617 6 shot

[BAM-BAM]

When the 7 and 8 shot 686s came out....... thought about it; but decided to pass.

After decades of shooting 6 shot revolvers ( 17/18/617s, 19/66s and 686/586s) figured I'd follow my muscle memory and shoot 6 and dump the rest under stress.

That pesky "Old dog and new trick" thing!

 

[Engine49guy]

While I'm not a fan of the 10 shot K frame I prefer the 7 shot L frame in .357,
If you examine the 7 shot cylinder (and 5 shot J frame cylinders) you will notice the cylinder stop notches are in the solid metal between cylinder holes, the 6 shot cylinder puts the stop notches right over the charge holes where it is thinnest.

 

[CH4]

Found this 617 earlier this year with the original combats for $1050 OTD. If it were anything other than a no dash, I would have left it behind. I need it to match my 17-6s and 648. Just need to find a 4" 617 with combats. 10 shots, I don't need no stinkin' 10 shots.

 

[357 shooter]

While I'm not a fan of the 10 shot K frame I prefer the 7 shot L frame in .357,
If you examine the 7 shot cylinder (and 5 shot J frame cylinders) you will notice the cylinder stop notches are in the solid metal between cylinder holes, the 6 shot cylinder puts the stop notches right over the charge holes where it is thinnest.

I hear this form time to time but don't see what difference it makes. I have never had any cylinder issues with any Smith and Wesson regardless of where the cylinder notches are located , even the 29/629 have notches over the cylinder. I shoot the same loads in my 6 shot and 7 shot 686s .

 

[TANZER]

617 6 Shot

While I do own several 10 shot 617's this 6 shot is my favorite .

S&W Model # 617-1
SN # ETC0001 through ETC0306
Product Code: 170122
Special Order 8190

Description
Stainless Steel Bead finish
Profile barrel ( 6" )
Round butt
Grips: Are Nill ( Photo Attached ) Pretty sure the Nill grips were added after weapons arrived in Germany
Target trigger 0.400" / target hammer 0.500"!
617PC revolvers were special ordered by German distributor ( Wischo )

 

[kamloops67]

I have a 6" no dash , could have chosen a new 10 shot but prefer the 6 shot model because I want it to be a trainer for the bigger guns ,.
Also, in my opinion a revolver should have six shots - unless there is only room for 5

 

[DS-10-SPEED]

My 617 no dash was bought new, probably my nicest 617 but soon after I got into speed shooting sports and needed 10 shots. I don't think I've shot it in 25 years but I still admire it.

 

[Camster]

Found this 617 earlier this year with the original combats for $1050 OTD. If it were anything other than a no dash, I would have left it behind. I need it to match my 17-6s and 648. Just need to find a 4" 617 with combats. 10 shots, I don't need no stinkin' 10 shots.

My LGS has one like that. Very early -1, with original combats.
My first revolver was also a -1, but with a RB, and rubber grips.
I want it, but not for $1599 plus tax.
Even in today's market, I figure it as a $1200 gun.
The consignor probably does as well. The shop wants 25% of such sales.
Deduct 25%, and the seller is realizing 1200.

 

[wproct]

I've done some pretty dumb things.

My 617 no dash was bought new, probably my nicest 617 but soon after I got into speed shooting sports and needed 10 shots. I don't think I've shot it in 25 years but I still admire it.

I had one exactly like yours, and like a fool I sold it to fund buying a different gun. That different gun has been gone a long time and I sure don't miss it, but I sure do regret selling the 617 no dash full target with wood combat stocks.

 

[SmithNut]

While I do own several 10 shot 617's this 6 shot is my favorite .

Ouch.....

Love that model, extremely scarce export model......

Thanks for showing it, I was just about over with my lust for that M617, now it's been rekindled....

 

[Tanners Owner]

I have a 4" 10 shot 617. I simply love this gun and it's arguably my favorite. Silky smooth DA, laser beam accuracy. What's more to like?

The 10 shots serve me well in my ASI games and is a significant advantage when compared to my 6 shot 63 no dash.

 

[Cooter Brown]

While I do own several 10 shot 617's this 6 shot is my favorite .

Wow...

Ouch.....

Love that model, extremely scarce export model......

Thanks for showing it, I was just about over with my lust for that M617, now it's been rekindled....

No kidding, I've never seen that model. I'm not wild about the full underlug on a .22, but that thing is the bee's knees!

Where can I find out the story on that model?

 

[Mehutch]

Well, I have a 617-4... Pre-lock... 10 shooter with a 6" barrel. What they say, "Load it once, shoot all day."

Nothing like a good 22LR revolver, nothing like a 10-shot cylinder, nothing like a -4 Pre-lock. Smith & Wesson.

 

[Purplecat]

My two six shot 617-1"s. Buy the six shot if it's nice!

 

[wproct]

I was lamenting on post 29 of this thread about selling a nice full target 617 no dash to fund another purchase. Anyway, I later got an opportunity to somewhat correct that mistake by buying a LNIB 4 inch bbl 617-1. After reading some of the above posts, whatever you have to pay for a nice pre-lock 617, you are probably just about 5 years away from what was a "fair" deal becoming a "steal". I had to go back and track my records as to how I stood on the 617-1. Back in 2008 I traded in a 686 that I had paid $450 for plus another $165 for the 617-1. So, today paying $615 for a LNIB 617-1 would be a steal. You get my drift.

 

[SweetMK]

When I bought this 617, as I rode home, I pretty much convinced myself that I overpaid because the gun did not have the original rear site.

The LGS said he was sure he had the original rear site, somewhere, but, I never received it,,

I paid the LGS $250 for it,, but, that was a little more than 2 weeks ago!! LOL!!

 

[SweetMK]

One of the things about a 617 is whether it is for looking at,, or using,,

The one below is my "go to" 22 rimfire when I am going out to enjoy it.

It is a no-lock, but, the main reason it was purchased was the scope.
I LOVE the scope, but, I hate the "nickel plated look" of the rings and base. (That is exactly how the gun came to me)

I ought to change them to something else,, even black would be better,,

 

[AveragEd]

When I bought this 617, as I rode home, I pretty much convinced myself that I overpaid because the gun did not have the original rear site.

I wouldn't be too upset about the rear sight. What your gun is wearing is a Millett sight that is considered to be superior to the factory S&W sight and were very popular with bullseye competitors. They came with and without a white outline and haven't been made for a long time. Accordingly, they tend to command respectable prices when ones crop up for sale. I have them on several of my S&W revolvers that I use primarily for target shooting - from left to right in the photos below: Models 66-2, 617ND 4", 617ND 6" and 629-1.

You can always find factory sights for sale on this site as well as eBay and GunBroker - Milletts, not so much.

Ed

 

[GSP Fan]

For me revolvers should be 6 shots. I have two M617's both no dash in 4 and 6 inch. There excellent shooters and fall right in line with the K22's. Buy what you like. If I want more than 6 shots I have the M41 and a Colt Match Target to turn to

 

[Ackley1952]

I would count the number of holes in frame and use that in my decision making. If this makes no sense at all go ahead and settle for the 10 shot