Just got the email yesterday that a 6" 617 .22 10 round had arrived in stock at Bud's. I had both the 4" and the 6" on the wish list. I was leaning towards the 6" but still debating the 4". Well after 3 months when the 6" came in yesterday, and as these revolvers are hard to find, my decision was made. And it is a good thing I called and got thru, when I talked to Brad in customer service he said they only got 2 in from S&W and 10 were backordered. Soooooo, I told him lock me in one of them......FAST! So he secured me one right then and there, and not 3 minutes went by after we hung up and the other one was gone too. I guess these are kinda of a hot item. So looks like I have the 6" coming, and my decision was more or less made for me by it coming in first, and the fact only 2 came in and I guess it is one of those things that was meant to be. So if anyone has one of these 617 models in the 6 inch barrel 10 shot version, any feedback would be appreciated on it. I hear they are a bit on the heavy side on the muzzle end but liveable, and they are built like a tank for a .22. Now I have another waiting period to go thru, seems like I wait for my guns more than I shoot them!

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Craig

I have a 617 with a 6" barrel. At first I wanted the 4" but my gunshop only had the 6". It looked like it might be tough to get a 4" in so I went with the 6". I'm happy with it. It is a little muzzle heavy with the full lug but it's fine for me. I figure it's good training for my arms. The extra barrel gives you a little better velocity and sight radius to make up for it. It's a blast shooting 10 rounds in a revolver and it's cheap to shoot. I think it's a great gun.

Craig, I am only able to comment on the 4 incher. You made a great choice in getting the 617-4, I love mine. Gobbles up everything with great accuracy.
I picked this up on this Forum some 3 years ago. I paid $550, but would not part with this ever. Shod with Ahrends stocks.




Love the "gatling" look

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Sure you did

Mike.........
Those are some great looking grips, and the gattling gun look is the best description I have heard yet. I probably would have gotten the 4" had it arrived before the 6", but I figured I better grab it while the grabbing is good. Thanks for the pic's and info. You have a really nice looking gun, I guess mine will be a bit heavier, but a lot of fun for a lot less money than my .460's ammo that is for sure. Thanks

How old is yours by the way? Looks new!

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Craig

Craig, the serial # is CEAxxxx. Don't have my SCSW nearby, to pin down the DOB. I purchased the gun in Feb 2008 from a Forum member, but forgot who. I try to take care of all my firearms with tender care, hence the new look. Not sure of the round count, but when I received it the owner said only a couple hundred rounds had been down the tube.
I am looking for another 10 rounder, though the word's out, they're hard to come by. I wouldn't mind getting a new one, as the lock wouldn't bother me on a range gun.
Post pics when you receive yours.

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Sure you did

Now that you are getting the 6", you will probably find you also want a 4". Nothing wrong with that. Leave these things in the dark and they mulitply like rabbits.

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Tom

Congrats!

p.s. Leave your name on the waiting list for a 4". S&W 22 revolvers are like potato chips ! Got 7 in the safe myself ;-)

pps. Hey Ladder, did you redo that finish yourself?

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Dave

Didn't know it was "redone"

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Sure you did

I like the term "assault revolver" myself (because it is "high capacity")

The internet makes dreams come true!

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NRA Benefactor Member

Thanks for the great pictures, makes me just have to leave the 4" on the wish list at Bud's to arrive in stock. As the 6 inch would be all alone with all the big Magnums in the safe and I wouldn't it to be the only .22 there. Soooooooo you guys sure know how to make decisions really easier. And if the boss busts me, I can always say "But Honey it is just your size" as she doesn't go near the .460's or the .44"s. And this will make it "legal" for me to go ahead and buy it. Thanks to all you guys and ladies for your great feedback!!!!!!!

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Craig

My lgs ordered my 4" 617 over eight weeks ago - and still no word on when it might arrive. In contrast, I ordered a 63 this past Monday and picked it up Wednesday. Still waiting on the 617.

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... ed ...

Good job.

Now you will need some speed loaders and other accessories.

Enjoy,
Bob

I hear that there is a really good 10 round speedloader out there that has a loading plate too. Forgot who makes it, help me out. Here I go again!

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Craig

Do a search on DS-10 speed. You should find what you need.

Good stuff, not junk at all.

Bob

For speed loaders for the 617 you want to contact:
Dave Skrzela
7377 W. Vienna Rd.
Clio, Michigan 48420
INFO and PICTURES:
DS-10-SPEED is a custom made speed loader for S&W 617 10 shot revolvers. - Windows Live

I got a loader and a plate that can do 4 10 shot loads which is the basic package and it works great for me.
I found my 4 inch 10 shot 617 a few months back in Florida, used but with box, docs, and lock and it looks brand new. Most fun gun I have and you can shoot all day for about 10 bucks. Great gun!

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Gonna be a bear? Be a grizzly.

Thanks going to order one up in a few minutes. Thanks for the information, you guys are really good!!

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Craig

Maybe it's not redone . Could be camera shot. Still it appears to have that nice uniform matte finish obtained with bead blasting (or scotch bright.) I have one in this matte finish and one with factory semi shiny SS finish.

p.s. Here is the info on the DS speedloaders I got via email just last week. Hope I'm not breaking any forum rules. If so, Mr. moderator please delete.

S&W K 617 10 shot
(#) of the DS-10-SPEED at $25.00 each (black, red, lt.blue, green, yellow, or white)
(#) 40 round (K) block (solid black HDPE plastic) at $10.00 each
(#) 60 round (K) block (solid black HDPE plastic) at $20.00 each
(#) 90 round (K) block (solid black HDPE plastic) at $30.00 each
(#) 120 round (K) block (solid black HDPE plastic) at $40.00 each
(#) Handles at $5.00 each

Plus Shipping/handling = $6.00 for small orders in the US.(if it fits in a small flat rate box)

You can use PayPal at "https://www.paypal.com/" and send to "[email protected]",
or you can send a check or money order to:

Dave Skrzela
7377 W. Vienna Rd.
Clio, Michigan 48420

Please include your address for shipping and your order description.

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Dave

I think the first pic was taken under "softer" lighting, the second pic looks somewhat "shinier".

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Sure you did

The DS-10 speed loaders are outstanding and Dave is great to work with… I have a 4” 617 and a 5” 63, I had him make me up 4 speed-loaders for each along with a loading block for each – they work perfectly (they also don’t rely on gravity to drop the rounds into the chambers, it actually has little push rods that give them a good start).

There's a LNIB 617 with 4inch barrel AND no lock in the classifieds. What are you waiting for folks?


Edited: Not any more

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Sure you did

Are these 10 shooters now being made with steel cylinders? And if so, when did they stop using aluminum?

Dave Sinko

The S&W Standard Catalog shows the 10 shot alloy cylinder started in 1996 with the -2 model and the stainless steel 10 shot started in 1998 with the -3 model. But I have a 10 shot 617-2 with a stainless steel cylinder that I bought new in the fall of 1998. I guess there are variations to the Standard Catalog.

I had a 6" 617 (6-shot) which I sold recently to finance another gun purchase. I'm pretty much a 4" fanatic and I also have 4" 617 so, for me, the 6-incher was a tad superfluous. Having said that, I'll also say that the 6" gun was the most accurate revolver I've ever owned. I don't know how many times I fired 6 rounds and only counted four holes, to discover that two were slightly enlarged.

I bought one years ago and in 6". I always regretted not buying the lighter 4". There is one locally and am tempted to buy it but at $760 I have to hesitate.........but eating away at me.

A 4 inch sold 2 days ago, ad was deleted though. No lock


Delete-Please

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Sure you did

I own a Model 17 6" that I love but have always wanted on with a 10 rd cylinder.

I have been thinking about a 4" Model 617 but other tan 4 more rds is it worth putting out the bucks for one?

When it comes to accuracey how does a 4" 617 compare to a 6" Model 17?

Because of the weight of the full underlug barrel I prefer a 4" barrel.

I had a 17 back in the '70s, a 4", and it was the best shooting .22 handgun I've ever owned......better IMHO than even my beloved 41. But I ended up selling it years ago and always regretted that. I recently picked up a 617 in 6", and like it a lot, but now see where the same shop has a 4" on the shelf.......Hmmmmmmmmm.

i've had my 617 10 rounder with 4" tube now for awhile...very accurate right out of the box....i added a red dot and good googly moogly...its a tack driver for sure!