Hello everyone, this is my first posting on S&W Forum. Last October I bought a 2011 S&W Model 617-6 with the 4-1/8" barrel brand new at my LGS. I shoot a brick (Federal 525) a month in this gun and have noticed excessive leading on the outside of the forcing cone and the top of the frame (not inside the forcing cone to the barrel rifling). So much so that I have to chisel it out with a small screwdriver when cleaning every month. Another gun a shoot is a 1955 OM Ruger Single Six (RSS5), it does not do this at all with the same amount 525 shot through it a month. I bought a set a feeler gauges and the B/C gap on the 617-6 is 0.010 (yes 1/100 not a typo) measured from the left side and 0.007 measured on the right side of the gun. This shows the B/C gap is not uniform or cockeyed. The B/C gap on the Single Six is 0.001 uniform on the right and left sides and does not lead up on the outside. The Smith shoots fairly accurate in SA mode for a 4" bbl gun at 10 and 15 yds. Not that accurate at all in DA. Is my Smith 617-7 in Spec? Thanks!

My 617-2 also gets alot of lead build-up above the forcing cone, on the frame. I have a brass tool that I use to scrape it off. I do not think this is unusual.

To me it sounds excessive, almost like the barrel shank isn't square to the cylinder or visa versa. Did you check every chamber on the cylinder? I hate to say it but it sounds like it may need to go back.

Thanks, I just checked every chamber, it varies a little bit +/- 0.200 but the left side gap is 0.010 to as big as 0.012 and the right side is 0.007 to as big as 0.009 so the barrel shank is for sure not square or even. I shined a 180 lumen light on it and its clear to see the barrel shank is really excessive on the left side. I'm thinking I need to call S&W to complain. As you all know model 617's are pricey guns. I would expect more craftsmanship from a $700+ gun! My smith model 22A-1 shoots as good and it was only $275

I wouldn't hesitate to either, a) return it to the retailer, or, b) send it back to S&W myself. A reputable retailer should give you the choice of returning your money to you, or, swapping that out-of-spec revolver for one that didn't slip by S&W QC. If you get choice b, I'd bring my feeler gauges to the shop and check the new revolver before you walk out.

Either way, document what you've found so when S&W gets the revolver back they know where to start.

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Ralph J.

Thanks, I complained to my retailer a month after I bought, to their gunsmith in fact, he shrugged and did not offer any help, nor did he offer to measure it himself. Welcome to S. Florida! I'm calling S&W this week to send it back myself hopefully they will send me a prepaid shipping label.

Don't hesitate to call Smith & Wesson. They have been very helpful to me. The two occasions I needed warranty work I got the shipping label very quickly and the guns were returned in short order fixed properly. You do not even have to go anywhere to ship the gun. Just box it up per their instructions and called the provided 800 number for a pickup. Good luck.

Agreed - Call S&W and let them take care of it.

I picked up a used 617-6 last Thursday - took it to the range and found it had some "issues". Called S&W on Friday, had a pre-paid shipping label e-mailed to me on Monday, it went into FedEx on Tuesday, and is being delivered to S&W today.

While it is a bit of a bummer to have to send it back - S&W really does want to make it right - give them the chance.

Take care,
Bob S.

I believe S&W accepts .006 to .010 as being in spec.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

Ok thanks everyone for your comments and great advise. I called S&W and its going back. They make it real easy.