my 617 is a favorite of mine... and my son... it is the 6inch 10 shot and eats everything I feed it... makes the old guys at the range jealous as we pop clay targets at 50 plus yards.... then I give them a turn... not that difficult really.... great gun...

I'm committed to a new 6" just as soon as my friendly gun shop gets one in (they currently have a 4" tempting me daily) - I'm next in the queue. I like the 6" sight picture better and the weight and feel is similar to many of the 617's bigger bore siblings. The 4" is super nice, and I'd definitely keep it if I had one while pursuing the the longer barrel version.

In the end, if someone absolutely must have the best 22LR wheel gun today, then all the research and anecdotal evidence I've been through in the past month suggests that there's none better than 617PC.

Happy trails,

__________________
Rachel
Grande Torina

I ordered a new 617 4" today. The wait is 2 to 6 weeks.

Based on internet chatter I wonder if I shoud buy a used back up revolver to shoot while my 617 is back at Smith and Wesson for repair.

A 617 is a must have for any S&W revolver fan. Never go to the range without it! (Mine loves Federal Automatch Ammo)

Wow: I've had my 10 shot 617 6" four months now - In a word: Superb!!! And in every way superb - fit, form, function.

R

__________________
Rachel
Grande Torina

A bit outside the size envelope, but I had the 8 3/8" barreled 617 on the 100 yard range today in anticipation of getting back into IHMSA shooting again. It shoots better now than it did ten years ago. If rams are missed it's NOT the revolver's fault!

Both the new and old 4" 617s have been drama free, but the IL 10 shot model wants to eat too much scarce .22 LR ammo...and quickly!

This is my very first post. From what I have leaned from this VERY extensive 617 thread everyone is quite impressed with this revolver.

To reaffirm: Is the 617 10 shot .22 S&W revolver built with a round butt K frame?
I have place a 6" barreled 10 shot on order with expected pick up date 01-July-13. Cash price will be $700.00 + extortion (tax)

Watched a u-tube video where his 617 cylinder would lock up in single and double action. What I did notice was that the shooter was double action dry firing it quite a bit. DUHHHH.

The 617 is a Round butt K Frame.

The 617 is expensive, but a great gun. I prefer it over any of my semi-auto 22LR target guns. Highly accurate, feels and looks great, no recoil, and easy to clean. I probably would not have bought this expensive a 22 but I had bought a Kimber Ultra Carry II at this shop, and after three trips back to Kimber for constant FTE and FTF problems, the store offered to give me a very good deal on a trade in. The only gun he had in stock that I was interested in was the new 617. It was almost a straight trade and I am really glad I ended up with this accurate great gun instead of a good looking but unreliable semi. Mine has the internal lock, but since it is just a range gun I don't see it as any big deal (and for what it is worth, I have had this gun several years, fired thousands of rounds, and the lock has never engaged by itself.)

***WARNING*** DON'T REMOVE THE INTERNAL LOCK ON YOUR 617 (OR ANY OTHER S&W) AND SEND IT IN FOR SERVICE. YOU WILL VOID YOUR WARRANTY. RE-INSTALL THE LOCK BEFORE YOU SEND IT IN.........

__________________
'Nam 1968-69.DAV,VFW,NRA Inst.

I have one of the early production 6" 6 shot SB 617s and a later production 4" 10 shot 617s (pre-lock). Love both of them. Shoot the 4" a lot more because I do more wandering around the farm plinking than I do any type formal range shooting these days. I don't shoot it quite as well as I do the 6" but I don't have to reload it as often either.

Pre-lock or one with a lock, you will love shooting a 617.

The current ones are. The 617 and 617-1 were square butt. The 617-2 introduced in 1996 was round butt as is every one since. Most have round to square butt conversion grips. That what I have on my two 617-4s shown in Post 3 above.

At one time or another I've owned both a 4" and a 6" . I still own the 4" and love it . The 6" felt a little muzzle heavy to me .
Too bad they don't make a 5" 617 . It would probably balance perfectly .

o my goodness.....yes! quality and much pleasure

Attached Images

617.jpg (123.0 KB, 77 views)

I have no-dashes in four and six-inch - better revolvers don't exist.



I much prefer square butts over round because I consider six-shot, non-IL, non-MIM S&W revolvers to be "old school" firearms and as such, think they ought to wear the kind of stocks they came with. It's just the right thing to do for them.

I never had bore or top strap leading concerns with either gun but only use CCI MiniMag 40-grain ammo with copper-washed bullets.

Ed

I lucked into a lightly used 617-6 four inch ten shot a couple years ago for $595. Fantastic shooter and the lock is a non-issue. Mine now wears a set of Jordan Trooper grips from Herrett's thanks to a forum member. It is my second favorite .22 revolver after a 617 no dash 8 3/8ths inch I bought new when they first came out.

Got mine recently. 4" brand new. I love shooting .22lr and this is the best gun for me since I love revolvers the most.