I have been salivating over the 617 for a while now. I ordered one last week and it came in today. Super excited, opened the box and... the cylinder wouldn’t open

Figured out that as long as I don’t push the cylinder release ALL the way, it’ll open. But if I push the cylinder release completely, it hangs up. If I keep pressure on the cylinder while I’m pressing the thumb piece it’ll open fine.

Is this something that will “work” itself out? Is this normal for new revolvers. I only have one other revolver and it was 40+ yrs old when I got it.

Or should I just send this thing back before I even shoot it?

It is not right. Send it back.

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NHI, 10-8.

Your extractor rod may be loose. It has a left hand thread so turn it to the left to tighten. If that's not it I agree with Doug, send it back.

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Ed

I agree having experienced more than once the exact problem and in both instances a loose ejector rod was the culprit. Good Luck

Excuse my ignorance but if i can't turn the extractor rod either way by hand, does that mean it's not loose? Just not sure what "loose" means exactly in this context.

Something is wrong with the revolver. You're not a gunsmith. Send it back while it is still in new condition. Call the factory and tell them you want to return the revolver to correct the problem and request that they send you a pre-paid shipping label. Follow their instructions. They will either repair the fault or send you a new gun.

When contacting customer service, have the model and serial number available. The information will help the service representative to expedite your request.

S&W customer service can be reached at 1-800-331-0852.

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Five screws and 3-1/2 inches.

I'd take it to the range and work with it to see if it loosens up. Since you can get it open by putting pressure on it, there's no imperative to send it back just because it's a little tight out of the box. Cordially.

Follow BlueRidges advice that way your gun will be right when you get it back and maybe whoever let it ship like that will get written up or something. You paid for a brand new gun you should expect it to be right .

Send it back ASAP, and don't mess with it.

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John

Since you can't turn the extractor rod, I agree with all the above, send it back. Call Smith customer service and they'll email you a shipping label. This whole process isn't going to cost you and your revolver will be fixed professionally.

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Ed

First I agree with the other posters who said your problem is most likely from a loose extractor rod. But it should be obviously loose and should turn fairly easily especially to the right (loosening direction.) Try it again to see if you can get the extractor rod to turn. Maybe it was installed improperly, cross threaded. It’s a very fine thread. If it’s cross threaded try to back it out. Maybe you can get it to screw in properly.
I suggest you search YouTube so you don’t mess this up.

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Accuracy supercedes Speed

Most of my pistols are revolvers. Now it's not unusual to get a brand new revolver that's "tight". I almost sent in my 642 because the cylinder was tight to open however after shooting around at least 400 rounds thru it and cleaning it between range visits, the tightness has worked itself out. My advice is DO NOT put a tool such as pliers or do anything to the ejector rod if you do not know what you are doing. if you can't turn the rod by hand then it's tight. if you are not fully happy with it then give S&W customer service a phone call and they will correct it...

This is why we inspect firearms before filling out the 4473.

When the cylinder is open, look at the bolt protruding through the recoil shield. It should be nearly flush, or does it protrude and push the center pin to far and interfere with the extractor.

sounds more like a drop of oil and some shooting would fix that which I doubt is broken. Everyone seems incline to believe it's broken...the cylinder opens and shuts and goes around....does it also go bang?

I’ve have a couple k frames that had a loose ejector rod. No big deal. They readily turn be hand if they are loose. My guess is too tight dimensions. It may break in ok. They could fix it easily but it is a hassle.


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Now that's a true oxymoron.

IF it's gonna go back, the time to do it is BEFORE you fire it or do ANYTHING to try and "fix" it yourself. A second opinion from someone knowledgeable or a smith wouldn't hurt, but I wouldn't spend any of my $ diagnosing their problem. "GUESSING" it's more of a tweak than something "broken".

It protrudes just enough to feel it. Just a hair past flush. I took it back to the gun shop. They said they'd have their smith look at it and let me know if we need to send it back. They said it'd probably be 6-8 weeks to get it back from S&W. That's a bummer when you've been saving for a gun you really want to shoot and you were so close. Just have to be happy with shooting the Victory, 15-22 and the 10-22 for now.

Thanks for all the replies. New here and it seems like a great forum already. Really appreciate all the advice and input.

Is there any grit under the extractor star? That would do it.

Bob

Ordered it?

I wouldn’t send it back to Smith.

I’d take it back to the dealer.

Get a new one.

Then, when it comes in, check it out COMPLETELY before signing off on the transfer.

Took it back to the dealer. Their gunsmith looked at it and he told me to take it home and work it a bit. Sure enough, opening and closing the cylinder a few dozen times made it a lot better. Shot 200+ rounds thru it, cleaned and lubed it up and it just keeps getting better. Man, it's a lot of fun to shoot!