Is $599 Out Of Line For A S&W 17-3?

Joe_Pike · August 18, 2012, 10:03 PM

I can't keep up with gun prices anymore. They're up, then they're down. I have only run across two other model 17s in my area (one was a 17-8) and that was about three years ago. I bought it for $399 (it had the box, too). The other one was in a gold box and was almost $1,000. I passed on that one. Today I ran across a 17-3 from 1967 (it had the diamond grips). It had some muzzle wear and a turn ring, so, I'm saying it has been shot a fair amount but not abused. It had a $599 sticker on it.

I looked on Gunbroker and there were a few going for $450-$500 (that actually sold). The ones that bring a bunch of money are the pre-17s or the guns with 8 3/8" barrels. I would like to have another 17, but I would have to sell a gun or do some swapping to get it. Is there anyone seeing 17s in their area and if so what are the prices?

Buzzcook · August 18, 2012, 11:07 PM

That seems high to me. But not real high. The price for S&W .22s has taken off in the last few years.

Technosavant · August 19, 2012, 08:24 AM

I agree with Buzz. It looks like the prices of 17s have gone up lately... the longer barrels seem to go for more, but they still aren't really considered inexpensive considering the price of other K frame guns.

Don P · August 19, 2012, 09:12 AM

Just my opinion, good deal. Twice the gun of todays S&W 617. The 17 has better fit and overall workmanship in it again my opinion. Here at a LGS there is a 17 for sale and has a price tag of $726 on it.

ROGER4314 · August 19, 2012, 09:27 AM

The only opinion that's important is yours. Is that 17 worth $600 to you? I sold mine about 15 years ago and I wish I had it back. Being retired, it's out of the question for me now but I'd pop for the pistol today. I like the 17's and they're hard to find. If I had that opportunity and if I had a job, I'd jump.

Flash

BigJimP · August 19, 2012, 05:53 PM

Model 17's and 18's are both up in price ... what you saw seems a little high / but not much.

bimmer*tr · August 19, 2012, 11:01 PM

Model 17's or K 22's in some areas of the country are hard to find and for one with diamond grips in very good condition sell for that and more...especially if the grips are in excellent shape. That is one of the best 22 revolvers made and the early ones are a dream to shoot.

Bimmer

freebird72 · August 19, 2012, 11:09 PM

This may not be what you wanted, but I was at a gun show yesterday and say a S&W 17(don't know what dash number) go for $650 with box.

Pointshoot · August 20, 2012, 07:39 AM

"The only opinion that's important is yours. Is that 17 worth $600 to you? I sold mine about 15 years ago and I wish I had it back. Being retired, it's out of the question for me now but I'd pop for the pistol today. I like the 17's and they're hard to find. If I had that opportunity and if I had a job, I'd jump.

Flash"

IMO - - the prices on most things will continue to go up. I havent found that any of my decent guns have gone down in value. That is, if I bought a brand new 100% gun and shot and used it over time so that it was now rated 90% - - I've generally found that they now cost more than 90% rated guns at the time I bought it. And if I never shot it and its still at 100%, the new guns now cost more.

I doubt that after having it for 5 years & shooting/enjoying it you would lose much if you sold it at that time.
In, addition I'm willing to pay a little more for a gun that I can actually see and get my hands on locally to check out.

Pointshoot · August 20, 2012, 09:09 AM

"(one was a 17-8) and that was about three years ago. I bought it for $399"

Depending on the methods used to calculate inflation, $399 in 2009 dollars is equivalent to anywhere from $425-525 today. (See thread on 'Gun Prices' - there are very good reasons to tend to believe the higher figure.)

So a lot of the price rise has to do with just inflation effects. The remainder might be higher demand today.

Joe_Pike · August 20, 2012, 01:22 PM

Not that it matters a bunch, but I checked the serial number and it turns out it is a '71 with the wrong grips on it.

August 18, 2012, 10:03 PM	#1
Joe_Pike Senior Member Join Date: December 30, 2010 Posts: 1,581	Is $599 Out Of Line For A S&W 17-3? I can't keep up with gun prices anymore. They're up, then they're down. I have only run across two other model 17s in my area (one was a 17-8) and that was about three years ago. I bought it for $399 (it had the box, too). The other one was in a gold box and was almost $1,000. I passed on that one. Today I ran across a 17-3 from 1967 (it had the diamond grips). It had some muzzle wear and a turn ring, so, I'm saying it has been shot a fair amount but not abused. It had a $599 sticker on it. I looked on Gunbroker and there were a few going for $450-$500 (that actually sold). The ones that bring a bunch of money are the pre-17s or the guns with 8 3/8" barrels. I would like to have another 17, but I would have to sell a gun or do some swapping to get it. Is there anyone seeing 17s in their area and if so what are the prices? __________________ Stay Groovy

August 19, 2012, 09:12 AM	#4
Don P Senior Member Join Date: December 17, 2005 Location: Swamp dweller Posts: 6,187	Just my opinion, good deal. Twice the gun of todays S&W 617. The 17 has better fit and overall workmanship in it again my opinion. Here at a LGS there is a 17 for sale and has a price tag of $726 on it. __________________ *NRA Life Member, NRA Chief Range Safety Officer, NRA Certified Pistol Instructor,, USPSA & Steel Challange NROI Range Officer, ICORE Range Officer, ,MAG 40 Graduate* *As you are, I once was, As I am, You will be.*

August 20, 2012, 01:22 PM	#11
Joe_Pike Senior Member Join Date: December 30, 2010 Posts: 1,581	Not that it matters a bunch, but I checked the serial number and it turns out it is a '71 with the wrong grips on it. __________________ Stay Groovy

August 18, 2012, 11:07 PM	#2
Buzzcook Senior Member Join Date: November 29, 2007 Location: Everett, WA Posts: 6,126	That seems high to me. But not real high. The price for S&W .22s has taken off in the last few years.

August 19, 2012, 08:24 AM	#3
Technosavant Senior Member Join Date: May 29, 2007 Location: St. Louis, MO area Posts: 4,040	I agree with Buzz. It looks like the prices of 17s have gone up lately... the longer barrels seem to go for more, but they still aren't really considered inexpensive considering the price of other K frame guns.

August 19, 2012, 09:27 AM	#5
ROGER4314 Senior Member Join Date: May 17, 2009 Location: East Houston Posts: 257	The only opinion that's important is yours. Is that 17 worth $600 to you? I sold mine about 15 years ago and I wish I had it back. Being retired, it's out of the question for me now but I'd pop for the pistol today. I like the 17's and they're hard to find. If I had that opportunity and if I had a job, I'd jump. Flash

August 19, 2012, 05:53 PM	#6
BigJimP Senior Member Join Date: February 23, 2005 Posts: 13,195	Model 17's and 18's are both up in price ... what you saw seems a little high / but not much.

August 19, 2012, 11:01 PM	#7
bimmer*tr Member Join Date: May 15, 2007 Posts: 37	Model 17's or K 22's in some areas of the country are hard to find and for one with diamond grips in very good condition sell for that and more...especially if the grips are in excellent shape. That is one of the best 22 revolvers made and the early ones are a dream to shoot. Bimmer

August 19, 2012, 11:09 PM	#8
freebird72 Senior Member Join Date: March 25, 2010 Posts: 241	This may not be what you wanted, but I was at a gun show yesterday and say a S&W 17(don't know what dash number) go for $650 with box.

August 20, 2012, 07:39 AM	#9
Pointshoot Senior Member Join Date: May 23, 2004 Posts: 236	"The only opinion that's important is yours. Is that 17 worth $600 to you? I sold mine about 15 years ago and I wish I had it back. Being retired, it's out of the question for me now but I'd pop for the pistol today. I like the 17's and they're hard to find. If I had that opportunity and if I had a job, I'd jump. Flash" IMO - - the prices on most things will continue to go up. I havent found that any of my decent guns have gone down in value. That is, if I bought a brand new 100% gun and shot and used it over time so that it was now rated 90% - - I've generally found that they now cost more than 90% rated guns at the time I bought it. And if I never shot it and its still at 100%, the new guns now cost more. I doubt that after having it for 5 years & shooting/enjoying it you would lose much if you sold it at that time. In, addition I'm willing to pay a little more for a gun that I can actually see and get my hands on locally to check out.

August 20, 2012, 09:09 AM	#10
Pointshoot Senior Member Join Date: May 23, 2004 Posts: 236	"(one was a 17-8) and that was about three years ago. I bought it for $399" Depending on the methods used to calculate inflation, $399 in 2009 dollars is equivalent to anywhere from $425-525 today. (See thread on 'Gun Prices' - there are very good reasons to tend to believe the higher figure.) So a lot of the price rise has to do with just inflation effects. The remainder might be higher demand today.