Smith & Wesson 617 or Ruger mk 4 hunter

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kingsnake

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Considering a 6 inch 617. Years ago I had a mk 3 hunter was a very accurate gun but traded it like a dummy..anyway was wondering if the 617 is a better gun is it as accurate as a ruger hunter. Any input would be greatly appreciated thanks
 
Revolver vs Auto???

Both great guns but very different. A K frame .22 is a thing of joy. You have to figure if you want a revolver or Auto.
 
Kind of an apple or orange comparison. I would go so far as to say there will be no difference in the accuracy, it depends on how well you can shoot either of them. Which one you like better, and which one's grips fit your hand the best. This is after you have determined what ammo each one specifically likes.
 
I do love my k22's, but that Mk4 Target seems to go to the range with me every time. The Mk4 is much easier to load and clean, and the accuracies of any of them exceed my abilities. Well...truth be told: after installing a Volquartsen trigger kit, upgraded front & rear sights and firing pin, and better grips for the Mk4 Target, anyways. Maybe I've just got more tinkering invested into the Mk4; never had to do much of anything to my k22's.

Now I'm confused. -S2
 
Last edited:
Speedo2 said:
I do love my k22's, but that Mk4 Target seems to go to the range with me every time. The Mk4 is much easier to load and clean, and the accuracies of any of them exceed my abilities. Well...truth be told: after installing a Volquartsen trigger kit, upgraded front & rear sights and firing pin, and better grips for the Mk4 Target, anyways. Maybe I've just got more tinkering invested into the Mk4; never had to do much of anything to my k22's.

Now I'm confused. -S2
Click to expand...
This guys post is spot on. If you like to build and tinker the Ruger is way to go. If you want a flat out great revolver that happens to have a cylinder with ten tiny holes that has a great trigger and accuracy out of the box then go with the Smith. I've never shot the mkiv Target but I used to own a mkii government and it was a nice pistol. This is a good dilemma to have.

Sent from my Pixel 3a XL using Tapatalk
 
H Richard said:
Kind of an apple or orange comparison. I would go so far as to say there will be no difference in the accuracy, it depends on how well you can shoot either of them. Which one you like better, and which one's grips fit your hand the best. This is after you have determined what ammo each one specifically likes.
Click to expand...

Having 2 model 617's (6" and 8 3/8") and several target Ruger MKII's, III's, etc.... that is a tough decision. As H Richard stated: BOTH will do a great job.

Personally, I am partial to a wheel gun. The 617's see a lot of daylight when I am out plinking and punching holes in paper. Further, I am very partial to the 617 with a 6-shot Steel cylinder. An aluminum cylinder in a firearm that gets heavy use does not appeal to me at all.

Your decision is a good one to have. I would buy both. (But get the Smith 617 first) :D
 
My 617 is a better shooter than I am and it will outshoot a Browning Buckmark. You have a tough decision to make or get them both. Buy them you'll like them.

Stinger
 
I own a 6 inch 617 with a 2x scope for hunting here in PA, as semi-auto pistols are verboten. I also own a Ruger MK-ll bull barrel target pistol w/ a 2x scope, and a HS Victor that sometimes wears a 4x scope. The two semi's were used for small game back in CT, where it was legal.

My opinion is the semi's are more accurate. Might have something to do with the variance of 6 or 10 chambers as opposed to one? That said, any of the three mentioned are more accurate then I can hold, and that 617 certainly shoots good enough to pick tree rats out of the high branches.

Larry
 
I have both. Ruger Government Target model, 6 7/8" barrel and a standard 4 3/4" Barrel. Also a 617 with 6" barrel and a 63 with a 3" barrel. I prefer the 617 over the others. This is probably because I have grown to like revolvers more so than semi-autos. The Government Target model is 25 to 30 years old and is a great shooter. Buy both then sell the one that you use the least.
 
Apples to Oranges is correct. I have the 617 6" and two Mark IV's (a 22/45 and the Hunter Model). They shoot and handle different.
I much prefer the Mark IV's over the 617. I am much more accurate with the Mark's over the revolver. Like already said the revolver trigger in single action will be better than the Mark's out of the box. After Volquartsen kit added to the Marks you will not find a better trigger.

The Mark's are also a lot easier to add and remove Scopes Red Dots and other aftermarket items. There are a ton of aftermarket accessories for the Mark series. You can literally make the Mark fit you in anyway you want.
Good Luck on your search.
 
Of the two- I’d select the S&W, particularly an older model. That being said, the Mark IV is the only auto .22 pistol I’ll ever own, I’ve had too many reliability issues with others.
 
I'm in love with my Ruger Mark IV target model. Very reliable and accurate.

RUGER_MARK_IV--1280_zpshjsaa9hg.jpg


...and it's a snap to disassemble for cleaning!

John

RUGER_MARK_IV-03_zps39ekxsab.jpg
 
Ruger or 617

I vote for the Ruger, had both, still have the Ruger 22/45 and sold the 617. The Ruger is easier to clean and also more accurate in my hands.
 
I'd say go with the S&W.As accurate if not more(chances are ''more'')and much better resale value.
I know about resale value;if you'd know what I paid for my model 17 and what I'm being offered for it!
 
In regards to accuracy or any type of target shooting I'd go with a Ruger MK series pistol over a 617. All of the MKII series Rugers I have owned or currently own have been very accurate shooters.

My own experience with a pre lock 617 in the late 1990s was very disappointing. First I had to send it back to Smith as the cylinder gap was not even all the way around. Gun was marginally accurate before sending it back and was the same after I got it back. Was traded off.

Admit I probably got one of the few bad 617s as a Single Six and Taurus 96 I bought later shot much better.
 
If you're considering a 617, you need to go into it with your eyes open. Many 617's (and 17's and 18's for that matter) require work with a finishing reamer to complete finishing their chambers to SAAMI specs. Otherwise you may experience extraction "challenges". Once finished properly, there these are wonderful revolvers. One of mine always accompanies me to the range.

Lou
 
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