Looking to pick up a 22 LR revolver. The trooper and S&W 17 has caught my eye. I’m completely new to revolvers. So any help or recommendations will be appreciated! I would like something that has a little nostalgic value, something that I’ll be proud to own.
Colt trooper or S&W 17
- Thread starter ezee
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Riomouse911
Member
Love my 17-3. It's an amazing piece of machinery; accurate, easy to shoot, plenty of grip options and it can be fixed if something goes wrong just about anywhere. 
I've never had a Trooper, only an Officer's Model Heavy Barrel .38 made in the 1930's. I do know that with older Colt's they, too are amazing pieces of machinery but it can be tough to find a gunsmith if something goes South.
Stay safe.
I've never had a Trooper, only an Officer's Model Heavy Barrel .38 made in the 1930's. I do know that with older Colt's they, too are amazing pieces of machinery but it can be tough to find a gunsmith if something goes South.
Stay safe.
unspellable
Member
I have both the S&W 17 and the Trooper. Troopers in 22 LR are rather scarce and will command collector's prices. The trooper is a bit bigger and heavirer than the S&W. You might like lighter or heavier while aiming. Recoil is a non-issue with either.
Pat Riot
Contributing Member
I have a 17-3 as well. It has a 6” barrel. It’s an accurate revolver with a variety of different .22 LR ammunition. It’s a pleasure to shoot and as @Riomouse911 said there are lots of grip options as well as holsters.
I have no experience with the Colt Trooper.
I have no experience with the Colt Trooper.
NIGHTLORD40K
Member
I have both the 17 and an Officers Model Match .22, basically the same as a 1st Gen Trooper (not the Mk3, that is a totally different gun).
Both are 6" and equipped with the optional Target grips and hammers. The 17 has an optional Target trigger, but Colt didnt offer one. Both have fully adjustable micro-click sights, with excellent sight pictures. There are 17s and Troopers out there with smaller "Service" or "Magna" grips, and standard, thin hammers and triggers. Something to pay attention to, if it matters to you.
The Colt has a slightly lighter, smoother DA pull, both have excellent SA triggers. The Colt is heavier, as it is built on the beefier Colt "E/I" frame- same as the Python. The 17 is built on the S&W medium K-frame. Both are plenty strong for the task.
In my hands, the Smith edges out the Colt in the accuracy department, but only just- both are VERY accurate target revolvers. You may notice the extra bulk of the Colt after a few strings of slow fire.
Assuming both are in perfect condition, the Colt will probably command a somewhat higher price. Both are great guns, but if I could only have one it would be the M17.
That said, if a clean Trooper comes your way for a reasonable sum, snag it. You wont be disappointed either way.
Both are 6" and equipped with the optional Target grips and hammers. The 17 has an optional Target trigger, but Colt didnt offer one. Both have fully adjustable micro-click sights, with excellent sight pictures. There are 17s and Troopers out there with smaller "Service" or "Magna" grips, and standard, thin hammers and triggers. Something to pay attention to, if it matters to you.
The Colt has a slightly lighter, smoother DA pull, both have excellent SA triggers. The Colt is heavier, as it is built on the beefier Colt "E/I" frame- same as the Python. The 17 is built on the S&W medium K-frame. Both are plenty strong for the task.
In my hands, the Smith edges out the Colt in the accuracy department, but only just- both are VERY accurate target revolvers. You may notice the extra bulk of the Colt after a few strings of slow fire.
Assuming both are in perfect condition, the Colt will probably command a somewhat higher price. Both are great guns, but if I could only have one it would be the M17.
That said, if a clean Trooper comes your way for a reasonable sum, snag it. You wont be disappointed either way.
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Riomouse911
Member
I have both the 17 and an Officers Model Match .22, basically the same as a 1st Gen Trooper (not the Mk3, that is a totally different gun).
View attachment 979540
View attachment 979541
Both are 6" and equipped with the optional Target grips and hammers. The 17 has an optional Target trigger, but Colt didnt offer one. Both have fully adjustable micro-click sights, with excellent sight pictures. There are 17s and Troopers out there with smaller "Service" or "Magna" grips, and standard, thin hammers and triggers. Something to pay attention to, if it matters to you.
The Colt has a slightly lighter, smoother DA pull, both have excellent SA triggers. The Colt is heavier, as it is built on the beefier Colt "I" frame- same as the Python. The 17 is built on the S&W medium K-frame. Both are plenty strong for the task.
In my hands, the Smith edges out the Colt in the accuracy department, but only just- both are VERY accurate target revolvers. You may notice the extra bulk of the Colt after a few strings of slow fire.
Assuming both are in perfect condition, the Colt will probably command a somewhat higher price. Both are great guns, but if I could only have one it would be the M17.
That said, if a clean Trooper comes your way for a reasonable sum, snag it. You wont be disappointed either way.
Nightlord40K, is the Colt .22 you have on the same frame as their .38’s? If so, the officers model I have is a little bit heftier than the K frames are.
S&W Model 17-3, Colt Officers Model Heavy Barrel, S&W 14-3.
Stay safe.
NIGHTLORD40K
Member
The Trooper, Official Police, Officers Model, Army Special, and Python are all built on the same medium-largish "E/I" frame. They are the same frame except the E-frames had the firing pin on the hammer, and the "I" moved it internally to the frame. Colt chose to keep the hammer-mounted firing pin on the .22 versions even after switching the others to frame-mounted. Pythons are all "I" frames because they all had the pin in the frame.
Confusingly, the Mk3 Colts are built on the similarly sized, but totally different Colt J-frame, redesigned to accept sintered and cast internal parts and be easier to assemble.
The Mk. 3 Trooper was available as a .22.
Then of course, there is the Diamondback, which looks like a Python, but is assembled on the much smaller "D" frame, same as the Detective Special and Police Positive. These are also available as .22s.
The M17 is built on S&Ws mid-sized K-frame, same as the M10, 14, 15, and 19 (among many others).
Interestingly, S&W used a frame-mounted FP for the rimfire M17 long before making the change to any of the centerfire K-frames, the opposite of Colts practice.
In some cases, the .22s are heavier than their .38/.357 frame-mates because the manufacturer simply drilled smaller holes in the same barrel and cylinder blanks (Colt, usually), leaving behind more metal. S&W provided a slimmer barrel profile for the 17 as compared to the 14, helping to keep the weight down.
Confusingly, the Mk3 Colts are built on the similarly sized, but totally different Colt J-frame, redesigned to accept sintered and cast internal parts and be easier to assemble.
The Mk. 3 Trooper was available as a .22.
Then of course, there is the Diamondback, which looks like a Python, but is assembled on the much smaller "D" frame, same as the Detective Special and Police Positive. These are also available as .22s.
The M17 is built on S&Ws mid-sized K-frame, same as the M10, 14, 15, and 19 (among many others).
Interestingly, S&W used a frame-mounted FP for the rimfire M17 long before making the change to any of the centerfire K-frames, the opposite of Colts practice.
In some cases, the .22s are heavier than their .38/.357 frame-mates because the manufacturer simply drilled smaller holes in the same barrel and cylinder blanks (Colt, usually), leaving behind more metal. S&W provided a slimmer barrel profile for the 17 as compared to the 14, helping to keep the weight down.
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BLACKHAWKNJ
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My favorite revolver is my Colt Trooper .357, if I saw a 22 I'd buy it in a minute. The older Colt action is somwhat trickier to work on as noted. I find I prefer the heft of the Colt E/I frame over the S&W K-frame.
J-Bar
Member
What a delightful choice! One cannot go wrong, assuming both revolvers are in good condition. Don’t lose sleep on this one, and shoot the blazes out of the one you buy!
SwampWolf
Member
Smith & Wesson made it a point to have their K-frame, "Masterpiece" target revolvers (whether chambered in .22 rimfires or .32 or .38 Special centerfires) to weigh, handle and feel the same (variations in the barrel rib dimensions helped make this possible). Great, classic revolvers all.
P5 Guy
Member
S&W 17
bannockburn
Member
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Between the two guns mentioned I would go with a S&W Model 17. Definitely one of the all-time classic .22 target revolvers.
Thanks to all. I’m at the point of the more research I do the more confused I am! LOL. More research will take care of that I’m sure.
As i work thru this process more and more models made by both manufacturers come into play. Colt troopers, trooper mark 3, diamondback, S&W 17, 18, 617 etc. just to name a few.
I appreciate all your responses and will continue my research until I’m comfortable enough to make a decision.
Again, I’m a simi-auto guy so I’m complete new and ignorant when it comes to revolvers.
As i work thru this process more and more models made by both manufacturers come into play. Colt troopers, trooper mark 3, diamondback, S&W 17, 18, 617 etc. just to name a few.
I appreciate all your responses and will continue my research until I’m comfortable enough to make a decision.
Again, I’m a simi-auto guy so I’m complete new and ignorant when it comes to revolvers.
ColtPythonElite
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- 10,477
A MK III isn't a bad choice.
Jim Watson
Member
I have a S&W .22 Combat Masterpiece, same thing except 4" barrel.
A friend dotes on his Colt OMT, which is less common in the market.
Hard to imagine doing without a good .22 revolver... and auto.
A friend dotes on his Colt OMT, which is less common in the market.
Hard to imagine doing without a good .22 revolver... and auto.
Mosin Bubba
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I have a Smith 617 that might as well be a laser beam.
SwampWolf
Member
Those classic target revolvers developed for serious Bullseye competition, be they Colts or Smith & Wessons, were expected to deliver groups flirting with the x-ring @ fifty yards-and that was by shooting offhand with one hand.
Our club owned Colt OMM went out of timing at around 60,000 rounds. Parts to repair a Colt are harder to find each year and it is much easier to find S&W parts and accessories and a K-22 will most likely not have end shake or timing problems before the ammo cost has made the owner broke. While that is unimportant for the collector, a high volume shooter has to keep that in mind.
ArkieVol
Member
I've been shooting S&W 17's (K 22's) forever and have three of them...fine guns, classics.
I know nothing about Colt double actions but picked this one up at my dealers one day when I was buying a different gun. He asked if I'd be interested in this Colt too. It looked unfired, not a scratch on it and it looked like a quality gun so I figured for $350 I could probably get my money back. Have never shot it so no comment there but it weighs a ton so should be a steady shooter. Found the date from the serial #Y208xx, no box.
I know nothing about Colt double actions but picked this one up at my dealers one day when I was buying a different gun. He asked if I'd be interested in this Colt too. It looked unfired, not a scratch on it and it looked like a quality gun so I figured for $350 I could probably get my money back. Have never shot it so no comment there but it weighs a ton so should be a steady shooter. Found the date from the serial #Y208xx, no box.
tbob38
Member
You are considering some fine revolvers, but if you like Ruger, they have some .22's also. I have a very nice SP01 8 shot .22.
I decided on a S&W 17 or pre-lock 617. Whichever one that I can find first that’s in great shape. Love the colts also but I’m a little concerned about future parts availability and even finding a qualified gunsmith if ever needed.
Now just have to find one!!!
Thanks for all the help. Appreciated!
Now just have to find one!!!
Thanks for all the help. Appreciated!
WestKentucky
Member
Another choice to throw into the fray, Dan Wesson is pretty well known for the swap-barrel revolvers in 38 caliber. There are other calibers including 22LR and it would be hard to give anybody the edge over the others if considering Colt, S&W, DW, or Ruger. The DW 22s seem to go for about 1/2 to 2/3 what a S&W 617 goes for, and short of name recognition you get an equal gun, and the swappable barrel feature lets you put whatever tube you want on it.
Just don’t outbid me.
Just don’t outbid me.
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