sup guys, i'm looking to purchase this S&W Model 617 22 Revolver. it's a 10 shot, and i love it! i just don't know which barrel length to purchase.. the 4" or 6" i need some help! i felt both of them, and i like the 4" felt a little bit better than the 6", but i don't want to regret later down the road no picking up the 6" barrel... whats the real difference between these two? is one more accurate than the other? or is that just a myth, because the guy i was talking to that worked at my local gun range said you wont see any difference in accuracy because they're .22's. is this true? any ideas would help me out a lot. the price for the 4" is $689, and $709 for the 6" barrel.

thanks guys!

how are the triggers on the 10-shot models? how do they compare to a 6-shot, for example?

This was discussed here fairly recently, and the consensus seemed to be that the 6" is a bit muzzle heavy, and the 4" obviously easier to carry, with no significant other differences.

4" >>>>> 6"

Needed a few more > to meet the minimum characters per post.

so the 4" would be a better choice for just shooting at the range?

I have both, the 4" as stated is better balance, but I am a bit more accurate with the 6" at a longer distance. On closer targets they are both really close. I really think all 3 models I have are great as I have the 6" 6 round also. I would never part with any of them. My personal experience the 6" isn't really that much nose heavy unless you were on your 6th-500 round brick of ammo for the day, then you might notice.

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Craig

thanks guys for your super quick responses.. gives me more to think about..

so if you guys HAD to pick between the 4" or the 6" which one would you all choose and why? that's all im looking for as of right now..

thank you guys so much!

The 4, because I already have the 6.

And you will never have to buy another one ever again, cause you won't wear these out ever.!!

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Craig

I was in the same situation as you when I bought mine about 5 years ago. I ended up buying the 6" but now really wish I had bought the 4". The 6" is a great revolver and I enjoy the heck out of it but it is nose heavy. The 4" has much better balance. I wanted mine for grouse hunting but have yet to do it. Maybe this fall is the time.

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AL
Pax Per Potens

I have both. The 4" balances better and helps me improve my drawing/shooting skills at less cost than my 4" 66. The 6" is a tad more accurate.

One is not more accurate than the other. One just SEEMS more accurate than the other because it has a longer sight radius when shooting open sights. I like the 4". I had an '89 4" no dash that burned up in a fire. I want to cry right now when I think of it. Not much will make me cry either, but that will.
Shorter barrels are often more inherently accurate than longer ones. You can alway stick a Aimpoint Micro R-1 (ss finish) and hit better, or the same as somebody with a 6" barrel. You will lose a teeny bit of velocity, but not enough to really matter. Get the 4".

thank you! i'm now going with the 4"

The 4" is a better training gun, since most of use 3-4" revolvers as CCW or HD guns.

I bought a 10-shot 6" 617 because it was all I could find!

Thinking back nearly 20 years, I had a 6" and 4" gun placed in front of me.

Although the 6" gun had the target trigger and hammer, the 4" just felt better in My hands.
I've never regretted buying the 4" gun, though I've regretted not buying both.

That's all I do with mine.

The 4" just has a better feel. To me. I don't care about the sight radius, the pointability is what was more important.

Granted I also was getting a 686, to match. But the decision to buy 4" was largely based on the preferred feel. The 4" is more versatile, too, but that's not as important in a .22.

yeah that's how it is for me, the 4" just feels better in my hand also.. tomorrow is payday, and i'm marching over to my local gun range to pick up this brand new 10 shot 4" beast! it's priced at $689, and since i'm a member i get $10 off any new firearm, so now it's priced at $679... is that a good price? i also want to purchase 3 of those DS-10 Speedloaders with the the box.. oh yeah i can't wait to plink for hours!

will post pics and everything as soon as i pick this bad boy up for you guys! thanks for all your help guys!

<$700 is a very good price.

I prefer the 6". Longer sight radius.

The accuracy of a 4" 617 is most likely as accurate as the 6" version. But accuracy can vary between individual guns with the same length barrel. I have shot my 6" and 4" with optics on them...and as I said earlier, the 6" is a tad more accurate than the 4". But I don't think a squirrel will know the difference.

I've got the 6" and I love it, but to be honest the main reason I got it was because they didn't have a 4" when I bought it. If they'd have had both I'd have been in trouble. For me the 6" is good as I like switching between it and my 6" 686+ so it works out as I love the feel of it. I had a 4" 686+ and liked the 6" better. Still, if I found a deal on a 4" I'd jump on it.

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"I'm your huckleberry."

I have both,I prefer the 4"er.It just feels better to me.

just bought the 4" tonight! whoooo it's awesome! pics are comming soon guys!

Congratulations on making the decision to buy and you wouldn't have went wrong with either choice. The 617 is an awesome shooting machine and like others have said you would go broke trying to wear it out.

Good choice..The 4 inch is my favorite...

Thanks guys for all the nice comments! As promised, here are the pics of my Brand New Smith & Wesson Model 617 4" Stainless Steel, 10 shot, .22 Revolver! i Bought this gun for $669.00, not sure if thats a great deal or not, but i'm still very happy with this gun. Also a Range Report!




My girl friend holding my gun, so i can take the pics.. Gun is dirty, due to me just shooting prior to the pictures.




Range Report, 50 Rounds of CCl (Standard Velocity) 40 Grain at 5 Yards




50 Rounds of Federal Premium (Gold Metal) 40 Grain at 10 yards



Trust me I'm a horrible shooter, i just started this sport last month, and i already bought two guns lol.. but this gun is awesome and accurate for even me!

Thanks everyone for helping me decide the 4" barrel!

P.S - I just ordered 2 DS-10 Speedloaders, and 1 Block that holds 90 Rounds! Super Excited!

-Zildjian

BUY THE 4''---BEST ALL AROUND MODEL, IMHO.....

Glad you said that was your girlfriend...I was going to ask about the purple nails....

hahahah yeah i figured it would throw people off if i didn't mention it!

It's really a coin toss as to accuracy between the 4" and 6" models. But mine is a 6" and I use it primarily as a trainer for my PC Model 627. I slapped on this Nikon Variable Dot Size Red Dot and it's eye watering how accurate this gun is. You can't really go wrong with either model.

The 4"-er is fun - congratulations! If you like the HiViz sight on mine, it's the special 617 size - .165" or so high. The grips are Ahrends in cocobolo - 'Retro Targets', my personal favorite, although they have other styles - $60 + $6 s/h. It took me a bit to outfit it the way it is - my 617 was $609 new two years ago. It cleaned the account for a while - but what a bargain when you consider the 'fun factor'!



Congratulations! And... glad to reread your post and note those aren't your purple nails! Now, get yee some el-cheapo Federals - the 550 pack - from WallyWorld - and blast away!

Stainz

Sup Guys,

I just received my D-S 10 shot Speedloaders and 60 round Block in the mail today! i'll get some pictures up soon for you guys!

wow Stainz, thanks for the photo of your gun! your grips look beautiful. when choosing the correct grips for my 617, how do i know which to pick for them to fit my gun correctly? Frame: do i choose K/L or N Frame style grips? also which style "butts" will fit my gun, the square butt or round to square conversions? I'm not sure what the difference is between those two. and is it worth getting them oiled for the extra $20?

I Just ordered the HiViz Front Sight for my gun. i can't wait to get them in the mail! How do i put them on my gun? should i just take it to my local gun range and have the gunsmith do it for me?

I was just on the (Ahrends) website, love those cocobolo grips... i'm not sure which style to get, but i just realized they don't accept credit cards only personal checks? do they accept paypal?

P.s i just noticed my rear sight wiggles a bit when i touch it, is that normal? if not, is there way to tighten this up without adjusting my rear sight at all?

Thanks guys!

-Zildjian

Same here if its a range gun the longer sight radius could help. I love my 6 inch makes me look like a pro at the range. Now if I could figure out how to keep the leading down I would be set.

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SC Army National Guard

As you can see I posted before reading the full post. lol been way a while. Keep shooting mine only gets better the more I shoot it. Trigger gets smoother I get smoother. Never thought I would be a revolver guy but my 617 has started a whole other trend. Just when you think you have it all. Enjoy.

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SC Army National Guard

Hey Guys,

I told you i was going to update with some new pictures! Well right now my 617 is with the gunsmith at my local gun club. he's putting on for me my new HiViz green front sight, and also is taking a look at my rear sight. my rear sight is wiggling a little bit, and i'm not sure if it's normal or not. so i will soon find out about it.

I have some pictures to share with you guys, there just the items i've been collecting for my 617 and wanted to show everyone.. so here ya go!

D-S 10 Shot Speedloaders & Block 60 Round Holder






Hoppe's Bore Snake



Lead Clean Cloth



Metal Care Cloth



The PocKit

the back knob unscrews, and inside holds my 2-piece .22 cleaning rod, and three accessories.. which can hold a lot more!






I will update with more pictures, when i get my 617 back with HiViz front sight installed, including some more range reports!

Thanks Guys,
-Zildjian

sup guys, i just got my gun back from the gun smith, he put on the new HiViz front sight for me, which looks awesome! but sadly when i went to shoot my gun for the first time at 5 yards just to test it out, it was sooo un accurate. i was extremely pissed. at first i thought it was just me not getting used to the new sight, but its my rear sight thats the problem.

i had the gun smith check out my rear sight while he installed my HiViz front sight, because my rear sight had a little wiggle when i would touch it.. nothing major, but i just wanted him to check it out for me. he said it was perfectly normal, as the other s&w guns he showed me did the same thing. so i know he messed with the rear sight a bit, but he never put my rear sight back to how it was in it's original position.

i thought gun smiths calibrate your sights, after they install them?
well i'm pissed, because before my accuracy was amazing a 5yards and now it just makes me want to sell my gun back, im so angry. because i don't know how to adjust my sights to make it perfect like S&W factory calibrated it to be.

can i just fix this problem at the range with a screwdriver? i only have to adjust my rear sight, but i seriously don't know how i'm going to get it back to perfect like it was before..

thanks guys.

It's very normal to have to re-adjust the sights after a new sight is installed. It's really easy and only takes a proper fitting screwdriver. Just adjust the rear sight in the direction you want the bullet to go. If you are shooting low you adjust the rear sight up. If you are shooting too far left move the rear sight to the right. Just go a couple of clicks at a time until it is where you like it.

Everbody is different and will shoot the same gun to a different point of impact. Even if the gunsmith were to sight in your revolver it might not work for you. You have to sight it in for your eyes.

You have a great revolver. Learn to adjust your sights and have fun. They are adjustable for a reason.

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AL
Pax Per Potens

thanks man, that makes me feel a lot better! i was having like a mini panic attack in my lane after i saw how i was shooting... lol

I just bought this used 617-4 Pre-lock 6 inch barrel 22 LR two days ago (5-2019). It came with a 80 round loading block and two DS speed loaders. It has a scope already mounted. And it had these very nice wood grips on it. I did not need it... but it was a 617-4 Pre-lock with all the goodies and I couldn't pass on it for $500 bucks out the door. Why would someone dress out this fine 617-4 with all the goodies and sell it? Bless his heart.

Note to self: Never go into a gun store, again.

That tells me that the gun range guy is better qualified to swab the decks of the restrooms at Wal-Mart.

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Dave

I think I would visit that shop often. Great find.

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SC Army National Guard