.22 to complement M66-3 ?

[rmcnelly]

I love my M66-3 but would like a 4" K frame .22 to shoot double action and keep my skills up with less expensive ammo. I'm looking for a Model 18 as this seems to fit the bill. I haven't found one locally but a 4" Model 617-6 10 shot is available 90 miles from here. How different is the 10 shot double action trigger pull?

I won't be shooting competition so 10 shots would just be a convenience. Comparable double action trigger pull to the M66 is my goal.

Suggestions? There are M18's on Gunbroker but I don't know what to watch out for.

Thanks!

 

[murphydog]

If the 4" 17-6 is at a reasonable price that is a very close match to your model 66, plus it is not a common gun. I doubt the trigger pull is much different but have no personal experience. The model 18 trigger should be nearly identical. Let us know what you decide after you buy that model 17 .

 

[rmcnelly]

I had the model number wrong, it is the 617-6 (I'll correct the original post). He's asking $600 and described it as LNIB. I'd really prefer a 6 shot as I think the trigger stroke is gonna be different with the 10.

 

[civil1977]

I haven't noticed a difference in the triggers between my 6-shot and 10-shot revolvers, but you should know that rimfire revolvers typically have heavier triggers than centerfire revolvers. This is due to the fact that rimfire ammunition requires heavier springs for reliable ignition. So, you may not find a .22 counterpart that has the same trigger pull. I would think a 4” 617 would be a good match for your 66.

 

[rmcnelly]

Thanks for the info about heavier trigger pull. My 66-3 has a trigger job and is set at about an 8lb DA pull with reliable primer strikes. It was 12lbs before the trigger work. I thought I read somewhere the 10 shot DA stroke was much shorter and stiffened up in a different way then the 6 shot .22.

 

[Florida Guy]

617

Sent pm with similar gun for sale on GB.

 

[rmcnelly]

There is a well worn 6" K22 within 3-4 hour drive from me for $450 but I'd prefer a 4" gun.

 

[Lobster Picnic]

Model 63 is the Stainless J-frame .22lr. The current one is an 8-shot available in 3" and 5". The older ones can be found in 6-shot, 4".

 

[madmikeb]

I use a 625 or 610 for combat shoots and a 10-shot 617 for bowling pin shoots and don't notice any difference in the length of the trigger pull. I think that the 10 shot 617's are wonderful .22's.

 

[rmcnelly]

Thank everyone for the positive report on the 10 shot 617. I'll contact the seller and see if he can hold it 'till the hurricane is past. $600 sound good for a LNIB 617-6?

 

[stevieboy]

I have a 4" 6-shot 617-1 that is a perfect complement to my K- and N-frame centerfire revolvers. Best investment that I ever made.

 

[Smithboomer]

You can't go wrong with a Model 617, but keep in mind that a 6" Model 617 will weigh in at quite a bit more than a Model 66-3. The .22's underbarrel lug and the smaller holes account for several extra ounces.

That said, $600 is a decent price for a 617 with the original wood stocks.

 

[rmcnelly]

Thanks again guys. The one I'm looking at is a 617-6, 4", 10 shot. The hurricane is going to make this a difficult buy due to the traffic from those leaving the area.

 

[fyimo]

You can't go wrong with a Model 617, but keep in mind that a 6" Model 617 will weigh in at quite a bit more than a Model 66-3. The .22's underbarrel lug and the smaller holes account for several extra ounces.

That said, $600 is a decent price for a 617 with the original wood stocks.

$600 is a good price but a 617-6 will not have the S&W wood grips as it will come with rubber grips.The only 617's with the wood combat grips were the 617 no dash models.

 

[rmcnelly]

$600 is a good price but a 617-6 will not have the S&W wood grips as it will come with rubber grips.The only 617's with the wood combat grips were the 617 no dash models.

He's got the factory rubber grips and a set of wood grips but did not post pics so I don't know what they are. The seller has yet to reply and the hurricane is getting closer so this might not happen this weekend :-(

Again, thanks for everyone's input who have experience with these models.

 

[civil1977]

Here are a couple of 617-4s to tide you over until the hurricane leaves town and you can get your own.

 

[rmcnelly]

Thank you! The seller will hold the gun for me and may be in public service as he believes he will be busy 24/7 until this event is over. So I'm not going to ask him for pics and these help feed the addiction! ;-)

 

[rmcnelly]

Should be a nice companion to the 66-3:

 

[PALADIN85020]

If your object is really to try to duplicate the feel of your 4" model 66, then I would hold out and find a decent Model 18. Mine is probably my most-used revolver, and the handling, capacity, weight and feel make it perfect practice for a 66, 15 or 19 with a 4-inch barrel.

John

 

[rmcnelly]

I have a feeling I'll end up with both at some point ;-)

 

[rmcnelly]

The 617 seller seems too busy for me to drive 120 miles to get the gun and I'm a little frustrated. I hoped to pick it up this week and avoid the weekend Labor Day traffic which is a zoo around here.

In the meantime I found a Model 18-4 on an online gun buying site described as 99%, no box. Will probably cost me $725 if I'm adding up the credit card and shipping charges correctly. I have never purchased a firearm via one of these sites before. Is there anything I need to look out for?

 

[fyimo]

The 617 seller seems too busy for me to drive 120 miles to get the gun and I'm a little frustrated. I hoped to pick it up this week and avoid the weekend Labor Day traffic which is a zoo around here.

In the meantime I found a Model 18-4 on an online gun buying site described as 99%, no box. Will probably cost me $725 if I'm adding up the credit card and shipping charges correctly. I have never purchased a firearm via one of these sites before. Is there anything I need to look out for?

The main thing is to check his feedback if it's GB and if there are any negative comments I'd be leary. I've bought many S&W revolvers off of GB and I've never had a problem but there have been a few forum members that have. If he ships the revolver himself to your FFL make the seller send a copy of his drivers licence with photograph on it so you are safe if something goes wrong like the forum member who bought a revolver only to find out it was stolen and the police took it from him. It's actually best to buy from a dealer on those auction sights or at least have a private individual ship through an FFL on his end to your FFL. That way if something is wrong at least the local FFL he used has at least met the individual and can provide the police with some documentation on his end.

Model 18's are great revolvers and you are getting it for the going market price for one in that condition.

 

[rmcnelly]

It's on a different site (GA) but appears to be a dealer with 416 transactions and 100% positive feedback. But when I check the feedback there are only 2 positives from 2007 and no negatives? He's listing 57 other firearms for sale at the moment.

 

[rmcnelly]

I just purchased the Model 18 and might have it by Tues

 

[rmcnelly]

Got it!

The M18-4 arrived early, I wasn't expecting it until Tues due to the Labor Day holiday. The gun is very clean with no noticeable wear. Took it to the range and the trigger was very stiff. Wore my hand out 'till I backed the strain screw out temporarily. Trigger was lighter but had a stiff initial pull. I measured it on a fish scale when I got home. Strain screw a little over 1/2 turn out was reliable at the range and gave a high 9 lb pull (I won't go lower as I know the rimfire needs a good hit). All the way in was a high 12 lb pull but it felt much worse. I've ordered a spring kit and some Ahrends grips as I hated the stockers.

 

[fyimo]

Nice looking Model 18 that looks like it wasn't shot much. It may need to be shot quite a bit to wear in the parts as they smooth out with lots of shooting. My first 686 go smoother and lighter after about 500 rounds down the tube.

It's either that or the inside of the action is gunked up which will require a cleaning either by you or a gunsmith. My two model 18's were great when I bought them as the trigger pull was light and crisp. Mine are an 18-3 and a 18-4.

 

[rmcnelly]

I took out the cylinder when cleaning it this afternoon. The crane retention screw is completely different than my M66 which has a pointed tip to ride in the groove. The M18's looks like a normal screw and is threaded to the end?

I did a search and have learned there were several different yoke screws over the years and mine is ok.

 

[RHINOWSO]

Pre model 18 Combat masterpiece. Smooth & light trigger pull but she's 58 years old and has been shot quite a bit... I was happy to find it online a couple of years old for $450 IIRC...

 

[BUFF]

rmcnelly:

Congratulations, looks like you found a really nice sixshooter. My Model 18 would be one of the three last handguns I would keep if they all had to go.

I bought my Model 18-3 new in April, 1977. It has been a tremendous aid in learning and maintaining my paltry revolver skills. I tried to keep track of the number of rounds fired by me and friends through this gun; the estimates run from 50,000 rounds up. As one might think, it has a pretty mooth trigger mechanism now.

The Model 18 got me ready for the new 4 inch Model 66 I bought in February, 1978. I put the same grips on them, the same wide, smooth "combat" triggers and played with springs until their pulls in both single action and double action are similar.

About the only .22 S&W revolver I would rather have would be one of the Model 53 .22 Jets with a 4 inch barrel and a .22 LR cylinder. They would even balance out better, more closely to each other in the hands.

I think it is a fine strategy to gain and maintain your shooting skills with revolvers.

 

[Murdock]

That's how I did it years ago. The M-18 taught me how to shoot DA. When I could afford it, I bought a M-19 to match it. Both stolen in a burglary within a month of buying the M-19. Still miss 'em.