Is a .22LR Revolver worth $670 Dollars?

[powwowell]

I visited Mackey's, between Jamesville and Plymouth, NC, this afternoon. Mackey's is known as one of the largest shops in the US. Their posted prices include sales tax. They had two 617, 4" barrel models at $857. Each.

$670 plus 7.75% sales tax, totals $721.93. Comparing your price to Mackeys, I say you've got a real deal.

 

[Stainz]

With s/t Wednesday - I spent over $668 on my new 3" 63. I think the little 8-shot .22 was worth it... which makes my super 4" x10 617 worth even more. You'll forget the price paid after you shoot it a bit. I did - on both that 617 and the recent 63.

Stainz

 

[axhoaxho]

Nowadays S&W listed the 10-rounds stainless steel 317 (both 4" and 6") as $940 in its website.

A few days ago I saw a beautiful new 10-rounds 4" 317 at my local gun store. I couldn't help but purchased it.

The 317 price might seem high for a .22LR revolver, yet the 317 is quality-made. Through all these years I have seen the 317 listed price went up and up, and I regret I didn't already purchased it years ago at much lower price than I paid nowadays. However, I am afraid that its price will only go even higher in the future, so I bit the bullet getting mine.

Regards,

 

[Stainz]

I think you'll find the SS 10-shooter is a K-frame 617; the current 317's are 8-shot J-frames in Al. The 63 I mentioned is a SS version of the Al 3" 317K, for example. Congratulations on your purchase - my deepest regret is that I waited so long - the .22's are fun!

Stainz

 

[GDubya]

Nice find, texagun.

While the price of .22LR has nearly doubled also, it's still under $20 per brick and that drives a lot of interest in any kind of .22s from plinking all the way to Rimfire Div. in Steel Challenge. And, Hell yes, they're fun!

I've long been jonesing a buddy's 6-shot 617 but have yet to find one at what I'd consider a reasonable deal (<$500). Had to settle for a M518 a couple of weeks ago. Yes, it's a Rossi clone of a 'Smith , but it's got a very good trigger, nice balance without the full underlug, a red-ramp front sight, no MIM, and it only cost me $225 . Before I get flamed, I acknowledge that I'm still on the hunt for a superior 617 or a new lock-less 43C, to compliment my growing collection of 'Smith wheelguns.

 

[vito]

I really like my 617. Since it is not a self-defense gun the internal lock does not bother me at all. I returned a 3" Kimber that was always giving my FTE and FTF despite several trips back to Kimber and couldn't decide what to get in its place. When I thought about the cost of ammo I decided on the 10 round 617. This is a very accurate, very comfortable handgun that I find I use more than my Browning Buckmark 22 at the range. And there is just something about a quality revolver (and I consider this very high quality, as good as my older S&W's) that a semi-auto just can't match. Something about the way a K-frame S&W fits in my hand that is really special.

 

[1x2]

I just want a 617 10 shot but is the cost worth it?

Yes.

10 charge holes is at least 4 more than I ever feel like cleaning, though .

 

[Shooting4life]

I purchased a freedom arms 22lr 252 for $1300 used. it is the biggest 5 shot 22lr you will ever see. It is also the most accurate revolver you will ever find. Love the smiths and I owen more of them than anything else but when I comes to accuracy they cannot touch a freedom arms.
Here it is shown next to my 610 no dash 6.5 inch barrel.

 

[wnr700]

I paid $550 OTD for a Model 18 and I feel it is the best purchase I have made.

In fact of my top 5 guns... the .22 represents 3 of the bunch.

 

[Gulf Coast Snapperhead]

I couldn't help myself.

All this praise of the 617 has me interested, and jealous. I stopped by a local pawn shop last week and guess what? They had a 617-2 10 shot 6" in the case. It was in poor shape, some rust on the hammer, trigger, and the frame. The alum. cylinder was beat up.I got it for $275 OTD. I went straight to FEDEX and shipped it to S&W. I requested a stainless cylinder, replacement of any rusted internals, new sights, stocks etc. I will be into this revolver for about $700 with shipping and all. But it's not my fault. You guys made me do it!!! I was in such a hurry to get it shipped, I forgot to take a "before" pic. I will post pics when I get it back.

later

 

[gunztraydeer]

.22 Revolver Prices

Back in the 1980's I bought and sold several S&W .22's both Model 17s and the 4" Model 18. I don't remember the exact prices but around $200-300. I always ended up trading them off for something else, assuming they would always be available. Later after 2000 when I wanted one it was always either the new 617 or occasional old model 17. I started trying to find another Model 18 with the 4" bbl and finally found one at a gun show last fall for $500 in like new condition. I was able to do some trading, giving up a Sig 232 and $100. I'll be holding onto this one since it was at the top of my "bucket list." I can shoot it in my garage using my bullet trap. I shoot CB caps, shorts and long rifle cartridges through it. (a good cleaning after each session). It goes with me often when I'm out wandering around and it has accounted for several crows that decided to land too near old country back roads. It also has taken down a several squirrels and a couple of rabbits. It is the epitome of versitility. I know of no other handgun I rely on as much as my .22 revolver

 

[22-rimfire]

You can wait around and hope to run onto a Model 617 for less, but it might never happen. I saw one in November for $500 (slightly used) at a gunshop. I didn't even pick it up as I just didn't want to be tempted.

So, my suggestion is that you just buy one and get the pain over with. A year or so from now you won't think about the price. The only revolvers that compare favorably are Colts. I guess the Diamondback or Officers Model Match would be my preferred choice there but they cost more. The Trooper Mark III's run about the same as the Model 17's. Good revolvers.

 

[Joebklyn]

Wow! What a response. I got the 617 4" and love it. My 1st revolver and I'm happy. thanks to all

 

[northslope]

I bought this post-war K22 Target Masterpiece (circa 1946) a while back for ~$700 or so. Grips number to the gun. It's one of my favorite revolvers, and I'm looking forward to shooting it with the son my wife and I are expecting.

--Neill

 

[TOMFD]

Joebklyn,
Get yourself a 95% - 98% condition Model 18 (4" bbl.) or a Model 17 (6" bbl) from the 1970's or 80's and those are worth the price! Those two revolvers (IMHO) are just about the best .22 LR revolvers you can buy, and if you look real hard you can score one in excellent condition for about $450 - $600 bucks. They will last you a lifetime and then some, extremely accurate, very well made, and great looking just as a bonus!

That's my .02 cents!

chief38

Yeah,,,,,What he said ,

I have a 17 and an 18 and they will outlive myself and my kids . Great shooters also .
Tom C
I guess this would be .04 cents now!

 

[5Wire]

I had this for a while. I think I sold it to another forum member. It's a transitional dash 2 (stainless cylinder) and a very accurate shooter.

I kept the 617-6 Plus 4-inch barrel I have because I liked the way the shorter model handled better.

 

[Vfeldman]

Got to love them S&W rimfires!!!!

18-3 ( mismarked as a 17-3)

K22 (1950's)

48-3

 

[Shooting4life]

Here is my 17-6. It is my favorite range gun. Buying a 617 no dash from two moon now. I have a feeling the 617 will become my primary range 22 as it is stainless and easier to maintain. I am thinking about sending it back to s&w to have a 10 shot cylinder added. Wonder if they could add a 10 shot cylinder to my 17-6

 

[kennyb]

For a fan of new S&W's (like me) it was totally worth it, I love my 6" 617! The 617 is THE best new .22 LR revolver out there, period.

You can find a decent used K-22 or M17 for less than $700, I have a nice K-22, too but the 617 takes most of the plinking duties. A K-22/17 will last forever too. But prices are skyrocketing on these too as people are looking for .22 revolvers like never before these days. Soon the 617 will be a "bargain" compared to a nice K-22.

There's also the older Dan Wesson .22 revolvers.

In short, I paid just over $750 for my 617 this summer, and the ammo savings alone paid for the gun. I must have fired 1,000's of .22's this summer for backyard plinking fun. If these were .38's it would have cost me well over the price of the gun.

Nothing beats being able to "scratch the itch" to fire a revolver a little bit, for $4 per 50 rounds vs. $20 for .38's.

i reload....50 rounds of 38special is still about four bucks here

 

[Sprefix]

absolutely.............

I have started with what I could afford and had a good time. I enjoy shooting so much, that I wanted to improve upon my skills. As that happened, my tastes evolved. My .02 cents is to buy a nice early model 17 k-22 if it is a revolver you want. If you would like an automatic, get a model 41 and be done with it. Life is too short to deprive yourself of doing the best you can in your hobby. If you want to get into things cheap, then expect cheap results. I enjoyed my journey of trading up, but wish I would have just saved for the best and been enjoying them for the past thirty years. There are many guns that shoot good. I assume if you wanted a Ruger, you would have it and not put up this post. I love my 1956 6" Colt Woodsman. It is my go-to .22 for the field. My money is looking for a k-22 with a single line made in the US and a speed hammer in a 6". You only live once. Don't worry about impressing the populous with curbside appeal of your stuff. Get a great gun that will go up in value and the enjoyment factor will continue for many years. Or, save it in your bank or retirement and let a politician or elitist millionaire end up with it. Good luck in your choice.........Sprefix