617 Wow

[JimHartman]

Well, there was some disappointment with the 617. First the front sight appears too wide so that it is difficult to center it in the notch of the rear sight. Second it appears that rounds are hanging up on the recoil shield after the gun is fired, it appears to lock up. I can open the cylinder with some effort and reseat the cartridges. This corrects the problem for one or two rounds. This does not happen with my model 17. Has anyone else had this problem with the 617?

Do you think it might be an ammo thing? Have you tried a couple diffrent types? Some guns usually semi autos dont perform well with certain types of ammo. If the timeing is off you will get leading at the forceing cone that will jam up the cylinder.

 

[Stainz]

Mine, bought new 9/08, got a homebrew oil finish on it's Ahrends retro target grips, ordered unfinished. Great hand-fit. The HiViz #SW617 front sight was a perfect match for the rear sight, so it may have been a little wide for the OEM Patridge sight - but the HiViz is better for my 'mature' eyes, anyway. Also, below, is shown the DS-10 Speedloader & baseplate - a true range fun enabler. Not shown - the spring changes and the Allen headed strain screw replacement. My 617 was, NIB, a bit high on the DA pull, but, like all of the other S&Ws I've bought over my ten+ years of S&W ownership, mostly new, exhibited no creep in SA. SA improved from fairly crisp to crisp during break-in. As to cleaning - I once - over a period of weeks - managed to dispatch most of two 550 packs of WallyWorld Federal bulk ammo - it's favorite - between cleanings - well over 800 rounds - with no problems. Okay... vanity interfered when a range denizen commented on the uncharacteristically, at least for me, nastiness of my 617. Seriously, it wasn't any dirtier than after 50 rounds. I've had one ftf since the spring/screw change - and it was a true dud.

Just a fun firearm - congrats to the op, etc, for their such ownership. If you still don't have one... what are you waiting for??

Stainz

PS Oops... I misspoke! I have had ejection/insertion problems - with CCI Stingers! It didn't matter - dirty with previous Federal use or freshly clean, after a few cylinders of CCI Stingers and problems arose. I tried with a clean gun - no way to launch a box (50) of those Stingers!

 

[Joewisc]

Never had a FTF or FTL with my 617 and put hundreds of rounds through it. If it locks up, send it to Smith and they'll fix it.

 

[SPR1]

I just bought one as well, after foolishly selling an early 617 a few years ago.
I can't pick it up for a few more days and wanted to order a fiber optic front in advance.
Can anyone help me with the stock front sight height on a 617-6 with a 4" barrel?

 

[gdauth]

I just bought one as well, after foolishly selling an early 617 a few years ago.
I can't pick it up for a few more days and wanted to order a fiber optic front in advance.
Can anyone help me with the stock front sight height on a 617-6 with a 4" barrel?

Check the HiViz sight, I think that they have one for the 617, as I recall they want about $40 for it.

 

[gdauth]

Thanks all, I will try the Federal next time.

 

[SPR1]

I just bought one as well, after foolishly selling an early 617 a few years ago.
I can't pick it up for a few more days and wanted to order a fiber optic front in advance.
Can anyone help me with the stock front sight height on a 617-6 with a 4" barrel?

Does anyone have a measurement? Thanks

 

[guskody]

617 ejection-extraction issues

I have problems knocking out spent cases when I use mini mag and other higher velocity loads. Higher priced like CCI or bulk boxes for $15, either way. Sometimes they pop out with a little resistance. Sometimes not that easily and I am looking for a hard surface to pop the ejector rod against.

If I use standard velocity loads, no problems at all.

I've asked around a bit, and know two other guys who have the same problem.

Any one here with that the same problem? Have you sent your gun in to S&W for repair?

 

[ladder13]

617-4

 

[gr7070]

I have problems knocking out spent cases when I use mini mag and other higher velocity loads. Higher priced like CCI or bulk boxes for $15, either way. Sometimes they pop out with a little resistance. Sometimes not that easily and I am looking for a hard surface to pop the ejector rod against.

If I use standard velocity loads, no problems at all.

I've asked around a bit, and know two other guys who have the same problem.

Any one here with that the same problem? Have you sent your gun in to S&W for repair?

This is a pretty common problem, though I don't recall hi velo being associated with it. Mine has this problem with regular velo Winchester bulk, but no problem at all with Federal bulk.