Hi all. New to the forum, but already have two S&W's, a Model 10-8 and a Shield and am considering buying a 617 as a self Christmas gift. My only dilemma is should I buy a 4" or 6" model. So my question to you all is, is the extra 2 inches of sight radius so much better to be worth the extra 6 oz or is it of minimal value and the 4" is just fine and probably a little handier? I realize this is a subjective evaluation, but I would value the opinion of those with first hand experince of it before I plunk down a hefty chunck of change and forever wonder if I made the right call. I apreciate your input.

Yes I would go for the 6" for the additional sight radius. However it depends on how you intend to use the revolver.

As I usually ask, what do you want it to do?
I bought my 6" Model 617 primarily to shoot silhouette up to 100 meters, and the extra sight spacing, weight, and Patridge sights are very useful to me for that purpose. On the other hand, it is not my choice for putting in a holster and carrying around the fields in case I spot a sitting rabbit.
Are you going to mostly shoot it, or mostly carry it?

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Science plus Art

Get one of each
S&W617/6 by John Hermesmeyer, on Flickr

617 by John Hermesmeyer, on Flickr

Use these for Rimfire matches ...sometime I shoot open and sometimes limited

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John Hermesmeyer USMC9296

Love my 4 inch 617, 10 shot.

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

This has been THE question on many a rimfire forum since there was a model 617. The consensus seems to always come away with the 4" is (slightly!) more versatile for general work.

That said, I have both the 4" & 6" and can say that I could not pick a favorite. For me, the perfect 617 would sport a 5" pro series barrel. S&W seems to have figured this out in their 686 and 627 lines. I'll be waiting with cash in hand when they realize I'm right here too :-)

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Dave

WELCOME TO THE FORUM. I HAVE BEEN SHOOTING REVOLVERS FOR 60 YEARS, AND I HAVE OWNED, AND SHOT, EVERY LENGTH PRODUCED. IMHO, THERE IS NO BETTER BALANCED REVOLVER THAN A 4" K/L FRAME. THERE IS NO APPRECIABLE DIFFERENCE IN ACCURACY BETWEEN A 4" AND A 6" BARREL. THE 4" IS THE MOST VERSATILE LENGTH--EASILY CONCEALED, EASILY CARRIED IN THE FIELD, AND AT HOME AT THE RANGE, OR ON THE NIGHT STAND FOR HOME DEFENSE.. OF COURSE, I HAVE SEVERAL 8 3/8" BARRELED REVOLVERS, EQUIPPED WITH RED DOTS, THAT SHOOT LIKE RIFLES---BUT THAT'S ANOTHER STORY.......

BUY THE 4", YOU WON'T BE SORRY.......

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

Purpose is key........................



A 6" 617 is a great gun to shoot at the range or for squirrels and such; but heavy to lug around....... a 6" Model 17 gives you the same in a lighter package

A 4" 617 (my current) is a great general purpose .22......... a Model 18 is a bit lighter .... and for a roaming the woods "Kit Gun" a 4" Model 34/63 is light and compact.

I prefer the balance of the 4" but sometimes the 6" is better suited for longer shots if you are using iron sights (longer sight radius). I think if you use optics it might not make much difference in accuracy.

The 4" models seem to be harder to find in my area, so if it were me I would grab a 4" if you can find one. It will hold it's value better than a 6".

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I shot one of each before buying the 6". The 6" seemed better balanced in my hand.

I have a preference for longer barrels on .22 revolvers and autos. The 6 inch 617 is one of my absolute favorite range guns, open sighted or scoped. That said, I also love my 4 inch version which is my wife's numero uno range gun. Both are equally accurate.
My advice, handle both at a gun store. You will have a preference for one or the other, your preference, not ours. In the end, you will be correct no matter which 617 you buy!

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Virtue,Liberty & Independence

I love my 6 inch 686 wouldn't trade it for a 4inch of they offered cash with it it's so much fun to shoot


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they are both great in their own way... but I prefer my 6 inch... simply put... it is more accurate... it was/is my son's favorite to shoot... when he was a little guy it gave him confidence to break a clay pigeon at 50 yards... impressed the old guys shooting next to the 10 year old... then I would let them try it... they impressed themselves... my son turns 19 next weekend... and still loves shooting the 617 6 inch... I love it too...

Welcome to the forum.
I have 6" .22 revolvers and really like them but IMO the 4" is by far the best all-around length for carry, accuracy, balance, shootability, looks, etc, etc. The only way to make it better is to lose the full-lug barrel.
Just my opinion.

ETA:
IMO, the 6" FL barrel is much more noticeable than the 4".

Well, eventually you will want them both. Buy whichever you find first!

The 617 is certainly heavy for caliber. The blue model 17s and 18s are lighter for carry and probably the better gun for weight/balance than the 617s. But, I really like shooting my 617s either 6 or 10 shot. Both are 6 inch. They go in a range bag so carry is not an issue.

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Richard Gillespie
FBINA 102

I have both, but I prefer the 4" in terms of weight and balance. But I shoot it mostly as a stand-in for my service revolvers in practicing double action trigger pulls and one-handed shooting (weak and strong). For single-action targets at a distance - the 6" would be the easy choice. I have Ahrends grips on both.

If I could keep only one, I'd keep the 4".

I’ve had both 6” & 4” 617s. Still have the 4”. For me, the 6” full underlug 617 is just too much gun for a .22. With that said, I also have a couple of 6” K22s and a M17 and would have a hard time choosing between them and the 4” 617.

There is no difference in intrinsic accuracy between the 4” & 6” barreled guns – individual guns’s will show greater accy (same can be said for velocity) differences than can be attributed to barrel length. See target pictures – one at 25 yds, 2 at 100 yds with 4” M617 w/4x Leupold and picture of iron sighted 617 and of an older 6" K22.


Basically, it gets down to personal preference. If at all possible, find a place/person that has each version and try them try them for yourself.

FWIW,

Paul

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Wow. Thanks for all the replies. I seem to be getting about a 50/50 split there on which way to go, great.

I forgot to say anything about what I intend to do with it.

OK, basically it will be a range toy with possibly some pest control use, the idea being something more accurate and reliable than my 22lr semi-autos with absolutely zero recoil and no sensitivity to ammo choice and the same ammo capacity. As a range toy accuracy is desirable, it will be shot mostly SA, but not at the expense of something tiring to hold or unbalanced. I am also thinking of something which I could introduce new shooters to; no recoil, no jams, just fun but if they try maybe they get better results than an auto. It is NOT a regular carry or "kit" gun.

You all have been amazingly helpful and nice BTW.

I have experience with a 4" taurus m94 and a 6" 617
Have to say the trigger in the smith is a ton of difference better.
With the 617 i plink spent cases of 22 at 15yds. Its amazing.
One thing, about many 617's, they require a tap from a dowel to loosen up a full cylinder of spent cases.
Depending on how young the shooter, the trigger weight is still over 9".
So children might need help pulling the hammer back.
No problems with FTF in mine, but I really only shoot Federal/CCI ammo. The 617 is Stock but only polished up the internals.

Thanks for reminding me, a little competition coming up in January