617 Question

[sfm629]

I was at a local shop the other day and found a used model 617 (no lock) and it had an aluminum cylinder. Price marked was $499. Price looked very good. Does anyone have any info. on the aluminum cylinder. Good, bad, original etc...

 

[manny25]

smith and wesson made the 10 shot 617-2 with aluminum cylinder for one year

 

[5Wire]

The aluminum cylinder wasn't popular for cosmetic reasons, according to the Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson. There were no functional issues. Several forum members have aluminum cylinder 617s and they may well post on the matter. The stainless cylinders started showing up with the 617-2 revision and were standard in the 617-3 and following, according to the same source.

 

[skeezix]

I had a 617-2 with aluminum cylinder - sold it to a fellow SWF member. I didn't like the looks of the aluminum cylinder mated to the stainless steel.

It functioned fine - one of the most accurate .22s I ever owned. It would consistently shoot 2" groups at 25 yards using cheap ammo.

 

[Camster]

They function fine.It's a matter of appearance and some prefer the heft of a steel cylinder when loading,etc-it's more appropriate to the rest of the gun.Extra care is required when cleaning.

 

[sfm629]

Thanks for the info.

Thanks all for the info. I may stop by and pick it up if it's still there.
Does anyone think it's worthwhile to have it changed out to SS cylinder?

 

[Wee Hooker]

Thanks all for the info. I may stop by and pick it up if it's still there.
Does anyone think it's worthwhile to have it changed out to SS cylinder?

That would be up to you. If you really dislike the looks of the alloy cyl then it might be worth the money ($100+/-?) to change it over. Then again if it bothers you that bad, you might just pass on the entire gun. Me, I would use it as an excuse to leverage the dealer down on the price for that "ugly gun"