617 excessive leading around forcing cone

[max503]

Don't feel like the Lone Ranger. My Model 34, which I bought in the early 80's, had to go back twice. Once for timing, once for a rough action that would "catch" while shooting double-action. In addition, I reamed the chambers myself. But now its my most used handgun. Always has been, actually.

Mistakes happen. They don't hire rocket scientists to work out on the lines. I will add they fixed it for free, both times.

 

[GT_80]

There is no softer or worse ammunition from Maine to Spain than Remington Thunderbolt. In less than 50 rounds you will be keyholing shots. Making junk is why they are in the toilet

Other than some light loads, I have found thunderbolt bulk to be more reliable than Winchester Super X bulk packs.

I did a youtube video where i ran 100 round from one box of thunderbolt through two guns- 50 each. not a single issue. Of course, I was going for reliability not accuracy, ad it was rapid fire. But I used a S&W victory, and a 10/22 target, and 50 rounds each, no hang ups or duds. They're not "the worst" as everyone thinks, at least not in my experience.

 

[GT_80]

Another reason they are down/out....entire bologna talk, metalurgical lab for alloy compositional evaluation...you just can't make this up

I figured maybe they X-ray them looking for porous casting or something... You think they would do that before final QC check though..

 

[burneyr]

Good luck but Smith is really backed up at the moment due to demand. I sent a J-frame with the same frame crack off in March. It spent two months waiting to be looked at in the lab. Last month they contacted me and said the revolver would have to be replaced. The rep advised a production run of my model was several weeks out, and to expect to wait another five to six weeks. It is what it is - I have had this happen once before in sane times and door to door replacement was less than three weeks. I have never been disappointed with S&W service, but I do understand the present market forces.

I almost hesitated to post, but these aren't normal times in the firearms hobby. Hoping your 617 replacement will be quick.

 

[Scharfschuetzer]

The pictures do seem to indicate that the forcing cone needs polished at minimum. I see what seem to be prominent tool marks. Possibly recut with an 11 degree reamer and then repolished.

That is my impression too after looking at the photos. Back on the PD in days gone past, we had a special forcing cone cutter to smooth out the forcing cones on our 38/357 service revolvers. I don't know if there is such a unit for the .22 RF S&Ws, but that would probably fix your problem. It was a simple process and didn't require removal of the barrel.

The timing of an S&W is easy to confirm. I always check this with a very slow DA pull of the trigger in order to watch the bolt lock the cylinder before the hammer fall.

At any rate, as you've sent the revolver back, I hope that you get it back with the issue fixed.

 

[GT_80]

Called back today to see if there was a status update... It is now with their revolver department, which the guy told me is shut down for two weeks for maintenance. So likely another 4-5 weeks till I hear anything ironically, I was in a buddies shop yesterday, and they had a 4" 617 in stock.

Don't know why they would wait so long and not send a new one- very clearly the frame is junk, and the barrel needs work- I imagine it costs more to break a gun down, repair the barrel, and swap all the parts to a new frame than it would to just send a new one...

But It's not my call...

frustrating. I waited a few years to afford this gun, now I can't even get a clear timeline on when I will get one back.

 

[GT_80]

They finally called me- frame needs to be replaced (duh) - so I gave them my FFL info, said I’ll have to pay the transfer fee, and then they’ll reimburse the fee.

I think they are putting my barrel, cylinder, and other parts on a new frame... hope they fix my forcing cone... it should be tuned perfectly, perfectly, and perfect when I get it back. Hopefully.

 

[Tanners Owner]

They finally called me- frame needs to be replaced (duh) - so I gave them my FFL info, said I’ll have to pay the transfer fee, and then they’ll reimburse the fee.

I think they are putting my barrel, cylinder, and other parts on a new frame... hope they fix my forcing cone... it should be tuned perfectly, perfectly, and perfect when I get it back. Hopefully.

Good luck & thanks for the updates. Hope S&W takes care of you.

 

[AzShooter]

Now the fun begins. The 617 is a great gun for plinking and target shooting. I use mine for Steel Challenge Matches with DS-10 speed loaders, a great accessory.

Smith may take their time but they do take care of customers. Glad you are finally happy.

Good luck. Let us know how it shoots.

 

[GT_80]

Now the fun begins. The 617 is a great gun for plinking and target shooting. I use mine for Steel Challenge Matches with DS-10 speed loaders, a great accessory.

Smith may take their time but they do take care of customers. Glad you are finally happy.

Good luck. Let us know how it shoots.

I haven't gotten it back yet... I'll be happy when it's shooting, accurate, won't shave lead off the bullets, and the frame isn't broken.

 

[S&WIowegan]

Another 617 cracked

A friend and shooter has a 617-4 which dates to 2010 which has the exact same crack in the frame as the gun shown in this thread. It was discovered when another local guy bought it. The new owner gave the gun a super cleaning job and discovered the crack. The crack is very hard to see with the naked eye but it shows up clearly in a close-up picture.

He is talking to S&W.

 

[44 mag]

that is NOT leading, thats shaving, plus I dont like the mangled corners of the forcing cone. You would never have that kind of lead buildup outside the forcing cone with a gun properly timed with a properly cut forcing cone.

^ this. I had to send back my new 617 for the above reasons.

 

[pistolpete10]

My newest S&W is a 617, it has a very poorly done forcing cone. I'll either have it redone or get the tooling to do it myself. Another example of poor quality from S&W these days.

 

[stansdds]

My newest S&W is a 617, it has a very poorly done forcing cone. I'll either have it redone or get the tooling to do it myself. Another example of poor quality from S&W these days.

The craftsmen are long gone and today, firearms are put together by assemblers. Just my opinion.

 

[S&WIowegan]

Attention GT_80

I sent you a private mail on this forum. If you get a chance click on the the Private Messages in the upper right corner of the forum page.

Thanks.

PS My friend with the same crack got a free Fedex label and has sent his gun back. I'll post what his feedback is.

 

[AzShooter]

My newest S&W is a 617, it has a very poorly done forcing cone. I'll either have it redone or get the tooling to do it myself. Another example of poor quality from S&W these days.

Get the tool from Brownell's. You can do your 617 and get the bits for whatever other revolver you have. I've used mine on my 617 and three others as well as .357s and .44s. It was a great investment.

 

[garbler]

Why of course the answer is buy a gun from S&W then run out and purchase the forcing come reamer tool package from Brownell. How much can they cost, really? So you buy the tools and recut your cone to improved 11° and you’ve not only got a custom revolver but you’re now on the fringes of being a gunsmith right there in your basement. I’m figuring at least two maybe three levels of self gratification. S&W’s QA department is keeping the Brownell folks fat and happy.

 

[GT_80]

I got a cal last Thursday from my FFL and my 617 was in. I was on vacation, so on my way home Friday, I swung through and picked it up.

Took it out Friday and put over 200 rounds through it, cleaning the chambers in the cylinder every 50 rounds or so, and I had no issues. It’s like a brand new gun.

If anyone is interested, video here
My Smith and Wesson 617 .22lr revolver is back from the factory! Will it perform or will it flop? - YouTube

 

[theprincipal]

I’m glad it arrived safely and functional. Thanks for the update.

 

[Tanners Owner]

Glad it worked out.