OK, so I bought a used 617-5 yesterday. Cleaned up and fnciton test seemed fine; pistol seemed used but very well maintained.

Today I took it to the range today to test. Accuracy was spot-on, and no failures of any kind noted. HOWEVER, I was at an indoor range next to a concrete block wall and I kept feeling small high-velocity particles hitting me in the face. I held up a target next to the gun cylinder when firing rounds out of each cylinder bore, and it seems it is throwing lead particles out of the gap between the cylinder and forcing cone.

Here is a picture of the results:



Note the holes and marks formed by the larger particles.

I inspected a new 617 at the range and the one I was shooting had a smaller gap between the barrel and cylinder than the new one, so I don't think the gap is the problems. The gun doesn't have any significant wear, and does not seem to have been mucked with (the side cover screws are pristine, and show no signs of removal/reinstallation).

I was using Winchester subsonic hollow point ammunition.

Is this normal from a 22LR revolver?

Please advise!

Beuford

I am going to say it's probably normal.

I have a model 17-2 that spits similarly when it's dirty (200+ rounds) using standard or high velocity .22 LR ammunition. When it's clean there is no noticeable spitting. All revolvers have emissions from the cylinder to barrel gap.

I have never shot subsonic ammo. I cannot say if that might be causing more of the effect you are noticing?

I'd recommend cleaning it well especially around the inside of the forcing cone and trying some standard velocity ammo of various flavors. If that doesn't completely resolve any concerns then, arguably, the most certain way to put you mind to rest would be:
1. check of the barrel to cylinder gap. Most of my revolvers seem to be about 0.006" but, if I recall correctly, a range of 0.003 to 0.012 is acceptable.
2. check the cylinder to barrel alignment with a range rod. Maybe the range you use would have one?
REVOLVER RANGE RODS | Brownells
or
3. call S&W and see about sending it back to them to check it out.

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Scoundrel & Ne'er-Do-Well

Some gases and particulate matter escaping is normal. Hard to say, just by looking at a piece of paper, if it is excessive or acceptable.

A side-by-side test with another M617, or any rimfire revolver, would be interesting. A comparison, that would tell you something.

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~ S&W aficionado in training ~

I'm going to say it's completely normal. Was shooting a very sweet shooting 19-3 with my own 38 special hand loads last Sunday and got peppered a tiny bit with residue ejected from the B/C gap. Didn't think anything of it because it's simply part of the shooting experience at an indoor range. It's also why I am a total believer in wearing eye protection.

I get a bit of splash back from my 617 no dash, so I'd say it's normal. You can always contact S&W customer service and see what they have to say.

After talking to others, I agree it seems normal. I don't think I would have noticed if I wasn't standing next to a concrete wall.

Beuford

As much as I like the feel of shooting a 22lr revolver.

I can't get over how quickly they get fouled and spit in my face regularly..

I don't own any 22lr revolvers anymore.

Normal, thought the same thing when I bought a used 617. Guy standing next to me timing at a steel match really didn't like it. Open the cylinder and stick a round in the forcing cone area, it fits with a lot of space around it. I have also noticed its dependent on the ammo used.

All revolvers spit out the side, but to be sure of yours get a feeler gauge and measure the gap. I think .006" would be about right. Any more and you should get it tightened up. Also check to be sure on lockup it is squared to the bore.

Every Smith & Wesson .22LR revolver I've ever fired spits from the B/C gap to varying degrees. My 617 no dash does the least and the Model 17-8 10 shot is the worst. Nobody wants to be on either side of me when I fire that one. I even had S&W re-cut the forcing cone. Made the revolver more accurate, in fact it is a great shooter, but it still blows lead.

My Colt and Ruger single action .22s don't foul nearly as badly and barely spit anything from the B'C gap. The Ruger SP-101 .22 I used to own was a horrible spitter, often hitting my support hand with backsplash.

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