I know there's a lot of us on here who love the full lug rimfires. I don't see the point. The regular no-lug barrels are heavy enough with all that steel left in the barrel. The 4" ones balance ok, but longer than that and they get real heavy.

They don't have to be super traditional, I'll take a 10 shot. 4" and 6" of course, and I'd LOVE to see some 5" guns.

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Psalm 27:2

I traded a lightly used Glock 48 + $75 for a brand new 617 with a 4 inch barrel this summer. With the shorter barrel it balances fine but if there was a lug free version I would have paid extra for it. It shoots great but a 22 doesn't need to be that heavy. I used mine as a range gun for shooting at small steel targets and informal target shooting. Not everyone that buys a 617 is a bullseye, ICORE or steel challenge competitor.

Blued or stainless doesn't matter to me. Either would be fine.

I think newer 63s would actually look better with a full lug. It looks strange to me with the shrouded extractor rod and 3" barrel. The 317 looks better. S&W needs more J and K frame .22 configurations.

My 617 is a 6" from 1993, full lug....love it....shot a lot. it does feel a little muzzle heavy to me. that said, a lot of newer shooters seem to like it a lot?
not sure about that

The new 17’s are pretty nice. There will be another run of them at some point.

I have a 617-6 that is as smooth as I’ve seen from S&W. I was surprised I’d like the ten shot version, the DA is slick.

There are 617 no lugs out there in 4” and 6”, you’ll need the big check book.

I bought a new 6" 48 a couple months ago it is very nice. If they would make a 8 or 10 shot version in .22 that would be great. I saw a 5" 63 while browsing and that looked good.

I agree that the 6" full lug 10 shot model 617 that is currently available is too heavy for a 22 LR revolver.

A more traditional half lug barrel would make a great woods gun. Good corrosion resistance and not too heavy

I especially liked the Heritage Edition Model 17s that Lew Horton commissioned 12+ years ago

I think these are the prettiest K22s to come out of the factory in years. Though I did change the grips on mine

Had I realized what these were, when they where being made, I would have bought one of the nickel versions or/and one of the color case hardened ones.

The new 8 shot model 63s are pretty cool. I will occasionally throw mine in the front pocket. The 317s are just too lightweight for my taste

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"Acta non verba"

Beautiful!

Best of the best.

enjoy,
bdGreen

IIRC the 6 shot 6 inch 617 no dash I own weighs in at 52 ounces, at a guess that is about the weight of a 4 inch 500 Magnum. Yeah I really should check that but S&W's web site last time I was there was slow as cold molasses. Anyhow I have many times considered taking my 617 into the machine shop at work and re-configuring the barrel into a semi lugged profile. What has stopped me from doing this is that with some steels internal stresses can cause the steel to bow a LOT when you remove a large chunk of metal from one side.

I'd be happy with one of these as well.

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Psalm 27:2

Out vit the lug already.

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Robert
SWCA #2906, SWHF #760