I've currently got an M&P 22 (12 round mag. model), which shoots fine, but is very picky about the ammo that I run through it. It simply won't cycle the 36 grain ammo, but seems to cycle just about everything in 40 grain. A scan on this forum will reveal that I am not alone in this problem. This means that buying the bulk boxes of 525 rounds are not a possibility with my current M&P. I recently got into the S&W revolvers, and I must confess that the Models 17 and 617 have caught my eye. There is a huge price difference between these two revolvers and the M&P. For those of you who are familiar with these models, I ask:

1. Have you noticed that either one is particularly picky about the ammo that they shoot?

2. If you had to buy one or the other, which would you prefer?

3. Are either one or both more reliable pistol than the M&P 22?

If you like revolvers they're great. If not get a Buck Mark and if not that a Ruger MkIII.

My 617 and17 will shoot anything. So will my Browning Buckmark as well.

The 17/617 are both fine guns. And will shoot anything you put in them. Seems like I recall reading a thread about the 17 having a "match" chamber whereas the 617 does not. But don't hold me too that. In my opinion either one is a better choice than an MP22. But it's kinda like comparing apples to oranges too.

Rufus- See if you can try some different versions of the 617/17 to see what barrel length and whether you prefer the full lug. Most on the board that the 17/18/617 are the finest .22 revolvers made. But we might be biased

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Jim
Many K and N Frames

The early K22's can have problems with tight chambers resulting in hard empty case extraction. The Model 17 and 617 are usually great shooters with no problems and they will shoot anything with some ammo more accurate then others. The other really nice 22LR S&W revolver is the model 18 which has a 4 inch barrel.

I have a 617-6 and it "loves" the Winchester 36 gr. 1280 fps bulk ammo. I have most of it in the 333 pack, and believe it is the same in the 555 pack. My 17-4 will handle anything well, but likes match grade (Fiocchi 320 SM) the best.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

here's a vote for the 617. mine will shoot anything i put in the chambers and is 100 % reliable.

Thanks for this input. At this point, I have vowed to myself that I won't add another gun without selling one (yes I know you can never have enough), so I always want to make sure that I'm always upgrading. The thing that makes this a bit more difficult is that there us not a surplus if Model 17s and 617s to physically get my hands on. I live in an area where guns abound, but these models are more difficult to find.

Get a Buck Mark until you find a 617. They're plenty cheap that when it comes time to add a 617 you might not feel the need to sell it. Besides, everyone needs a 22 auto handgun. 

And this is not coming from someone who suggests to buy every gun one sees nor do I suggest to keep them all. 

One last caveat,  how many rounds has the M&P22 seen? Has it been 2000?  You might want to run quite a few rounds through it before finally pronouncing it as a bust. Some 22 autos can take time to break in. 

Also, you might want to check out rimfirecentral.  While this board has many incredibly knowledgeable posters,  that other board might have a couple more for this very specific issue, 22 auto pistols are such huge volume on that board. 

I wasn't actually aware of any consistent issues with M&P22s - not that I'm that we'll informed on that one model. 

Thanks gr7070. I went to the forum you suggested, and it looks very interesting.

I've got an update. I went into one of the larger guns retailers in the Austin area today. They had one brand new Model 617 under the counter, and I fondled it for a bit. I noticed a very tiny scratch by the internal lock (which we can all do without). I pointed it out to the owner of the store, and he offered it to me for $720.00. I grabbed it at that price. The only thing that I noticed about the revolver is that the black front and rear sights are a bit hard for me to pick up. I'll take it to Dawson Precision (which is about 15 minutes from my house), and have Dave Dawson install some of his sights on the gun. That will make a HUGH difference in the sight picture. I guess it's time to put the M&P 22 up for sale!

I forgot to include pics.

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