I like mine. I know a lot of instructors use them for ccw classes since we need to use revolvers and semi autos for classes.

This is a pretty common complaint, not just with the 617, but other quality .22 revolvers. What you need to look at is that the .22 wheel guns are usually identical to their .357 siblings, aside from hole size, and often made in lower quantities. I'm sure S&W or Ruger could make their .22 wheels out of pot metal and sell them at a lower price point, but instead of a gun you can pass down to your kids or grandkids, you'd have that ol' gun that doesn't work anymore.