Would You Buy This S&W?

[Phydeaux642]

I was in a local sporting goods store today and they have a S&W 22, model of 1917 in nickel. It has the dreaded lock and it's nickel, neither of which I'm terribly fond of. The thing is, it's on clearance for $549. They have a case colored one for $649. I'm not sure why anyone would put a S&W on clearance, but it is. Would any of you buy it at this price? Or would you let it go and get an older one down the road.

 

[Oro]

I saw the same gun (basically) at my FFL's table at the last show two weeks ago at a similar price. It was a 22 in nickel (4" one, not the 1917) and it was $569 or $579. I thought about it for quite a while.

I think even at that price I could not tolerate the looks of the lock and that the factory grips fit like junk - I just don't see how Altamont and S&W can't get it together to somehow make the wood fit the steel... The problem was the grips were too small for the frame, and I couldn't even go home and fit them and refinish them. Most of the modern "Classics" I have seen have had wood that fit very poorly, and certainly not commensurate with the price of the gun.

At $550, nickel, and a lifetime warranty, and if the grips actually fit well, you do have to be tempted. I'd maybe do it, drill/tap the lock hole and put in a pretty blue or nickel screw and make it go away.

 

[Confederate]

As much as it would pain me to buy a revolver of that type for that much, I think guns are going to increase in value, plus they'll keep up with inflation. Never thought that we'd be seeing these types of prices, but if you want a revolver, I don't know where else you might get one (unless you find a Model 63 somewhere).

I'd buy the nickel one.

 

[woad_yurt]

Why not get an original one? I did. I'd much rather have the genuine article with the history attached. When I got mine, there were 5-6 others on Gunbroker from which to choose. They're usually priced similar to the re-issues.

 

[Oro]

Why not get an original one?

Because this is less than 1/2 the price of similar condition original now. And as Confederate said, it will go up in value. And it comes with a lifetime warranty. So there are reasons to consider it.

 

[Landric]

What are you going to use it for?

The lock is ugly, but its really only a safety issue on defense guns. I have a 21-4 with the IL that I use for IDPA. I haven't disabled the lock yet (though I probably will). Even if I don't, the worst that happens with a lock failure is a bad stage. Other than the lock, I'm pretty impressed with the gun. I'd like to get a 22-4 also (can't use the 1917 in IDPA, barrel is too long).

It all depends on your intended use of the gun, that is an excellent price.