S&W 17-8 at the Range Today

[Normandy]

My shooting buddy has just acquired a S&W 17-8, in new condition. With a 5 1/2 inch barrel and narrow rubber grips, it was a joy to shoot. And the 10-round cylinder was nice!

Shooting a variety of .22LR ammo, it was always accurate, and groups were tight.

We shot .38s, 9mm, .32s, and a couple of rifles, but we both kept coming back to the 10-shot revolver.

Not a glamorous gun, all black finish, with black rubber grips. But what a precision made pistol! It's now on my "gotta have" list.

 

[Hoppes Love Potion]

The barrel should be 6", measured from the front of the cylinder to the muzzle.

The current 10-shot S&W revolver is the model 617, similar to the Model 17 but in stainless steel. I believe they are all 10-shot cylinders now, with a choice of 4", 6", or 8-3/8" barrels with full underlugs. Many consider the 4" to be well-balanced and the 6" to be too muzzle heavy.

 

[Normandy]

You're right, I'm sure. I didn't measure the barrel, just estimated. I guess the full under lug makes it appear a tad shorter to my eye.

This is definitely an all-black 17-8. But I've seen 17-9 models in 6-round. Look at Gunbroker now. I would have thought that all later ones would be 10-round. And check out the prices they're going for!

I didn't notice any muzzle heaviness during my time with the 17. I was just so fascinated with its accuracy.

 

[swopjan]

I knew the 617's, or at least some of them, held ten rounds. Didn't know any of the 17's did.

I've got a blue 17-5, it gets a lot of compliments at the range from people who regret selling one way back in the day It probably gets more range time than any of my other guns. What's not to love about a big .22 caliber revolver with a wonderful smooth DA trigger?