Well, IMO I'd wait & see what S&W has to say. Who knows what was being ricochet'd/spit, lead/steel/crud. The tight tolerances of the 617 make it a different animal from other 22's SO a different brand to brand D/A, S/A, SEMI is at best an apples to oranges comparison. With experience does come some knowledge, so to the OP I would just say to give the 617 a fair shake. I doubt you will loose $ selling it. It kinda sounds like you have already made your mind up on it. ALL THOSE 617 fans can't be wrong, Maybe you got a bad one, or just didn't know (yet) they need a bit more care & to be run clean???