Questions regarding 617 10-shot...

I have just reviewed 18 pages of posts looking for performance information on the S&W Model 617 10-shot. Using the search feature produces very limited results.

I love Smith revolvers, particularly those with the full underlugs. I have the 686 but want a .22 version and the 617 is a beautiful specimen. I've heard "rumors" they can be finicky and somewhat problematic but I want to hear it from the horses mouth, per say. I want to know what actual owners say about the 617. I'm looking at either the 4" or 6" model. What problems plague the 617, if any ? Thanks in advance for your help.

I have a 617 6" 6 shot, but I am in the market for a 4" 10 shot. I love mine...not finicky at all. I shoot mine mostly with Remington or Federal bulk from Walmart.

I'm not aware of any real issues with the 617. Like any rimfire they can be finicky with ammo and may shoot better with some brands/types. They are probably the best full size .22 revolver made today.

Here are some photos of my two 617-4s. I like the 4" the best as it balances well with the full lug. I had to get rid of the factory rubber grips so I put Ahrends grips on.

Wow. Nice guns ! Do the new production guns come recessed or flat-faced ?

I have a 617-3 6 shot and a 617-4 10 shot. Both have 6" barrels. I sent the ten shot back to S&W for a full tune-up and factory target sight/trigger options. It is now my favorite rimfire revolver to shoot. It does a great job with CCI Velocitors for hunting, but shoots well with most 22LR ammo.

Hi Sarge,

I bought one to be a practice gun for a 4-inch Model 19 and Model 686. There were no mechanical problems and the trigger was smooth right out of the box, perfectly suited to double-action fire. I just hated that round butt on a duty-size weapon. I carried a Model 19 for years as my duty weapon and my hand was used to the combat stocks offered by S&W. None of the stocks I was used to would fit properly on a round butt. There was a piece of the stock that was unsupported and broke off ruining a rather expensive pair of grips. Because of that I tried to trade the 617. I had a trade going with another forum member a while back for a Model 17 that was in not as good a shape. In the end he demurred citing concern the 617 as having an aluminum cylinder. I put a magnet to it and it stuck. The 617 remained pretty much unused until I picked up a Model 13 with round butt and 3-inch barrel. That changed everything. The 617 makes a great practice .22 instead of constantly firing .38’s and .357’s for a Model 13 3-inch or a Model 19 2 ½-inch. I had even considered shortening the barrel but thought better of it. That would appreciably reduce its value without a significant increase in utility. Later I picked up a Model 18-3. I found the 617 to be more accurate with a smoother action. If you are not bothered by using those “conversion grips” it would work just as well for a four or six inch barrel K or L frame.

Just my thoughts.

Bill

I was reading some reviews on Buds Gun Shop online and noted complaints about canted barrels, barrels coming loose and sticky cases. I was hoping these were just flukes but like I said, I wanted to hear from you guys and see what the consensus was. I appreciate the responses. Keep 'em coming.

Sarge45 said:

Wow. Nice guns ! Do the new production guns come recessed or flat-faced ?

Click to expand...

They are recessed.

I know, it's a 6 shot...

I waited a long time to find my 617. Luckily, member 410bore on this site had one for sale and we made a gun trade. Six shot or ten shots, it's the same frame revolver and the cylinder turns the same direction. Unless I'm unaware of more holes mean more problems. Aside from me adding a HIVIZ front sight, the below 617 is stock. I've had no issues to warrant any negative feedback.

I have a 4 inch model dash 6 purchased new. Not a bit of trouble. Great accurate shooter once sighted in.
A little pricey for .22 but is perfect for practise as fit and feel is like larger caliber revolvers and very easy on the wallet!

No complaints with my 10 shooter. Other than 4 extra holes to clean.

finaltoy said:

I have a 4 inch model dash 6 purchased new. Not a bit of trouble. Great accurate shooter once sighted in.
A little pricey for .22 but is perfect for practise as fit and feel is like larger caliber revolvers and very easy on the wallet!

Click to expand...

I concur. I was forced to purchase the same model new, as I could not find a 4 inch w/o the IL for sale after searching for quite some time. I purchased "The Plug" from our fellow forum Bullseye Smith and added a set of Ahrends smooth RB frame to SB grip conversions. NOW I'm VERY satisfied with the look and VERY happy with how it shoots. IMO, the 617 is the very best .22 LR revolver currently manufactured. They are NOT cheap, but they are worth every cent.......

Every shooter should own at least one of these in either 4" or 6", doesnt really matter which length. Accurate, reliable, easy to clean, fun to shoot and cheap to run.
Mine will be getting a new .500" target hammer in a couple of weeks.
Campfire

I love my 4" 617 10-shooter. Long ago I owned a 17 6" and I always thought that there was just too much wasted space around the 6-shooter cylinder. I found a used 617 for $520 and grabbed it. It has a better double action trigger than single and is a great practice gun for my bigger smiths.

Sarge45 said:

I have just reviewed 18 pages of posts looking for performance information on the S&W Model 617 10-shot. Using the search feature produces very limited results.

I love Smith revolvers, particularly those with the full underlugs. I have the 686 but want a .22 version and the 617 is a beautiful specimen. I've heard "rumors" they can be finicky and somewhat problematic but I want to hear it from the horses mouth, per say. I want to know what actual owners say about the 617. I'm looking at either the 4" or 6" model. What problems plague the 617, if any ? Thanks in advance for your help.

Click to expand...

I have put a bit more than 10,000 rouds through mine without a single issue. In the old blued K-22 without an undelug I liked the 6 inch barreled versio but with the 617's full underlug that became a bit too muuzzle heavy for my taste - I shoot the 4 inch S&W 617.

Just a couple of things to be aware of concerning the 617.

One is that cocked barrels do happen and in some cases it may be intentional. Before you decide that a slightly tipped barrel is plain wrong you should actually spend some time shooting from a rest and zeroing the the sights. If you find this results in the rear sight well centered in it's adjustment range, it's an indication the barrel was tipped to regulate the sighting to the frame. If the rear sight is way off center either return it for warranty service or have a gunsmith re-set the barrel on your dime.

Second, in most cases problems with sticky extraction are related to the ammo you've chosen to shoot. Some of the 22LR ammo being sold can be VERY foul shooting ammo and this can cause issues with extraction. In addition it can also lead to problems getting fresh rounds fully seated in the chambers, which then leads to issues with misfires. I've found the Winchester Xpert HV to be exceptionally accurate in my 617, however I've also found that I need to run a dry brush through the cylinder every 50 rounds or I'll start having issues related to fouling in the chambers. Because of this I normally use the Federal Bulk ammo because it's much cleaner shooting and the moderate loss in accuracy isn't that critical when just plinking.

BTW, in terms of accuracy I've managed 2 inch groups at 35 yards from a rest often enough with the Winchester that it's an expected result. As for the Federal, normally it'll range between 2.5 and 3 inches at the same distance. As for the wider variance in group size, IMO it's all me. When I'm shooting the Federal I tend to shoot faster because I don't have to worry about cleaning the cylinder during a range session.

Now for some specifics relating to the 617. Mine has the 6 inch barrel and it's weight is the same as my 6 1/2 inch model 610. Basically, they are unexpectedly heavy for someone not familiar with them. On the plus side is that the recoil is near nill and the 22LR is also a rather quiet shooting caliber. This makes them nearly ideal for starting a new shooter out. In addition they can also provide a good break from recoil for experienced shooters coping with a flinch.

If you are looking for a recomendation, I'd say start with the 4 inch version. As much as I enjoy my 6 incher it does get a bit tiring in an extended range session. That shorter barrel will be less muzzle heavy and also easier for a new shooter to hold steady. As for the perception of a difference in accuracy, that is simply a function of the sight radius. When equipped with a scope the 4 and 6 inch versions will display similar levels of accuracy and the 4 inch may prove to be a tiny bit more accurate.

Just from my own experience, I have a 10-shot dash 8 4".
I love it to death, IL and all. Honestly, I have had better luck accuracy-wise from it than I do my mint cond. 1958 vintage M17 8&3/8". Tried everything from Wallyworld bulk to Eley Match and CCI Green Tag. 617 won out everytime.

'Bout the only thing that could make me come offa my 617 is a clean M-1 Garand.

Like you I wanted an 617 4" for a practice gun and for shooting Ruger Rim Fire. I received a 4" model from my wife for Christmas and have shot around 1200 rounds through mine.

With the 1200 rounds through the gun I have never had an issues with sticky cases. In one session I shot around 400 rounds without any cases sticking or reloading issues.

The one issue I did have was with the cylinder not turning easy in double action after 150-200 rounds. After advise from others on this forum I stopped using bulk Federal and now only use CCI blazers or mini mags in the gun. What I found was leading on the top strap. There is a screw hole for the rear sight located in the gap between the forcing cone and the cylinder. Lead seems to collect here depending on the brand of ammo used.

I have 4 Smith & Wesson .22 Revolvers, 317 3",63 4",18 4",and 617 4". The most accurate for me is the model 18 followed by the 617 and 63 4". My favorites are the model 18 and model 63, however; the 617 4" makes a great practice gun and fun to shoot against semi's for Ruger Rim Fire.

Good luck with your search, the 617 is a great gun!

Wow. These are some really great responses to my questions. I really appreciate the candid and detailed answers regarding the 617. It sounds like a very good investment.

There is one problem with this however. It now appears I'm gonna be short some $700.00 + dollars as a result of a new purchase. Folks, I certainly appreciate your help. Thanks a bunch !

Works well all the time. Fun with the Monarch scope from bench rest.