617 vs 41

[Kenneth L. Walters]

Its an apples to oranges comparison to be sure but I'm going to buy one 22lr pistol. It is either going to be a model 41 with a seven inch barrel or a model 617 with a six inch barrel. Can not make up my mind. Which of these two would you select and why?

 

[Kenneth L. Walters]

Its an apples to oranges comparison to be sure but I'm going to buy one 22lr pistol. It is either going to be a model 41 with a seven inch barrel or a model 617 with a six inch barrel. Can not make up my mind. Which of these two would you select and why?

 

[TSQUARED]

Ken,
A lot depends on your intended use. The Model 41 is a great bullseye pistol, superbly accurate with an excellent trigger pull. I do know of at leat one shooter who shoots bullseye pistol with a 6 inch Model 617. I use a 4inch 10 shot Model 617 to get trigger time for my revolver shooting.

Hope you are enjoying the snow up country. We are spending the winter in the Phoenix area.

Originally posted by Kenneth L. Walters:
Its an apples to oranges comparison to be sure but I'm going to buy one 22lr pistol. It is either going to be a model 41 with a seven inch barrel or a model 617 with a six inch barrel. Can not make up my mind. Which of these two would you select and why?

 

[Kenneth L. Walters]

Weather reports here depend on where you look on the web. One prediction is about 12 more inches by Wednesday morning. Another is for an inch an hour throughout tonight. In the break recently between storm systems we went out and bought a LOT of food just in case.

Love long barrelled revolvers hence the interest in the 6 inch 617 but I like the 7 inch M41 as well. It is going to be a hard choice.

 

[RedCardinal]

Originally posted by Kenneth L. Walters:

Love long barrelled revolvers hence the interest in the 6 inch 617 but I like the 7 inch M41 as well. It is going to be a hard choice.

Do what I did. Get both. I don't think you can beat the Model 41 for a 22 auto or the 617 for a 22 revolver. Both are highly sought after. In case you preferred one over the other, the least desireable one could be easily sold. But I would bet that you would not sell either.

 

[Golddog]

The 41 has a magnificent trigger and is astoundingly accurate. It's also VERY finicky about ammo; you'll spend forever finding something that works every time, and it's not likely to be the inexpensive bulk pack stuff.

The 617 will shoot everything well; you can feed it el cheapo rounds until the end of time.

 

[hberttmank]

+1 on Golddog's comments. I have both, the 41 is very accurate and has a great trigger, but is picky about the ammo it likes. The 617 will shoot anything. Might as well get both.

 

[SMK]

My A prefix Model 41 is my favorite handgun, maybe my favorite gun period. And that's putting it up against pre 64 Winchesters, Colts, etc. Yep, I think its that good.

I've read about owners who had difficulty with finding the right ammo. I can report at least the one I own will shoot anything and everything and does so well. My dad keeps a glass jar full of assorted 22 ammo in his garage. Maybe 10 different brands intermixed in that jar and all of it a decade or more old and none of it target ammo. That's what went through my 41 and not a single problem of any kind in the 150+ rounds fired. A joy to shoot and hands down the most accurate 22 I've ever pulled the trigger on.

If it was me I'd look for an older (A prefix or earlier) Model 41 with the 7 3/8 inch barrel.

I'd also spend extra and find one in high condition with a box and not hesitate to put your own wear on it.

Good luck.

Scott
Ohio

 

[mauiblue]

I also couldn't make up my mind in going with the Model 41 or a 617 revolver. But after buying my Ruger Mark III Hunter and having a ball with it over the last month, I knew I had to get the Model 41 (5.5" barrel). I just got it last week and hope to wring it out for the New Year.

 

[cgv69]

I have both but in the 4" (617) and 5.5" (41) varieties (I hate long barrels on handguns) but anyway, I say it comes down to how you plan to use it?

If you are looking for a super accurate gun for competition or the like, the 41 has much better trigger and overall accuracy potential. On the other hand if you have one or more center-fire revolvers and like the idea of cheap .22 practice for a DA action well then there is only one choice.

If you are just looking for a fun .22 then there are probably less expensive options that are just as much fun for plinking and what not but if you definitely want one of these 2 for that purpose, just get which ever one floats your boat more. Both are great guns in their own right but are completely different and hard to fairly compare to each other.

Originally posted by Golddog:
The 41 ... It's also VERY finicky about ammo; you'll spend forever finding something that works every time, and it's not likely to be the inexpensive bulk pack stuff.

I couldn't disagree with that more but I guess it comes down to the luck of the draw? My recent manufacture 41 has been 100% reliable with everything I've feed it including cheap bulk pack stuff.

Originally posted by Golddog:
The 617 will shoot everything well; you can feed it el cheapo rounds until the end of time.

Not nessasarly. There was a thread not too long ago about people who've had issues with 617's either not being accurate at all of having issues ejecting empty case. Again, luck of the draw. The nice thing is with either, if you have issues, S&W will take care of it.

One bonus to the 617 is that you can shoot other .22's through it like .22 shorts and longs

 

[JoeHatley]

It's also VERY finicky about ammo; you'll spend forever finding something that works every time, and it's not likely to be the inexpensive bulk pack stuff.

Phooey.

Note the bulk pack Federal Auto Match.


Ken, my model 41 with the 7" barrel is one of the most fun shooting guns I own. No wrong choice, you'll end up with both anyway.

Good Luck...

Joe