S&W M 17-2 K22 Masterpiece

[rainbowbob]

I met a friend here on THR (Catspa) and we've been enjoying lunches and good discussions when he is working in my area. The subject of my wish for a K-frame .22 came up, and it so happens he has one he's willing to part with. He loaned it to me to try out and we agreed we'd do a little research and come up with a fair price if I decide to purchase it. I haven't had a chance to shoot it yet, but I think I've already decided to buy it. It will be a great addition to my K-frame family, much cheaper to practice with, and hopefully I'll get my wife (who has yet to fire a round) to give it a try.

There is a very small bit of rust on the crane, a small scratch on the frame, and it appears somebody used the wrong sized screwdriver on the spring tension screw on the front strap. But it locks up tight, has a sweet trigger, and overall condition appears to be very good.

I posted the following info in the D.O.B thread:

a) .22 LR
b) 6"
c) square
d) 6
e) Adjustable
f) K633074
g) M 17-2

Radagast replied:

The Model 17-2 K22 Masterpiece you are looking at was manufactured in 1965. I can't give you a current price, I suggest you PM SaxonPig, Rcmodel or Old Fuff.

Rather than PM, I thought I'd just put this out there in the hopes that one or more of those worthies would respond - along with anybody else that has an opinion.

I didn't include a photo because (a) I haven't had a chance to clean it up yet and (b) I still haven't figured out how to size pics to properly display in a thread.

I can tell you it will probably clean up to be at least 95% and has what I believe to be the original service stocks (checkered with a raised diamond around the screw).

I've looked in some of the ads and threads and have seen prices ranging from $400 ...to $800


Any idea of a fair market value between friends?

 

[rainbowbob]

*Tap-tap*

Is this thing on?

Thank you, I'll be here all week...tell your friends...and don't forget to tip your waitress!

 

[DickM]

In the condition you describe, the gun would be closer to the lower end of that price range here in Massachusetts. I'd expect to see it listed at somewhere around $500, give or take. I was able to get a 99% 17-3 in the box for $350 a couple years ago, but prices have certainly taken off since then.

 

[Zeke/PA]

I wish that I could find a decent K-22 with a 6 inch barrel.
I had one years ago that I had to part with because of finincial difficulties.
Carried it on the trapline for awhile and late one afternoon I shot a HUGE whitetail doe with the pistol because I desperatly needed the meat.
The trapping season that year was very prosperous but at that particular timeI was snowed in and couldn't make it to a Super Market.

 

[Phydeaux642]

I've seen one model 17 in my area in the last 2 1/2 years and I bought it. It was a 17-8 and I got it for $399 and I thought that was cheap at the time. There is a pre-17 K22 Masterpiece at a shop now for $950 with the gold box that it came in. I left it there.

I'd say between friends, somewhere in the $400-$500 range.

 

[Magnumite]

Revolver prices are going out of sight. I just checked gunbroker and there is a bid for an excellent one for $595 with box, etc.. Seems a little steep to me for a Model number K-22.

There are more, if not looking for the 17-2 model. Some better deals, not much, and some still pricey.

I have a 1948 produced K-22 that I used to use in Hunter's Pistol open sight competition. It did its job well.

 

[oldfool]

I would say $450-$500 based on description stated
I have paid $550 and $600, but one was essentially NIB (maybe/probably unfired), and the other was mighty close to

 

[rainbowbob]

Thanks for all the input so far.

 

[content]

Hello friends and neighbors// The 2010 Standard Catalog of Firearms:
NIB 650/ Exc475 /Vg 300 / g 175

A little low compared to gun store prices around here ,if you can even find one.
1957-1993 manuf.an older one in exc/vg condition would bring slightly more than a 1993 IMHO.

Hope you enjoy it-- sounds great.

 

[CraigC]

Older S&W's are really getting up there. I bit the bullet on a NIB 24-3 six months ago at $850, which would've cost me half that ten years ago. So I would say that $450-$500 is realistic. I'm really glad I got my models 17 and 18 for $265 and $200 when I did but that was 15yrs ago.

 

[Ateam-3]

I can tell you it will probably clean up to be at least 95% and has what I believe to be the original service stocks (checkered with a raised diamond around the screw).

Per your description, it sounds to be in really good shape. I have not seen a 17-2, but comparing it to a couple more recent models (17-3 and 17-4) I have found locally, $450-$550 would realistic here in NC.

 

[paul105]

My dealer would charge $758 plus shipping for a new K22 (not 617) from Davidsons. This is the current S&W production version w/lock. Over the last three years, I've bought 2 "pre 17" k22s -- both had problems that weren't apparent until shot. One (three + years ago) was $500 (shoots great groups, but can't eject spent cases without a hammer), the more recent one was right at $800 (with shipping and transfer fees) and it is the worse of the two (ejects cases fine, but is inacurate and shoots high with rear sight bottomed out) -- color me stupid. If you want a K22 and you have a chance to shoot it, and it is accurate, and works to your satisfaction, GRAB IT. I'd love to run across a bunch of these $400 - $500 K22s -- I'd buy all of them, find out which one(s) shot decent groups and were trouble free and sell the rest.

Seems like I always find the items with hidden problems (Murphy is my constant companion). I would pay a premium for a K22 that I could shoot and it proved to be accurate and functioned flawlessly. You need to figure out what it's worth to you.

Paul

 

[orionengnr]

I bought a 95-ish % 6"er built in 1955 (IIRC) about three years ago. It was a year older than I was, and had held up better
Paid $500 for it.
It was a beauty, and it shot well. Should have kept it, but found an 18-3 and decided I preferred the 4" barrel.
Sold the K-22 for the same price I paid and had no trouble getting it. I would imagine they're getting a bit more these days--how much more, I'm not sure. But in the condition you state, I'd go $500 or so for it.