Picked up one of my "Grail Guns" this week , one I have wanted for a log while. It is a 4" 617-1 with box/papers. Now in the late 1990s I did briefly own a 6" 617 but ended up trading it.

Being a long time fan of Smith 357s the urge to have a 22 companion gun grew stronger over the past several years and now finally have one in my possession once again.

For those that have the six shot 617s how do find the accuracy compared to the centerfire counterparts? Like a 686/586 or 66/19. I hope this one turn out to be at least as accurate as my 357s , better would be ok with me too!

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I have one and like it! Mines from around 2003; sometimes I do wish for a 4” barrel ten-shot, but my 6 shooter is really all I need.

These are heavy (in a good way) revolvers, built like a tank in terms of shooting a .22LR. Should last a lifetime.

I think you will find accuracy to be excellent, on par with the centerfires. I remember reading Elmer Keith’s Sixguns, and he loved his K-22’s (model 17/617) almost as much as his .44’s. He thought they were great for long range shooting (100+ yards) and overall practice and training.

I wouldn’t be without one!

Picked mine up early 80s ???? As a training understudy to my 4" 686......

A little heavy for luggin around Penn's Woods ..... guess that's why S&W gave us the 4" Model 63 !

Yep, and 10 shots also.

617 ND



617-4

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I’m your Boogie Man, uh huh.

I got the 10 shoot only because I already had a Model 17 K-22 in 6 Shot. Its as accurate as my 19, 66 and 17.

Bob

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Sag Harbor & Manhattan, N.Y.

I had 2 K 22's that were outstanding in fit and finish and shot at 25 yds perfect. I like SS pistols... functional.

4" with combat grips here, I have never shot it, but it looks good.

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Made it, Ma! Top of the world!

Yes! I am a big fan of the 6 shot 6" bbl. M 617. It is very accurate with 22 LR. I fitted another 6 shot cylinder to it and re-chambered that cylinder for the 22 WMR (MRF). And that proved to be even more accurate than the original 22 LR. Then I got a 4" bbl., 10 shot. I like it as much for another reason.....it is handy as all get out to have on my hip while messing around in the desert. And too, it is just as accurate as the 6" model.

Thanks for the replies and pictures! I do wish my 617-1 was a square butt as I have a pair of combats off a 586 that would look great on there. But as long as it shoots good I'll be more than pleased!

I have a 4",and a 6" no dash.Great revolvers.

Mine is a 2007 S&W Model 617-1 22lr 6-shot 4"Bbl.

I also have 1993 S&W 686-4 357Rem Mag 6-shot 6"Bbl.

I like both. Fit and Finish are well done. I shoot both often.
The Trigger Pull on both are stock and Single Action pull is
exceptional.

Both are very Accurate. I contribute that to the Trigger pull.
The S&W Rubber Grips provide a non-slip grip, also contributing
to the accuracy. The 4"Bbl is very unforgiving at longer distances.

The 617-1 is built like a Tank. Also notable, it is a very heavy
Revolver. Cylinder Timing is correct. Cylinder Lock up is Solid.
All Charge Holes align perfect with the Barrel Bore.

For some reason the 6-shot is most popular. Several guy's
at the Indoor Range have commented about the 6-shots.

My 617-1 is always in the Range Bag, with me.

The Best to you and your Endeavors. Give Range Report.
I'm sure you will enjoy that well Built, Safe to Operate, and
Trouble Free Revolver.

My 617-1 4"Bbl, 617-3 6"Bbl, and 686-4 6"Bbl.

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I have owned both 4” and 6” 6 shot 617’s. I found the 4” accurate and the 6” to be an outstanding performer. I shot that 6” better than any of my centerfire Smiths.
Would buy another in a heartbeat for a reasonable price.

I also once owned a 6 in bbl 617 no dash full target and it was the nicest most accurate .22 revolver that I had ever owned, regret very much that I sold it. I now own a 4 inch bbl 617-1 and I feel that it is as accurate as the 6 incher, the extra forward weight of the longer bbl just made it a little easier to hold on target. I don't think you will be disappointed with your 4 inch 617-1.

A fan...…..Yes
Accurate...….Yes.....and Yes

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A few ago passed on one.
Regretted ever since!

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NRA LIFE MEMBER

At the time the 617 came out, I was carrying a 681. Needless to say, I went out and bought a brand new 617. (Coming to a symposium near you...) Anyway, I rarely buy new, I usually wait until what I want has died off and entered the secondary market. I LOVE that gun and it will go to my grandchildren. Just for grins, we went back to the 100 yard line. I shot a 6" group at 100 yards off a sandbag. I don't remember what ammo I was using. It's been in the safe since. I have a modern 617 IL 10 shot I actually shoot.

I had two, one 6 shot and 1 ten shot. Kept the 6 shot, bought a 6 shot cylinder to replace the 10 shot one, filed the ratchets to fit, and then fit the cylinder to the gun. Gave that one to my Son.
It was stolen in a burglary one night along with several others.
Gave SN's to the Police, but nothing has come up yet.


Mine now has an UltraDot on it, and S&W Combat Target Stocks.

Okay, I'll be the nay sayer.

I traded a well too used Chiefs Special for a 617 several years ago so I had about $400 into it.

I gave it a go with lots of different ammo, and it did very well. I sold it for double what I paid because I found the weight unfriendly -- I much prefer my postwar K-22.

I used the profit to pick up another Chiefs, and that one began my current illness -- Old Chiefs Decease (OCD).

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Wrangler of stray Chiefs
Bob

I still fail to understand why S&W made/makes these with a full underlug barrel. The barrel is plenty heavy with that tiny bore.

I've held a few in the gun store, but I'll stick with my old K-22 and 34-1.

If I was given a 617, I'd have the underlug milled off.

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Psalm 27:2

Yeah, the full hefty underlug is a turn-off for me in a .22LR stainless revolver (far more so in a 6" than a 4", but still). It's why I went with a new Ruger SP101 instead. Of course the IL was also an issue. No IL guns ever for me.

That said, I'd still love to find an 'as-new' Model 617 (No Dash) in 4" someday... or an early (pre-IL) 4" 617 10-rounder with a stainless cylinder.

I really like mine, want to find a pre-lock 10 shot in 4 inch now

I prefer the older 6 shot .22 rimfires. Perhaps it’s just out of tradition, but I never had a need for more.

My 17-6s and 648 are all content being 6 shooters.

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213th FBINA

When the 617 was introduced, It was reported to be as a practice gun for LEO's the underlug and weight had to do with simulating the weight and balance of a duty weapon, as a inexpensive gun for practice , that felt the same. {I bought mine when they first came out}

If you believe the under lug to be too heavy or shouldn't be there in the first place, then you are not in the group this gun was intended for and should buy something else. Mine is extremely accurate. {I have a 4 inch}

Anything over 6 rounds is an abomination of nature..... ... not like it's a good self-defense caliber..... or taking on hoards of attacking tree rats......OK maybe for the Zombie Apocalypse once the skull start to soften.

II am in the 6 shooter crowd. On 617, but some some pre model Ks as well as a 18 and a 17 and a J frame and they really helped me get proficient with revolvers. Getting used to 6 and reload is part of it. Plus, I am not in that big of hurry to burn ammo. I am sure the 10 shooters work fine, but just don't feel the need myself.

I had a 6" 6-shot 617 as an understudy to my 629 Classic 44 mag 8 3/8" barrel.

I never fully loved either one. The 617 was too heavy and a bummer with only 6-shots. It never made a good understudy=too much of a difference between the two.

I've sold them both off over the last few months and have gone all Ruger!

April fool’s day was a couple weeks ago, but it’s still funny.

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213th FBINA

I bought this NIB, unfired, 6 inch 617-1 with a factory round butt a few years back.
On it's maiden voyage out of the box, it was attacked by a moron with a hacksaw. I'm afraid there's no savin' it.
I'm thinkin' about lettin' it go for $2800 just so I don't have to look at it anymore.





I hear the hacksaw wielding moron is still on the loose.

Ned

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Devil's afraid I'll take over.

I have a 617 no dash with a 6 inch barrel. At 52 ounces it's my heaviest revolver. Also have a 610-3 with a 6 1/2 inch barrel that is my second heaviest revolver. In terms of accuracy they are equal. Both are equipped with J point Reflex sights and I've spent time shooting both off a sandbag at 35 yards. When I do my job properly both will produce consistent 1.75 inch groups.

My primary 57 Magnum is a bit of a freak, it's a model 620. You know, that 7 shot L frame with that "cheap to make" 2 piece tensioned barrel. Turns out that just like with the Dan Wesson Revolvers the 2 piece tensioned barrels on a S&W revolver are capable of stunning accuracy. In my case I have shot 7/8 inch groups at 50 yards with a 2X scope mounted on it. I suspect that in a shooting vice my 620 is likely capable of sub 1 MOA accuracy.

So, to sum it up, the 617 is not capable of matching the accuracy of a model 620 or R8. But odds are pretty good it will match the accuracy of a 686 or model 19. BTW, I also have a Dan Wesson 15-2 and the accuracy is as good as reputed, however the DA trigger on a Dan Wesson requires a 12 lbs. pull or you get misfires.

I'll key an eye out for that moron! The smaller grips with the shorter barrel looks better than the original 6" to me. Looks like the "moron" did quite a good job especially with a hacksaw!

Ok. I'll leave you all to your 4-1/2lb .22s then.

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Psalm 27:2

That is SWEeeeeeeeet.............

I round butted my 4" 617 back in the 80s to match my round butt 686.

I saw a 4" 681 that had been round butted by Pa. State Trooper ...... and fell in lust........ round butts are sweeet.

Ive never felt the need for ten chambers or the desire to clean ten .22 chambers.

Nedroe is the chop master.

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I’m your Boogie Man, uh huh.

Slap a set of Spegel checkered Boot grips on that baby....for perfection in a .22.

Guns like that 3" 617 or 3" 66...... makes one wonder why S&W didn't make it factory ......... or just more of them

I like mine, and it is very accurate.

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I have a 4" 10 shot 617and a 6 shot 17 with the heavy lug bbl. I wish the 617 was 6 shot. 10 shot is just more holes to clean.

I also have a 686-4 six shot 6" , mine is a 1994 to go along with the 1996 617-1 4"

I was able to shoot a few rounds through the "new" 617 with both open sights and later with a Vortex Venom. The 617 does indeed show signs of being at least as accurate as my 686 and 586 357s.

Fired my first 50 yard target with it yesterday with a standing two hand hold in SA mode , I think my 617 is always going to be part of my "range bag" too.

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I guess..this ND is alright.

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4 inch 6 shot I do enjoy mine.

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LEX ET ORDO

I have a 4" 17-6 (I like them blued, can't find a photo). Shoots as nice and has as good a trigger as any K-22 I own. Had a 6" too but was too barrel heavy IMHO, the 4" is very handy.

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Jim
Many K and N Frames

I started my 617's with the no dash 6" on top, it is a very nice shooter but after I got into bowling pin shooting and steel challenge type sports I only use the 10 shots. My 6 shot no dash hasn't seen any action in 20 years.

I have several underlugged models 617, 17, but I also have a 17-6 4" that is not lugged. The 4" models are a bit hard to find, and forget the stainless 4/6 inch unlugged models,unless you are a collector, they are a fortune.
But there are several nice 17-5 and 6s, 6" non lugged models for sale, right now. They were made in the late 80s just like the model 15-5/6s. Wide rib, no lug. They shoot great and are priced fair.
So there is an option for those that don't quite want the weight from a full lug.
Here is a set a 15-6 and 17-6.

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I've had this 617 no dash for several years, shoots as good as it looks!

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I have never cared much for stainless or full lugs ( especially on 6” and longer barrels) and would love for S&W to make a 10 shot no lug blued revolver.

CALREB,
Are these what you’re referring to in your post?
617ND 6 shot 4” & 6”:
(Repost)