In 1899, Smith & Wesson introduced the .38 Hand Ejector Military & Police revolver, a popular and lasting design that helped place the brand at the forefront of 20th century handgun development.
But beyond the blinding muzzle flash and crippling recoil there’s also the subdued, practical and fun world of rimfire revolvers. It might be a thrill to send a .500 S&W Magnum downrange, but finding and paying for the ammo is a real killjoy. Add in sore palms and the big boy revolvers start looking less ideal as long-term shooting companions. If you want something less flashy but reliable and fun without breaking the bank or your wrists, then turn to the realm of the rimfire revolver. And the Smith & Wesson Model 17 is as fine an example of the category as any.
If you’re like me, you probably have at least one gun that just feels like it’s a part of you. It might be your 1911 that feels like a natural extension of your arm when you raise it and aim at the target. Or maybe it’s a .22 rimfire rifle that you shot so much while you were growing up that now it just seems to effortlessly point exactly where it needs to and you simply can’t miss each and every time you squeeze off a round. Or maybe it’s a shotgun that comes to your shoulder and moves to your focus point so easily that you don’t even realize you’re mounting it.