617 Performance Center Manufacturing Date

[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....

 

[SAWMAN]

Couple pictures of a Target Champion I found
Sorry posting from my phone or I would have just inserted picture
http://www.naturwerk-shop.de/WebRoo.../Smith__Wesson_617_.22_lr_Target_Champion.jpg

http://www.huntershouse.dk/images/sports/smith-wesson/s-w-brugtliste/p9205,-smith-wesson-617.jpg

 

[Dogmann]

?????What the!...

 

[dho60]

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?

Hi Alan,

it is mounted into the original holes.
Seems to be manufactured in Italy, but can be purchesed worldwide.

Please see following link:
barrabassa

BR., Dieter

 

[Jebus35745]

Cool gun, I'm headed to the wish list. Larry

 

[murphydog]

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?

The SCSW states all of both types were exported. No photos in the book.

This is a guess, but there were other exported centerfire S & Ws of various types labeled as a "Hunter" or "Target" gun that were very similar to the standard US version. Apparently the reason behind the names is these are acceptable uses for handguns in Europe, but civilian self-defense is not. Our European friends can correct me on this if it is not true.

 

[Anton Dee]

Hi Alan,

it is mounted into the original holes.
Seems to be manufactured in Italy, but can be purchesed worldwide.

Please see following link:
barrabassa

BR., Dieter

LPA makes great sights!

Had one on my 1939 Colt model 1911 A1, a very low profile one that could use the standard front sight of the 1911 A1. And I was very happy with it!

http://www.lpasights.com/catalog.html

 

[dho60]

This is correct for most of European countries, except Switzerland and Austria, which accept the reason "self defense" for carrying a handgun.

BR., Dieter

This is a guess, but there were other exported centerfire S & Ws of various types labeled as a "Hunter" or "Target" gun that were very similar to the standard US version. Apparently the reason behind the names is these are acceptable uses for handguns in Europe, but civilian self-defense is not. Our European friends can correct me on this if it is not true.

 

[Anton Dee]

the Netherlands is very strict towards home defence. You can only politely ask an intruder to leave, or try to stop him with stretched arms... Any form of pressure or violence and you end up in jail faster -and longer-than the perpetrator in question.
A window sticker with [this house is protected by S&W] can be a reason to cancel a gun permit.

 

[TANZER]

617PC

The 617PC revolvers were a modified 617-1. Serial Numbers ranged
ETC0001 thru ETC 0306. Product Code: 170122 / Special Order 8190

Description
Stainless Steel Bead finish
Profile barrel ( 6" )
Round butt
Grips: Nill
Target trigger 0.400" / target hammer 0.500"

Were these revolvers special ordered by German distributor ( Wischo ) and shipped in the 1998 time frame.

 

[kopper]

My 617 Target Champion

My 617 Target Champion.
Cal. .22, 6" barell. Nill griff.