I was torn between this and the GP100. I had these rosewood targets available and it made the decision easy! I have a few S&W's but this is my first new one. I'm pleasantly surprised with the look and feel of the MIM parts and I actually like the lock. Why? Kids!
Got a good deal. Looking at past threads it appears that the price is down from 5-7 years ago.
I like revolvers, stainless and .22lr. Looked for used awhile but nothing reasonable came up. Hoping to get to the outdoor range this week. I think I'll take my K-22 along for the ceremony.

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Mike, AmVets Member, Navy Vet

Excellent choice. Love my 617-6 enough that my other rimfires feel neglected. The 1911-22 hasn't gone for a hike but 1 or 2x's in the past 2 years. Enjoy the heck out that wheelgun!

You are going to love the 617, start stocking up on ammo!

I noticed your new 617 has a white outline rear sight. Do the new ones come with that? None of mine did. Also is that a fiber dot front too (can't tell)?

The 617 is my favorite shooter, I use them constantly for bowling pin matches and steel shoots. I prefer 617's over semi-auto's any day.

I just added a GP 100 10 shot this week because I wanted to see if I could get it tuned to shoot as well as the 617. As with most new revolvers it seems to have a 9000 lb trigger. Spring kit is ordered.

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I love my 617. Added a C-More Site and bought some DS-10 speed loaders for it and it's now my favorite gun for Steel Challenge.

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I'm hoping you post some results here.
I own 2, 617's but I came close to ordering a GP100 22 myself for the same reason. We had one in the shop. It seems nicely built but as expected, the trigger was horrible.
FWIW, I got a new Sp101 .22 last year as I liked the size and features. ( Mid sized, no lug, FO sight...) Still, even after a spring kit and MUCH polishing/tuning, the trigger was still no where near a factory 617. Accuracy was also subpar but some of that may have been in the tiny grips.

Any 17/617 is still the benchmark, IMHO.

p.s You make a great speedloader for these little guns, BTW!

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Dave

It came with the outline on the rear sight, iron front sight. Now that you mention it I just put a drop of light green translucent nail polish on the front sight of my K22 and it looks great outdoors, seems to gather light as good as, if not better than my FO sights I have on other guns. Actually about 3 drops drying between applications.

BTW nice GP100 you have there!

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Mike, AmVets Member, Navy Vet

I recently bought a new 617. After a trip back to the mother ship I now also love it.

I also bought a New GP100. Really like it also. The trigger is actually pretty good.

The 617 would have the edge with triggers. Fit and finish about the same. For me the GP balaces a little better without the full underlug.

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My buddy has had his GP100 10 shot for about a year now, he got his trigger pretty good by installing an 8 lb return spring, polishing shear points and installing .003" shims on each side of the hammer to center it in the frame. I'll start with polishing and springs and see how it goes, maybe shims later.

I found the same thing. I actually bought a FO sight for my 4" 617 and never installed it. I found that a thin coat of white paint ( applied with a toothpick), followed by a bright color gave me 80% of the visibility with none of the considerable hassle of fitting a new sight. It's reversible in 5 min too. Here is an example on one of my former 617's.

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Dave

Yeah, the white paint is a good idea especially with translucent, I'll probably do that on the 617. On my K22's last application I put a small piece of sewing thread in there vertically just to let me know I'm focused. I'll try to get a pic later.

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Mike, AmVets Member, Navy Vet

I bought a new 4" 617-6, and a 63-5 at the same time. I have owned, and shot many .22 Revolvers and find these new S&Ws to be among the best. I have never handled the GP-100 .22, but did own a new model SP-101 .22lr for a very short time. I could never get a decent trigger despite all of the tricks. The S&W 63-5 is in my opinion much superior to the SP-101.
As far as the 617-6 it shoots equal to my S&W 17 that I foolishly sold years ago.

I bought a GP100 in 22LR last May and sold it last week. The trigger had a lot to due with that. The trigger had a clean break in SA and was smooth in DA but was heavy. About 7 pounds SA and 15 DA. I expect 22 revolvers to have a heavy trigger but Ruger initially advertised the 22 GP100 as having the same trigger pull as their centerfire models so I was hoping for better.

I ordered a spring kit but in general shooting the gun kind of felt like using a sledgehammer to drive in nails. The gun was accurate and the trigger was better than some other other 22 revolvers I have shot but in the end I decided to stick with my SW 41 for 22s and sell the GP100.

Congratulations on a wise decision.
If taken care of, will last forever.
Shoot it, and enjoy it. Don't look back.

Here's one of mine. Stays dirty. Sorry no petty pictures
from this Shooter.

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SD social distanc'n since 1889

Lunger, I hope you know I am exaggerating on the Ruger trigger pull. It is shoot-able out the box, but not competition ready.

Here is a comparison to the new Ruger to my smoothed out 617. I am currently in the middle of our winter bowling pin league at our club.

Last Friday, I was shooting for scores with my 617 (5 steel bowling pin targets at 25') and I was dialed in pretty good for me anyhow. I was shooting between 2.30 seconds to 2.80 seconds per table. Then I wanted to try some practice scores with my new GP and it was a struggle to get 3.00 seconds, mostly 3.30, I did get a 2.60 but you know what they say about a blind squirrel. I don't think I could have done much better with a brand new 617 either. I'm sure l'll get it there once tuned.

Understood. I was comparing the two out of the box.While the Smith is lighter,the Ruger is smooth all the way through without stacking.

In my opinion it is improved compared to SP101's I have shot. As you say both are shootable out of the box .

Congratulations! It looks good!

Az_Shooter... What grip is that and how does it compare to stock?

617 vs. GP100 -- you made the right decision!!!

Hope you enjoy the critter as much as I do mine.

Thank you all for the replies. This gun will be with me on all trips to the range. The grips and the iron sights on this gun are great. It's my favorite .22!

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Mike, AmVets Member, Navy Vet

I love my S&W 617 6". Mine is a late model, bought last year.

She is one sweet shooter. After about 500 rounds the trigger smoothed out dramatically. I can pop targets all day with this revolver.

I put white paint on the front sight. Makes all the difference at the indoor range I shoot at.

My 617 did not come with the rear sight outlined in white. That is not much of an issue with me.

Lousy photo of the sight after painting.

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Army veteran, NRA Life Member

I like your grips Redlegvzv and nice shooting!

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Mike, AmVets Member, Navy Vet

Have had a 6in 6 shot for about 18 yrs,great guns,love the looks of finger grooved wood grips that came on it,the the rubber Hogues fit hands better,grt buy,enjoy

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