Dear Smith and Wesson Forum i would like to hear some opinions from my fellow Forum members on the Smith and Wesson 617 .22 caliber revolver sincerely and respectfully
mg357 a proud member of the Smith and Wesson Forum

All of the 617's are great pistols whether they are a 6 shot or 10 shot versions. I have a 6 shot no dash with 6 inch barrel and it's a wonderful shooter. There are lots of people who like the 4 inch version better then the 6 inch but that's a matter of taste because most all 617's end up being primarily range guns. You could use one for self defense but there are many better options.

They are a heavy revolver when compared to the model 17 because the 617 all have the full barrel under lug and stainless is heavier then blued steel. They are a very strong revolver and I doubt that you could ever shoot one out.

Used versions sell very quickly so if you find one you like at a decent price I would buy it. The 617 no dash came with S&W combat grips like the ones pictured below and after the no dash they shipped with rubber grips starting with 617-1. At 617-5 in 2001 they introduced the internal lock.

617 no dash 6 shot with 6 inch barrel

Hey mg357, I have a 4'' 617 of recent vintage ( IL replaced with ''the Plug--thanks to fellow forum member Bullseye Smith ) It's a 10 shot. I think its a beautiful weapon both visually and, more importantly, in function. It balances and handles very well in the 4'' length, is very accurate, and is easy to clean & maintain. I searched for a used one for a long time to avoid the IL, but I never found one. Finally I had to order a new one. I replaced the rubber grips with a beautiful set of Ahrends. Now that I have one, I understand why there's few used ones around. Nobody wants to sell theirs ! ! Buy one, you'll be glad you did.......

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'Nam 1968-69.DAV,VFW,NRA Inst.

Get one!!!

"One Eye Joe" - can you show pictures of the grips. I just got my 617 "4" and have not even shot it yet, but I know I like the look of good grips. Thanks. Bill

I have a 10 shot 617-6,4",stock grips, with over 20,000 rounds thru it.I clean it while hot with a Boresnake at the range.Regular cleaning whenever.I shoot cheap Wal-Mart bulk pack ammo.Too much cleaning on a .22 is bad.Takes a licking & keeps on ticking! Also very accurate.

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WALSTIB

They are very good revolvers. They are fun to shoot. I like the 6 inch and the 8 3/8 versions. If you can get a good price, pick one up, you can't go wrong.

There are brisk sales of both 4" and 6" Model 617's in northern NJ. Practically indestructible as far as I'm concerned. You can't go wrong with either barrel length.

My 617 6" always goes to the range with me.
I like the heavier barrel.
I do not believe there is a better 22 out there. JMO
avery

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Not now Honey, I'm loadin ammo

This is not a good picture but everyone always leaves this one out the 617 no dash 8in. I had to pick it up cause I already had a 617 no dash 6in I like to try and get one size of each other the guns I like. Both look good next to my 686s so no one really knows what Im shooting when I pull out a Smith.

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I have a six shot 617 with the 8 3/8" barrel. I don't think it has 50 rounds thru it. Problem is that the muzzle is so far out front when I shoot it that it takes 20 minutes for the report to get back to me. I'm also considering welding a caster wheel to the front of the underlug so the muzzle won't drag on the ground when the gun is holstered. I've already solved the heavy front weight problem when shooting. I have 13 helium balloons roped to the front end to hold it up. Gawd, I love my 617!

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Term limits!

I bought two 617's, both 6 inch and one is a 6 shot and the other was a 10 shot. I bought a new 6 shot cylinder and fit it to the gun that had the 10 shot cylinder, and gave it to my son. I didn't like the 10 shot alloy cylinder, and that was the reason I changed it out.

Expensive for a .22 handgun, but a great gun!

I have a 4", and a 6" no dash. Fantastic revolvers. I highly reccomend them.

all of them are great choices, I like the 6 shot models just because it is the same as my 686's and I can practice shooting drills more realisticly. You'll have fun swapping springs and trying to get the perfect action on one, just be careful because its easy to get light primer strikes.....I have usually just left the factory springs in mine and polished everything up and was very happy with the results.

I've been trying to buy an 8-3/8" version, but they are beyond my price range at the time. I'd put a Burris scope on it to match my 686 and 460XVR both also in 8-3/8".

This is my 617 bought new a year ago. Great revolver.

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... ed ...

I have a 617, 10 shot and 4" bbl. It is one of the best handguns I own. I really cannot think of even a ritual bad thing to say about it.

What can I say, it is #1 in the 22 class.

I love my 6" 10-shot 617, bought it new this summer, paid through the nose for it but it was worth it, since I have yet to see another for sale "in the wild" and I am tired of doing internet transfers.

Only had it for about 3 months but I have thousands of rounds through it, I immediately mounted a 2x Leupold M8 scope on it, and it's a tackdriver. The low powered optic really brings out the accuracy of this thing. I didn't touch a thing on it, never even had the sideplate off and don't plan to. The action was great out of the box.

I've just had my 4" for a couple of week and I am very happy with it.
Officially made it a snake gun yesterday. No shot only bullets.
I have the stock grips on it yet but would like a nice set of wood.
My grandkids will be shooting this thing years from now.
Dave

I have one with a 4" barrel.; bought used at a range / gun shop, it was used as a rental gun.

It shoots well, but not great. I probably just haven't found the right ammunition for it, but I'm still trying.

Fun to shoot, feels like a full size .38/.357.

I recommend you get one if you are already interested.

rayb

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"cumplo pero no obedezco"

IMHO, every shooter must have at least 617/17. To learn on, to maintain one's handgunning skills with.

My 17-3 is the least expensive handgun of all my toys, but it has helped my pistol shooting skills the most. The shop had to keep it in the dunk tank more than a day to loosen up the action. Cheap ammo, boringly accurate if I do my part. So I know that if I miss, it is my fault.

My 2 yr old grandson will learn how to shoot handguns with this 17-3 and hopefully his son too.

guys, any comments on durability of the 617-2 model with an alloy instead of steel cylinder?

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63, 640, 65LS, 66, 1894C

I have a few 17s and 18's but the 617 has managed to elude me and is next on my list of aquisitions.

The 617 is a great partner gun to the 686 series just as the Model 18 partners up great with the model 15.

I have a 10 shot airweight 317 with aluminum frame and cylinder .
Although it is super light there is no steel sleeve insert in the cylinder like there is on the barrel for durability and the paint on silver finish can not be as durable as Stainless steel.

I have often wondered why nobody makes a .22 lr conversion for .38 caliber J, K , L and N frame guns.
Understandably the centerfire hammer pin position is different but this could be solved by offsetting the barrel and cylinder inserts slightly.

Additionally I think S&W has missed a huge market making partner guns for plinking and or training,
The full underlug 617 has sold so well maybe a 22 lr caliber version of the Model 66/19 or N frame 27/627 would also sell like hot cakes..

What would they have to lose by making a few thousand and seeing how they sell?

Hello mg357. I'm about 20 miles SW of you in Danvers. I have an 8 3/8 10 shot and I sure do like it. A dang fine gun and a blast to shoot. You will not regret buying one and if you do you won't ever sell it. I was at Pekin Gun back during the summer and they had one.

Have a 617 and 648 , both excellent revolvers

In a moment of weakness and rare cheapness, since when it comes to buying guns I have diarrhea of the wallet, but I considered getting the Taurus .22 LR revolver for a brief second since "it's only a .22......"

I am SO glad I made the stretch and got the 617 instead!

K frame revolver chambered in .22 LR = invincible!

A 2x Leupold scope on my 6" 617 goes together like coffee and cigarettes! I love being able to see those little .22 holes in the paper at 25 yards.

Engine49guy has hit the nail squarely on the head...

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It's OK....I guess. I mean a Ruger .22 Semi Auto is pretty good too. Send one off to Clark for a good trigger job and you still have less into it than a 617.

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Forum consigliere

I have wanted one for a little over a year now but the opportunity has never been right. After hearing the good opinions and checking out Fyimo's eye-candy though I might have to grab the next one I find.

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27-2, 66-1, 640 Pro, 10-5

The actual weight difference between a stainless steel revolver and a carbon steel revolver of the same dimensions will be just about zero!

I have a blued Model 17, six shot, with a 6 inch full under lug barrel. Yes, earlier Model 17s had short or no under lug, but they did make the blued full under lug for a while in the late 80s or early 90s.

BTW, love mine. Best shot to date - 66 paces to a PA Ground Hog standing up and looking at me. Hit him in the neck with a resounding THWAAAAAP.

And I don't care what anyone says, blued is just better looking than stainless!

Hej
I bougth the gun (S & W mod 617 6 rounds) in Norway 2 month's ago. I was told it was from 1991. The nr is BHE 9732. Can anybody tell me something about this revolver.
MVH

Bo Steninge

I don't care what anyone says or thinks, but IMO stainless is way better looking than blued.