617 questions

[captainwayne]

Hey guys;
Can i make a 6 shot 617 into a 10 shot by changing cylinders and internals? I'm thinking that may work!

 

[ken158]

First, your 6 shot is worth more then a 10 shot and (as a test) what internals do you speak of?

 

[AveragEd]

I agree. What you're proposing is nothing short of messing with one of the finest rimfire revolvers ever made. And if it is a no-dash gun, double shame on you; triple shame if it's a four-inch!

Ed

 

[murphydog]

Yes, it is technically possible but probably not a "drop in the parts and it will work properly" situation.

I think this may explain the selling prices of 10-shot, prelock 617s .

 

[Tom S.]

All the answers you have been given are correct, it can be done. However it would require smithing beyond the scope of most individuals, and the proper tools to perform. Buying the parts, and paying someone to preform the work would most likely cost close to half the cost of a new 10 shot 617, and in either case of doing it yourself or having it done, would void the factory warranty, unless perhaps you had it done at the factory. In the long run, you'd be better off to sell yours and buy a 10 shot, if that's what you want.

 

[nachogrande]

EZPZ TO SELL A 617

If you have a 4" no dash, value will only continue to go up. With the profits you will most likely have gotten the use of the 6 shot for free. Then buy the 10 shot if you really want. Not too often did I use 6 shots for 5 steel plates & if you did you would be out of the winners circle anyway. IMO "suffer" with the handicap of only 6 in a smoother action/trigger. NOT WORTH the time/$/ smithing timing challenges to convert.

 

[iPac]

The only revolvers I care about hold 6.

Just one man's opinion.

 

[DS-10-SPEED]

Just buy a 10 shot and sell or keep the 6 shot.

I went through the same thing when I started shooting .22 speed matches. I started using a 617 no dash 6 shot and soon wanted a 10 shot to be more competitive with others using 10 shot semi autos. S&W would do it for a price but I thought the value of the gun would go down so I just bought a 10 shot, then another 10 shot.

I think the no dash 6 shot I still have is better built but sad to say since I got into SCSA and other speed shooting sports (NSSF has a 7 plate stage) the 6 shot hasn't seen daylight in 10 years (except to take pictures of it).

My 617 no dash is on the top.

 

[Flipside]

S&W quoted me $200-$250 to convert a 6 shot to a 10 shot. Backlog at the time was 12-16 weeks - 6 weeks ago.

Only reason I was exploring this option is because the cylinder was FUBAR’d and needed replacement. I knew this going in on the purchase of a used, but otherwise fine example.

 

[RGVshooter]

S&W quoted me $200-$250 to convert a 6 shot to a 10 shot. Backlog at the time was 12-16 weeks - 6 weeks ago.

Only reason I was exploring this option is because the cylinder was FUBAR’d and needed replacement. I knew this going in on the purchase of a used, but otherwise fine example.

I say go ahead & have S&W do it. Have them save your original parts if possible. Either way, by having S&W do the work, the pistol retains it's value & the factory will back up the work.

 

[Krogen]

The only revolvers I care about hold 6.

Just one man's opinion.

Grin... Me too! To my way of thinking they'll always be called six-shooters. Admittedly, I do like those "miniature" 5-shot revolvers too. I just suffer with the cognitive dissonance.

 

[mayuhm]

Hey guys;
Can i make a 6 shot 617 into a 10 shot by changing cylinders and internals? I'm thinking that may work!

Short answer; Yes. The only internal piece needed is the 10 shot hand and you can actually work a 6 shot hand down to fit a 10 shot but I suggest just getting the 10 shot hand as they are not much money and then keeping the 6 shot stuff for easy conversion back if/when wanted. If using used pieces, as with any, they may just drop in and function satisfactorily... or not, and with new stuff,... well, same deal. But usually not. Nice part about new is that you get to fit them up to your specs...but keep in mind the Smith and Wesson specs are there for a reason, it's just that you care a little more about it than they do.
I turned a 6 shot 6 inch into a 10 shot 4 inch for a friend and liked it so much I did one for me.
WOW... THAT was the short answer??
LONG answer....all the stuff everybody else said.

 

[mayuhm]

S&W quoted me $200-$250 to convert a 6 shot to a 10 shot. Backlog at the time was 12-16 weeks - 6 weeks ago.

Only reason I was exploring this option is because the cylinder was FUBAR’d and needed replacement. I knew this going in on the purchase of a used, but otherwise fine example.

Hey Flipside... how *****'d is your cylinder?
I have a used 6 shot and new 10 shot cylinders and may even be able to give a little trade in value to your old cylinder depending on the problem.

 

[Green Frog]

S&W quoted me $200-$250 to convert a 6 shot to a 10 shot. Backlog at the time was 12-16 weeks - 6 weeks ago.

Only reason I was exploring this option is because the cylinder was FUBAR’d and needed replacement. I knew this going in on the purchase of a used, but otherwise fine example.

Hey Flipside, if the existing (*****'d) cylinder is of the early type with a round extractor star (not the later rectangular looking one) and if the damage to it is something like scored up chambers, it might still have fair value for somebody doing a conversion like my Project 616 (Project 616.) A scored-up chamber or similar problem will disappear with a reboring to 32 H&R or 327 FM like mine. Just a thought, but it might help you recover some of the projected cost.

Froggie

 

[Tom S.]

S&W quoted me $200-$250 to convert a 6 shot to a 10 shot. Backlog at the time was 12-16 weeks - 6 weeks ago.

Only reason I was exploring this option is because the cylinder was FUBAR’d and needed replacement. I knew this going in on the purchase of a used, but otherwise fine example.

I'm surprised - I thought it would be closer to or over $300.

 

[3rdgeargrndrr]

The idea of 10 shot is enticing but really you dont need it. In fact extraction will he more difficult and the trigger pull is shorter.
. I say keep it at 6. If youhave other 6 shooters the trigger pull will be consistent as the rest.
If just the cylinder is screwed up then its hopefully an easy swap

 

[5Wire]

First, your 6 shot is worth more then a 10 shot ...

Not according to BBGV

 

[one eye joe]

S&W quoted me $200-$250 to convert a 6 shot to a 10 shot. Backlog at the time was 12-16 weeks - 6 weeks ago.

Only reason I was exploring this option is because the cylinder was *****’d and needed replacement. I knew this going in on the purchase of a used, but otherwise fine example.[/QUO

I WOULD HOPE THAT YOU PURCHASED YOUR DAMAGED GUN AT A REDUCED PRICE. IF IT HAS AN IL, YOU MAY END UP HAVING MUCH MORE INTO THE GUN THAN WHAT YOU COULD BUY A NEW 1O SHOT, WITH AN IL.....

I HAVE BOTH VERSIONS. THE 10 SHOOTERS ACCUMULATE MUCH MORE DIRT AROUND THE EXTRACTOR STAR THAN THE 6 SHOOTERS. AS A RESULT, THE ENTIRE SHOOTING EXPERIENCE--ESP LOADING AND EXTRACTING--IS MUCH MORE PLEASANT, WITH THE 6 SHOOTER, IMHO....

IN WHICHEVER CONFIGURATION YOU DECIDE TO REBUILD YOUR 617, DEFINITELY HAVE IT DONE BY THE FACTORY, AND KEEP YOUR PAPERWORK IN ORDER TO PRESERVE THE VALUE OF THE GUN.......

 

[Flipside]

Hey Flipside... how *****'d is your cylinder?
I have a used 6 shot and new 10 shot cylinders and may even be able to give a little trade in value to your old cylinder depending on the problem.

There’s one chamber where a burr from (dry firing???) prevents a shell from being loaded properly.

I got a good deal on the pistol, so I’m okay with making the repair.

While I appreciate the offer to help, I’m not ready to pull the trigger

 

[mayuhm]

There’s one chamber where a burr from (dry firing???) prevents a shell from being loaded properly.

I got a good deal on the pistol, so I’m okay with making the repair.

While I appreciate the offer to help, I’m not ready to pull the trigger

Good to know your problem is hardly a problem at all.

 

[DS-10-SPEED]

There’s one chamber where a burr from (dry firing???) prevents a shell from being loaded properly.

I got a good deal on the pistol, so I’m okay with making the repair.

While I appreciate the offer to help, I’m not ready to pull the trigger

I would just smooth out the burr and keep using. Uberti has a 12 shot model that is milled out where the firing pin hits so it must not be a problem to have a dented cylinder.

 

[AveragEd]

The BBGV has always been behind in its values, something that is to be expected with any printed publication. Printing lag times and the 2016 book, for example, being viewed during the latter part of that year will cause inaccuracies in either direction. Finally, certain guns will command higher prices in different areas. It has no issue that can be ordered by region.

Used car wholesale guides are the same which is why the best guide in that industry is Black Book because it has personnel in the lanes at major auto auctions and publishes its guide weekly instead of annually and by region instead of "one size fits all."

Also, the BBGV obviously takes nothing into account for no-dash models which typically fetch the most money in auctions or for the four-inch barrel, which currently is the most sought-after. Finally, it would be darned hard to find where a used 10-shot 617 sold for more than an equally nice no-dash of the same barrel length.

Remember, no guide has ever bought or sold a gun.

Ed

 

[jaymoore]

There’s one chamber where a burr from (dry firing???) prevents a shell from being loaded properly.

I got a good deal on the pistol, so I’m okay with making the repair.

While I appreciate the offer to help, I’m not ready to pull the trigger

Brownells sells (edit that to "sold"!) a handy little tool called a chamber iron to correct such bothers. It removes no metal, just swages the burr so you can chamber with ease. I've had one for decades, very handy, works on all sorts of .22s, even those that have limited access to the chamber.

TOM MENCK .22 CHAMBER IRONING TOOL | Brownells

 

[5Wire]

The BBGV has always been behind in its values, something that is to be expected with any printed publication. Printing lag times and the 2016 book, for example, being viewed during the latter part of that year will cause inaccuracies in either direction...Remember, no guide has ever bought or sold a gun.
Ed

True enough but that's not how BBGV is mostly or best used. What it amounts to is being sort of a wholesale price guide for dealers to find reasons to downgrade your trade OR, when experts are consulted, a price inflator to increase the value of collectibles like Colt 1903s.

As such, the "guide" is most certainly involved in buying or selling, but you have to know what you're up to to benefit.

The online version is usually more likely to be current.

It's really good to know the market for whatever you seek to buy or sell, it gives you an edge knowing how FFL dealers, buyers, or sellers will likely approach either compared to what you know about the market.

 

[DS-10-SPEED]

Shooting value or collector value?

I think the value of a 6 vs 10 also depends on where you live. At least in my area (lower MI) where I do speed shooting matches at 6 different clubs, more people are seeking to find 10 shots than a 6 shot. I would think the less you are exposed to these addicting sports the desire for a 10 shot is less and collectors may value a 6 shot more.

My 6 shots are casual plinkers but my 10 shots are shot many thousands of times a year. I actually wore out my first 10 shot and I had to send it back to S&W for a new cylinder, the timing notches got really sloppy. It's now nice and tight.

I wonder where these BBGV writers live and how they shoot? Or are they just collectors?