Smith & Wesson making any K frame .22's currently?

The 617 is a k-frame w/ round butt I believe.

Smith still lists the 617 on thier website..
Don't know if they've changed the 617 from a K Frame to thier Medium Frame?? I'd guess that the 617 still exists because there's alot of meat ot the bottom of the barrels on the 22 caliber K Frame revolvers & it's thinner there on the M66/19 K frame 38/357s..
Gary/Hk

S&W offer the Model 17 in the Classic revolver series aswell as the 617. It has the medium K frame, 6 rounds, 6" barrel (or Model 18 with 4") in blued finish. Outwardly it looks like the post war pre model 17 with the tapered rib barrel.
Magna grips without the diamond escutcheon.
I have one ordered but have not picked it up yet.
According to the advertising literature it incorporates the latest design features (trigger lock).

look for an older one. they're a much better gun!

I've had a 617 on order for over 6 weeks. Good luck if you're looking for a new one. They're coming out but not very fast.

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... ed ...

As of 9/23 3:44 PST Bud's has the 6" 617 online:

Smith & Wesson 617 .22 LR 6", 10 round for Sale at Buds Gun Shop $685.00

Smith model 48 for a 22mag

Waiting for the 4" Apparently they're hard to find for now.

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... ed ...

I agree with the statement above as they are in my opinion also better guns and ones in really great condition can be bought for less then the current models.

There isn't a thing in the world wrong with the current production 617s - except for the price. Of course, that price has enfluenced used sales - they are through the roof. The design hasn't changed - just the MIM hammer & trigger, which are far more uniform, and the dreaded, but innocuous, IL. With the lifetime warranty, and a free return to S&W as close as an 800# call, it doesn't much matter. The aesthetics of the MIM parts and IL I can live with.

Below is my current production 4" 617, which I bought new 9/08. I put a HiViz sight (#SW617), Ahrends Retro Target grips (Unfinished - with a homebrew oil finish.), new springs - and an adjustable strain screw, and bought it a DS-10 Speedloader and 6 x 10 loading plate. I can waste ammo quickly!



Yeah, they still make K-frame .22s! My pusher, just NE of Birmingham, has a 4" for $675 and a 6" for $669, both brand new, of course. S&W may just be behind a bit - that 632 J-frame 6-shot .327 Magnum they advertised months ago still hasn't hit the shelves.

Stainz

PS That 617 may have just spelled the end of some of my favorites around here - it is a constant range bag rider! Be forewarned!!

Question. Did they make a 617 pre-lock? If so, can I assume it was just a six shooter? What were the series number(s)? Could probably research the answer, but would rather hear from owners/users.

Yes a six holer it was.

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Cranky Old Retired USN Guy

The 617 was introduced in 1989 with a six shot cylinder. Changes and variations along the way included the 10 shot cylinder (alloy when first introduced, later changed to steel), MIM parts, and internal lock. The 617-0 thru 617-4 were pre-lock, 617-5 introduced the lock. The original factory grips were wood combats, later changed to Hogue rubber. Available barrel lengths were 4", 6", and 8-3/8". There was also a special run of 4" and 6" made without the full lug barrel. This 617-0 is one of my favorite shooters.

Attached Images

617CollectionBox.jpg (135.5 KB, 64 views)

I would almost trade my my M 48 no dash 6" with unfired LR cylinder for that beauty. I don't shoot the 48 much as I have a Dan Wesson 722 22 WMR with the LR cylinder and it out shoot the S&W real easy and the no dash is kind of valuable to be a regular plinker anyway.

I really need to get a 4" barrel for the 722 and use it for a woods carry with my Marlin 1894P (ported 16.25" barrel 44 mag) lever gun.

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Cranky Old Retired USN Guy

Yss, they made 617 10 shot pre lock. Both my 617-2, 10 shot and 617-0 have no lock.

p.s. Other options as well if the lock really bothers you. They also made the blued mod 17 in a full lug version starting with the 17-6. The 17-8 introduced in 96' added a alloy 10 shot cylinder to the blued, full lugged 17. hth

Here, one of my favorites. 17-6, 6", 6 shot.

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Dave

Learn something new every day. I thought the 10 shot model was after the lock, but my book says I was wrong.

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Cranky Old Retired USN Guy

All......thanks for the 617 education. I doubt there is any real measurable difference in a lock and pre-lock gun but a pre-lock is my preference. I have three model 17's- a first model (vintage 1939), a third model five screw (1953) and a regular shooter third model (1975). I like the full length under lug in all of my other guns and have several in each of many calibers and frame sizes, none in 22lr. I have wanted a 22lr in either a blue 17 or 617 with the full underlug for some time now and I plan to actively pursue one in the near future......probably a six inch.

Thanks again for the wealth of information.