Amp
Member
Help me pick a 6" or 4" barrel. Been having trouble deciding which one I will like better.
Show me yours if you like.
Show me yours if you like.
617 barrel length
- Thread starter Amp
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Protocall_Design
Vendor
Depends on what you will use it for. Target shooting = 6". Carry = 4". Lots of exceptions to the rule, depending on details.
Your post title says 617 so if you're really looking for a no dash 617 my advice would be to buy the one you find first. Where I shop they rarely show up for sale, in either barrel length, with the correct combat stocks and are pricey. First (only) one I found was a four inch but had it been a six I would have bought it. You can't go wrong either way. Good luck.
Jeff
SWCA #1457
Jeff
SWCA #1457
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revolver_ph
Member
6" barrel suits me best for target match use. You should handle them both and see which feels better in the hand.
OP
Amp
Member
I do like the way the 4" balances.
That said, I have longer barrels that shoot just fine.
That said, I have longer barrels that shoot just fine.
one eye joe
US Veteran
I LIKE THE 4" BARREL, K/L AND N FRAMED REVOLVERS, AS OPPOSED TO THE 6" VERSIONS. IMHO. THEY BALANCE BETTER, BOTH VISUALLY, AND IN THE HAND. OF THE TWO, THE 4" VERSION IS THE MOST VERSATILE.....
IT IS EASILY CARRIED IN A BELT HOLSTER, EVEN WHEN SEATED IN A CAR. IT GIVES UP VERY LITTLE IN BULLSEYE COMPETITION, AND IS AT HOME, IN THE FIELD. IT IS QUICKER HANDLING, AND LIGHTER, THAN THE 6", FULL LUG VERSION......
WHEN I BEGAN SHOOTING REVOLVERS, IN THE 1970s, I STARTED SHOOTING CENTERFIRE, BULLSEYE, WITH A SWEET, SLIGHTLY USED, 6" COLT PYTHON. IN ORDER TO SHOOT IN THE RIMFIRE LEAGUE, I SUBSEQUENTLY PURCHASED A 6" COLT DIAMOND BACK......
AFTER A DECADE OR SO, I STARTED TO GAIN AN APPRECIATION FOR S&W REVOLVERS---PARTICULARLY THE M29. BEING A FAN OF ELMER KEITH, I YEARNED FOR A .44 MAGNUM REVOLVER. I LOOKED AT, AND HANDLED THE COLT ANACONDAS, WHEN THEY BECAME AVAILABLE, BUT THEY DID NOT APPEAL TO ME. I ENDED UP BUYING A VERY SLIGHTLY USED 4", M29--ALONG WITH THE PREVIOUS OWNER'S ORIGINAL BOX OF AMMO, WITH 30 ROUNDS REMAINING. 4 CYLINDERS OF .44 MAG, WAS ENOUGH FOR HIM TO REALIZE THAT HE WAS IN OVER HIS HEAD. SO BEGAN MY AFFINITY FOR 4" BARRELS AND S&W REVOLVERS......
MOST OF MY REVOLVERS TODAY, ARE 4" S&Ws. I DO HAVE A LOVE OF SNUBS, AND 8 3/8" BARRELS, AS WELL......
BELOW ARE PICS OF MY 4" AND 8 3/8" M617s, AS WELL AS A LINEUP OF SOME OF MY 4", S&W REVOLVERS......
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Each barrel length has it's place.
When I am out in the field this is my choice of the two barrel lengths.
I just have to choose which one.
enjoy,
bdGreen
When I am out in the field this is my choice of the two barrel lengths.
I just have to choose which one.
enjoy,
bdGreen
Ashlander
Member
I have both. I shoot the 4" much much more often. The 6" seems far heavier, though I suspect that's just a matter of balance. They are both good guns. If I were strictly target shooting, I would go with my 6". If I am practicing getting fast hits on target in double action, I go with the 4".
prairieviper
Member
The 6 inch suits me the best.
This is a personal choice problem. My take is if you like to carry the gun around in a holster and roam in the woods you will like the 4" better, but if you are a range target shooter you will like the 6" better. I am mostly a range shooter, and enjoy really accurate guns. Mine is a 6".
silentflyer
Member
Well solve the problem and get both, then the 8 3/8" etc etc.
AveragEd
Member
I have no-dash 617s in 4" and 6" and like them both but prefer the 4" for the reasons others have mentioned. The last I looked, 4" guns were commanding higher purchase prices than the other lengths.
Ed
Ed
captainwayne
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I've got the 4 Inch 617-6 that I use for steel challenge. I've installed an Apex mass driver hammer and a Power Custom trigger in an attempt to really smooth out the action.
I also have a 617-2 in 6 inch, which has at least the same trigger pull as the 4 inch I've upgraded. I do shoot the 6 inch a bit more accurately at distance, but as others have said, it's a bit front heavy. I'm contemplating having the barrel shortened to 5 inch, maybe getting the best of both worlds!
I also have a 617-2 in 6 inch, which has at least the same trigger pull as the 4 inch I've upgraded. I do shoot the 6 inch a bit more accurately at distance, but as others have said, it's a bit front heavy. I'm contemplating having the barrel shortened to 5 inch, maybe getting the best of both worlds!
Wee Hooker
Member
This is a common question. Without knowing specifics on what you want to do with it, its hard to advise you. That said, the general consensus is that the 4" balances better and points quicker/more naturally while the 6" has an edge for precision shooting at distances. I have found "need" for a both. Here are a few of my late production models.
p.s. Don't forget the speedloaders!
p.s. Don't forget the speedloaders!
Joe Hohmann
Member
I have a 6" 617 because it "matches" my 6" 686 in weight and balance. However, I agree with someone saying,"For a older one, buy the first nice one you can find". BTW, I would have preferred the older 6-shot over my 10 shot.
