I have been looking for a 617 no dash 10 shot for a while. Every time I visit a shop, I have to hold their 617 display gun. Yesterday, I held a 617 10 shot and a King Cobra 22lr together. The Colt felt like a J frame, and looks skinny between the hammer and trigger. It may just be the grips, but the Colt just feels smaller like the Taurus and Charter Arms. Any comments?
617 vs King Cobra 22lr ?
- Thread starter Journey
- Start date
Register to hide this ad
Yendor357
Member
I have a 4 inch 617.
My friend has a 6 inch Colt.
I think you nailed it. The Colt feels like a J frame.
I prefer the more substantial feel of the Smith. I think the 617s look better. Mine is super accurate.
Smith and Wesson can make a very good gun if they try.
I think Colt set a price, and built the best gun they could for the money. My friend's Colt has very sticky extraction.
My friend has a 6 inch Colt.
I think you nailed it. The Colt feels like a J frame.
I prefer the more substantial feel of the Smith. I think the 617s look better. Mine is super accurate.
Smith and Wesson can make a very good gun if they try.
I think Colt set a price, and built the best gun they could for the money. My friend's Colt has very sticky extraction.
Isn't a 617 no dash six rounds?
Kevin G
Kevin G
I have both; my 617 certainly feels more substantial, the trigger in single action mode breaks like glass. Since S&W fixed the cracked frame & spitting that was occurring afterwards it now has about 1.5k through it, for now I've painted the front sight.
The King Cobra target .22 is lighter, I find it more nimble when moving from one target to another, I bought it in November 2024 and it now has North of 3k rounds through it, for my aging eyes I like that I can easily pick up the fiber optic front sight.
I use the DS-10 speed loaders & loading blocks for both of these which makes reloading quicker which = more time on those triggers
Both of them now wear Altamont stocks...
The King Cobra target .22 is lighter, I find it more nimble when moving from one target to another, I bought it in November 2024 and it now has North of 3k rounds through it, for my aging eyes I like that I can easily pick up the fiber optic front sight.
I use the DS-10 speed loaders & loading blocks for both of these which makes reloading quicker which = more time on those triggers
Both of them now wear Altamont stocks...
Jerry in SC
Member
The Colt is between a J frame and K frame in size. The Colt single action is not going to be as good as a S&W without an action job. Even then it won't be quite as light. I have both, and like them. Personally, I think the S&W is easier to tune, but you better fully inspect a new one, I've seen some awful 617 4" guns in the last year.
My 6" 617 weighs 46 ounces on my postal scale, it's a chunk, but very accurate.
My 6" 617 weighs 46 ounces on my postal scale, it's a chunk, but very accurate.
DS-10-SPEED
Member
I prefer the 617's, I had an early Colt 10 shot but it didn't work and Colt replaced it 2 times, none of them worked right. I've read that people have better luck with them now. It is a nice looking revolver but some things I don't like was the lack of a recessed cylinder, a non-serviceable firing pin that hits against the extractor, fiber front sight and a weird feeling trigger V spring. I guess I'm used to S&W'S.
Last edited:
You are right. The10 shot version started with 617-2 which also had an alloy cylinder. I wanted the no dash because of no MIM parts. Looks like the 10 shot steel cylinder didn't come out till the-4. I would have been looking a long time for a no dash 617 10 shot. Thanks for the heads up. You just can't know it all.
Thanks for the size info
. That sets my mind to ease a little. It's hard to tell sometimes with all the variables. Nice looking set of shootin irons.
I have the 10-shot alloy cylinder 617, 6" bbl. Also have the KC 6". Love them both!
I have not yet shot them against each other, sadly. Would not trade either one for the other, FWIW.
My .o2
I have not yet shot them against each other, sadly. Would not trade either one for the other, FWIW.
My .o2
It took awhile to get where I wanted my 617-6 to be. It's there now, and I'm happy with it. but like others have said, S&W CAN make a great gun, but there hit and miss. They do make it right, but you need patience. I too looked at the king Cobra, but I'm a S&W guy.
The 617 no dash is a six shooter - I have a 4 and 6 inch. I prefer it over the beer Smith and Colt ten shooters. I'd be interested in the Colt if it had recessed chambers. Must have eliminated them as a cost cutting measure.
Similar threads
