any one using m617 in any form of competition?

[m657]

Since I much prefer revolvers the local club Steel Challenge match is a natural event for me....but I'm frustrated at being limited to choosing a good 10-shoot rim fire for the event.

Seems like they were made for each other.

Any shooters lurking here?

 

[k22fan]

"any one using m617 in any form of competition?"

Yup. Old fashioned indoor NRA conventional pistol, A.K.A. bullseye. An iron sighted revolver isn't the easiest thing to shoot bullseye with, but it's the most fun by far. You don't even fully load a 6 shooter so capacity isn't an issue. Give it a try. I bet you like it.

 

[madmikeb]

I've got a 4" version that I use for bowling pin shoots and I thinks it's great. I am the only revolver shooter at these local shoots and I have a blast. Just get a couple speed loaders and a loading block and prepare for some fun!
I've also got an 8 3/8's barreled copy thats a lot of fun too, but the 4" is quicker swinging from target to target. The 4" is less forgiving though. I know one of these days I'll have to bring a 6" home to complete the set.

 

[wantmoresmiths]

ICORE has been considering a rule change to allow .22's, although I'm not sure if the rule change has been approved or not.

One of our local clubs has what is called a .22 action match, once a month. We shoot indoors so the weather is not a factor. The match is a cross between Icore, IDPA, and USPSA. We use IDPA targets, and scoring, but don't require the use of cover. Everyone starts from a low ready position, so holsters are not required. We allow rifles, revolvers and semi-auto pistols. I currently use my model 41, only because I haven't purchased a 10 shot, 4" model 617 yet. Much like steel challenge, the match is a bit of an eye opener for many people, because if your semi-auto (pistol or rifle) doesn't run 100%, you loose valuable time clearing jams, and quickly fall in the scoring. Since we do reloads "off the clock" the revolvers can be quite competitive with the semi-autos. I recently heard about a club in New Jersey that runs a USPSA 2 gun style match, using .22's. There, all reloads are on the clock, so loading the 10 shot revolver, even with a speed loader can be a bit of a challenge. Here you could use a 6 shot revolver which might reload a little quicker than the 10 shot version, but the extra reloads would probably be a disadvantage.

I personally believe that as ammunition prices continue to escalate, the shooting sports will need to make themselves more .22 friendly.

 

[dentkimterry]

I have a 6" 617 that I shoot bowling pin competitions with. Very fun. Where I shoot limits you to 7 rounds with one reload to hit 5 pins. Almost never have to reload!

 

[m657]

I've tried bowling pins. My geezer vision usually limits me to the first 2 disqualification rounds.....it takes longer to drive to the range than I get to stay in the match.

While quite enjoyable, I've used everything from 22 to 44 mag including the Holy Black, as well as a handful of autos in various calibers.

While I may be slower than most, somehow being more inaccurate too in that challenging format means I go home early.

 

[BobR1]

We set up a Stage in our OutLaw IDPA Match yesterday using a 617. (6 Shooter)

You are washing Dishes at the counter with your back to the bad guys. The 617 was staged to your Left on a second table on a folded Towel. At the Buzzer you turned, picked up the 617 and Double Tapped each of the 3 Bad Guys. Put the 617 back on the Towel and advanced to the Island and draw your holstered handgun and again Double Tapped all 3 Bad Guys a second time.
This was a fun stage in the match.

Bob

 

[m657]

sounds like a fun stage....I'm hoping to get the local ICORE club interested in a 22 class.

 

[358156hp]

I've tried bowling pins. My geezer vision usually limits me to the first 2 disqualification rounds.....it takes longer to drive to the range than I get to stay in the match.

While quite enjoyable, I've used everything from 22 to 44 mag including the Holy Black, as well as a handful of autos in various calibers.

While I may be slower than most, somehow being more inaccurate too in that challenging format means I go home early.

Consider a red dot, or other optical sight, if your club allows them. My eyes seem to get tired after a while, and I think a dot sight might get me back in the game.

 

[tomcatt51]

Consider a red dot...

Yep, Red dots are great for "old eyes". The big C-More is easily the best red dot I've looked thru for a guy with cataracts. Best clarity, crispest dot.

For when I have to shoot iron sights I like the Bowen white outline rear sight assy with a Protocall Design Custom S&W revolver front and rear sights - Protocall Design - Brian Enos's Forums... Maku mozo! .100" wide, .040" fiber optic front.

17/617s are fun. Steel Challenge, bowling pins, PPC. Yes, PPC. I run a winter PPC series for our club and have a .22 class which has become pretty popular. Probably because it's good practice and inexpensive to shoot.

 

[m657]

thanks tomcatt......I'm looking for actual iron sights or better yet, fiber optic, rather than any more red dot set ups.

While I do expect eventual cataract surgery, I'm in the "you can still wait a bit if you're not REALLY convinced" category....but it is inevitable I'm sure.

I just prefer the simpler lines and low complexity. I've got "HiViz" on a couple other S&W models that work fine.

 

[tomcatt51]

I just prefer the simpler lines and low complexity. I've got "HiViz" on a couple other S&W models that work fine.

I tried the Hi-Viz, liked the SDMs better, but then went with the Protcall .100" front when I saw them. A narrow front (and/or enlarged rear notch) gives much better sight definition as it helps keep the front and rear from blurring together. Best still (for me) is the Bowen white outine rear with the Protocall FO front. The WO is REALLY white and distinct and I can just float the front FO in the white "U".

 

[stu1ritter]

I tried my first pin match tonight and I must say I had the hardest time trying to find the front sight. Think I'm going to the hardware store and getting some appliance white paint and marking that front sight. Pins were fun.
Stu

 

[BobR1]

You might be happier with a trip by the Dollar Store and pick up a bottle of Lime Green Fingernail Polish for that front sight.

I have Sight Brite Green on my 64 front sight that I shoot in matches. I can always find the front sight. The Green Fingernail Polish should work about the same.

Bob

 

[kshock]

White out correction fluid. Easy to put on or freshen up, easy to remove if you want to. Old cop trick. I have a 617 I use for PPC in the rimfire class. I went with the protocol design fiber optic front....great sight that I would highly recommend.