617 Owners, Modifications and Why...

[MJS]

I just picked up a 617 10 shot from my LGS and I would like to see what you all have done to your 617 and why. So far it's been great

If you had an action job done please list who did the work

I did pick up a Ansac speedloader and 60 round loading block also looking for new grips.

Thanks for your answers and imput

Matt

 

[memphisjim1]

The only significant mod I had done was a trigger job. I use mine for club Steel Challenge matches. Otherwise, it just has a red dot added because my 71-year-old eyes keep telling me I need optics. And I absolutely love the gun.

 

[old&slow]

Ansac & DS-10 speed loaders ,, fiber optic front sight for my old eyes,, smooth up some of the trigger parts,, that's about it..

 

[MJS]

Thank you memphisjim1 and old&slow.
I do like the Ansac speed loader so far, I have not used it at the range yet but playing with it at home it seems like a great addition.

 

[df06]

Ahrends grips and a trigger job.

 

[MJS]

Ahrends grips and a trigger job.

Thank you. Did you have a smith do your trigger job? if yes who did you have do it?

 

[OKFC05]

Metallic Silhouette. Bone stock, but the action is slick mostly from thousands of rounds through it.

 

[hangnoose]

"JUST GOT IT", "SO FAR IT'S BEEN GREAT"

That kind of says a lot. If it aint broke, & if you play with it enough it will be. IMO just use it as is for a WHILE at least. If you do end up wanting to modify it I WOULD SAY try and keep it simple & reversible if for some crazy reason you wanted to sell it, action/trigger polishing, maybe new springs, a fiber optic front post? The people I see winning bowling pin & steel challenge are getting faster times with stock guns than the winners of open class divisions with EVERY modification known to man, IT'S THE SHOOTER, NOT THE GUN. I too use the ansac & love it, but the only mod I made was to use some fingernail polish on the front sight. It's a good gun right out of the box, most of the time.

 

[MJS]

That kind of says a lot. If it aint broke, & if you play with it enough it will be. IMO just use it as is for a WHILE at least. If you do end up wanting to modify it I WOULD SAY try and keep it simple & reversible if for some crazy reason you wanted to sell it, action/trigger polishing, maybe new springs, a fiber optic front post? The people I see winning bowling pin & steel challenge are getting faster times with stock guns than the winners of open class divisions with EVERY modification known to man, IT'S THE SHOOTER, NOT THE GUN. I too use the ansac & love it, but the only mod I made was to use some fingernail polish on the front sight. It's a good gun right out of the box, most of the time.

Thanks Hangnoose, yea I'll probably end up just shooing it and dry firing it with #4 drywall inserts till it loosens up. Good point on reversible mods.

 

[Lou_NC]

If you had an action job done please list who did the work

Yes, "action" job was performed on my 617. Did it myself. Basically, polish the interior surfaces as per Kuhnhausen et.al., using a stone set from Brownells, and replaced the rebound spring with the lowest poundage from the Wolff spring sets I have laying around. (I don't replace mainsprings anymore, had too many F2F's in the past, not worth the trouble IMHO).

I don't shoot "steel challenge" so I won't pay $25 per speedloader. I use an Uncle Mikes .22 "dump pouch" on my belt and it works great for my purposes.

Enjoy your 617, it's a great revolver!

Lou

 

[MJS]

Yes, "action" job was performed on my 617. Did it myself. Basically, polish the interior surfaces as per Kuhnhausen et.al., using a stone set from Brownells, and replaced the rebound spring with the lowest poundage from the Wolff spring sets I have laying around. (I don't replace mainsprings anymore, had too many F2F's in the past, not worth the trouble IMHO).

I don't shoot "steel challenge" so I won't pay $25 per speedloader. I use an Uncle Mikes .22 "dump pouch" on my belt and it works great for my purposes.

Enjoy your 617, it's a great revolver!

Lou

Thanks Lou Is the Kuhnhausen method something a novice can do with proper tools?

 

[Hussygun]

SS 4" 6 shot pre lock. cut ramp off, milled in slot and installed partridge front. round butted and installed S&W RB FG combats. and trigger/action job.

 

[H Richard]

With exception of the Allchin mount and the Burris Fastfire III red dot this is all the way it came. The trigger is fine and reliable.

 

[Kernel Crittenden]

Hussygun,

Your 617 is sweet. Every one of those mods was worth it. Love the Patridge sight, RB frame, Combat stocks. Looks awesome.

 

[Engine49guy]

Hussygun,

Your 617 is sweet. Every one of those mods was worth it. Love the Patridge sight, RB frame, Combat stocks. Looks awesome.

Not sure I get it , didnt all 617's come with a pinned patridge FS blade ?
Also if you prefer a RB why not just buy either a RB 617-1 with serrated tangs or higher with smooth tangs .

 

[Hussygun]

Eng 49 is correct. im sorry . i was thinking the 617 partridge. but it was a 686 4 inch i did i am thinking of. the RB and trigger was it on this one. hard to find RB 617 in early. anyway , just a feature i like.

 

[S&W1006]

I changed the stock Hogue grip for a Pachmayr Gripper because the Hogue is too small for my hands. I changed the rear sight blade for a Weigand to get a better sight picture. I changed the stock springs to get a lighter trigger pull. That is all I have done. They shoot great out of the box. My 617 is my favorite 22 and just might be my favorite gun I own.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using Tapatalk

 

[TAROMAN]

Swapped out the stock grip for the old Uncle Mikes SB conversion grip that's a bit larger and fills my hand better.
Trigger job and Wolff spring kit.
Added an UltraDot on a Weigatinny rail.
Shoots best with Wolf Match Target.
I use this one for club indoor games such as shooting golf balls at 50 feet.
Always in the top 3 among a huge gaggle of semi-autos.

This one's helped me get over my IL revulsion.

 

[Lou_NC]

Thanks Lou Is the Kuhnhausen method something a novice can do with proper tools?

Wow, that's a tough question. I'd say it depends on how "mechanically inclined" a person is, more than anything else.

I read a book on pistolsmithing many years ago, in which the author took you through an action job on a S&W mod 36 (among other projects). More recently, I read the Kuhnhausen book. Both were very clearly written and I'd say that anyone with reasonable mechanical skills, the right tools, and patience should be able to tackle a revolver action job. It also helps to have a genuine interest in doing the work, not just the desire to get it done as quickly as possible. If that's how a person feels, then paying a gunsmith is probably the better way to go.

That said, I would probably NOT recommend "learning" on a factory-new S&W. I was fortunate enough to have an older model S&W 66 to mess with the first time I removed a sideplate. Although I did not damage anything on that gun, and left it better than I found it, I felt better working on a gun that was NOT new, and had seen some use.

My advice would be to do some searching on Youtube (others here may be able to provide specific links) and watch a few videos before you dive into this. Then you can make an honest self-assessment of your skills and interest in doing the work.

Lou

 

[MattJames]

Maybe I should have waited and found one with a rear sight.
This came with just a mount so I added the Ultra Dot from my .22 rifle.