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Sparky 48

Sparky 48

Joined
Oct 3, 2013
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Southern MN
I'm basically a revolver guy and a S&W guy. Nothing I'd rather shoot. My next one is a 617, 4"bbl mostly to match my centerfire guns.
I got my son started shooting a Browning Buckmark and he's shooting up all my High speed ammo. I had to borrow my wife's 63 to keep shooting. Then it struck me how much fun that was so now I'm going to get a 617 so I can shoot whatever ammo I find.
Is there any chance that S&W will make a run without the safety lock? My last S&W was a 442 w/o the lock (still available as far as I know) and I would like to keep all my S&W's the same.
Any word on safety lock failures? Know anybody who removes them (I wouldn't do that on a self defense gun but this one is strictly for fun)?
 
A 617 isn't a self defense gun. I only own one S&W with an IL, and it is a 617-6 6". It has become one of my favorite shooters. I don't worry about the lock as I wouldn't carry it for protection so why worry about it. My 617 has a .002" B/C gap and locks up tighter than bank vault. It shoots fantastic, and has a preference for the 36 gr. 1280 fps Winchester bulk ammo. I doubt if S&W will be building any without a lock unless they drop the lock form all their guns which I don't see happening. Buy it shoot it enjoy it.
 
I removed mine myself wasnt hard. Good step by step videos on youtube show how to do it.
You can also buy a plug made to fill the lock hole after the inside part is removed if the hole bothers you.

Video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RVPYgohVCNM
 
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I have a 617-6 four inch with 'the lock'. Thousands of rounds no problems. Ignore the stupid lock or do as the previous poster said, remove it and plug the hole. The 617 is still the best DA .22 revolver manufactured. Mine is more accurate than my 1951 K-22, 1970's 17-3 and my 17-4. Only beaten by my 617 no dash with the long 8 3/8ths inch barrel!
 
Sparky 48 said:
Any word on safety lock failures? Know anybody who removes them (I wouldn't do that on a self defense gun but this one is strictly for fun)?
Click to expand...

10 of thousands of rounds downrange on the lawyer locks. No failures, its a range gun, leave it alone and shoot.
 
Thanks

Thanks for the input. I would buy the 617 with or without the lock. Have heard some bad things about the lock but no personal experience so just have to fall back on my own experience with S&W which is all positive. Thought about an old model but I really want stainless and don't know if the old guns came in stainless (had a K-22 with hard chrome finish but it got away from me). Plus, I like the underlug in the 4" bbl so I'll just get the 617.
 
If it's not a life or death situation the lock would never be and issue and probably wouldn't if it an issue was 99.998% of the time.
 
Sparky 48 said:
I'm basically a revolver guy and a S&W guy. Nothing I'd rather shoot. My next one is a 617, 4"bbl mostly to match my centerfire guns.
I got my son started shooting a Browning Buckmark and he's shooting up all my High speed ammo. I had to borrow my wife's 63 to keep shooting. Then it struck me how much fun that was so now I'm going to get a 617 so I can shoot whatever ammo I find.
Is there any chance that S&W will make a run without the safety lock? My last S&W was a 442 w/o the lock (still available as far as I know) and I would like to keep all my S&W's the same.
Any word on safety lock failures? Know anybody who removes them (I wouldn't do that on a self defense gun but this one is strictly for fun)?
Click to expand...





I have two 617's that I shoot in Steel Challenge competition. I haven't removed the locks from them. They are range guns and if the lock were to malfunction it would not matter that much.

I have my daily carry guns that I have removed the "flag" part of the lock. If it were to malfunction it could be catastrophic!!!


The "lock" is a storage device. It is not a safety.
 
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I have run quite a few rounds through my 6" Model 617 and have not had any issues with the lock. It's a real kick to shoot!
 
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If you go used, you might like the older six shot. No lock and easier to eject when it is about time for a cleaning.
 
There are 10 shooters with no lock but the lock doesn't seem to make any difference in what they sell for. The six shooters are pretty scarce, too, and not as sought after.

I sold this 617-2 Plus 6-inch barrel (all stainless) and kept the 617-6 Plus (with the lock) 4-inch because the 4-inch felt better in hand. Both are very accurate.

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y286/5Wire/Firearms/617-2LoRes.jpg
 
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Buy one; shoot it; love it. That's the drill with 617s . . . I love my 6" 1
 
The Drill

Buy it; shoot it; love it! That's the drill with a 617 . . . I love my 6" 10 shooter.

R
 
Some of my S&W have locks ,, some don't. I have never had any problems with the locks, including my 617 4".

( However, I did grind off the 'tab' on the lock on my J frame carry gun just to be sure. )

I like the balance of the 4". And with the 10 shots I can play with the boys shooting their 10 shot autos in the local competition.

And with a couple speed loaders and you can waste ammo as fast as you can with a auto. :)
 
I have been reading threads here for a while, and I rarely see a post where the lock has caused a problem, but I do see a lot of questions and opinions. I have a recent 4" 617 and a recent 17 both with locks. No problems with either one of them. Both are tack drivers and shoot almost as good as my Model 41. The triggers on both revolvers are smooth as butter, both DA and SA. Buy the 617 and you will not regret it, especially after it breaks in. :)
 
My 617 4" is a ten shooter with no lock. But I have lots of smiths with locks and have had zero problems with them. I prefer no locks but I won't loose any sleep over having a "lock" smith.
 
5wire,
I bought a LNIB 617-6 4 inch 10 shot in mid 2011 for just under $700. I thought I paid a premium due to an apparent scarcity but your chart indicates I paid the average price.
I would have preferred a no IL variation but the IL has never been a factor. It's a great gun to use it when taking a novice shooting...most of whom like shooting it better than the semiautos.
 

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I have a 686+ and a 617, both with internal locks. I don't really worry about it with both of them. Would I prefer it if they didn't have it? Yes, because I never use the I.L. and never will but I'll never have them removed.
Here is what Massad Ayoob had to say about the issue:

Massad Ayoob » Blog Archive » INTERNAL GUN LOCKS
 
While I normally would just sell it and buy another 4in barreled 617 no dash, they are hard to find, and the one I have now shoots so good I am thinking I will send 'er off to the Mother Ship for a replacement 4in barrel. Even if I don't, she still shoots better than any of my other .22 S&Ws and that includes two M17s, a pre M18 and a M34-1 kit gun. Luv my M617 I do!
 
Something other than locks

A friend of mine stopped by the local Harley Davidson shop and bought some Happich Simichrome Polish. A little expensive but you ought to see what it does for cleaning off the powder residue on the end of the cylinder and the rest of the gun. This stuff is awesome. I would send some picks but everyone would be offering me mega bucks for the 6 inch. The product code # is 390050. I put some on a felt bob on my Dremel and did the flutes of the cylinder for a faster job. It seems to leave a covering that makes follow up cleaning easier as well.
If anyone is looking at speed loaders for a Christmas gift to yourself, I can't say enough for the Ansac Speedloader and there loading trays as well. Another well designed and awesome 617 accessory. Get them at Shooters Connection.
Happy Thanksgiving all. And as always, Be Safe
 
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