S&W Model 17 vs Colt Officer vs Single 6

[Mosin77]

I’m thinking about getting a better .22 revolver. I currently have an old hi standard that’s pretty rough, shoots high, and DA gives light strikes about 30% of the time… so, in the “life’s too short to put up with this” vein, I’m thinking of picking up something nicer.

Local options available include a single 6 convertible from 1973, a Colt Officers model from 1938, and a model 17-3 (I think) in stock right now. The Ruger will set me back a few hundred, the other two will be quite a bit more. I shot the Colt yesterday and it was very nice but I’ve always heard these are mechanically finicky. I tried to shoot the Single 6 but after I got to the range I realized it had the 22 mag cylinder installed because my empties didn’t want to eject and had a few split cases. I didn’t get to shoot the model 17. I have a model 14 and it’s a nice gun, however. I once tried to shoot a model 17 and the hammer spit literally broke off on the first shot… freak accident probably? I think I’m leaning toward one of the swing-out cylinder guns unless consensus is that the SA ruger is so much fun that I would be foolish to pass it up. It did seem to have a different hammer cocking dynamic than the colt when shooting in SA mode.

Thoughts?

 

[chicharrones]

Model 17 over the Single Six all day long if accuracy is your thing. Single Six over the 17 if SAA replicas are your thing.

K-frame DA/SA S&Ws just have a superior hammer/trigger design. The Single Six can be made to have a light trigger, but it can't get away from the long and heavy hammer swing with such a relatively long lock time. You can feel the difference in time before the hammer drops between the two guns. The S&W is like a quick snap, the Ruger is like a snaaaaaap and it hits heavier at the end which can cause more gun movement.

I will say the Ruger Single Six does make a great trainer for improving a shooter's follow through.

I can't comment on the classic Colt.

 

[J-Bar]

I own two S&W Model 17s, one Model 18, one Model 43. The Colts I owned previously have gone to other homes. So you know how I vote.

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

I have the Colt and S&W. They are both nice, but the M17 is darn near perfect. They are not known for mechanical failures, but dry-firing any .22 is a bad idea and can lead to breakage.

Neither of my Single Sixes was particularly accurate, and they were a bit of a pain to load/unload since the cylinder doesnt time up to the ejector rod.

 

[Pudge]

I love my Single Six. It is accurate and helps me focus on fundamentals, and has made me a better shooter with everything else. But I love S&W K frames. I had a Model 19 that was so easy to shoot. I don't have a Colt or S&W .22, and I love my Single Six, but I really do wish I had a K frame in .22.

 

[Mark_Mark]

Get them ALL!!! that’s my plan. Then you will never wonder what was better!!!

What about Colt Scout .22?

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

Get them ALL!!! that’s my plan. Then you will never wonder what was better!!!

What about Colt Scout .22?

The Frontier Scout was an inexpensive and rather low-quality gun, mostly constructed of cast zinc. It was made on German tooling and sold under a number of brand names including Erma and FIE. Indeed, the Heritage Rough Rider is derived from the same design.

Now, the New Frontier is a wholly different gun and an excellent, well-made SA.

 

[Mark_Mark]

The Frontier Scout was an inexpensive and rather low-quality gun, mostly constructed of cast zinc. It was made on German tooling and sold under a number of brand names including Erma and FIE. Indeed, the Heritage Rough Rider is derived from the same design.

Now, the New Frontier is a wholly different gun and an excellent, well-made SA.

I’ll start a new thread! got qustions

 

[Mosin77]

Talked to a buddy, he’s gonna let me play with his Ruger wrangler for an extended amount of time, which is great since it’ll let me know if I really like the single 6 style action or not. As far as I can tell except for the fact that one’s made of pot metal they’re pretty similar in overall feel/ergos/etc. I’m sceptical about the loading and unloading process. My old Nagant is a pain. Seems like swing out cylinder is probably the way to go, especially for little .22 cases.

So I think I’ll cross the Ruger off the list since those aren’t hard to find if I want one later.

Vintage Colt vs Vintage S&W. The K frame in general seems to fit my hand a little better so I’m kinda leaning S&W at the moment. But man, that Colt just has this aura of sophisticated intricacy….

I have small hands. The Colt feels ok but DA is a reach and there’s a lot of metal checkering. My model 14 has “standard” square grips and I always feel like my hand slips up to the top. I tried a model 19 the other day that had extra large S&W grips (target grips?) and it surprisingly felt pretty good. Maybe I need to get a model 17 and find some different stocks for it…

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

Factory Target and Service (Colt) or Magna (S&W) grips are available for both, as well as a whole host of aftermarket options.

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

I’ll start a new thread! got qustions

We did a pretty exhaustive thread on it with a lot of good info a couple years ago- Ill see if I can find and link it.

Here ya go-
https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/colt-frontier-scout-yea-or-nea.855200/

 

[James K2020]

I like my pre-warning Ruger Single Six plenty, but it doesn't compete with my K-22 especially if you get one with 3 Ts.
Love Colt OMs and currently looking for one in .22 (have 2 post-war in .38 special, one Target, one Match).
A pre-war Colt OM is hard to turn down if it's in good condition.
FWIW, my Colt Official Police in .22 is very finicky with ammo-only likes Winchester Wildcat in DA for some reason. All other ammo I've tried is mostly FTFs in DA. Plus the trigger is very stiff in DA. Wears my finger out after just a few cylinders. SA is good, though.

 

[Dave DeLaurant]

I'd personally lean toward the S&W.

When it comes to single action rimfire revolvers, the only one I've actually hung onto is an Uberti/Interarms Virginian. There's no good reason for it being exceptionally accurate, but it just is -- it shoots much tighter groups than either of the Single Sixes or the Bearcat I've owned at different times. I paid very little for mine used, but good luck finding another one like it.

 

[joed]

I have a 1930 Colt Officers Target in .22 rf. The gun is extremely accurate and I take it to the range as often as I can. I did have a S&W model 17 for awhile. Nice gun but it didn't shoot straight, the rear sight was cranked as far as it would go to make it shoot where it was pointed. Sold it fairly quickly and bought a model 18. The 18 is one of my favorites.

 

[Tallball]

My Single Six is very nice, but my K22 (pre 617) is normally more accurate. I've not owned one of the Colts.

The S&W has slightly larger sights and more grip to hold onto than the Single Six.

 

[tubeshooter]

I have no experience with Colt, and haven't really shot the other two enough to compare between them. But I will say that if the Model 17 is any good at all, it will be worth the money. Hopefully they are not asking too much.

It's true that you can get a Single Six without too much trouble - but it's harder than it was 10 years ago. Same for any Ruger single action nowadays outside of a Wrangler.


Main thing is - how much better of a gun would it be than your H&R Standard? Based on that, frankly I think any of them would be a step up if you are dealing with 30% light strikes in DA. That would really suck the joy out of things for me personally.

 

[CraigC]

For me, I started with a Uberti Virginian .22 so a good single action like the Old Model Single Six is always going to be the favorite. I've had this one roughly 23yrs now and it's seen more rounds than anything else.



Seems like I should have more than four of them.



I've also done a lot of shooting and hunting with the K22. It's just not quite as near and dear.



My lone Colt .22 is a Police Positive Target that has seen the least amount of use.

 

[Thomas Mayberry]

I have a K-22 and a single six, no experience with the Colt. The K-22 is distinctly more accurate but the single six is no slouch. I'm keeping both as they each give me pleasure in their own way.

 

[Dave DeLaurant]

Seems like I should have more than four of them.

Nice pix Craig!

 

[Driftwood Johnson]

I once tried to shoot a model 17 and the hammer spit literally broke off on the first shot… freak accident probably?

"Hammer Spit"? Do you mean the hammer spur, which is the way you cock it for single action shooting? If that is what broke, it is the first time I have ever heard of it happening.

Here is a comparison photo of a Colt Officer's Model 22 Target revolver at the top of the photo that shipped in 1935 vs a S&W K-22 Masterpiece that shipped in 1950 at the bottom of the photo. The Model 17-3 is basically the same gun, but it has a bull barrel and a wider rib on top of the barrel. First off, the Colt is a little bit larger and heavier than the Smith. Notice too, the rear sight of the Colt is only adjustable for windage by drifting the sight to one side or the other with a small punch and small hammer. There is no screw to adjust for windage. The front sight of the Colt is adjustable for elevation by using a small screw at the front of the sight. Windage and elevation with the Smith are both done with the rear sight, using a screw driver.






Here is the small screw at the front of the front sight for adjusting elevation with the Colt.






The Colt firing pin is integral with the hammer. Smith and Wesson 22 caliber rimfire revolvers have had spring loaded, frame mounted firing pins for many years.






The V shaped hammer spring in the Colt can be troublesome, and I have read the Colt can go out of time easily, although this one is fine.






I bought my S&W Model 17-3 brand-spanky new in 1975 and it has served me well all these years. Notice the large screw for adjusting the rear sight for windage. The elevation screw is on top of the rear sight. Notice the non-tapered barrel as opposed to the slight taper on the K-22 Masterpiece pictured above.






Clearly I am a Smith and Wesson man, my Model 17-3 is on the left in this photo. Next is the K-22 Masterpiece pictured above, two K-22 Outdoorsmen, and a K-22 Combat Masterpiece.






This Model 19-3 has what were known as Oversized Target grips. Probably what you were talking about on the Model 19 you fired.






Ruger Single Sixes are great revolvers, but they are definitely slower to load than a revolver with a swing out barrel. These three are old Three Screw Rugers, the rear sights on the two on the left are drift adjustable for windage, the one on the right has an adjustable rear sight.






The Ruger Wrangler is a low cost variation of the Single Six, not worth my time to bother owning one.

 

[SwampWolf]

I once tried to shoot a model 17 and the hammer spit literally broke off on the first shot… freak accident probably?

Very "freakish"; I can't imagine how it happened. Even sustained dry-firing shouldn't cause the hammer to "split". That said, I'd still recommend a da Smith or Colt revolver over a single-action if you're serious about shooting paper targets and accuracy is a priority. Otherwise, it's a toss-up imo and a good sa revolver is a lot of fun to "plink" or hunt with.

 

[Gordon]

I’ll start a new thread! got qustions

It's true what said. In 1968 0r 7o Colt rectified that with a beautiful all steel Peacemaker and New Frontier Scout with and without adjustable sights. I think they were discontinued in late 70s and just started importing the rebranded Zamac ones. Interestingly the first two years of the "Frontier" Scouts had no finish and were made of decent but unanodized "Alcoa" aluminum .
The K frame !7 is the best choice for long term modern ammo serviceablity and most likely accuracy . The Colts can be extremely accurate but almost no one is around to service them and no parts. Also I have problems with Colt target .22s , mostly pre war ones "gunking up " in shooting sessions. At least when K frame finally do that you can fairly easily clean them and lots of parts around for them still.

 

[Pat Riot]

I have an S&W model 17. I had a Ruger Single Six. I have no experience with Colts, they have never interested me. Well, except for the Detective Special.

My Ruger Single Six was a convertible. Very accurate with .22 Magnum. .22 LR accuracy was so-so. I bought it because I was looking for an accurate.22 LR SA. I like single action center fire revolvers but for some reason rimfire SA’s just don’t appeal to me.

I thoroughly enjoy my S&W model 17-3 as well as my 63. The 63 is a fun gun. The 17 is very accurate and easy to load, shoot and unload. It has a 6” barrel. When I first bought it I didn’t like the Patridge front sight. I learned to appreciate it very much. This gun is so easy to shoot well and it is very accurate with a variety of .22 LR ammunition. CCI Stinger, CCI Velocitor, every variation of Aguila Super Extra, Federal Champion blue box, Remington Golden Bullet all shoot accurately. The most accurate is CCI Standard Velocity. It shoots the CCI SV better than expensive match ammo like Eley and Federal Gold Medal Match.

My choice of your 3 options is, obviously, the S&W 17.

 

[Mosin77]

Seems like the recommendations are almost overwhelmingly for the 17!

I took a closer look. It’s a 17-2, and the finish isn’t perfect, definitely plenty of light scratches and a few little rust spots. They want $500. The Colt is $750 and has some scratches on the cylinder and a buggered screw. I’m thinking I’ll go for the S&W.

 

[PistoleroWadcutterGANG]

5 screw / pre-17 every single time.