617 Master Champion

[H. Mondeel]

Picking up my 617 tomorrow.
Can someone tell me why it is called Master Champion?
Can’t find the right thread or info about this type.

 

[S&WsRsweet]

I can't tell you anything except that is a pretty pretty sweet gun .congrtatulations!I would also add that I have never heard anyone who owns any if the 17 series guns say they could shoot better than the gun so they have a reputation of being very very accurate.

 

[s&wchad]

Welcome to the forum.
I haven't seen that version before, but it looks a lot like the ".22 Target Champion" that was imported into Europe by Wischo.

Those guns weren't distributed in the US and are rarely seen here.

 

[iPac]

I was going to say a EU model made for overseas. There have been quite a few of these show up here lately, all with unique names never heard of over here.

Good thing is, most of the those guns I have really liked, and it appears yours has some Nill grips, or very close to it.

 

[H. Mondeel]

Thank you

I’ll report back in a couple of days.
Have to get some results in first.
Practice at 25 meters range tomorrow.
Henk

 

[H Richard]

I notice the engraving says "Masters" Champion. Note the "s", which may very well mean it was presented as a prize at the Masters International Shooting Championship, somewhere in the 1989-1999 time frame when Smith & Wesson was the largest sponsor of the tournament. What dash number is it, 617's were introduced in 1989.

 

[b_san]

What country are you picking this up in?

 

[typetwelve]

A. Congrats...

B. That is a hefty revolver for .22. That thing should darn near shoot itself, I bet a BB gun recoils more...

 

[6518John]

Welcome to the forum.
I haven't seen that version before, but it looks a lot like the ".22 Target Champion" that was imported into Europe by Wischo.

Those guns weren't distributed in the US and are rarely seen here.

When I see this type of revolver show up on the forum, I have always wondered why is the engraving always in English? Especially considering they were made solely for European export. It would seem they would be engraved in the language of the destination country.

 

[nachogrande]

WHY?

Why do manufacturers do about anything? TO INCREASE THE PROFITS. Whether or not there are improvements on a gun that will outshoot most of the owners to begin with? I'm a "master champion" now too, it says so right here.

 

[H. Mondeel]

Holland, the Netherlands that is.

 

[b_san]

Holland, the Netherlands that is.

Thanks for that info. Figured it was somewhere in the EU as the Champion engraved guns are made by S&W for and imported by Wischo to the EU. I've always assumed that the naming and visible branding is probably added for marketing purposes in countries that only have a popular acceptance of handguns for organized target shooting.

Regarding the gun itself, you've got a nice looking 6" 617, should be a great target shooter. Enjoy.

 

[CH4]

Very nice pistola! Is it a six shooter?

 

[Camster]

Very nice pistola! Is it a six shooter?

That's obvious for the photo.A ten shot has more flutes.

 

[CH4]

You’re correct
Suffering from a severe case of HUA

 

[TANZER]

617

Another Wischo German import.
S&W Model # 617-1
SN # ETC0001 through ETC0306
Product Code: 170122
Special Order 8190

Description
Stainless Steel Bead finish
Profile barrel ( 6" )
Round butt
Grips: Nill grips were added after weapons arrived in Germany
Target trigger 0.400" / target hammer 0.500"!

This one resides in GA. Imported from Germany.

 

[SLT223]

When I see this type of revolver show up on the forum, I have always wondered why is the engraving always in English? Especially considering they were made solely for European export. It would seem they would be engraved in the language of the destination country.

Not being a wise-guy, it's simply because tons of people speak English. I haven't been through southern Europe lately, but it's hard to find people in Scandinavia who do not sound like us when they speak English.

 

[Bill In Texas]

Howdy H. Mondeel!

Welcome to the Neighborhood and congratulations on your new gun!

 

[Inspector-Callahan]

Here's my Wischo import that lives in Pennsylvania now!

 

[Frank237]

I-C,

I love the barrel contour on your 617.

Wish they sold that model here! In five and six inch.