617 8 3/8"

[roysha]

I was just over on everyone's "favorite to hate site", killing some time and looked up S&W 617 8 3/8". One was NIB and listed for $2295 and the other was excellent with box and stuff for starting bid of $1999.99. No bids.
My question: are 617 8 3/8" really anywhere near that valuable or are there a couple of folks living in LaLa Land?

 

[RSinOR]

My vote is for the latter, not the former. I've got a 617 long tube. Great shooter, really like it, but not to the extent I would pay anything near those asking prices for one.

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

What does it weigh?

 

[Yendor357]

That's 4 inches too long for me.

 

[bobsguns]

Didn't know they did those in the 617!

Were I in the market, *I* would not go over $1100-1200 NIB. Not worth it, IMO.

 

[AC Man]

You didn't say if it is a no dash with recessed chambers. That makes a difference. Does it have a - number? I have a 6" Lew Horton edition with combat grips, never fired no turn line combat grips, box, papers, tools, no dash I paid $1250.00 a couple years ago. The 8 3/8 barrel is worth less. Don't get me wrong, I got a ton of long barrels in higher calibers and I like them as well.

 

[38 Specialist]

I'd skip it for anything less that a ridiculous, screaming, steal of a deal. If it has the full underlug, it's too much weight hanging that far out for my liking. With 22LR, you get no real benefit from reduced muzzle rise or recoil absorption. Shorter ones at nice, though. BTW, I'm not a hater of long barrels. My 8" model 14 is a favorite!

 

[stansdds]

What does it weigh?

With that full underlug, about 53 pounds.

Actually, it's likely a little over 53 ounces.

 

[stansdds]

I was just over on everyone's "favorite to hate site", killing some time and looked up S&W 617 8 3/8". One was NIB and listed for $2295 and the other was excellent with box and stuff for starting bid of $1999.99. No bids.
My question: are 617 8 3/8" really anywhere near that valuable or are there a couple of folks living in LaLa Land?

Seems that there are some sellers that put really high prices on things hoping for a sucker. Then again, back when I was going to gun shows, there were always the same guys with the same guns in glass cases with the same insanely high prices. I think they were less interested in selling and more interested in talking to people about their gun collection.

 

[muzzlestuffer2012]

I say if you have a 617 on equal accuracy as a freedom arms 252 it's worth what your comfortable paying. If you have a average shooter and want to have it tuned to shoot one hole groups IMO it's worth the money to just buy it without having to go thru the time and money to get it worked on. Just my 2 cents.

 

[Jerry in SC]

With that full underlug, about 53 pounds.

Actually, it's likely a little over 53 ounces.

My Freedom Arms Model 252 in .22LR (same size frame as the .454) weighed 52 ounces with a 7.5" bbl. I thought I needed a wheelbarrow to tote it around. Gave me major tendonitis….

 

[bobcantshoot]

My 617-6, 4" is heavy enough. Do they make a 3" version?

 

[Hal H.]

Which site is the one everyone loves to hate? Prussia?

 

[muzzlestuffer2012]

My Freedom Arms Model 252 in .22LR (same size frame as the .454) weighed 52 ounces with a 7.5" bbl. I thought I needed a wheelbarrow to tote it around. Gave me major tendonitis….

Ha ha they aren't that bad I love mine it's going in my casket with me ! lol

 

[flundertaker]

The 8.375" version is too heavy for what it is but I won't sell mine. Here's a trio of no dash 617

 

[wproct]

My first 617 no dash was an 8 3/8 inch bbl full target. Barrel length didn't affect the price. It was a very nice revolver but that barrel length was just way too much for me. I traded it for one just like it only 6 inch bbl. That was much better. Unfortunately I traded it off. Later I purchased a 617-1 with a 4 inch bbl. I would be hard pressed to declare a favorite between the 4 and 6 inch bbl. All I know is that any more than that was too much for me.

 

[madmikeb]

I have an 8-38 M53 that I bought close to 40 years ago. Tried to find a .22 lr cylinder for it. After searching for awhile I figured I may as well just buy an 8-3/8" .22Ir.

Found the 8-3/8 617 for a good price, shot it in a bowling pin match and won. It was a little slow swinging from pin to pin so I figured a 4" is the way to go. Bought one and found it was quicker but not very forgiving. So I reasoned that the 6" would be the best of both worlds and I was right. The 6" sees more range time than the other 2 but I wouldn't part with any of them.

Full disclosure though, I have a thing for the long barrels!

 

[Tennessee Cattleman]

The 8-3/8" barrel 617 & 648 would be much more desirable without the full lug on the barrel. A long barrel 648 with a short lug would catch my eyes.

 

[CKPOMEH]

You didn't say if it is a no dash with recessed chambers. That makes a difference. Does it have a - number? I have a 6" Lew Horton edition with combat grips, never fired no turn line combat grips, box, papers, tools, no dash I paid $1250.00 a couple years ago. The 8 3/8 barrel is worth less. Don't get me wrong, I got a ton of long barrels in higher calibers and I like them as well.

All 17s and 617s have recessed chambers, it is part of the 22LR rimfire design on those. Just FYI.

 

[CKPOMEH]

That's 4 inches too long for me.

100% agree! I have 4,6 and 8 3/8s, both 17/18s and 617s and the 4 inch ones balance best, and are most pleasant to shoot in DA. SA one could make the case for the longer barrels.