I used to have an 8 3/8-inch 6-shot 617. Even with the iron sights it shot better than many .22 rifles. I never scoped it, but I would be willing to bet it would shoot with most .22 sporter rifles. The problem was I found it more inconvenient to carry than a .22 rifle. I now have a 4-inch 10-shot 617. It is very accurate too, and a heck of a lot more convenient to carry than that 8 3/8-inch barrel. A good friend of mine now has my old 8 3/8-inch 617 and he wouldn't give it up for anything! Although I didn't trade it directly to my buddy (it went through about two or three different hands before he got it) he has blessed me many times for trading off that long barrelled beast. He shoots it at the range, and it rides with him in his vehicle, so carrying it isn't the problem with him as it was with me. I don't think most 617s will shoot with a Smith & Wesson Model 41 semi-automatic, but they outshoot most other .22 revolvers I've seen.