I posted in December after my brand new 617-6 proved defective, out of the box. S&W fixed the cylinder stop and trimmed the forcing cone, returning it to me under warranty, five weeks later. With the harsh weather, I've only gotten it on my range twice since it was repaired. This gem prints about 10--15" high at 15 yards, using Mini Mag and Fiocchi standard velocity 40gr solids! Totally unacceptable. The rear sight is cranked down to its limit. This is totally frustrating. Should I recontact Customer Service and expect another couple of months of delay, or hit the aftermarket for a taller front sight blade (can anyone recommend a good fiber optic?) and replacement it on my own? I hate to dump this lemon on the trade-in market but the temptation is great. Advice?
617 Blues
- Thread starter Sammy75
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SWFan27
Member
I bought a 617-6 in June and it went back for warranty work due to a timing issue and shaving lead. Accuracy should not be an issue with the 617 at all. Mine is extremely accurate and goes with me to the range every time I go.
I love the thing now that it is working properly. In my opinion it is worth sending yours back for another warranty visit. They should get it back to you within a few weeks. Check out this video and go to the 3:30 mark. I had the same timing problem on two chambers/charging holes. Timing issues will affect accuracy for sure. Smith and Wesson changed my ejector rod because two of the ratchets were causing carry up issues. Everything is all good now.
[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ab0YwDAHrVQ&t=180s"]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ab0YwDAHrVQ&t=180s[/ame]
Yendor357
Member
If your 617 is printing tight group, but it’s impacting 10-15 inches high at 15 yards, by all means, Yes get the proper front sight insert. That’s an easy fix.
Mine was a stinker from the get. But I was firm and persistent with Cus Service. It took 3 trips back to the factory. I wouldn’t trade it for anything now.
This is the best of 4 groups I shot today. It did even better when I had a 2X Leupold on it.
Mine was a stinker from the get. But I was firm and persistent with Cus Service. It took 3 trips back to the factory. I wouldn’t trade it for anything now.
This is the best of 4 groups I shot today. It did even better when I had a 2X Leupold on it.
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SWFan27
Member
I feel the same way about my 617. It took me two warranty visits and pitching a fit with management, but I would not trade my 617 now for anything. I was hitting bullseyes from 15 yards double action when I went to the range a few days ago.
Yendor357
Member
I can’t shoot double action to save my soul.
SWFan27
Member
My 617 has greatly improved my double action shooting, and that has carried over to my 357 magnums also. I very rarely shoot single action anymore.
oldrookey617
Member
purchased a 617 4" march 2023, liked so well purchased a 6" in Oct, it had 2-3 problems mainly a bad hitch in the double action, sent it in, 5 weeks turnaround, still hitch in the D/A, called sent it back, 4 weeks, was a good smith the second trip, it's great now, it seems better the more I use it, just call them and send it back. they should check them out at the factory before they sent them out to sell..
SWFan27
Member
My LGS told me they only test fire three rounds when I complained about two chambers/charging holes being out of time.
I guess I'll call S&W again, tomorrow. I'm concerned that the barrel is canted upward, beyond what a taller front blade can solve. Aiming a foot above the point of aim at 15 yards is ridiculous. Although elevation is a complete mystery, windage is fine. I can shoot a tight group of rounds, just way under the target paper. It's reassuring to hear that some of you have had to return your weapons to S&W, more than once. I'll be joining the club.
SWFan27
Member
The guy in the video here had a canted barrel also. They do not all have problems, but when you get one with an issue, it seems that the warranty gunsmiths don't spend enough time with them. I pitched a fit when I sent my new 617 back for a second warranty trip for the missed timing issue. I emailed someone from S&W's management and copied the CEO.
The person in management emailed me a couple updates and the second trip took only 2 weeks. The first time was 5 weeks. Between the care I received on the second visit, and how great my 617 now works, all is forgiven. I bought another new Smith & Wesson (Model 19 Classic) in December. The 617 is the only Smith & Wesson I have ever had an issue with. It has never missed a trip to the range since I got it back working.
[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IIKbuqwLwXQ&t=8s"]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IIKbuqwLwXQ&t=8s[/ame]
Yendor357
Member
It’s all good Sam. We’ve all made that mistake. I usually do it with left or right.
If your revolver is printing low, that’s something you can fix. If it’s printing low, with the rear sight bottomed out, the front sight is too tall. Are you somewhat mechanically inclined? Google something like “sight correction calculator”. Enter the numbers, and it’ll tell you how far to take the front sight down.
This is how I do it: on a flat counter top, tape a 6 inch square of good quality medium grit sandpaper. Then turn the revolver up side down. I put a thick piece of paper between the rear sight and the counter top so you don’t scratch your counter top. The paper will move with the gun. The front sight is on the sand paper that’s taped down so it doesn’t move. The rear sight will keep you squared up. Carefully take that front sight down.
With an adjustable rear sight you have some margin of error.
If your revolver is printing low, that’s something you can fix. If it’s printing low, with the rear sight bottomed out, the front sight is too tall. Are you somewhat mechanically inclined? Google something like “sight correction calculator”. Enter the numbers, and it’ll tell you how far to take the front sight down.
This is how I do it: on a flat counter top, tape a 6 inch square of good quality medium grit sandpaper. Then turn the revolver up side down. I put a thick piece of paper between the rear sight and the counter top so you don’t scratch your counter top. The paper will move with the gun. The front sight is on the sand paper that’s taped down so it doesn’t move. The rear sight will keep you squared up. Carefully take that front sight down.
With an adjustable rear sight you have some margin of error.
SWFan27
Member
I would not perform any work on a brand-new gun. Make the S&W warranty people fix it, and don't do anything which could affect your warranty. It sucks and you will not have your new revolver for a few more weeks. But I strongly suggest submitting a new claim and have them send you a FedEx label.
Well, I am confused. You want to move the rear sight in the direction you want to move your group! SO, if your bullets are striking low to your point of aim, move your rear sight higher! From your description, you may not be able to move your current rear sight high enough, as the screw is only so long. At the end of the adjustment, the sight frame will be pretty elevated, higher than I like. Then a new blade is in order.
Adjusting the front sight to move the group is just the opposite, to elevate the group, a shorter front sight is necessary.
Sometimes, the factory sends a gun out with the wrong rear sight!! I had a 625 with a short rear blade and a tall front sight, way taller than I thought necessary. I just bought a whole rear sight assembly with a taller blade from MidwayUSA and installed it rather than change blades.
However, since you have a brand new gun, see how far raising the rear sight will move your group, if it is not enough, send it back to Smith! Its a bunch cheaper than purchasing a rear sight assembly!
Adjusting the front sight to move the group is just the opposite, to elevate the group, a shorter front sight is necessary.
Sometimes, the factory sends a gun out with the wrong rear sight!! I had a 625 with a short rear blade and a tall front sight, way taller than I thought necessary. I just bought a whole rear sight assembly with a taller blade from MidwayUSA and installed it rather than change blades.
However, since you have a brand new gun, see how far raising the rear sight will move your group, if it is not enough, send it back to Smith! Its a bunch cheaper than purchasing a rear sight assembly!
Yendor357
Member
Ooooh Nightowl is right. I forgot about getting a taller rear sight blade.
I guess I’ve dealt with too many fixed sight autos.
His advice is the better option. Changing a rear sight blade isn’t difficult at all. I too have a 625 that had too short of a rear sight blade. I forgot all about that.
I would think the factory mis matched the front and rear sights long before they would install a barrel that crooked.
Easy fix. You’ll be ripping the center out of the 10 ring in no time.
I guess I’ve dealt with too many fixed sight autos.
His advice is the better option. Changing a rear sight blade isn’t difficult at all. I too have a 625 that had too short of a rear sight blade. I forgot all about that.
I would think the factory mis matched the front and rear sights long before they would install a barrel that crooked.
Easy fix. You’ll be ripping the center out of the 10 ring in no time.
AveragEd
Member
Another rear sight blade is the way to go. Fifty or so years ago I bought an 8-3/8" Model 14 to use for groundhogs when the hay was high and target shooting. It printed 148-grain wadcutters to the point of aim at 25 yards but was way high with 110-grain JHP loads. S&W changed the sight blade to one that worked with both loads for me under warranty.
Ed
Ed
This pretty much describes me also. I live in the country and one of my son's friends asked if him and some of his friends came out to shoot. My son's friend is upper 50's in age and it would be him and his wife and two teenagers and his father in law. So we had a good morning of shooting and the friend's father in law was a retired policeman. He shot mostly double action revolvers and only in double action mode. That man could shoot, made me envious.
The 617 has headed back to Springfield. Customer Service was great on the phone. I'm betting there is more than a sight replacement needed. The gun wouldn't print in a 6" bullseye from the 5-yard line. At 15 yards, the rounds were striking 12"---15" low. I had a similar issue with a Model 66, a couple of years ago. Smith replaced the barrel on that one, under warranty.
8shot
Member
My 617 (6") would tumble Remington Thunderbolt 22LR ammo and would barely keep them in a paper plate at 10 yards. Barrel became really leaded up...stopped using the Thunderbolt and shoots great now.
