolver in the consignment case. After asking the grumpy guy behind the counter to take a peak, you are pleased to see an older, dirty, but very functional Smith .22 revolver. More specifically, an early 60's vintage 17-2 with 6" barrel. Despite some minor surface imperfections, it seems mechanically sound (albeit quite dirty). The grumpy counter monkey is off putting, and it's a bit of a budget stretch, so you walk out for the day to think about it.

You reach out to the usual enablers about the price...

...and come back the next day and plunk down your 6 bills to take it home.
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This should be a nice compliment to my original K-22 Masterpiece that was expertly reblued, and then touched up again by JSD.

Anyway, this gun has definitely seen some use, but it's mechanically sound. It is definitely DIRTY. I put 100 rounds of Remington 40gr standard velocity through it, and the cylinder started dragging from crud at the barrel/cylinder area. Regardless, it shows a promising start and I'm excited to give it a deep clean and do some more accuracy testing:
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"Speed is the economy of motion" - Scott Jedlinski
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GrapeApe
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Re: Another New One: S&W 17-2 .22 LR

Post by GrapeApe »

Nice score
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CPJ 2.0
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Re: Another New One: S&W 17-2 .22 LR

Post by CPJ 2.0 »

Nice scores
“The shepherd slaughters more of the flock than the wolf ever will.”
Diver43
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Re: Another New One: S&W 17-2 .22 LR

Post by Diver43 »

Another "Nice" one.
JunkCollector
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Re: Another New One: S&W 17-2 .22 LR

Post by JunkCollector »

Nothing wrong with a masterpiece
Now hunt down some wooden grips.
The front sight looks atypical is it a post ?
Wambli Ska
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Re: Another New One: S&W 17-2 .22 LR

Post by Wambli Ska »

Another vote for original wooden grips. I might have to look in my box of "spares" to see what I have.

That is a great acquisition!
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Justsomedude
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Re: Another New One: S&W 17-2 .22 LR

Post by Justsomedude »

Beautiful gun. The picture immediately reminded me of your K-22, even before I read through your post.
Elk Creek
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Re: Another New One: S&W 17-2 .22 LR

Post by Elk Creek »

Well done!!
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Zee
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Re: Another New One: S&W 17-2 .22 LR

Post by Zee »

That’s one I would like. Not enough for the price. But, I want it.

Well done.
Talent hits a target no one else can hit; Genius hits a target no one else can see.
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bullsi1911
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Re: Another New One: S&W 17-2 .22 LR

Post by bullsi1911 »

Very nice! I echo the sentiments of getting some nice grips on it, but it’s still nice the way it is
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sakodude
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Re: Another New One: S&W 17-2 .22 LR

Post by sakodude »

Very nice! I can pass along a set of grips that were gifted to me if you want to brighten it up a bit.
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Re: Another New One: S&W 17-2 .22 LR

Post by sakodude »

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CPJ 2.0
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Re: Another New One: S&W 17-2 .22 LR

Post by CPJ 2.0 »

I thinks you should keeps the rubbers grips.
“The shepherd slaughters more of the flock than the wolf ever will.”
Freezer
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Re: Another New One: S&W 17-2 .22 LR

Post by Freezer »

That is a nice piece! Ya can't have too many 22's. I like the rubber grips, not as pretty as wood but I like them. Getting a gun in that condition is like getting a new girl friend, while you take your time cleaning it up you'll get to know it well and might fall in love.
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Bigslug
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Re: Another New One: S&W 17-2 .22 LR

Post by Bigslug »

Narrow combat trigger too - an extra plus, IMO, but then I pretty much ignore the single action option anymore.

The grips on the right of Sako's photo. . .yeah. . .those. . .
WWJMBD?

I believe we should stand on Ceremony. . . while our friends handcuff the sanctimonious little prick and take him away.
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shotgunshooter3
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Re: Another New One: S&W 17-2 .22 LR

Post by shotgunshooter3 »

sakodude wrote: Wed May 21, 2025 11:55 pm Very nice! I can pass along a set of grips that were gifted to me if you want to brighten it up a bit.
Thanks Sako! While I actually like the goodyears on it, I do think I'll have to take you up on that!
"Speed is the economy of motion" - Scott Jedlinski
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shotgunshooter3
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Re: Another New One: S&W 17-2 .22 LR

Post by shotgunshooter3 »

Thanks everyone! This one is definitely a little rough around the edges, but I think spending some time with a bottle of Hoppes and cleaning supplies will spruce it right up. If that doesn't work, I know a guy ;)

Years ago I bought 10K rounds of rebraded Eley match .22 ammo on closeout, I'm hoping this gun shoots that ammo well. With that said, for "field use" my go-to is CCI Stingers.
"Speed is the economy of motion" - Scott Jedlinski
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shotgunshooter3
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Re: Another New One: S&W 17-2 .22 LR

Post by shotgunshooter3 »

Zee wrote: Wed May 21, 2025 8:30 pm That’s one I would like. Not enough for the price. But, I want it.

Well done.
I went a bit back and forth on the price, but under the grime it looks to be in pretty good shape, and these aren't getting any cheaper, so I decided to go for it.

Absolute worst case, it's a fun project.
"Speed is the economy of motion" - Scott Jedlinski
sakodude
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Re: Another New One: S&W 17-2 .22 LR

Post by sakodude »

shotgunshooter3 wrote: Sat May 24, 2025 3:01 pm
sakodude wrote: Wed May 21, 2025 11:55 pm Very nice! I can pass along a set of grips that were gifted to me if you want to brighten it up a bit.
Thanks Sako! While I actually like the goodyears on it, I do think I'll have to take you up on that!
Let me which set you prefer and I'll set them aside.
Wambli Ska
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Re: Another New One: S&W 17-2 .22 LR

Post by Wambli Ska »

Price was fine. A cleanup will net you over $200 in equity. Them things seem to appreciate weekly on GB, especially the “pinned and recessed” vintage guns.
JunkCollector
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Re: Another New One: S&W 17-2 .22 LR

Post by JunkCollector »

He didn't comment on that front sight.
It doesn't look like a regular Patridge looks like a post one which definitely adds to it..
Curious on the color too if it is.
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shotgunshooter3
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Re: Another New One: S&W 17-2 .22 LR

Post by shotgunshooter3 »

JunkCollector wrote: Sun May 25, 2025 1:58 am He didn't comment on that front sight.
It doesn't look like a regular Patridge looks like a post one which definitely adds to it..
Curious on the color too if it is.
I'm not sure what I'm looking for to determine it. I'll grab some photos. The sight is all black.
"Speed is the economy of motion" - Scott Jedlinski
JunkCollector
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Re: Another New One: S&W 17-2 .22 LR

Post by JunkCollector »

shotgunshooter3 wrote: Sun May 25, 2025 4:03 am
JunkCollector wrote: Sun May 25, 2025 1:58 am He didn't comment on that front sight.
It doesn't look like a regular Patridge looks like a post one which definitely adds to it..
Curious on the color too if it is.
I'm not sure what I'm looking for to determine it. I'll grab some photos. The sight is all black.
It may be my lousy eyes.
A post differs in that there is a colored plastic insert staked in..
I thought I was seeing that on yours.
The middle gun has a yellow post sight
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Bigslug
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Re: Another New One: S&W 17-2 .22 LR

Post by Bigslug »

JunkCollector wrote: Sun May 25, 2025 1:58 am He didn't comment on that front sight.
It doesn't look like a regular Patridge looks like a post one which definitely adds to it..
Curious on the color too if it is.
Not a photo analyst. . .

. . .or do I play one on TV. . .

. . .and I probably haven't even spent enough nights in a Holiday Inn Express. . .

but the photo of the OP seems to have a bit of wide angle fisheye effect with the lens being centered on the revolver. As such, it's showing a good bit of both the front of the rear sight, as well as the rear of the front sight. It's not a true profile view. Might explain things.

A good cleaning will likely tell the tale. Tight guns, dirty .22 ammo, and time will conspire to bind them up, but they are absolutely sexy beasts when in tune. Probably just pulling the front sideplate screw (keep it segregated so it goes back in that same hole) to take out the cylinder for thorough cleaning of it, the extractor, and the crane will make all the difference in the world.
WWJMBD?

I believe we should stand on Ceremony. . . while our friends handcuff the sanctimonious little prick and take him away.
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shotgunshooter3
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Re: Another New One: S&W 17-2 .22 LR

Post by shotgunshooter3 »

sakodude wrote: Thu May 22, 2025 12:20 amIMG_2291.jpeg
Sorry for the delay on this, I'll go with the ones on the right. Thank you!

I recently discovered that a company is making a Tyler T-Grip style adapter (since apparently Tyler is known for cashing checks and not shipping products these days, and originals are going for $125 online), and I have something in mind...

No promises that it might not end up on the rubber again though, in the interest of full disclosure, since its condition lends its use as a field gun.
"Speed is the economy of motion" - Scott Jedlinski
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