S&W 617 or Colt Diamondback 22

I answered earlier and after reading this thread I would say. Colts are wonderful handguns but they are expensive and not made or supported anymore. Depending on how much you want to spend determines the condition of the revolver you will get.

I'd go with any of the following.

617 with 4 inch barrel
Model617nodashLeft.jpg

Model 17 in any dash number older then -4 or at least a P&R -4
SWModel14-4LeftSide.jpg

Model 18 -3 or older
18-3RightSide.jpg
 
The Diamondback is a beautiful gun. My buddy has a NIB 6" blue steel DB in .22, but it's a safe queen. A mutual friend of ours bought a 6" blue DB shooter. We were anxious to try it, but none of us were able to get it to shoot well. It'd barely keep the shots on the paper while our 17's were able to hit golf balls at 25 yards.

Likewise, a Model 14 or 15 will shoot circles around either of my friend's .38 DB. I've shot 3 DB's and I just can't shoot them.

Like you, I overwhelmingly prefer revolvers EXCEPT when dealing with .22. Try a Model 41. You'll love it!
 
gkitch said:
A Colt Diamondback is like a beautiful, but shallow, woman. One is attracted by her lovely exterior so lots of money is invested to call her your own. As a bit of time passes one realizes that she is not at home in the field, where the evils of weather might wear her beauty. She remians safe at home. Of course, what she does for you (accuracy, capacity) is good but nothing special. She will remain a prize to show off to your friends but your personal connection with her will never flourish.

Now the S&W is more like your buddy's lady who gets prettier every time you see her. That's because she is there with him on the summer camping trip or at the duck hunt or just going with y'all to the range. She's right there for the good times, and even occassionly contributes to supper with a rabbit or other small game. Now there's a woman!
Click to expand...

Love it!!!!
 
If you want a collectible - but the Diamondback. If you want to use the gun - buy the 617. By the way - I would bet a 617 is every bit as accurate as a Diamondback. My 4" 617 is as fine a shooter as I've ever seen.

Jerry
 
The .22 revolvers I enjoy shooting in order of preference are:
1. Colt Officers Model Match
2. S&W k-22 (6 inch, 1948)
3. S&W 617 (6 inch, no dash)
4. Colt Diamondback (6 inch)

They are all fun to shoot, but for some reason the Colt OMM is in a class all its own.

My next revolver will be the 617 no dash 4 inch. I almost had one a couple of weeks ago, but FYIMO beat me to it by about 20 minutes. :)
 
m657 said:
I'm one of those who really needs the 'weight forward' of the underlug design, as it tends to help moderate my oscillation and helps generate something more resembling a 'group' than the 'pattern' I get with pencil barrels. And I prefer it cosmetically as well. Of course recoil is not the main concern in 22LR.
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That's interesting. I always feel like the 617 is more wobbly than with the 17. Either way I prefer either of the Smiths over the DB for the da trigger.
 
Oh God no not the Gold Cup!...the others ok but the Gold Cup...first rule is every man needs a Colt 45...all the other stuff is just...other stuff
 
Don't know if anyone's pointed out this fact regarding the little Colt.....and believe me, I love Colts as much as I love Smiths.

The Diamondback's cylinder is pinned at the rear ONLY, while the SW 617 pins the cylinder both fore and aft.

Also, Colt's DA pull is superior (IMO) and the S&W's SA pull cannot be equaled.

Probably best to own one of each and let the shooting begin!
icon12.gif
 
686 SSR said:
I was so impressed with the accuracy and trigger feel of my first revolver (a 686 SSR) that I've traded nearly all my semi-autos for other revolvers. An HK P7, a SIG 228, a Colt Gold Cup, a Kimber CDP II Pro and others have been sold/traded/exchanged with no regrets. Revolvers are that good!!!

I would like to have a 4-inch .22 cal revolver to replace a .22 semi-auto. The choice has come down to a S&W 617 or a Colt Diamondback. If your choice was based purely on accuracy and functionality, what would you do?

(I realize today Colts cost a lot more, so my question assumes unrealisitically the choices are of equal value.)
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A little story.....Back in the early 70's I bought a new 4" diamondback for $160.00. Shot for for about 30 years. Had to have Colt rebuild it one time since it went out of time and was snapping. Had it nickeled at the rebuild. Finally go tired of it. Never really cottoned to the "stacking action". Took it to a gun show and trolled with it till I found a buyer. Sold it for much more than I paid for it. Took proceeds and purchased a 4" 10 shot 617. I like the 617 much better than the DB. To me its a better gun with a much smoother action. It joined my other K-22's and will live here happily ever after. To me for shooting Colts aren't worth near the money people are asking for them. I have a python from the custom shop purchased NIB in 1980. It mostly sleeps in the safe. My Smith 357's see all the use. My $0.02.
 
There's also...

...the older Model 17. I traded my 617 in on this one, and I've never looked back. It is, IMHO, the best of the .22 revolvers. It's balanced better than the full-lug Model 617, and the trigger is second to none.

SWModel17-3LFT.jpg
 
Frame size

I am a big guy, have large hands. Have a S&W 10-6. Too small for my hands. Go ahead and laugh . What is the largest frame revolver chambered in 22lr ?
 
Having had both a six inch Python and Diamond back (22lr), I got tired of worrying of getting them damaged. They where real nice guns and eventualy sold them. So, now I have a 686 and a 617 and cannot be more happy shooting them. The Colts are more delicate guns, and there is no factory support for them, as there is for a S&W. Even though the trigger pulls where so smooth on the Colts, I don't think they where as accurate as my Smiths. Just my opion!
 
Both the Colt and S&W have pedigrees, but I would bet you'd see quite a few more K22s in their day than Diamondbacks for shooting bullseye. My dad has an old 4 screw K22 and I bought one of the first M17s when they came out with the full length underlug (aka: 586/686). My M17 is immaculate and very accurate. I just don't shoot revolvers as much as autos anymore.
 
BARTGN said:
I am a big guy, have large hands. Have a S&W 10-6. Too small for my hands. Go ahead and laugh . What is the largest frame revolver chambered in 22lr ?
Click to expand...

Bart- about the biggest DA .22 I know of is the Dan Wesson, built on the same frame as their .357. Have your tried other grips on your 17?
 
If you are going to be carrying the gun much take the 617 ! No tears if it gets a scratch or two ! I have a couple nice old Model 17s
but they are range guns that are never holstered.

Jerry

orig.jpg
 
I own both, the Diamondback has a better trigger but not by much, I do like the larger grips of the Diamondback as compared to the K22 but Colts had the same issue in the time frame that it was built. I have a pre Python OPM and no S&W or Colt I have shot can compare to that trigger. I do think the S&W has a more durable action but the DB is more finely fitted so there is a trade off. I will admit I bought my K22 to give my DB some rest because few outside Colt have the skills to repair them correctly.

Getting both isn't a bad choice, both, if taken care of, won't lose any value. Colts will likely have a greater collector interest in them if for no other reason then lower production numbers and the Pony.

The downside of the DB is the same as a Python, if you ever need grips for some reason, plan 9 months ahead so you can sell your newborn to fund the purchase. They are that hard to find a nice pair and none will ever be cheap.
 
Fifty years after "Gilligan's Island", comparing the Colt Diamondback to the S&W 617, we are back to the Ginger vs. Mary Ann decision.

I chose to do a little CPR on this thread after observing a resurgence in interest in sales of these revolvers this summer.

The Colt is certainly beautiful, but the S&W will far outlast it in the field.
 
I never had a Diamondback 22. I had a 4 inch 38 along with a 6 inch Python and a Detective Special. The DB was the best of the three for me, but I traded it for an 18-4 back in the mid 80s. My 18 has received a trigger job and is superior to a factory DB action in my opinion. The Colt D-frame however, was a nice notch between the J and K, and speed loaders were interchangeable. I always intended to get another DB or two in 38, but didn't anticipate them going out of production or skyrocketing in price. If you can find one for a steal, but it and shoot it. They are still in a class by themselves.
 
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