My road back into handguns

[Buckterrier]

I was given this beautiful handgun as a gift for Christmas. It is a S&W model 17. Serial # dates it to 1958 or 59'. Have yet for fire it yet but maybe tomorrow, (just had knee scoped yesterday, chillin' today). I ordered a set of Hogue grips and they came in today. So I cleaned her up and installed. I forgot how rewarding it is just to clean a handgun. Yeah she's a .22 but I understand the model 17 is a very accurate gun. Without further ado...

[legion]

Sorry, I like the old wooden grips better.

I have my grandfather's old Model 67. He had the grips shaved and shaped to his hand. Lucky for me, I must have his hands because it fits me like a glove.

[9dreizig]

Slippery slope Mark,, can I invite you out hunting with me yet ?? LOL
How's the knee ??

[Rot 911]

I agree, those wood grips are nice!

[Buckterrier]

Originally Posted by legion

Sorry, I like the old wooden grips better.

I have my grandfather's old Model 67. He had the grips shaved and shaped to his hand. Lucky for me, I must have his hands because it fits me like a glove.

No worries. The wood grips do give a gun the classic look. My model 29 came with wood combat grips but were a bit big for my hands. I put Hogues on it also. I like the look and feel of the Hogues and they fit my hand very good, a bit of a sinister look also

Originally Posted by 9dreizig

Slippery slope Mark,, can I invite you out hunting with me yet ?? LOL
How's the knee ??

You bet Todd! We can hunt Skeet, Tramps, Paper targets, . You know I'm not the hunter gatherer type But certainly enjoy target shooting. Yeah it is ANOTHER slippery slope for sure.
The knees been torn for over a year. Figured I'd get it sewed up since I had some time off. Just a torn maniscus. Not even taking the pain meds. Thanks for asking.

[on2wheels52]

I'm thinking all the 17's I've seen had a patridge front sight, could it be an 18 instead? But then they didn't normally come as a 6".
I vote to leave the wood on also.
Jim

[porsche4life]

I think I'd shoot it with the Hogues and save the wood for looking pretty....



Purdy spoon in either form... Hard to not like a wheel gun....

[Buckterrier]

Originally Posted by on2wheels52

I'm thinking all the 17's I've seen had a patridge front sight, could it be an 18 instead? But then they didn't normally come as a 6".
I vote to leave the wood on also.
Jim

I did some investigation on the S&W forum and posted the question. I only saw one other with this type of front sight and it didn't even have the red insert. Tabs says it's the original. Someone else on the S&W forum thinks it's been changed. No matter.
Interesting thoughts on the grips.

Originally Posted by porsche4life

I think I'd shoot it with the Hogues and save the wood for looking pretty....
Purdy spoon in either form... Hard to not like a wheel gun....

+1 In fact when I was checking the serial number I took the grips off. Although being careful a small chip broke off by the trigger guard. I was able to use my carpenters glue on it. Fit right back in place and clamped it. All's good. I'm thinking after 50+ years the wood must be dried and brittle. A little Murphy's oil soap?
Thanks, she is purdy!

[m21sniper]

Originally Posted by legion

Sorry, I like the old wooden grips better.

I have my grandfather's old Model 67. He had the grips shaved and shaped to his hand. Lucky for me, I must have his hands because it fits me like a glove.

The wood grips looked nicer, but those rubber Hogue Monogrips are sooooo comfortable and ergonomic.

The fancy wood hogue monogrips are to die for.

[Buckterrier]

Passed the safety course this evening (basically you passed if you didn't shoot the instructor, lol.
Here's my target, 50 feet out. Was using a Rossi .22 revolver, and an MKII pistol. Not to to shabby for not shooting in 10 years or so. So now the road on getting a carry permit.

[Rick Lee]

I have rubber grips on a lot of handguns, but don't really see the need on a .22, which had just about zero recoil. I have Pachmayers on my S&W 29 and with 180 gr. loads, I need them. It feels like getting hit with a bat in the heel of my hand. Not so on .22's.

[m21sniper]

Wooden fingergrooved hogues would look GORGEOUS on that gun, and give the same grip as the rubbers.

[azasadny]

Very nice revolver! I'm "actively collecting" at this point of my life and I learn something new every day. Collecting/shooting/reloading are my winter hobbies.

[Rob Channell]

Nice spoon. I've actually been waiting to run across something like that. I want a revolver in a .22 caliber for fun and practice. I'm hoping to run across a Colt Officer's Model Match, Colt Diamondback, or a Smith and Wesson model 17 or 617. I kind of prefer a six inch barrel for all the above.

Personally I like the feel of the rubber Hogue grips but I like the look of the wood so I'd probably just oil up the wood and store it while shooting with the rubber grips. If you decide you want a wood grip but still want the custom feel I ran across Nill Griffe grips. They are kind of expensive but look really nice.
MacTec - Nill-Grips for S&W Handguns

There is a local gun show next week but I am not too optimistic about running across any good deals. I just do not have the luck of someone like tabs or others on this board.

[KarlCarrera]

Very nice, do prefer the wood, but that is a very nice .22

Karl
88 Targa

[Buckterrier]

Originally Posted by on2wheels52

I'm thinking all the 17's I've seen had a patridge front sight, could it be an 18 instead? But then they didn't normally come as a 6".
I vote to leave the wood on also.
Jim

Nope it's a 17.

Originally Posted by Rick Lee

I have rubber grips on a lot of handguns, but don't really see the need on a .22, which had just about zero recoil. I have Pachmayers on my S&W 29 and with 180 gr. loads, I need them. It feels like getting hit with a bat in the heel of my hand. Not so on .22's.

I agree 100%. I had the Hogues on my scoped model 29. After shooting the Rossi .22 you certainly don't need any sort of 'padding' for recoil.

Originally Posted by m21sniper

Wooden fingergrooved hogues would look GORGEOUS on that gun, and give the same grip as the rubbers.

Yeah yeah yeah... Ok so I ordered a pair

[m21sniper]

Awesome.