which 617 revolver to have model no dash-6?

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dog229

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Dog229 Here,
A quick question to the 617 owners. Not for the value factor but for design model changes which 617 model would be good for having . I have a chance to get a 617-1 6" PRE-LOCK for a great price but is it being a 6 shot a disadvantage to the 10 shot of today with the inter lock and MIM parts. I know 22's have their problems but they can be fixed. I can purchased a new 2015 617 for the same money but would it be any better?
Being this would be of the first designs is it better. I never owned a 617 and want this to be my first great 22 buy in a revolver. It will not be a safe queen in any means so your opinions me alot in my decision.I just know the early ones are really hard to come by. THANKS
Dog229 Gone
 
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UNLESS YOU ARE GOING TO USE YOUR 617 IN SOME SORT OF SHOOTING GAME WHERE HAVING 6 SHOTS WOULD BE A DISADVANTAGE, I WOULD JUMP ON THAT 6" 686-1, FOR A GOOD PRICE. I HAVE BOTH A 6 SHOT AND A 10 SHOT. THE 6 SHOT STAYS MUCH CLEANER BECAUSE OF THE SPACE BETWEEN THE CHAMBERS. THE CROWDED CHAMBERS TEND TO ACCUMULATE DEBRIS AROUND AND UNDER THE STAR. MY 6 SHOOTER IS A NO-DASH 8 3/8" MODEL, AND THE 10 SHOOTER IS A CURRENT 4" MODEL. I MUCH PREFER THE NO-DASH. IMHO, THE -1 WOULD BE A NICER REVOLVER THAN A BRAND NEW CURRENT EDITION….
 
Since the 617-1 is a no lock model, it would be easier to resell.

As One Eye Joe noted, the 10 shot can be an advantage if the gun is to be used for competition. For me the bigger question is - do I want a 4" or a 6" barrel. I sold off a 6" no dash model 617 a few years back because I found it to be muzzle heavy. I much prefer my 4" 10 shot 617-4.
 
For plinking: 10-shot with a 4" barrel.

When shooting a brick or more at a time, you'll be surprised how much more fun it is to have the extra-4 in the chamber.

A 4" barrel seems to balance best for most ...definitely for me.

Have fun! It's a great revolver.
 
I suspect the fun you have shooting will be not be noticeably different between the different models mentioned. They're all good. imo
 
I have a 17-4 (6 shot), and a 617-6 (with lock) 10 shot. All I can say is the 17-4 doesn't get out of the house much any more. I have zero problems and just ignore the IL. The only problem I did have was the same one as most all my .22 S&W revolvers, tight chambers, which I remedied by buying a finishing reamer and cleaning up the chambers on all of them.
 
Most things being equal, I'd get the -1.
The -6 may be a hot item as to availability right now, but is current production. The -1 isn't and if in good condition and at a great price, I'd prefer it even with 4 less holes.
 
Which 617???

As you can tell there is a variety of likes/dislikes regarding which 617 to get. But I would say for me the bottom line is BOTH revolvers are great and work.I would ask yourself these questions:
1. Is it more important to have a revolver that might have a bit more return value than the other one?
2. What's more important to me....what will be the most fun? 6 shot or 10 shot?

Make your decision on questions like these. It's Ok to ask others what their opinion is but since both revolvers work get the one you will enjoy the most.
WP
 
I enjoy conversations about the 617 and 617-1, along with other engineering and production changes. I remember trying to find a 4 inch 617 "no dash" and wasn't having much luck. I got a 617-1 and have enjoyed it. Older pistol, prelock and is tapped for a scope should anyone ever desire. The extractor was changed, removing the two pins that helped secure it which appears to be an improvement since I have lost a few of those over the years. I would not hesitiate to buy the dash-1 if a regular 617 wasn't available. They are solid, have a great feel, and perform well.
 
You seem to be hesitating between having the 10 shots of the -6 for competition and the earlier -1. They will both work fine, so if "needing" the larger capacity is not the primary factor I would also opt for the -1. You can always sell it (for probably more money than you will pay) or trade for a 10-shot 617, but I would guess you won't :).
 
My take is this - six-shooters with forged parts and no lock aren't made anymore while 10-shooters with MIM parts and internals locks are, so it's a no-brainer. You can always buy a new one if you ever want to but that -1 is one of a constantly declining number of guns available.

Ed
 
I have a 4 inch no dash and I really like it. The IL is not my favorite feature but it is of no consequence with a 617 other than aesthetic. Being older I have always just figured 6 shots for a revolver was "normal." I would go with the 617-1 if it was my first.

That being said, a neighbor of mine made a dueling tree that we recently tried out. He has some tweaking to do. Wish I had a 10 shot version to shoot against his Ruger Mark II. Yea, he could just load his magazines with 6 but the 10 shot would make it more fun.

So, I have no regrets going with the 6 shot but I could see adding a 10 shot for the specific reason I already said. For just shooting, trust me...you will burn through your precious supply of .22LR fast enough 6 rounds at a time.:)
 
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The current model has a lifetime warranty. If something were to happen; S&W will take care of it. My first 617 ten shot that I used for Steel Challenge competition developed a crack in the frame. I sent it in to S&W. I had a brand new gun within 15 days. If at all interested in competition; get the ten shot! It is so much fun.





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I lusted after a new 6" 10 shot 617 for seven months back in 2013 and once I got my hands on it I was very impressed. It is my favorite handgun to shoot, extremely accurate and has a terrific trigger in both single and double action. I have no problem with the lock and I do not find it too barrel heavy due to the 6" length. Everyone that has shot it wants one for themselves, my buddy got one last year and my brother has been looking for one for a year now. They are scarcer than hen's teeth in any barrel length.
 
Interesting that it developed such a crack. One never thinks about such issues with a .22LR. I imagine S&W did some serious looking at that.

I will say, the lifetime warranty for the new guns is a pretty nice thing and S&W seems to back it up. I too think the 10 round version is worth the look if you are into any type of competition. But getting your hands on any version these days is the trick.
 
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Sconnie said:
Interesting that it developed such a crack. One never thinks about such issues with a .22LR. I imagine S&W did some serious looking at that.

I will say, the lifetime warranty for the new guns is a pretty nice thing and S&W seems to back it up. I too think the 10 round version is worth the look if you are into any type of competition. But getting your hands on any version these days is the trick.
Click to expand...




I was surprised by the failure of the frame. It usually happens only on some Scandium frame or Aluminum frame guns.
 
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