About a month ago I found a really nice 617 (made in 1990) at a local gun show and brought it home for $500. I felt that this revolver was just trying to tell me something so I took it to my local gunsmith and had it drilled and tapped just the same as the later models and mounted a 2X Nikon pistol scope. What it was trying to tell me was that it is absolutely the most accurate .22 handgun I have ever shot in my 70+ years. I couldn't believe it!!! At 25 yards (from a rest) I had a 6 shot group that you could cover with a nickel.

Before anyone starts hollering 'OUCH!' or says 'How could you do that to such a beautiful Smith?" please understand that I am almost 71, have Parkinson's and a man's gotta do what a man's gotta do to keep on enjoying shooting as long as he can.

I am absolutely elated!!!

Congratulations on the find and nice shooting! You are right. You gotta do what you gotta do. Enjoy the gun. They really are nice shooters.

As well you should be!
It's great to scope it and shoot it, try different ammo and find what it likes best. Sounds like you already have with a group a nickel covers.

Fun is what counts and working a revolver over to get it just right ( for YOU ) is something that gun owners have done since guns were invented.

We have to do what it takes to keep shooting until they nail the lid shut.

Carry on.

GF

Hey, congratulations on your newly acquired 617. They are an extremely well made revolver, and a heck of a lot of fun to look at too. Good shooting!

I'm 67 and I understand well that it's your money and you need to do with it what makes you the most HAPPY.

Good for you! Great gun. With good ammo and a quality scope, you are now able to shoot it to it's full potential. Excellent!

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I have a 6" 617-7 and it works well with a low powered scope.......in fact it almost seems like it needs a scope to reach it's full accuracy potential.

It is your money and your gun. Do what YOU want with it. And enjoy!!!!!!

You aren't alone, I have a 1992 vintage 617 and a 1988 vintage 67-1 that I've drilled and tapped to the new mounting pattern. However, I've been mounting J Point reflex sights on my revolvers because I'm still young enough at 56 to be able to see the bullseye at 25 yards.

Only problem is that I have a model 620 that I've managed some 3 shot cloverleafs with at 100 feet from a rest but just can't seem to get a full cylinder under 1 3/4 inch. I've been considering mounting a rail I purchased for the 617 at one point and would appreciate if you would post the model number of that Nikon scope you're using. Fact is that to really see what my 620 can do I think I may need the help of a bit of magnification. Red dots I'm well acquainted with, handgun scopes I know nothing about.

PS; for those who consider drilling and tapping older guns some kind of a "sin", they are my guns and I don't ever intend to sell any of them, I'll just let my heirs worry about who gets what when I'm done using them.

Thanks for the votes of confidence.

I have found 2 that shoot really well in it so far. Wolf 'Match Target' is the one I used and reported on while the 2nd (just about as good but expensive and scarce) is Lapua HP. Lapua HP shoots quite well in everything I have tried it in, Wolf does not.

i would love to see a picture of the scoped 617....makes me want to get a drilled/tapped model

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Kris
OGCA, NRA LM

Good to hear that You have really taken up with the 617, EZ Munny!

My 4" no dash 617 shoots 98 percent as accurately as My S&W 22S....and that's using Federal bonus boxes from W/M.