I have a chance to buy a like-new M617 10-shot .22 for a really good price (about $500 if u must know). Just curious how they feel and shoot before I take the plunge... I just can't seem to get over that silly "lawyer lock". I have 8 SW revolvers, the newest one is vintage '92, most are from the '70's-'80's. The newer Smith's have never appealed much to me. Anyway, if I do decide to pick it up I plan to remove and "plug" that goofy lock and I even have an old style SS cylinder release that may cover up the hole a little more. Just curious how they shoot once I get past the cosmetic ugly-ness of the new SW revolvers. Thanks for your input...

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TMW
ExFed

In the last month I've picked up a 617-0 (pre lock of course) 6" and a 617-6 4" (with lock).

That 4" 617 is the best gun money I've spent in ages. Loads of fun, very accurate, feels great in the hand, etc., etc.

At $500, do it. If you find it's not your speed you'll get your investment back out easily. I paid a bit over $600 for my 4", though it did come with some extras (spring kit, extra grip, fiber optic front sight)

At $500 bucks, you got a good deal. Take at look at what these guns sell for on Gunbroker.com and Auctionarms.com.

To each his own, but I've never been bothered by the lock. I have many old and new smiths, with locks and without, never an issue. Do I wish the lock wasn't there? You bet but they're not going away any time soon.

How do they shoot? Like a dream. I have the 6 shot and the 10 shot. The latter is shown below with Hogue Cocobolo grips.

Thanks guys... so far I'm still on the fence, but about to fall off to the "buy" side...

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TMW
ExFed

It's a very good deal at that price and they are fantastic shooters. I'd say buy it put the plug in the lock hole after removing those parts and enjoy it to your hearts content. You didn't say whether it was a 4 inch or 6 inch model but if it's a 4 inch it's an outright steal at that price. I have the 4 inch and 6 inch in no dash models and they are both great and they cost a lot more then you are paying for yours.

617 no dash 6 inch

617 no dash 4 inch

I have new, old and really old K frame .22s. They all shoot very well. There is however a different feel to a 10 shooter’s DA pull versus 6 shooter’s. The 10 shot cylinder completes rotation about 2/3s of the way through its DA pull so you can’t use the cylinder stop popping up just before let off to warn you it’s time to hesitate or “stage the pull”. Both 6 shooters and 10 shooters can be honed so smooth that it is hard to feel cylinder lock up at all, and of course this all doesn’t matter if you habitually pull straight through in DA or only shoot SA. Nevertheless, I prefer 6 shot K22s so I’m practicing with .22s that feel the same as my center fires.

Despite that, it sounds like you are getting a deal that makes it worth buying a revolver you otherwise wouldn’t. However, I can't imagine how the lock can adversely affect a .22's function unless you get to the range with it locked and the key left at home. I’ve even been known to lock my 617 while it’s left unattended in my car. Remove your new lock if you must, but the revolver will still look to new to appear traditional, so I don’t see the point. I generally avoid removing parts from guns without good reason because over the decades utility guns that appeared to have no collector value acquire some, the parts get lost and the manufacturers discontinue them. Guess how I know this.