Advice on purchase of a 617 dash-?

[Wee Hooker]

Congrats. You'll be happy with your purchase, I'm sure. I've owned at least all of them all at one point during my SW revolver collecting days. Every dash number. Every barrel length. I never had a bad one among all of them. That said, I do feel that the later production 4", 10 shot 617's are about as close to revolver Nirvana as they come (At least until they make a 5" ). The new ones slick up real nice with little more than a spring kit too.

 

[tesoro]

Congrats. You'll be happy with your purchase, I'm sure. I've owned at least all of them all at one point during my SW revolver collecting days. Every dash number. Every barrel length. I never had a bad one among all of them. That said, I do feel that the later production 4", 10 shot 617's are about as close to revolver Nirvana as they come (At least until they make a 5" ). The new ones slick up real nice with little more than a spring kit too.

Thx and that is good to hear. For the .22 line I came to the conclusion that seeking out, ie a 60's deep blue, or nicely polished beauty, was more for the concept of shooting classic craftsmanship than getting increased performance, and in some cases to the contrary. And in the case of optics a space age red dot just dosen't go with a no dash! Just like with my unicorn Browning 1892 in .357, where I needed to upgrade the rear buckhorn and the only consideration was a Marbles tang!

 

[H Richard]

Keep in mind that most any "New" gun takes from 500 to 1000 rounds through it to get broken in and smooth out. There is a very good possibility your gun may have sticky ejection problems, very common. The only "real" cure is to have the chambers reamed with a "finishing " reamer.

Don't be afraid of any "lock" guns. The possibility of it happening is something like .0001% of the guns out in circulation.

Do I like a 617? Yes, the -6 and it is a tack driver, one hole 10 shot groups at 10-12 yards (from a solid rest).

 

[petemacmahon]

Oops
I like the -1 because it comes factory drilled and tapped for an optic, it’s pre-lock and it’s a six shooter and had factory wood combat stocks. With an optic, barrel length isn’t so important, but I like 6” for the range and 4” for walking .

Ah...if only they made a 5 inch - now that would be PERFECT! Got me thinking...did they ever make the 17 or pre-17 in 5 inch? If so, when??

 

[DS-10-SPEED]

Ok i did it! I pulled the trigger on a new 4in 617, will mount a trji on it and use it as a truck gun plinker and ground squirrel gun etc. If it shoots groups all the better. I will plug the hole and, if it shoots then I'll think about a trigger. In the meantime I will be more patient for a nice deal on a super clean classic once i decide. Like the one in the link below. Same price as a new 617!

The one thing I found about .22 with my beloved Anschutz ( sold) was that the ammo started getting really expensive when I went to the top shelf for consistency. I found the old tac-22 to be the most accurate and affordable. I did some 3/4in 5x groups with it. Problem was i would get a flyer every now and then that was frustrating. And then Tac-22 black box got killed off and they came out with another V that was way worse, and no better than mini mags. Thats why I sold Annie and then bought a 17hmr which is crazy precise out to 100 if calm and at least half the price of match 22. I see S&W made a 17hmr but did they make it well enough to be able to shoot moa at 100? With a decent bbl like a CZ this is a no-brainer and boring, at least the one I had and just sold.

So I am wondering if the same thing happens shooting paper with the 17 -18 - 617 etc revolvers? ie they shoot better than the ammo.

Smith & Wesson 18-3, .22LR – 1971, 99%, MIRROR BORE – Vintage Firearms Inc

vfiguns.com

You'll be happy with your new 4", I have 3 617's and the 4" is my favorite to use.

 

[firefighterjohn]

Congrats tesoro! I think you'll like it. I picked up a 617 no dash 4" 6-shot last year when it showed up at my LGS, it is a great shooter! I didn't have one but have a 686 and this 617 feels just like it's big brother.

 

[tesoro]

Congrats tesoro! I think you'll like it. I picked up a 617 no dash 4" 6-shot last year when it showed up at my LGS, it is a great shooter! I didn't have one but have a 686 and this 617 feels just like it's big brother.

well they say they are trainers! I have a 686-4. will have the same sights on both

 

[AC Man]

I have a 617 no dash 6" Lew Horton combat grips new in the box, but you guys got me fired up on a 4". I was not aware much less seen one.

 

[tesoro]

I have a 617 no dash 6" Lew Horton combat grips new in the box, but you guys got me fired up on a 4". I was not aware much less seen one.

sorry! lol

 

[wproct]

I have a 617 no dash 6" Lew Horton combat grips new in the box, but you guys got me fired up on a 4". I was not aware much less seen one.

I hope you get one and then let us know what you think.

 

[saki302]

TK customs makes a real nice lock delete kit. Perfect time to put one in when you're doing a deep clean or spring swap. I just did one for a buddy of mine.

-Dave

 

[tesoro]

TK customs makes a real nice lock delete kit. Perfect time to put one in when you're doing a deep clean or spring swap. I just did one for a buddy of mine.

-Dave

Thx I ordered the Tk a few days back. What spring kit would you recommend? Might as well do it all at once!

 

[bobsguns]

I have one of the unusual 617s with the alloy cylinder, 10-shot. 6" bbl, so it's very accurate.

I'm surprised Smith hasn't come back out with the alloy cylinder these days.

 

[MajorD]

Any of the K frame 22 revolvers regardless of vintage will shoot all velocity levels if 22 LR without concern
I find I get best accuracy out of standard velocity ammo and use that the most for this reason. But my last model 17 ( blue for the win every time- it is tragic smith doesn’t produce a current 10 shot 17 blued) shot at least 100 thousand rounds over the years everything from 22 cb shorts to CCI stinger hyper velocity