I seem to be amassing a collection of stainless steel and I'm thinking the next chunk of stainless needs to come in 22LR. Never having had a 22 revolver, which stainless steel one do you have or had and give me the pros and cons? I have a 629 a 640 and a 686 so I'm going to start looking for one to go with them and would love some input from those with experience.

An early 4" 617 K frame or 4" 63 J frame. The K would be easier to shoot and the J to pack.

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Alan
SWCA LM 2023, SWHF 220

Vintage M63 - fun/cheap to shoot for the whole family.

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Bill - SWCA #2327

Can you get the front sight with the orange insert in it for a 617?

617 should match-up well with the 686 and 629

Dryheat, what are you using on that 34 to make it so shiny? It looks brand new .

Dryheat - What gorgeous 22. You said vintage and with a pinned barrel you aren't kidding. Like mentioned, how do you keep it looking like new? What a neat piece. I see they still make the 63 with an 8 round cylinder. Does that hold true for the older ones like yours?

Reppans - Your 617 looks just like the little sister to the 686. How do you like the 4" bbl? With the heft of the iron I'd bet she's a sweet shooter. Have they been making the 617 long enough that they were made without the IL?

I found this one at a LGS for $419 OTD. It was in super condition when I got it. I used a little Blue Magic on an old t-shirt to really make it purty. The 63s of this vitage (pinned) all had 6 round cylinders. Makes the kids take their time shooting.

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Bill - SWCA #2327

Either the 617 or the 63 depending on how much you want to invest. Both are great shooters.

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... ed ...

DHEF, as far as I know, all the M617's come with patridge front sights. I installed a Baughman ramp front sight on mine because the gun shot way high. S&W will sell you a ramp sight for a M617, but it has to be drilled and fitted by a gunsmith. There are many places that would put an insert into the sight. They can even put inserts into the patridge. Big Larry

BTW DHEF, my favorite stainless 22 is a 1974 vintage Ruger Super Single Six, single cylinder, "Star" marked gun with the rare 4 5/8" bbl. I have 617's and M63's and I wouldn't trade that Ruger for any one of them. Big Larry

Yep, thank goodness. Here's an early 617 no dash from 1990.

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Another vote for the Model 63...this has got to be one of my all-time favorites among my S&W revolvers. Cheap to shoot, easy to maintain, compact, classic, and just an all around fun gun and cheap-to-feed snub trainer. Mine's from right around 1990

I'm with Big Larry - Stainless Single Six, especially if you don't own a single action pistol.

"Mine's from right around 1990 ..."

Rob's got a rare bird there with that adj. sight two inch Mod 63.

I got it in blue, but a stainless one is a nice catch!

GF

On the 617 the models before -5 were without the internal lock.

The 63s are a little harder to shoot but easier to carry if that matters. I have owned several 63s over the years.

The pictures of all the wheelguns you guys have added are just outstanding and starting to make me drool. We have a major gunshow coming up in about a month so I'll have to work the LGS's 'til then and if I haven't found one or the other, troll the aisles real hard to see what treasures can be found. Thanks all for your comments and pictures.

Love the 617... better than the 686.

Sure cheap ammo is a chunk of it, but the real reason is cleaning - one or two passes with a patch, bore and chambers, and she's done. The 686 & .38 special crude rings......

If you are going to tote it, the current 3" 63, an 8-shooter, fits the S&W/DeSantis 3" J-frame holster perfectly. Here is my 3" 63, sporting the '60 Pro grips', alongside a holstered 3" 60 Pro:



Now, if you want a range gun - a great bullseye shooter with the OEM sight - or, if you have mature eyes and like to plink, you can always fit the HiViz #SW617 front sight, get a DS-10 speedloader and baseplate, some WallyWorld Fed 550 packs (<$16), and anything you want to blast away at - within reason - and have some fun with a 4" 617:



Both the 3" 63 and 4" 617 are fun shooters - and quite accurate. The nod goes to the 617 for the better trigger, as you'd expect. The K-frame's lockwork, with the leaf hammer spring as opposed to the wound coil spring of the J-frame, just permits a lower/smoother DA pull.

Stainz

Stainz- Which holster do you like for the 617? I have been trying to figure which .22 to get 617 4inch,63 3 inch or a older 63 4 inch. I,m going to get the 617 4 inch and a new 63 3inch. Going to get the 617 first because it will do everything that the others will do it is just a little bigger and heavier............... and then get the 63 3 inch. (wish that one came in 4 inch).

617.

Because.

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Northwest Ohio

My 4" 617 fits the same Galco D A O holster that my 4" 686+ uses. The 617 fits just as well as the 686+. If you want to step up a bit, the Galco Dual Position Phoenix is a super nice rig. They both are able to be worn crossdraw for an added benefit. The holster's design for the way your belt goes through it for either strongside or crossdraw is terrific. You'll see what I mean if you go to Galco's website and look at the pics.

Like Stainz shows, get a DS-10 speedloader and extra loading blocks and you will soon have the gun that goes to the range every time! (stock up on Walmart Bulk Packs... You will be going through ammo at an alarming rate.)

The trigger on mine was smooth out of the box, and just keeps getting better the more I use it. Spot on accurate shooter too.

I put a set of Ahrends Retro Bananas on mine in Goncalo Alves. I like it. No finger grooves and plenty of grip to hold onto. Looks real nice too.

Ss

I sold a 4" M63 a while back. Had my gunsmith smooth the action
w/o changing the springs, and stoned the top of the hammer-spur
so it wouldn't keep chewing up my thumb. VERY sweet shooter.
As stated, easy upkeep. I think you can get a DS speed-loader for 6-rounds. I'm sure it's every bit as handy as the eight-round 'loader.
Good luck in your quest! TACC1

After all the great replies I'm wondering why limit myself to just one! Why not get them both, a 63 and a 617. I wonder if the little woman will notice she's out of grocery money by the middle of the month

but honey, with TWO guns I can round up TWICE as much food

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Kris
OGCA, NRA LM

My 63 3" with HiViz front sight stays in the range bag no matter what else I'm taking that day because I know I'm going to want to shoot it again. When the .38's and .357's have all been used up I pull out the 63 and a baggie full of Wally World Federal's and shoot away to my heart's content.

I don't have a holster for my 617 - it rides in a rug in my range bag just fine, however... and quite often, like yesterday's range trip. Fun plinker!

Stainz

One of the cheap Uncle Mike's fits the 617 just fine - if you want to save some dough. If not there's a ton of good leather out there.

How is the availability for current 63's and 617's. I had a Florida dealer tell me they are hard to come by.

I have a friend locally with a 63 and it's a fine wheel gun. I enjoy my SP101 4" full lug though.

I'll see your smooth grips and raise you some checkered ones

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Forum consigliere

Another vote for the old four inch 63. I've wanted a j frame .22 for years, and this one came along recently. Got a set of smooth target stocks on the way for it, and I love the way it handles. Caje, I dig those checkered targets as well!

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MARK

Here is my early 617 shown with my 610 for size comparison.



Here's my early 63 with grips for my large hands. They are Badger grips.



Now I'd like to find a pre lock 317.

Another vote for the 63.