617???

[fyimo]

I will tell you that I only buy Federal value pack because they are so much better then Remmington bulk pack. With Remmington I get many failure to fire per 100 on firt strike of the hammer. For my S&W Model 41 I feed it CCI standard velocity but with the S&W revolvers they shoot Federal bulk pack real fine.

 

[bishopm14]

For the next person who might have this same decision:

As great as my S&W 617 is, it is not $350 more awesome than my Ruger MkIII.

If money is a significant factor in the decision (which is understandable) I'd recommend MkIII instead; the MkIII is a very good gun. I do like my 617 better and shoot it more often, but one won't be disappointed in the MkIII.

Have to agree mostly. I bought a 4" ten shot 617 last June, got a little over 3K rounds through it. It's a great gun, but it's not worth twice the price of my twelve year old Ruger MKII 5.5" bull barrell stainless. It's got thirteen thou and change through it, and has been awesome.
But, "worth" is subjective, and once we're in situations where we're looking for rimfire understudies for this and that different guns, economic need is pretty much an excuse.

 

[fyimo]

Have to agree mostly. I bought a 4" ten shot 617 last June, got a little over 3K rounds through it. It's a great gun, but it's not worth twice the price of my twelve year old Ruger MKII 5.5" bull barrell stainless. It's got thirteen thou and change through it, and has been awesome.
But, "worth" is subjective, and once we're in situations where we're looking for rimfire understudies for this and that different guns, economic need is pretty much an excuse.

I agree that the Ruger Mark II Bull barrel is very hard to beat and a great weapon. I have one and it will cut one hole from a rest all day long. I also love my S&W revolvers in 22LR and they also all shoot great. I also love my two S&W Model 41's as they are easy to clean and are lights out shooters.

In S&W revolvers I have a K22 6 inch, Model 17-4 8 3/8 (Laser Beam), 17-4 6inch, 18-4, 18-3, 617 no dash, and two Model 41's. I shoot them all and they are all great and the market prices on them are based on demand and availability.

Ruger Mark II

S&W Model 41

 

[Steave]

17's and 617's are fantastic revolvers, but as you indicated, they are more than a decent semi-auto. If you are just looking for a decent .22 for plinking, informal target shooting etc and don't want to break the bank, go for an older Ruger MK II or a Browning Buckmark, either one should serve you well and for a few bucks less than a 617,

 

[Nygma]

If I could have only one...

I'd choose the 4" 617 in a heartbeat.

 

[Jeepster1]

Nice coincidence. The day before this thread got going I ordered a 617, 4 inch, for the express purpose of practicing for IDA SSR class. I shoot a 686 Pro Series (which I really, really like a LOT!) and figure that the cheap .22 will pay dividends when shooting for real in IDPA matches. Reading all of this is very affirming, especially given the price of the 617!

 

[ed32hall]

I LOVE my 617 and would recommend one to anyone looking for a quality .22 revolver.
That being said, I also have a few of the 422/622 series of .22's, which are the 'Poor Man's' version of the Model 41.
I will have a 41 one of these days.
Here are a couple of mine to help make the decision even more difficult. Ed

 

[Nightowl]

Find a 617 and never look back. They will last forever if properly taken care of.