[Bye Felicia.]

My wife is due and I’m having trouble choosing the final installment in the “my collection must be perfect before baby” fit. I want to add a special 22 revolver in 4”. The smith and Wesson models tend to confuse me but I’m looking at the following.

Model 617
Model 18 Combat Master
Model 17 Target Master

This will end up being an heirloom and something I might have work done on. Help a guy decide. What do you recommend? Doesn’t need to be a smith.

 

[Capthobo]

My wife loves her S&W pre lock 63.
Bottom right with grip filler.

 

[Scaramouche]

The 617 has a full lugged barrel so it's balance is different than the 17 & 18. Later versions of the 617 has a 10 round cylinder. It's stainless steel (617).
The 17 & 18 are 6 shot blued revolvers. I believe the last version of the 17 also had a full lugged barrel though I don't ever remember seeing a 4" lugged 17.

You can't go wrong with any of them, they are all highly shoot-able and revolvers are funner. Good luck with your search.

For heirloom I'd go with any of them with no dash, meaning the first "edition".

 

[BigJimP]

I like all three of your options. ../ the original model 17's & 18's are very nice guns ...model 17's in 4" are very hard to find / model 18's were only made in a 4" / ...there were not many 617's in 6 shot guns made in a 4" .../ the newer guns in the classic series are not made the same as the older guns ....and while they are ok, they feel very different to me...

The old model 18's will probably be the least expensive of the three you are discussing .../ I think the model 18 is also my favorite ...they tend to have great triggers with very smooth actions ...

The older 617's ( mine is a (- 1) ...)...in a 6" and its a 6 shot gun. ...

617-1 6" at top...( 6 shot )
Model 18-3 4" in middle ..
( Browning Buckmark semi auto at bottom .../ also a nice .22 ...). That was tricked out with Tactical Solutions barrel, compensator, rail, etc..../ its not what you asked about, but Browning makes a nice .22 ....

 

[Bye Felicia.]

Thanks to everyone for their input. Picked this up last night on GB. Photos and report to come.

 

[Oldgunner]

A very good choice!

 

[SparkyAZ]

Nice revolver. I had taken a good long look at that same listing, 1958 is my birth year...

 

[BigJimP]

Great choice !! Nice find !!

 

[Bye Felicia.]

Took the pistol out today. It’s drop dead gorgeous. The bluing is exactly what you’d want.

Shot 100 rounds. I don’t think I’m going to lake Eley Tenex it’s standard diet. The waxy European target rounds cause build up at the cylinder. Accurate though.

Couldn’t be happier. Might pick up some eagle secret service grips.

 

[Razer]

Great choice, I'd leave it exactly like it is now.

 

[Oldgunner]

So, will you bring this to Quantico this May? Just kidding. Revolver competition isn't on the menu. :0)

 

[41 Charlie]

A very sweet heirloom to pass on!

Congratulations!