617 Performance Center Manufacturing Date

[dho60]

Hi,

just bought a 617 PC revolver with 6" barrel.
Is there anyone who can tell manufacturing date?
Serial number is ETC 01xx.
Is it possible to download the spec from anywhere?

BR., Dieter

 

[murphydog]

Dieter;

The best S & W reference book (Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson) lists two 617 PC models. One was named the "Target Champion" with 235 made in 1995-'96 with a 6" barrel, the other version had 327 made in 1998-'99 with a "profile barrel" (no description as to its meaning). If you have the box the first gun has a Product Code of 170066, and the other 170122. The book has a serial number table but the ETC prefix is not listed.

They were listed as all being shipped to a German distributor, Wischo, so I gather it is not too much of an assumption that you are in Germany? Also, no photos of either of the guns are in the book, so if you are able to post some we would be very interested to see them. Hope this is helpful.

 

[k22fan]

For what it's worth, a link to a 617 PC that was for sale on a website in Europe was posted last spring. I presume it was the "profile barrel" model as it had flats machined on the sides of a 6" barrel that started out as the regular full lug style. I too would like to see pictures of any PC 617s that members have or links to pictures.

Best Regards,
Gil

 

[dho60]

@ murphydog and Gil,

it is not a "Target Champion".
Attached see two pics.
You assume right, I bought it here in Germany.

BR., Dieter

 

[Revolver King]

PC 617

Nice, Thanks for the pictures.

 

[k22fan]

Dieter,

Thank-you for the pictures. That matches the one that was for sale last spring. So far as I know all PC 617s went to Europe so we can only look, not touch.

I use my 617 no-dash full lug for good old fashioned indoor bullseye matches through the winter. It's a lot more fun than an auto loader. I presume yours is accurate as all of my k22s have been.

Gil

 

[unokubi]

gorgeous gun. thanks for sharing!

would you mind sharing what you paid?

tk

 

[dho60]

tk,
the price I paid was a bit less than 500 Euro.
The revolver looked more or less unused.
If anyone is interested, I have the pics in highres as well.
BR., Dieter

 

[s&wchad]

Welcome to the forum

Very nice gun, thanks for posting the photos!

 

[Anton Dee]

That is one nice gun!
And a bargain, in my eyes...


Enjoy it!

Not sure whether I have shared this photo with you guys?

 

[Frank237]

Thanks for the pics.
WHY didn't they release THAT here?? I'd be all over one of those!

FN in MT

 

[GF]

Thanks for the pics.
WHY didn't they release THAT here?? I'd be all over one of those!

FN in MT

That's what I was thinking. Revolvers specific for Europe?

GF

 

[Dogmann]

WOW! Very nice! How come the good ole US of A cant get this model!?

 

[Inspector-Callahan]

617

I agree. I'd like to have a word with the marketing genius at S&W who made the decision to sell these only overseas. I'd have one question for them. WHY???? The 22LR has got to be the most popular gun going! Especially in the states!

Does anyone have anymore details on this one? Years of production, etc? It should have a whiz-bangy name? Like the .22 "Ultralight Hunter"

IC

 

[wantmoresmiths]

For as much as I like the U.S. version of the 617, I do find the underlug makes it muzzle heavy. I really like this PC version, and also would be in line to buy one.

It seems odd to me that even if the factory chose not to market this version here in the states, none of the distributors decided to offer this version.

 

[SteadyHand]

I'd be in line to buy at least two PC .22 Revos - probably 3 or 4! No kidding.

 

[dho60]

It should be possible to re-import one from Europe.
Actually there is one offered @ Waffen-Heim (search for Waffenmarkt / Revolver-Sportrevolver), see screenshot of the ad. This 617PC seems to be brand new and unused.
If the language is a problem in communication with this dealer, I can help
BR., Dieter

 

[murphydog]

Dieter and Anton;

Those are some nice revolvers! The "profile" barrel is contoured similar to a currently available US model called the 686 SSR, an L-frame .357.

My best guess as to why these were all shipped to Europe would be the German distributor special-ordered them. I suspect the current demand for .22 revolvers was not the same here in the mid-late 1990s compared to now, when factory centerfire ammo was quite a bit cheaper. They might have been a hard sell in the US back then.

 

[Frank237]

Anyone have any pull with Smith? Anyone know WHO to call to look into having another run of these produced? If these could be kept at a reasonable price point .....these would sell.

FN in MT

 

[TANZER]

617 PC

Has anyone gone through the pain to import this 617PC ?
Per Dieter's input I ordered the one in his post from Waffen-Heim in GR. It took 3 + months to arrive. I have requested a history from S&W.
Once I have complete details I'll post pic's.

 

[Anton Dee]

Has anyone gone through the pain to import this 617PC ?
Per Dieter's input I ordered the one in his post from Waffen-Heim in GR. It took 3 + months to arrive. I have requested a history from S&W.
Once I have complete details I'll post pic's.

Hope to hear about shooting it and see some pics of that 617 PC!

My 18-2 took about 2 months to arrive, imported for me by 'my' gunshop from Germany to the Netherlands. It was well worth the wait!

 

[410bore]

i will find a way to get one of those!

 

[carl3989]

Conceptionally something is wrong here.

Having to import an American made product from another country and then the shipping, import costs etc. seems to be prohibitive. Wouldn't one be better off with any pre 617 in .22? Like maybe a 17-6 like this:

 

[TANZER]

617PC

Importing the gun back to the US was an pain but well worth it.

 

[Anton Dee]

Importing the gun back to the US was an pain but well worth it.

The long road can be quite satisfying


We Dutch have to import almost everything these days. We even get things like beans from places as Kenia, or Egypt, although our farmers are quite capable to produce very tasty ones...

But I digress; I had been searching for years for a Model 18 and know the feeling you must have had when you first touched your new pride!

 

[k22fan]

Having to import an American made product from another country and then the shipping, import costs etc. seems to be prohibitive. Wouldn't one be better off with any pre 617 in .22? Like maybe a 17-6 like this:

First, 6" 617s with the lighter barrel weight of these 617 PCs can only be found in the US in the form of rare 6" 617 no-dashes with 1970s model 17 style barrels. The demand for those far exceeds the supply. Additionally, PC handguns are supposed to be better made than S&W's production guns. Second, you bring to mind asking a coin collector if he wouldn't be better off with common pocket change. The 617 PCs would be even more desireable if they were in the deep end of European caves with dragons guarding the entrances.

 

[dho60]

617 PC modification

Hi,

.. to warm up this old thread.

I made some modifications to my revolver:
- Hogue rubber grip instead of one-hand wooden grip
- LPA sight instead of standard sight
- Wilson hammer spring
- Wolff 11 lbs trigger rebound spring

Trigger force is 1100g (2.42 lbs) now.
The hit pattern has been shot from 25m distance, two-handed.
Diameter of the "10" is 50mm (1.95")

BR.,
Dieter

 

[murphydog]

Thanks for the update. Interesting rear sight, does it mount into the holes drilled/tapped into the top strap, and is it made in Europe?

 

[SAWMAN]

Sir were both 617 PC model variations all sent out of country (US) or only the profiled barrel version?
Also does anyone have any pictures of the Target Champion?

Dieter;

The best S & W reference book (Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson) lists two 617 PC models. One was named the "Target Champion" with 235 made in 1995-'96 with a 6" barrel, the other version had 327 made in 1998-'99 with a "profile barrel" (no description as to its meaning). If you have the box the first gun has a Product Code of 170066, and the other 170122. The book has a serial number table but the ETC prefix is not listed.

They were listed as all being shipped to a German distributor, Wischo, so I gather it is not too much of an assumption that you are in Germany? Also, no photos of either of the guns are in the book, so if you are able to post some we would be very interested to see them. Hope this is helpful.

 

[Dogmann]

I'd
Also like to know this....