Hey guys I have a S&W 617, 4" .22lr. Its been a fun little revolver, my first one actually. When I was revolver shopping I wanted a .22lr and had a specific look I was going for and none had exactly that. The 617 was the closest, however I really wanted the bead blasted look. I am looking to send it back to the S&W Factory Performance Center. I see they offer bead blasting for $170. But I also see they have another package for $265, the Combat Revolver Package.

Any thoughts on sending in the little 617 for have this package performed? It includes:
Glass Bead Finish
Tuned Action
Trigger Stop
Chamfer Charge Holes
Test Fire For Function

I just use this revolver as a little occasional pinker, I wanted a simple common caliber to basically just hang onto. Being my first revolver I really wasnt sure how I would feel about it but I eneded up really liking it and plan on keeping it for the long haul.

I am just not sure if the Combat Revolver Package is worth the extra $95 when done on a little .22 plinker.

Just looking for any comments or suggestions.

I'M more concerned with function than looks, (but that's a personal matter) & the "PERFORMANCE" center has gotten some bad press of late. I think YOU need to decide.

I wouldn't think it would be worth it on a 617. The action is so slick already, and chamfered holes not really for .22.
Could bead blast it yourself .But it would be a shame.

A rimfire cannot be tuned like a centerfire. Too much effort needed to reliably fire rimfire ammo and there is a bunch out there. I suspect you rarely fire in double action anyway (like most shooters) so you wont get much out of an action job.

If you want a certain look, I suppose I would say to bead blast it, but, I think the other money spent for tuning etc., is not worth the effort. Just my.02

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Pete
I ain't no fortunate son

I actually own and use a 6" 617 in competition/plinking/hunting. And I have sent back a couple pistol including a revolver for non warranty work. A model 10 police trade that I sent in to get reblued & refurbished and a M&P 9mm for the M&P action package. Both came back better than new IMO.

Any work done by S&W will be warrantied. I would go for it... Just be prepared to not see it for 3 or 4 months. But it will be worth it.

The combat revolver package can be done on the 617 and will come back slicker & smoother.

For those who don't know. The 617 is a all stainless steel work of art. Equal to of the same level of quality & materials used on all of their other stainless steel revolvers. It will outlast its owner and with proper care will last his/her children's lives as well. Just because it's a 22 doesn't mean it's just a cheap plinker. There is nothing cheap about the 617 and I and many other guys I know regularly use it in outdoor steel plate shooting.

As far as bead blasting it? Hey it's your gun go for it! Why not? I posted a thread regarding sending in my 4" model 10 used police trade to get reblued and you should read some of the comments. Hahaaha. You're the one that's going to be shooting it and enjoying it... GO FOR IT!!!!

I have two that came bead blasted when they were new, a 617-2 and a 627 Performance Center V-Comp. They look great when you buy them new that way but I don't know what happens to the S&W logo and text on the gun when you get one redone, does it get blurred? Maybe S&W has a way to do it right but I have seen some bead blasting that has blurred the text and logo on the frame.

Action job would be nice but I just put in lighter springs and cleaned up the 617 action myself. My 627 V-Comp has a trigger stop but I don't think it would do much on my 617, it has very little over travel.

As far as chamfered holes, I do a lot of speed shooting competitions and you only need a reasonably fast first load but I've never seen a sport yet for .22's that needs a fast second load, maybe when they allow .22's in run and gun stuff.

WELCOME TO THE FORUM. THE BEAD BLASTING IS PURELY COSMETIC, AND IS TOTALLY UP TO YOU. BLEMS AND MINOR SCRATCHES ARE EASILY POLISHED OUT OF STAINLESS STEEL GUNS THAT ARE NOT BEAD BLASTED. YOU WILL LOSE THAT ADVANTAGE. ITS YOUR GUN--YOUR CHOICE.....

IMHO, THE COMBAT PACKAGE IS A WASTE OF MONEY. TRIGGER PULL ON M617, CAN'T BE REDUCED BY MUCH, BEFORE RELIABILITY OF IGNITION BEGINS TO SUFFER. THIS IS TRUE OF ALL RIMFIRES. A SIMPLE SPRING CHANGE, AND SMOOTHING OF INTERNALS BY A QUALIFIED LOCAL GUNSMITH, MIGHT BE A LESS EXPENSIVE, AND MORE EXPEDIENT SOLUTION. I SEE LITTLE TO BE GAINED BY A TRIGGER STOP, OR CHAMFERED CHARGE HOLES. ONCE AGAIN, YOUR GUN--YOUR CHOICE....

BELOW IS MY 10 SHOT. 4", M617, PERSONALIZED TO MY LIKING. FRONT AND REAR SIGHT SWAPS, A PLUG IN THE HOLE, AND A GRIP CHANGE. MY GUN--MY CHOICE......

Attached Images

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

S&W performance center doesn't change the springs on the combat revolver pak. They don't replace any parts unless the part is out of spec or damaged, and if they do, they replace it with a factory part. They smooth & polish the hammer & sear and will smooth & polish the chambers and check the entire pistol out to ensure it is timed perfectly and smoothly. And you still get the factory warranty on the work.

I AGREE, RGVshooter. IN FACT, THEY WILL RETURN TO STOCK CONFIGURATION, ANY MODIFIED GUN THAT YOU SEND IN FOR WARRANTY WORK......

I SENT A NEW 4" M617 BACK TO THE FACTORY, BECAUSE IT WAS SHAVING AND SPITTING LEAD. UNFORTUNATELY, I HAD REPLACED THE LOCK, WITH A PLUG........

UPON INSPECTING MY GUN, THEY STATED THAT THE REMOVAL OF THE IL, HAD VOIDED MY WARRANTY ! ! !

AS A RESULT, THEY CHARGED ME FOR SHIPPING BOTH WAYS, PARTS AND LABOR FOR REPLACING THE IL, AND THE COST OF CORRECTING THE SPITTING PROBLEM. IT ENDED UP BEING A QUITE EXPENSIVE PROPOSITION, TO CORRECT A PROBLEM THAT MY VERY EXPERIENCED 'SMITH, COULD HAVE HANDLED--WHILE I WAITED--FOR A FRACTION OF THE COST......

FORTUNATELY, THIS IS THE ONLY S&W OF THE MANY THAT I OWN, THAT WAS BUILT WITH AN IL....

IT IS PICTURED IN POST #8 ABOVE, AS IT WAS SENT IN FOR WARRANTY WORK. THE CHANGE OUT OF SIGHTS AND GRIPS, DID NOT RAISE AN EYEBROW......

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

Joe, could you elaborate a little on your sights? Specifically, the rear blade. Thanks.

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~ S&W aficionado in training ~

Someone mentioned that most don’t shoot double action....
Let me tell you, my 617 is only about 3 Year’s old, maybe has 800 or 900 rounds,( maybe more, they do go fast) and the trigger and action is a smooth as your going to get. The double action stages just perfectly, with the absolute perfect feel that you know exactly when that hammer is going to fall. I ALWAYS shoot this gun double action.

2nd note, I too was shaving a little lead, the gun took a little bit to wear in the notches on the outside of the cylinder where the pawl locks in. I could actually turn the cylinder backwards in a couple of them. It’s worn in now, all 10 lock in just right, and no lead spitting/ splitting now.

I WOULD BE GLAD TO, Kernel C.....

IN THE REAR IS A WEIGAND COMBAT REAR SIGHT. THE NOTCH IS .125" WIDE, WHICH IS SPECIFICALLY DESIGNED FOR IPSC AND IDPA COMPETITION. THE REAR SURFACE IS ANGLED TO REDUCE GLARE.....

THEY HAVE A NARROWER NOTCH FOR TARGET SHOOTING, AND A WIDER NOTCH FOR "SPEED SHOOTING" OR PPC.....

I WAS HAVING A PROBLEM ACQUIRING A GOOD SIGHT PICTURE, USING THE STOCK PARTRIDGE FRONT BLADE, AND THE STANDARD S&W REAR BLADE---BECAUSE OF THE COMPROMISED VISION IN MY ONE WORKING EYE. THERE WAS VERY LITTLE SPACE, ON EACH SIDE OF THE FRONT BLADE, WHEN IT WAS CORRECTLY ALIGNED IN THE REAR NOTCH......

THE SWAP TO A STANDARD S&W RED RAMP FRONT SIGHT, AND THE .125" REAR BLADE, MADE A HUGE DIFFERENCE THE SPACE ON EACH SIDE OF THE FRONT BLADE IS GREATER, AND A PROPER SIGHT PICTURE IS READILY ACHIEVED. THE RELATIVE BLADE HEIGHTS WERE PERFECT. THE ONLY OTHER PART NEEDED IS A "WINDAGE SCREW KIT", AVAILABLE FROM BROWNELLS......

DESIGN AND MATERIAL IS EXCELLENT---AS YOU WOULD EXPECT FROM WEIGAND. I HOPE THIS HELPS YOU OUT, Kernel......

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

I own and shoot regularly 3 617s; 2- 4" barrels and one 6". I shoot speed steeel matches in the warm months and and those rubbery self-healing targets indoors. ALL shooting is done double action! All three have action jobs and are smooth but trigger pull is no where near as light as my 627s. You can't go real light and have reliable ignition. I shoot Federal ammo in hopes of easy ignition like their primers. Do Not chamfer the chambers. Trigger stop is unnecessary.

Learn to shoot double action and be proud! Happy plinking.

PS buy some of DS-10's speedloaders and loading blocks.

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Bob.
SWCA 1821

I rented a 617 at a range and loved shooting it. I thought the trigger was excellent for a rimfire. I assume the gun gets a lot of use so it must be "broken in".