Getting my first real Handgun

A lot of good advice here, MM.

Mine will be less to the main point.

I know it's really exciting to be getting a first.

But, don't be in too much hurry.

Spend the time gathering a sufficiency of information, a lot of knowledge.

Often the best first steps toward wisdom involve taking your time.

You'll be glad you did.
 
Sure, if you have $1000.00 go out and buy a S&W Model 17 like Driftwood Johnson recommends
Click to expand...

You DO NOT have to spend $1000 to get a S&W Model 17.

I keep saying that but some folks are not listening.

You have to hunt around, turn over a lot of stones, and sometimes you have to be in the right place at the right time.

Sure, you can go on Gunbroker and pay too much if you must have it right now. This 17-3 is one year older than mine. Mine still has the box and all the stuff this seller laid out. The only differences I can spot between this 17-3 on Gunbroker and mine is the style of hammer and the grips. I doubt if those are the original grips that came with the gun, mine came with Magna grips which I believe were standard for that model.


http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=509852005



Here is mine for comparison.

Model_17-3_zps30d7772c.jpg




I paid $600 cash for this vintage K-22 from 1932. I am showing both sides to show that it has plenty of wear on the blue. And the grips are not correct for a gun that age. But it still shoots as true as it did in 1932. Interestingly enough, when I asked Roy Jinks to look it up he mentioned it was a Police Pistol Team revolver, hence the lack of any blue on the right side of the frame above the trigger. Somebody put a heck of a lot of rounds through this baby over the years. But what can I say, it was made in 1932 and still shoots fine today. Believe it or not, I actually bought this gun at an auction, where prices usually run high because of the competition. But this one came up late in the day and most of the bidders had gone home. When the auctioneer put it up for bids, there were no takers. None. I had been looking for a K-22 for a while, and this one was not perfect, but what the heck, I put up my card and won it for $600.

K2201_zps683bbcd8.jpg


K2202_zps07bfdb1a.jpg





I ran into this used 617-6 at a local shop a few years ago. Again, $600 out the door. Not $1000. But you have to be persistent. You have to turn over a lot of stones. You ain't going to find that classic Model 17 for $500 first time out. But if you are persistent, they are out there.


model617-6_zps562f28e0.jpg
 
More about being in the right place at the right time.

The gun at the top is that same K-22 from 1932.

The smaller gun at the bottom is a 22/32 Heavy Frame Target revolver, built on the I frame, that shipped in 1923. The forerunner of the J frame 22/32 kit guns, these guns were the largest 22 target revolvers S&W made before they started making the K-22. They were called 'Heavy Frame' because they dwarfed the little Ladysmiths. Just like a modern 22/32 kit gun, lots of fun to shoot. Being in the right place at the right time price? $600.



k22andkitgun_zpsa3d49053.jpg





Then there are the 'Bekaert' revolvers. Same I frame as the Heavy Duty but with the special oversized grip. The gun in the middle. This one shipped in 1940. That oversized grip is very comfortable and points very nicely. But it cost a bit more than $600.

withk22_zps5c48a30f.jpg
 
You DO NOT have to spend $1000 to get a S&W Model 17.

I keep saying that but some folks are not listening.


Driftwood... I guess you didn't read all my post.
Those are the prices new for the Model 17 and the Heritage Rough Rider.
I then stated...
There are a lot of nice used Smith and Wesson's, or Ruger's out there for sale in between those prices, you just have to search them out.

So... yes...I am listening, and you are giving him some great advice,:)
 
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