alphabrace
Member
Bought my 4" last october from Budsgunshop.com for $652
Very happy with it other than the weak engraving.
Very happy with it other than the weak engraving.
calling 617 owners for help with decision
- Thread starter autopilot118
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deuterij
Member
I know how that fussiness goes. I have OCD and researched about 6 straight months before deciding on an HDTV.
Regarding the 617, everything I have heard has been positive. I have a 6" regular model 17 and love it. If you are not carrying it, I believe 6" is the optimal barrel length (considering sight radius and muzzle velocity) for a target gun. I shot my 17 last weekend and it was a pleasure. It was supremely accurate and had the recoil of an air gun.
I hear mixed opinions about MIM. Apparently MIM parts can be made closer to final dimensions than forged, but I still think forged is strongest. Still, I have never heard of a S&W MIM trigger or hammer breaking. I once had an old non-S&W gun whose hammer fractured when I fired it. The thumb portion just snapped right off from the impact inertia when the hammer dropped against its stop.
I doubt you can go wrong with any 617.
Regarding the 617, everything I have heard has been positive. I have a 6" regular model 17 and love it. If you are not carrying it, I believe 6" is the optimal barrel length (considering sight radius and muzzle velocity) for a target gun. I shot my 17 last weekend and it was a pleasure. It was supremely accurate and had the recoil of an air gun.
I hear mixed opinions about MIM. Apparently MIM parts can be made closer to final dimensions than forged, but I still think forged is strongest. Still, I have never heard of a S&W MIM trigger or hammer breaking. I once had an old non-S&W gun whose hammer fractured when I fired it. The thumb portion just snapped right off from the impact inertia when the hammer dropped against its stop.
I doubt you can go wrong with any 617.
scooter123
Member
I just picked up a bargain 617 yesterday. Haven't shot it yet but bought a brick of 22LR with it and am looking forward to this weekend.
Barrel length choice is mainly a matter on what you intend to do with your 617. If you want a revolver that will hone your skills for action shooting, the 4 inch version will prove to be a better choice for rapid fire practice. It will have less swing weight and be more nimble in the hand. If you want a target and squirrel gun, the 6 inch will provide a bit more muzzle velocity and a bit flatter trajectory. In terms of accuracy, it will be pretty much a wash if you scope it.
As for the lock, with the low recoil of the recoil of the 22 in a gun this heavy, it won't ever self activate. That lock is mainly been an issue with the 12 to 15 ounce Airweights. Quite simply, the inertia of the flag can cause it to "stand in place" in a revolver with a very high rate of muzzle flip. That is something that just won't happen with a 617. In addition, that lock can be a handy way to lock the gun up when visiting family or friends with small children.
PS; I have a P229 Elite Stainless and it's a great semi. However, IMO the P226 is every bit as good. If your having problems with the DA trigger on your Sig, spend a couple of months shooting your 617 DA only, it will make that Sig easy to shoot well. Nothing builds trigger control like practicing with a DA revolver.
Barrel length choice is mainly a matter on what you intend to do with your 617. If you want a revolver that will hone your skills for action shooting, the 4 inch version will prove to be a better choice for rapid fire practice. It will have less swing weight and be more nimble in the hand. If you want a target and squirrel gun, the 6 inch will provide a bit more muzzle velocity and a bit flatter trajectory. In terms of accuracy, it will be pretty much a wash if you scope it.
As for the lock, with the low recoil of the recoil of the 22 in a gun this heavy, it won't ever self activate. That lock is mainly been an issue with the 12 to 15 ounce Airweights. Quite simply, the inertia of the flag can cause it to "stand in place" in a revolver with a very high rate of muzzle flip. That is something that just won't happen with a 617. In addition, that lock can be a handy way to lock the gun up when visiting family or friends with small children.
PS; I have a P229 Elite Stainless and it's a great semi. However, IMO the P226 is every bit as good. If your having problems with the DA trigger on your Sig, spend a couple of months shooting your 617 DA only, it will make that Sig easy to shoot well. Nothing builds trigger control like practicing with a DA revolver.
I'll echo that you won't go wrong with any 617. But just to confuse you, I sold mine a week after bringing home a nice K-22, with never any regret.
Given that you're not sure about the lock or MIM and admit to being fussy, just search the auction sites for the next month to get a feel for prices/condition of the older ones then buy a nice one.
Given that you're not sure about the lock or MIM and admit to being fussy, just search the auction sites for the next month to get a feel for prices/condition of the older ones then buy a nice one.
OP
autopilot118
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Oh I love the trigger from my Sig, its the size when I carry it that I wish I had went for the P229. From what I gather the 1/2 shorter barrel and smoother base plate make all the difference to not print, drawl and general comfort.
valkyriekl
Member
You can replace the trigger with any forged K/L/N trigger (my 617-4 above has had its MIM trigger replaced with a forged .312" smooth "Combat" trigger), and you can replace the MIM thumbpiece with any other thumbpiece (I happen to like the shape of the new-style thumbpieces, so I left it as-is).
You won't be able to replace the MIM hammer with a forged one, as they are completely different designs.
617-0, -1, and -2 nominally had forged hammers and triggers, though I believe the thumbpieces on the -1 and -2 were the new-style MIM. S&W started shipping the later -2s with MIM triggers (and stainless steel cylinders; most -2s had aluminum alloy cylinders). -3 is when they changed the lockwork to use MIM hammers; -4 was the 10-shot cylinder version with MIM parts. -5 was the 6-shot MIM hammer/trigger/thumbpiece variant with internal lock, and -6 is the current production with MIM hammer/trigger/thumbpiece and internal lock with a 10-shot cylinder.
james56
US Veteran
Heres my M617 love it and cant wait to find out about the new one coming on the market soon with the extra 22wm cylinder hope they will fit the cylinders to fit the older M617 cause I want one.
I remember when everyone complained about the airbags in new automobile's streering wheels, how ugly, I even said it, and there still here and didnt keep many from not bying them automobile's, same goe's for IL.
I remember when everyone complained about the airbags in new automobile's streering wheels, how ugly, I even said it, and there still here and didnt keep many from not bying them automobile's, same goe's for IL.
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surfdog76
Member
Hadn't heard that one yet... Interesting!
A couple other things to consider:
- Some states require a 6" barrel for hunting.
- If you'll be shooting mostly SA, the 6" 6-shot featured a Target Trigger and Target Hammer, nice 'upgrades' that the 10-shot versions do not include. Another plus is that if you go used, it's likely to have a much smoother trigger than a new one. Remember: Lifetime warranty and S&W covers shipping both ways.
- Also consider; The 686 is the 617's Big Brother. It's very close in size and weight and the two make a GREAT matching pair. If a 686 is in your future, consider what barrel length would be best for it (perhaps 4" for HD, IDPA, etc), and get the same barrel length for the 617.
Perhaps the best answer is... Why choose??? Get one of each... By Golly, you deserve it !!!
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james56
US Veteran
yep!! in some of the Rag's out now but i didnt buy it to read about, wife was in a hurry
Quote: "Heres my M617 love it and cant wait to find out about the new one coming on the market soon with the extra 22wm cylinder hope they will fit the cylinders to fit the older M617 cause I want one. "
If such a critter was to come out,it would be a 648 with an aux lr cylinder,same idea as the earlier generations of Smith convertibles.
Doubtful that they would sell a mag cylinder to those looking to add one to a 617,as 22 magnum guns use a different bore diameter.
If such a critter was to come out,it would be a 648 with an aux lr cylinder,same idea as the earlier generations of Smith convertibles.
Doubtful that they would sell a mag cylinder to those looking to add one to a 617,as 22 magnum guns use a different bore diameter.
What he said...
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james56
US Veteran
Its out in the Mag's now
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autopilot118
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well it looks like have I have made up my mind, I will be spending some time looking for a 617-1 6 shot with the 6" barrel. I thank everyone for all the help and info, and if anyone happens to be looking to rid of one I live neer the Philadelphia, PA area shoot me a private message (I will also make a post in the WTB section).
Thanks again you guys are great!
Thanks again you guys are great!
surfdog76
Member
Great choice... and Good Luck on the search!
The 617-1 will give you everything your looking for; 'pre-lock', factory D&T, TT/TH, plus exceptional accuracy (thumbs up)! When I received my 617-5 6" 6-shot, I was disappointed with it's first trip to the range. It emitted excessive hot lead through the cylinder gap and accuracy was lackluster. A call to S&W Service solved that... Sent it in (free overnight shipping) and they reset the timing and cut the forcing cone. Excellent service, and the second trip to the range was pure pleasure!
Still like to follow pricing for the fun of it. For reference, here's a couple recent sales: $450 and $790. Why the big range? No clue (???)
Revolvers For Sale - SMITH WESSON 617 SS 6 INCH - Auction: 9535209 (Ended 01/18/2010, 18:00:23 PST)
Smith & Weson S&W 617-1 22LR Excellent in box : Revolvers at GunBroker.com
The 617-1 will give you everything your looking for; 'pre-lock', factory D&T, TT/TH, plus exceptional accuracy (thumbs up)! When I received my 617-5 6" 6-shot, I was disappointed with it's first trip to the range. It emitted excessive hot lead through the cylinder gap and accuracy was lackluster. A call to S&W Service solved that... Sent it in (free overnight shipping) and they reset the timing and cut the forcing cone. Excellent service, and the second trip to the range was pure pleasure!
Still like to follow pricing for the fun of it. For reference, here's a couple recent sales: $450 and $790. Why the big range? No clue (???)
Revolvers For Sale - SMITH WESSON 617 SS 6 INCH - Auction: 9535209 (Ended 01/18/2010, 18:00:23 PST)
Smith & Weson S&W 617-1 22LR Excellent in box : Revolvers at GunBroker.com
Reminds me of those beer commercials, "Too Light, Too Heavy".
