Model 17 or 617

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peh_7

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Which would be the most desirable. My LGS has just got a couple of consignment revolvers in that may be of interest to me. I only got a few minutes to look at them and didn't get all the specifics Store is only open only open on Thursdays and Fridays. There was a model 17-? and a 617-3. The 17 had target grips, but I was more interested in the 617 at the time because of the full under lug barrel. Both were six shot and in very good condition and as far as I know gun only. The firm price on the 17 was $800 and the 617 was $750. Any comments was to which one would be the best buy.

Thanks
 
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Notaglock said:
Since they’re both 6 shot versions, it pretty much comes down to what one you like better. I don’t think there’s a “wrong” choice.
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I agree. What barrel length were they? I tend to like stainless steel, but either one would be very nice.
 
Choices

I'm a blued steel guy, but I understand that SS has some advantages. That said, see which one balances in your shooting position the best. I find that my K Frame 6" revolvers without any underlug are the most shootable for me when shooting off hand.

The Model 17 already has a lot of steel (ie. weight) in the barrel and the cylinder given its small bore, so an underlug might just be too much of a good thing depending on your build and strength.
 
I own both a 6" pre-17 and a 4" 617. I bought the 617 as a shooter to save wear and tear on the pre-17 and find I really like both. I choose the 4" 617 as I find the 6" full lug 617 a bit barrel heavy for me. As to price, neither sounds unreasonable.
 
only you can make that decision....I own both, and like them both, but the 617 is a little muzzle heavy, but nice, looks can be a factor also here..after you own one, you'll want to own the other at some time...have fun with it
 
If you can, get both and then decide and sell accordingly. Just please don't make me decide! The pictures stink I know. 617 and 17-4.
 

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Despite owning four stainless S&Ws- 4" 617-3, 3" 65-5 LadySmith, 4" 625-3 and a 4" 625-6 MG- I really have always preferred blued guns, whether factory new shiny or worn and dulled from use and handling. In my middle/old age now I've found myself coming full circle. I find the slimmer tapered lug barrels of the 27 and 24 more to my liking than the full lug of the L frame .357 or my 625-3. The 24-3 and MG get carried more. I say get both. Won't be wrong either way and you'll have options for the future.
 
Buy the 617 and put a small deposit down on the 17 if they let you. I like the weight of the 617 better than the 17..

Accuracy wise, you are going to get the same thing.

I think you may get a better trigger pull on the 17. The older Smith's were fantastic, but if you can try both see for yourself which you like.
 

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peh_7 said:
Which would be the most desirable. My LGS has just got a couple of consignment revolvers in that may be of interest to me. I only got a few minutes to look at them and didn't get all the specifics Store is only open only open on Thursdays and Fridays. There was a model 17-? and a 617-3. The 17 had target grips, but I was more interested in the 617 at the time because of the full under lug barrel. Both were six shot and in very good condition and as far as I know gun only. The firm price on the 17 was $800 and the 617 was $750. Any comments was to which one would be the best buy.

Thanks
Click to expand...

I would go with the 617 as I cannot see open sights very well and the 617-3 being factory drilled and tapped for optics is a big plus for me. I have 617s in both 4 and 6 inch versions (617-1 and 617-5) The 4" comes as close to perfect balance of any revolver I've owned.

The 17 I consider to be THE classic target 22lr revolver. The 17 would be a great choice too.
 
Both of my 617s, and the 17-6 that I sold had full underlugs. In a heavier recoiling caliber, it's very helpful in controlling recoil, but in .22LR it's really not needed. In competition, it may be helpful, but is not needed.

I didn't catch the barrels lengths on the revolvers you saw, but to reiterate a couple of the replies above, a 4" K-frame S&W is about as perfect a .22LR revolver as you'll ever find. Ideally, for me, it would be a stainless no-shroud 4" model, but unfortunately those aren't common.

Even if both of the models you saw had 6" barrels, if conditions were similar, I'd still take the non-shrouded model, because 1) it's lighter, and 2) they don't make them anymore. That is, unless, as stated above, you're planning on mounting an optic and the stainless model is already drilled and tapped.

If you end up getting a good one, it'll likely be one of the last guns you'll let go.

Good luck!
 
They are both 6" and thanks for all the comments. I'll just have to get there first thing next Thursday and take a better look. If they are both still there.
 
I have one of each, but years back when I pondered pretty much the same situation you're in today I remember finding some advice on this forum that basically said to get the 617 to shoot the **** out of and the 17 to look at and lovingly admire. I do both...
 
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I personally detest stainless and full underlugs so for me I would go for the 17. The only thing that makes me marginally interested in the 617’s is the ten shot variants.
Now if smith would make the. Classic style 17 with a 10 shot cylinder we would have something interesting
 
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