Model 17 8 3/8”

[Steve Milbocker]

I inherited the model 17 with the 3 Ts from my dad a few years ago. He bought it from a guy that was liquidating his father in law's collection. I haven’t had the chance to actually shoot it much and even then nothing more than a few minutes plinking with it. I’ve often wished it was a six inch. The other day I was holding it along with my full lugged 617 with a 4 inch barrel. It was only slightly more nose heavy and actually holds quite nicely. Maybe once I can devote some serious range time to it I might be glad it has that long barrel. At least I can see the iron sights pretty well.

 

[Driftwood Johnson]

Howdy

I picked up this 8 3/8" Model 17 a few years ago. It is a Model 17, no dash. It shipped in 1963. Notice the Oversized Target Stocks, which are slightly different than yours. These grips are numbered to the gun. Anyway, I much prefer shooting my Model 17-3 with its 6" barrel that I bought brand-spanky new in 1975. I think the 8 3/8" barrel makes the one at the top of the photo too muzzle heavy. For me anyway.

 

[Steve Milbocker]

The 6” is definitely more eye appealing to me. Considering it will probably only be a range gun maybe I’ll get over the aesthetics of the long barrel once I see how it shoots for me.

 

[J-Bar]

I broke my rule about buying only S&Ws with pinned barrels to get this 17-5, made in 1987. It is the best trigger squeeze training revolver I have. I shoot it seated, with my elbows rested on the table. If I am squeezing the trigger properly, I get the classic ragged one hole groups at 15 yards. I have not taken it squirrel hunting. Yet. If and when I do go after tree rats, this is the gun I will take.

 

[Steve Milbocker]

I guess if I were to hunt with it I could carry it in my Ringler Wyoming Holster. It is very versatile as to how it’s worn and is extremely comfortable.

(1.) Wyoming Combination Holster

The Wyoming Combination Holster is designed with comfort and versatility in mind. Comfort, because it contours to the body and is very light weight. Versatility, because it may be worn in 3 different positions. Made only with the highest quality top grain cowhide, the holster is hand-oiled...

ringlercustomleather.com

 

[AzShooter1]

Don't ruin it by putting it in a holster. That's a true collectable. Shoot it once in a while but keep it clean and you will enjoy it more.

 

[Dave DeLaurant]

Can't resist: is that a Smith & Wesson in your pocket or are you just happy to see me?

Neat guns, but I can't recall ever owning a handgun with more than a 6" barrel, except for a T/C Encore .44 Magnum barrel that I shortened to 8".



That's just me though -- those long babies are attractive revolvers!

 

[Steve Milbocker]

Don't ruin it by putting it in a holster. That's a true collectable. Shoot it once in a while but keep it clean and you will enjoy it more.

I will in all likelihood keep it for target shooting. I don’t hunt much these days anyway and very little handgun when I do

 

[Bazoo]

Nice one. I don't particularly like the long barrel, but if I had one, I'd probably leave it along, carry it some, and shoot it a lot. I think handguns look better with a little holster wear.

 

[Riomouse911]

I would like to find an 8 3/8” Model 17 to pair with my 8 3/8” Model 14-4 .38 Spl.



These long-Toms are a challenge to tote around and can be a bit unwieldy in tight quarters, but IMHO they are lot of fun to shoot.

Stay safe.

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

My only 8" is a DW .22 and I think it balances quite nicely-

That said, my 6" M17 is pretty much rimfire perfection-

 

[Gary W. Strange]

Howdy

I picked up this 8 3/8" Model 17 a few years ago. It is a Model 17, no dash. It shipped in 1963. Notice the Oversized Target Stocks, which are slightly different than yours. These grips are numbered to the gun. Anyway, I much prefer shooting my Model 17-3 with its 6" barrel that I bought brand-spanky new in 1975. I think the 8 3/8" barrel makes the one at the top of the photo too muzzle heavy. For me anyway.

I am just asking a question nothing meant by it other than a question. I am big time into S&W, especially the older revolvers, and know S&W did funny things, back in the day. From what I have read and researched on S&W Revolvers from that time, shouldn’t your 63 17 actually be a 17-1? I thought no dash started in 57, going to four screws and -1 started in 61, with the left hand ejector rod threads? Again not meaning anything, just curious how it’s a no dash. I know S&W sold what they had and built from parts on hand. I know also you have forgotten more about S&W than I will ever learn and will have the answer to how it’s a 63 17 no dash.

 

[Gary W. Strange]

My only 8" is a DW .22 and I think it balances quite nicely-View attachment 1183388

That said, my 6" M17 is pretty much rimfire perfection-
View attachment 1183397

I have a 6” 17-2 and like very much, but I have a 18 no dash, 4” barrel and it is my favorite rimfire revolver. 17s and 18s are the nearest rimfire revolvers ever made in my opinion. Nothing points and balances like they do or feels as good shooting.

 

[Gordon]

I have a 6" M17 and an 8 3/8 Model 48 .22Mag . I'm glad the 48 is .8 3/8" and glad the model 17 is 6" . My Grandson just got my Model 18 .22 for Christmas . All were pre 1970 Made .

 

[Pat Riot]

I guess if I were to hunt with it I could carry it in my Ringler Wyoming Holster. It is very versatile as to how it’s worn and is extremely comfortable.

(1.) Wyoming Combination Holster

The Wyoming Combination Holster is designed with comfort and versatility in mind. Comfort, because it contours to the body and is very light weight. Versatility, because it may be worn in 3 different positions. Made only with the highest quality top grain cowhide, the holster is hand-oiled...

ringlercustomleather.com

That is quite a holster. Thank you for posting that link.

—————————————————————-

When I was a senior in High School my Dad bought a K22 with an 8 3/8” barrel. I loved that revolver. With less expensive ammo like Winchester Wild Cat and Remington Yellow Jackets I could sit on the back porch and shoot pennies off a board at 30 yards.
After my Dad passed away my Mom gave that gun to one of my Dad’s friends. She had asked me which of my father’s guns I wanted. I told her the S&W K22. She sent me his High Standard Sentinel Mk IV .22 Magnum with a 2” barrel….Oh well.

Anyway, I searched for one just like it for a long time…or I should say I searched for one I could afford.

About 10 years ago I bought a 17-3. I truly like this revolver. It’s a 6” barreled model. I enjoy shooting it.

 

[halfmoonclip]

I have had trouble with a 7" M41, and see my trembles far too much (Have the same problem with optics).
Realize that, in theory, the long sight radius should make a more accurate iron sighted revolver.
The other issue, with that long barrel, the bullet will be in there a long time. Follow through is essential.
Moon

 

[Driftwood Johnson]

I am just asking a question nothing meant by it other than a question. I am big time into S&W, especially the older revolvers, and know S&W did funny things, back in the day. From what I have read and researched on S&W Revolvers from that time, shouldn’t your 63 17 actually be a 17-1? I thought no dash started in 57, going to four screws and -1 started in 61, with the left hand ejector rod threads? Again not meaning anything, just curious how it’s a no dash. I know S&W sold what they had and built from parts on hand. I know also you have forgotten more about S&W than I will ever learn and will have the answer to how it’s a 63 17 no dash.

The 1963 ship date came from Roy Jinks, the official S&W historian. Specifically he said December of 1963. I don't have the revolver in front of me right now, but if I said it is a no-dash, I'm sure there is no dash number on the frame under the yoke. I just looked it up in the SCSW, and it appears the Model 17-1, with the change of the extractor thread from right to left, started in 1959. I can only tell you what Roy told me about the ship date, and I will pull the revolver out later to verify there is no dash number.

 

[Gary W. Strange]

The 1963 ship date came from Roy Jinks, the official S&W historian. Specifically he said December of 1963. I don't have the revolver in front of me right now, but if I said it is a no-dash, I'm sure there is no dash number on the frame under the yoke. I just looked it up in the SCSW, and it appears the Model 17-1, with the change of the extractor thread from right to left, started in 1959. I can only tell you what Roy told me about the ship date, and I will pull the revolver out later to verify there is no dash number.

I was not doubting or saying it is 63 no dash. I have seen S&Ws that lettered to a date, that didn’t correspond to the dash series they should fall in. Your revolver is just what you say it is. I was wondering how revolvers got out like this. I have never heard it it explained how or why S&W shipped revolvers that should have been in newer dash series, years after the change. My question was, how did a no dash ship 4-5 years after the -1 change. I was in no way questioning or saying your revolver was not a no dash. From you past post on S&W revolvers, I thought you may have an answer to how and why a no dash was shipped years after the change. You know revolvers and certainly know what you are looking at. I was in no way, shape or form saying it is not exactly what it is. Please do not misunderstand what I was asking as saying otherwise. I meant nothing other than how a no dash shipped years after the change.

 

[CajunBass]

Smith and Wesson never necessarily shipped in order of manufacture, at least as I understand it. It's quite possible that a gun, in the box, sort of got shoved to the back of the stack, while newer made ones got shipped. When finally outgoing caught up with incoming, that older gun would have been shipped "out of order" to when it was made.

 

[Driftwood Johnson]

The only official dates S&W keeps are shipping dates, which is what Roy told me. Notice that is what I said, that particular revolver shipped in 1963. The information in the Standard Catalog of Smith and Wesson regarding dash numbers is based on when revolvers were manufactured. As stated, a shipping date may not agree with the date a particular revolver was manufactured.

 

[Gary W. Strange]

The only official dates S&W keeps are shipping dates, which is what Roy told me. Notice that is what I said, that particular revolver shipped in 1963. The information in the Standard Catalog of Smith and Wesson regarding dash numbers is based on when revolvers were manufactured. As stated, a shipping date may not agree with the date a particular revolver was manufactured.

I have seen revolvers that shipped after a change to a different dash change. I was wondering if they were just revolvers put together from parts or if they may be a 4 screw frame, with the new ejector rod threads. It would be interesting to know what the story is on revolvers like yours.

 

[Driftwood Johnson]

OK, I looked up the serial number in SCSW. My 8 3/8" Model 17 no dash was made in 1960. No, it was not an old 4 screw frame, it is a 3 screw frame. I think the reason it did not ship until 1963 is that there was not a whole lot of demand for the 8 3/8" revolvers. So it probably sat in stock for three years until it shipped. I have not lettered it, I simply have a relationship with Roy where he will tell me when a revolver shipped, without paying for a letter. Pretty simple really, it is not unusual for a revolver to sit in stock for some time until it ships, according to the demand at the time.