I saw this on Joe Salters site and had to have it. I had been actively seeking a M63 and saw this. I figure I can always find a M63, but these no dash M617 4" bbl. revolvers are very hard to find. It is unfired, and the collector in me says" don't shoot it", but this is not a minty 1947 K22 transitional, although I paid more for it than the 47 gun. The grips are stamped 9-13-1990. I would imagine this is when it was put together. In any event, I thought I would share this with the forum members. Big Larry

Very nice Big Larry. Very nice indeed!!!!!

Very nice aquisition on a hard to find early 6 shot 617.

I recently aquired this one to shoot then added a 1970's stainless rear site and a set of checkered target stocks ,
Sorta gives it an old school look.

I bought one for my sister when they came out. I think this was the finest pistol S&W ever made.
(If this doesn't start a flame war, then I suggest that in the 7X57 Mauser the best all-around bullet is not the Remington 140 grain; it is the Hornady 139 grain.)

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and what his trumpet saith

Yes, the older models are hard to find. My 6" model was made 9-20-1993.

ANOTHER must have S&W. I'll die broke but be content thanks to this forum and the beauts I see here.

Very nice revolvers guys!

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V/R
Roger / SG

Do not listen to the collector in you, by all means take it out and shoot it!

I bought it to shoot. As stated, I was looking for a M63 when I saw this, the M63 thoughts just disappeared. Unfired yes, but no box or papers. I have a beautiful custom made belt and crossdraw holster made by Ted Blocker for my pre 18 and this fits very well. I like the short guns for riding my quad or motorcycle. When I get a good day, I will sight it in at 25 yards. Thanks, Big Larry

I'm seeing 617s listed on Gunbroker as -4 and-6. What's up with that?

Very nice looking and I agree guns are meant to be shoot. Only safe queens should be them really super fancy engraved deals that where never really designed to be shot.

flac9945,


the -4 or -6 refers to the engineering changes made throughout production. the first 617 (referred to as 617 no dash) was followed by 617-1, 617-2, etc.....they all refer to changes that were made in the design, i.e square butt to round butt, different rear sight, aluminum cylinder, internal lock, etc.

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Kris
OGCA, NRA LM

Very nice guns guys, I need a 4 inch 617 in a bad way.....

Congrats

Beautiful.... where was that when I was searching all last week.

Hope you have another 617 to shoot though. My week old 617 just became my 1) my most accurate handgun and 2) favorite range gun (as a function of it being the most accurate, by far the cheapest to shoot, and final, about the easiest to clean....)

win, win!

These are later engineering changes of the same basic gun. The current production model is the -6, I think.

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

As a matter of fact, I do have another M617. It is a dash 2, 10 shooter, with aluminum cyl. I installed a target hammer, target trigger, and had a set of fancy checkered rosewood grips custom made by Hogue. Bought this gun new in 1999, out the door for $423. It is a great shooter, especially at 50 yards or more. Big Larry

What is the latest news on the new production run of 617 10 shot?

Yours still has the original combat grips...I think many that are seen on the used market have had them removed by previous owners who then sell them seperately. I stumbled on a 4" no-dash at a local gun shop last year, also with the original grips and the box. And although I have a 17, an 18, and a 41, the 617 gets a disproportionate share of range time. I shoot Federal bulk ammo through it (the 550 round boxes) and it does just fine with that. Have fun with it: ignore the inner collector and / or get a lead removal cloth and see how well it cleans up.

Here's mine, a dash 1 engineering change shipped in 1997. It's a very accurate .22, and is pretty forgiving in terms of ammo compatibility. I hope you enjoy yours as well as I do mine.

Jerry

Hey Big Larry - that's interesting as my two 617's are a 4" no-dash with original combats (no box but excellent condition) and a 6" dash-2 10-shot. The only difference is my dash-2 is the later version with the SS cylinder. Both outstanding revolvers...

Have one just like Big Larry's NIB. Cannot bring myself to shoot it.