Saint Dennis
Member
I see Smith and Wesson Custom shop sells a M17-3. How do these compare to an original? Do K38 Masterpieces come up for sale?
New model 17-3
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rcmodel
Member in memoriam
IMO: They don't compare in finish, looks, or trigger.
(Although they are probably just as accurate.)
Old ones are for sale everywhere, and that's what you should seek out.
http://www.gunbroker.com/Revolvers/BI.aspx?Keywords=17
rc
(Although they are probably just as accurate.)
Old ones are for sale everywhere, and that's what you should seek out.
http://www.gunbroker.com/Revolvers/BI.aspx?Keywords=17
rc
rcmodel
Member in memoriam
But you would consider paying $989 MSRP for a new repro?
rc
rc
Saint Dennis
Member
Thanks for the link. I did a search on gun broker and came up with a fraction that you did. I would much prefer an original, but with my search skills, I thought they were harder to find. That no-dash is exactly what fills my dreams. Now if there was a K38 with it.....
red rick
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Not at all , I would not buy a new one .
Driftwood Johnson
Member
Howdy
Where does it say they are making a Model 17-3? I see they are making what they call the Model 17 Masterpiece. Is it the same as the originals? Well, just from the photos I can see it has that milled on piece on the frame that takes the place of the old stud that kept the cylinder from falling off, and I can see it has the lock too. I dunno but I'll bet it is built with MIM parts too.
I bought this 17-3 brand-spanky new in 1975. Not to rub it in, but it cost $125 in 1975 dollars. If you hunt, you should be able to find one for a reasonable price. I see them all the time at gun shows, and they are definitely less than $989.
Saint Dennis
Member
See, that is the kind of gun porn that gets me in trouble ;-)
Hoppes Love Potion
Member
You can get a shooter grade M17 for around $500 and one in near mint condition for $700 - $750. They are very fine revolvers and will provide a lifetime of enjoyment.
Driftwood Johnson
Member
Howdy
The original name of the K-22 was K-22 Outdoorsman, or K-22 1st Model. It was produced from 1931 until 1940. The K-22 Outdoorsman had a thin tapered barrel with no rib on top.
The K-22 Outdoorsman had the old style adjustable rear sight with two small screws, one on either side. You loosened one screw, then pushed the sight over with the other screw, then you snugged up the first screw against the new position of the rear sight. You needed a tiny little screw driver to do this.
Front sight was a Patridge front sight, often with the inlayed bead of the Call sight.
The K-22 Masterpiece, or K-22 2nd Model was only produced from 1940 until 1941, WWII interrupted its production. There were only 1067 of them produced. The K-22 Masterpiece used the new Micrometer rear sight, just like today, and had a shorter action. The Micrometer rear sight has just one screw on the right side and you don't need a tiny screwdriver to adjust it.
The K-22 Masterpiece Post War, 3rd Model started production in 1946. Early ones had a slightly tapered barrel and a narrow rib running along the top of the barrel. Later ones had a full width rib and a heavy barrel with no taper.
In 1957 the K-22 Masterpiece became the Model 17. Early ones were five screws. This 17-3 was made in 1975. Three screws, short action, heavy barrel, full rib, Micrometer rear sights.
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The K-38 was a further development of the Military and Police Target Model. Five Screws, same tiny rear sight as the K-22 Outdoorsman.
K-38 Target Masterpiece was introduced in 1946. The Micrometer rear sight was standard. This one has a thin barrel rib and the 'speed hammer'.
In 1957 the K-38 Target Masterpiece became the Model 14. This one is from the 1970s.
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