I started researching the Model 17 series. Man, what a lot of variations built on that platform, some of which must be pretty rare. And I paid less for my "old timer" than the MSRP for the current S&W "classic series".
I also studied the collecting of the S&W Model 36. While I knew the 2" snubbie with round butt is the most common, there were models with barrel lengths to 5", square butts, odd calibers and finishes, etc. Most sought after by rabid collectors.
I also took my snubbie Python to the range for a feeding of 125gr practice ammo. While it's still a massive and heavy revolver, the lack of 4" of heavy barrel puts all that weight much closer to the hand. The resulting recoil and muzzle rise was similar to my "airweight" S&W .22WMR snubbie, meaning nearly nothing at all.
There's a lot to be said about full-house loads in a super-light revolver, but it's mostly swear words when it comes time to shoot it. If you can lug that weight around all day, a heavy snubbie pays off in comfortable shooting, rather than flinching. :)
Drool - the Model 17 some of S&W’s finest work. Congrats, you’ve got a winner there.
Pick up a copy of ‘Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson” by Jim Supica and Richard Nahas for hours of fun and hmm, I didn’t know that. It’s a big book, eminently suitable for perusing whilst sitting in the easy chair, by a roaring fire, sipping a seasonally appropriate beverage.
I’ve got all three editions (suitably inscribed by the author). The third edition is the best imho. Yep you can collect a lot of variations, Since 1957, when the K-22 Masterpiece 3rd Model became the Model 17, there are 8 numerical change models (17 to 17-7) and few others tossed in for good measure.