617 Or 17 Dilema

[Dstyles75]

I had a 4" 617-6 which I sold due to continual problems with spent brass getting stuck in the chambers. I was so frustrated I sold it on an impulse, taking a big money hit. Turns out it may have just been the cheap ammo I was shooting. Well I still want a .22 and it seems like the older model .22s had less widespread problems with the spent brass issue.

Here's my dilemma. I saw a 6" model 17 (don't know what dash #) in a local gun store, and I'm also considering a couple of 6" 617s (all different dashes) for sale online. I want to get a six inch because of the better sight radius. However I'm thinking the model 17 might be a better balanced gun because of the partial underlug. It seems the 617s are selling for 200 to 300 dollars more than the 17s. I just love the look of a stainless Smith and don't know if I would be happy buying a blued gun. Am I being too picky?

In your experience, is the 6" model 17 better balanced than a 6" 617? Have people experienced the same brass ejection problems with the older model .22s? Please help me decide

-Dave

P.S. I love seeing pictures. Show me your 17 or 617 while your at it!

 

[murphydog]

Personal preference. I find the 6" model 17 balances about right to me (a 4" 617 about the same), and a 6" 617 to be too muzzle heavy, but you may have a different opinion.

 

[clevolver]

Honestly, I don't think there's any reason or justification for a full barrel underlug on a .22LR revolver. Blue guns are nice, but you do have to be more mindful of scratches and rust than with a stainless gun. If you want a finish you don't have to fuss over, stainless is the way to go. But it's not hard to keep a blue gun looking pretty for a long time, you just have to be a little more mindful of it.

 

[trashy]

I agree Clevolver, I would love a half barrel underlug 617, I've always thought S&W missed the boat here. I have a 17-4 and a 617-6 (4") Balance close to same, I've shot 617 6" and they are a touch muzzle heavy. So, I would recommend 17 or 617 4".

My M17 has a little more problem ( not much of one) with spent casing ejection, I suspect due to tighter tolerances. I love shooting both. As long as you can find and keep .22 ammo you'll enjoy either, or, better yet get one of each.

 

[Macinaw]

Get the 6 inch 617. It is not heavy (my opinion)

I shoot it in Steel Challenge competition and it basically shoots itself. It is very accurate.

 

[clang444]

I feel the 6" full lug gun is a little front heavy, so I prefer no lug on 6" .22s. a 4" gun is fine either full lug or no lug.

The full lug gun sure does look nice...

 

[cptdco]

I've got a 4" 617 I like a lot. Ive got a 4 " 18 I like a lot. I've got an 8" 17 I like a lot. I recently had an opportunity to spend a day with a 6" (Pre) Model 17. I REALLY liked that a lot.

 

[Dstyles75]

I've got a 4" 617 I like a lot. Ive got a 4 " 18 I like a lot. I've got an 8" 17 I like a lot. I recently had an opportunity to spend a day with a 6" (Pre) Model 17. I REALLY liked that a lot.

Have you ever experienced any ejection issues with any of those guns?

 

[SweetMK]

Have you ever experienced any ejection issues with any of those guns?

617 no-dash
17 dash-4
another 617 ten shooter
18 dash-4
and da-de-da!!! a
18 I. L.

NONE even hesitated to eject, I have always shot the cheapest bulk packs at Walmart.
(I bought enough pre-craziness )

I am currently using Auto-Match.

 

[jaymoore]

Have all sorts of 17s and 617s from the 1930s onwards. None have ever had extraction problems. Three/four get the majority of rounds through them:

Two (again) 4" 617s, one a no dash and the other a ten shot current production (the new one was a fill-in for the old one whilst it was on loan).

A hammer spurless 6" 17.

and a no dash 8 3/8" 617.

I likes them all. The long tubed 617 is a great hunting revolver. The others are just ammo burners (which means they aren't seeing much action in the past year!), although the old 4" 617 is almost as accurate as the long one.

Some samples

 

[gdauth]

I solved the. Problem, I got both.

 

[fyimo]

There have been extraction problems reported in this website for the early pre 17's and some of the early dash number 17's as well. I have a K22 from 1953 and after about 100 rounds the extraction becomes a problem with it. My Model 17-4 with 8 3/8 inch barrel has never had a problem. You have to keep the chambers clean and they will usually continue to fire without problems. On my K22 I take a cleaning rod with brass brush with me to the range and after 50 rounds run it through the chambers and it reduces the extraction problems.

 

[qrachel]

617 - Best 10 Shooter in 22LR

In my experience, the 617 6" 10-shot is the best 22lr on the planet - JMHO. I've had a couple offers for mine since I bought in Jan '13. Also, there have been a couple of threads here this year about the 'sticky' spent rounds and what to do.

R