My first introduction to an M17 was my grandfather's when I was 7 years old. He claims he bought it off a stock pile for $5.00 afer WWII. I was never able to shoot it due to a family member pawning it off just shortly before I mustered the courage to fire it. Fast forward several years and I finally have one of my own which, like my grandfathers' is displayed on a rifle rack so I can look at it every day. I kept ammunition (always stored in climate controlled environment) which I bought for my grandpa's and used it in mine.