S&W 617 in 4 or 6 in. barrel ????????

S&W WHEELNUT · Apr 21, 2010

I'm looking to buy a 617 to practice with. The 22 rounds are a lot cheeper then 40 cal. and 45 acp , even if I reload. So you guys
think the 4 or 6 in. barrel ????? Thanks Glenn

ken158 · Apr 21, 2010

4 inch is easier to carry and harder to find

Person · Apr 21, 2010

I own a 6" and I love it but if I could have found the same one in a 4" I probably would love it a little more.

Really depends on what you want to do with it and if you like 6" or 4" revolvers more.

Later,

Person

lemeni · Apr 21, 2010

I have shot both models (10-rnd. cylinders) and prefer the 4". The 6" is somewhat nose-heavy, whereas the 4" seems perfectly balanced to me.

OKFC05 · Apr 21, 2010

For 100m rams in .22 silhouette and for squirrel hunting, the 6" has a real advantage. The 4" is obviously easier to carry. For just walking around and plinking, my favorite is a 4" Mod 63.

HAWKEYE10 · Apr 21, 2010

If I had the choice I like most of the other post would say a 4". That being said if I found a good deal in one or the other I would buy it. You will like either one. Don

scooter123 · Apr 21, 2010

As hard as the 617 is to find right now, it's kind of difficult to find either so you had best take what you can find if you stumble on one.

However, I have the 6 inch version and as others have posted, it is distinctly barrel heavy. If you want something that would be ideal for training new shooters, woods carry, and cheap DA practice I would recomend the 4 inch version or the model 18. I also suspect that if both version were equipped with Optics, you would not see any benefit in accuracy from the longer barrel. However, without Optics, the longer sight radius of the 6 inch version makes it much easier to shoot a tight grouping. In addition, you'll also get a slight boost in muzzle velocity with the longer barrel, so it might extend your effective range on small game by a bit.

kpb0605 · Apr 21, 2010

I also will have to agree about the 4" model's. I've owned both the 4 and 6 inch models, but the 4 inch models just balance and feel better to me. Needless to say, 6 inch models seem to come and go with me, but my 4 inch 617-1 isnt going anywhere!

stevieboy · Apr 21, 2010

I'm with the crowd on this one. At one time I had a 6" and a 4" 617 (I also had an 8 3/8" Model 17-5 but that's another story). I sold the longer barreled gun and kept the 4-incher. They're both very fine guns. My 6" 617 was probably the most accurate revolver I ever owned. I shot the 6" gun considerably more accurately than I do the 4-incher. However, 4" revolvers are my passion and the 4-inch 617 is just an ideal training platform for all of my centerfire guns. I was bringing the 4" gun to the range on nearly every trip while my 6-incher just languished. So, I sold it.

S&W-Keeper · Apr 21, 2010

I have a 4",and 6" first year 617. I prefer the 4".It is easier to carry.

perpster · Apr 22, 2010

Well, it's a 617, not a 417, so I vote 6 inch.

surfdog76 · Apr 22, 2010

perpster said:
Well, it's a 617, not a 417, so I vote 6 inch.

+1. Get one without the full-lug.

PM me as soon as you find one... I'll be glad to check it out for you and make sure it's a good one.

surfdog76 · Apr 22, 2010

surfdog76 said:
+1. Get one without the full-lug.

PM me as soon as you find one... I'll be glad to check it out for you and make sure it's a good one.

Otherwise..........

Imshootin · Apr 22, 2010

If given the choice, I'd choose the 4".

MTKTM · Apr 22, 2010

I'm very happy with my 6". One of these days I'll pick up a 4" when/if I see one for sale, they are pretty scarce as has been said. The 6" has a longer sight-radius and most people will be able to shoot it slightly more accurately. I'm not using it for CCW so the length isn't an issue. I've also found that it makes a very good beginner's/teaching gun. If I were looking now I'd simply get the first one I could find, either 4" or 6", you really can't go wrong either way.

surfdog76 · Apr 23, 2010

MTKTM said:
I'm very happy with my 6". One of these days I'll pick up a 4" when/if I see one for sale, they are pretty scarce as has been said. The 6" has a longer sight-radius and most people will be able to shoot it slightly more accurately. I'm not using it for CCW so the length isn't an issue. I've also found that it makes a very good beginner's/teaching gun. If I were looking now I'd simply get the first one I could find, either 4" or 6", you really can't go wrong either way.

Right on. They are so much fun... you really need both! Target shooting, I want my 6" for sure. 4" makes a nice match for an IDPA 686.

Just got these Hogue Big Butts, and I really like them for target shooting. Yes Sir, I'll take 2" of extra sight-radius and some muzzle weight
if a 'small friendly wager' is on the line... But the 2 are different enough I won't part with either. Thumbs-up!

raveneap · Apr 23, 2010

I've got the 4" - ordered it last August and finally got it in October. They were scarce then and apparently still are. Great gun and worth the wait.

dgb553 · Apr 24, 2010

Used to own a 617 6 inch, sold it bought a 617 4 inch 10 shot pre-lock. It is by far better balanced and just as accurate too!

The post above shows a picture of a 4 inch with a ds10speed loader. I have 4 speed loaders with 2 loading blocks. It will take a .22 revolver to the next level!!

Here's the link to ds10speed: DS-10-SPEED is a custom made speed loader for S&W 617 10 shot revolvers. - Windows Live

Kenneth L. Walters · Apr 24, 2010

Wasn't this also made with a 8 3/8 inch barrel? And what barrel lengths came without the full-lug? Also, originally, the guns had aluminum cylinders I think.

surfdog76 · Apr 24, 2010

Kenneth L. Walters said:
Wasn't this also made with a 8 3/8 inch barrel?

This one closed yesterday:

S&W 617 PRE LOCK 8 3/8 BARREL I THINK GUN IS NEW LOOKS LIKE IT IS: Revolvers For Sale - SMITH & WESSON 617 OLD MODEL - Auction: 9670476 (Ended 04/23/2010, 07:08:34 PST)

S&W 617 in 4 or 6 in. barrel ????????

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

US Veteran

Member

Member

Similar threads