617 and red dot sight

[twodog max]

I have had a 617 for several years, the 10 shot version, that I really like. However my 68 year old eyes just do not see the irons any longer to do the accuracy of this revolver justice.
I bought a Weigand mini mount base and a Burris Fast Fire III 3 MOA dot sight. It is amazing at the results. Shooting the much maligned Remington bulk ammo, that I like by the way, after sighting in I can break hickory nut size rocks with regularity at 25 yards offhand.
Now if my wobbles and wibbles would cease and I could remember to focus on the proper trigger release it would be perfect.
The newer red dots are amazing small and light but easy to use for the most part. For us old guys a new lease on our shooting lives.

 

[Protocall_Design]

Same for me. I figure when all the wobbles and wibbles cease, probably everything else will, too. I plan to enjoy whatever I have, as long as I have it.

 

[ericrlarson]

I agree. The 617 and a red dot is the way to go for aging eyes.


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[slight_turn_line_69]

I have had the same set up on a 629-5 Classic Powerport for a couple years now. Love it! I just got my 4" 617 a month or so ago, and I'm going to set it up the same way. In fact, I ordered the Wiegand mini mount just this afternoon. Something happens to my sight at any range beyond 15 or 20 yards these days. Might be the bifocals, but more likely it's the 65 year-old eyes. I do love a patridge front sight, but it's useless if all you see is a blur.

 

[pasound]

I love my 617-6 and my Sightmark. So glad I added a Weigand and a red dot.

 

[357 shooter]

The newer red dots are amazing small and light but easy to use for the most part. For us old guys a new lease on our shooting lives.

Yes indeed , around the 2014 time frame I noticed it was really difficult to get a clear sight picture shooting open sights and I was only in my early 50s. More and more guns were equipped with red dots or 1X Burris bullseye scopes since then.

Have a 617-1 4" and a 617-5 6" - the 4" has a Raptor base and the 6" an Allchin - both have have Vortex Venoms. The 6" handily out shoots the 4" and it is one of the most consistently accurate handguns I have ever owned sometimes giving my Model 41 auto pistol a run for the money!

 

[twodog max]

I looked over the current crop of red dots for a few days trying to decide. I have had Burris stuff before and it worked as it was supposed to. In the end I went with the Burris as it was 20 bucks less that the Vortex and I am a cheap **&^&. And Midway had free shipping on it.
The battery is tricky to put in but not to difficult but I expected that after reading the reviews.
There are lots of good red dots out there from relatively inexpensive to really pricey.

 

[Jimmyjones]

Did the same thing, put a Weigand mount on my 617-1 and put a Primary Arms red dot on it, I prefer tubes over reflex. Benching it to sight it in, I was making a ragged hole at 15 yds. I have a Ruger Mark III set up the same way, but I burn less ammo with the revolver.

 

[djw]

same eyesight issue at 77

This thread has me intrigued and will have to look into a red dot and a mount for it. Have an UltraDot on my model 41 and it really helps so why not on my 617?

 

[AzShooter]

617 with a red dot is definitely the way to go for us older guys. Sure helps me on Steel Challenge Matches.

 

[DS-10-SPEED]

I have a Burris FF3 on my 4" 617, great fun.

 

[twodog max]

I have a Burris FF3 on my 4" 617, great fun.

Your setup is exactly like mine except I have square butt rosewood Altamonts on mine

 

[pasound]

I put the Weigand and the same Sightmark on my Single-Ten before I took it to the range, after the experience with the 617 with the same setup. Accuracy was identical, SA to a DA. The 617 is a faster reload. LoL

 

[H Richard]

I made that decision a couple years ago. But my eyes are older than yours.

 

[Peakbagr]

Ultra dot for Smith 617

Having trouble focusing on the target and sights. Time for a red dot.
I have dots on my 41 and HS Victor. I have an extra Ultra dot, 4 Dot with rings. Is there a mount you recommend and is it something that requires a visit to a gunsmith?
The Ultradot is a great glass. 10 different dot size and mutiple intensities.
Thanks in advance.

 

[pasound]

Again, the Weig-A-Tinny from Jack Weigand might be the answer. Check out this mount, as long as your 617 is old enough to have the mounting holes drilled. I don't know the length of the rail. It has ten slots.

Smith Wesson K,L,N frame revolvers scope mounts WEIG-A-TINNY(R) - WEIGAND Machine and Design

 

[Yendor357]

The cool thing about the Mini Weigland mount is it fits in the sight channel. It does not touch the top strap. So if/when you take it back off, your gun doesn't wear the scar of having an optic.

I'm all for 3 wheeled motorcycles, Red Dots and similar concepts if it keeps the experienced in the game.

I have a good optometrist. I can still see irons. But there is most definitely a place for optics on my revolvers. My new Anaconda with a red dot is amazing.

 

[pasound]

I've had mini Weigands on two revolvers. Red dots on both, easy to find the POA. Great inventions from a great designer.

 

[danlbobb]

I use the EGW mount on my S&Ws.
Very satisfied with it.
It is long enough that you can use a pistol scope if desired.

 

[TAROMAN]

BTDT. The Ultradot let me adjust range for silhouette shooting.