Current Production S&W Model 617

[rkittine]

Anyone buy one of these lately? If so, how is the workmanship and trigger and does it have a pinned front sight (Can't tell from the picture on the S&W Site and can't get an E-mail to S&W Customer Service). My 70s Model 17 K-22 has a great trigger and came that way from the factory. A friend of mine just bought a classic Model 17 new and the trigger was a big disappointment and the "Target Trigger" is nothing like - as wide etc., as the earlier ones. If I buy one in stainless I am hoping to be able to find and older target hammer and trigger and buy a set of S&W Rosewood grips and add the rear white outline sight blade and hopefully install the red front if the sight is pinned.

Thanks, Bob

 

[RGVshooter]

I just picked up my 6" 617 this afternoon from my FFL. The barrel is perfectly aligned. The cylinder pops open and closes like any other new S&W revolver. The barrel has a more satin finish than the frame. The frame has a more polished look. But so what? That's all gonna smooth out with use & time. The windage was spot on and I was hitting a 6" "shoot N' see" target at 25 yards easily. A couple clicks for the elevation and I was hitting 2-3" groups with Federal AutoMatch single action, taking my time. I do plan on replacing the front sight for a fiber optic one. The front sight is steel, just like the fully adjustable rear sight. The front sight is pinned on.

The pistol is practically identical in every aspect of fit & finish/weight to my 4" 686, only difference is my 617 has a 6" barrel and chambered for 22lr. The trigger pull is about the same as my 686. But mind you, I've been shooting revolvers for 28 years. I'm used to the double action trigger pull on these things so what may feel fine for me may not feel fine for you. The trigger was smooth, has a clean break, and a great way to build & develop strength in ones fingers

I freakin' love this pistol. It was not cheap, but IMHO, worth every penny. BUY IT!

 

[lscocoa]

I have a 617-6 4" that I have had several years now and I believe the -6 is still current production . It was ok like most new ones . I installed a 14lb. rebound spring which really makes a nice single action trigger and shot the heck out of it and now the double action is fantastic. I also have a k22 combat masterpiece, 17-3 8 3/8", and a 17-6 6" . All four have target triggers and hammers and all four are a little different with the 17-3 having the widest trigger and the 17-6 with the widest and sharpest hammer. I haven't shot the new 17 but those on this site that have them seem to like them.

 

[Kernel Crittenden]

The Model 617 has had a pinned front sight since day one of the first no-dash. You couldn't buy one that wasn't pinned.

 

[Wee Hooker]

I ordered a new 4" 617 last year (after watching for a near non existent used one). No fit, finish or issues at all. Trigger was decent and comparable to other new S&W K/L/N frames ( that I handle every day.)
In fact, I will mention that when I open up a new S&W for trigger work these days, I routinely find the internal finish of the frame and internals substantially better finished than from 15-20 years past.
I would not hesitate to buy a new 617 for a second.

P.S. I DREAM of a 617 with the new DX sight system!

 

[rkittine]

Thanks guys. I am not into combat grips and was disappointed that the 617 was a round butt rather than a square butt, but Smiths stock supplier does make a set of target stocks that work with the round butt, so I ordered the gun as well as a set of Rosewood Target Stocks with the S&W emblems. The gun came in yesterday, though I have not seen it yet. Looking forward to comparing it to my 17-3.

Bob

 

[mikesal34744]

Thanks guys. I am not into combat grips and was disappointed that the 617 was a round butt rather than a square butt, but Smiths stock supplier does make a set of target stocks that work with the round butt, so I ordered the gun as well as a set of Rosewood Target Stocks with the S&W emblems. The gun came in yesterday, though I have not seen it yet. Looking forward to comparing it to my 17-3.

Bob

Altomonte grips has some good options too for Smith round butt and converts to Square butt and it even has the Smith logo


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[H Richard]

This is my 617-6 which I have had for a few years. I'm not sure but think is still the current "dash" #.

I hadn't warmed up to it with the Hogue rubber grips it came with, but recently added these Nill grips which seem to fit me perfectly. I then added the Burris FastFire (2), and got it zeroed. Shot near one hole groups at 10 yards with a couple different brands of ammo. I intend to get out to 25 yards to see how much the various different groups of ammo open up.

It seemed to have a heavier trigger than I liked, so I replaced the rebound spring with a 13 lb, and the original mainspring was a little thicker, and so flat & straight it was almost a reverse bend. I replaced that with an original from my stock of mainsprings that had a slight forward bend to it toward the top, and seemed the thickness was less. I should have measured it but didn't. Reduced the trigger pull by 50%. I need to shoot it to test reliability, but mainspring added was an original unaltered one so it shouldn't cause a problem.

 

[rkittine]

According to S&W Altomonte is their grip supplier, hence why after calling Smith, I called them.

Thanks for the tip on the rebound spring too.

Bob

 

[rkittine]

I went to the dealer today to see the gun and was more impressed than I thought I would be. Though he is going to go over the Double Action, the trigger in single action was much better than I expected. This is my first full bottom lug Smith and I was surprised by the weight, though I shouldn't have been. Funny looking at the cylinder swung out with so many holes in it!

Next question, does anyone know it the 70s era K Frame Target Hammer and Trigger will fit? I want to add the White outline rear sight , which is shown for sale on the S&W store, but I can not find the Red front sight blade.

Bob

 

[revolver_ph]

I have had my 617-6 with 6" barrel for over a year and really enjoy it. As others I replaced the rebound spring with either a 13 or 14#. I also cleaned and lubed all internal contact points. I left the original hammer spring. Trigger is very nice. I shoot in a match most every Friday with the 617 or the 686. Used the 617 today. Since taking the picture below I have put on wood grips like those on the 686 in 2nd photo.

 

[CH4]

Gotta love Smith rimfires!

Stainless is fine, but once you go blue, nothing else will do

 

[rkittine]

What Red Dot sights are those and what rail is needed to install?

Thanks, Bob

 

[revolver_ph]

What Red Dot sights are those and what rail is needed to install?

Thanks, Bob

Burris Fastfire and Leupold Deltapoint Pro sights on Raptor mounts.

Raptor Engineering

My old eyes need all the help they can get. These sights allow me to stay in the bull -- most of the time.

 

[rkittine]

Thanks - I can either see the target or the sights these days, so the dot system interests me.

Bob

 

[revolver_ph]

Thanks - I can either see the target or the sights these days, so the dot system interests me.

Bob

That was my problem as well. These reflex sights are the bees-knees for that issue.

 

[rkittine]

Got an interesting E-mail yesterday from Altomont regarding my grip order. When I ordered them (and paid for them) they were listed a In Stock. Yesterday after three days went by, this E-mail comes to tell me that my grips have to be manufactured and they will be done in between 1 day and 4 weeks. They than asked if I wanted to leave the order in place or get a refund.

No big deal to me, I can live without the grips for 4 weeks plus shipping time, but seemed odd that they would quote 1 Day to 4 Weeks. Companies that I have run would have been out of business in short order with that kind of production scheduling.

In any case, they are the grips I want and so I will wait.

Bob

 

[ScottN]

Got an interesting E-mail yesterday from Altomont regarding my grip order. When I ordered them (and paid for them) they were listed a In Stock. Yesterday after three days went by, this E-mail comes to tell me that my grips have to be manufactured and they will be done in between 1 day and 4 weeks. They than asked if I wanted to leave the order in place or get a refund.

No big deal to me, I can live without the grips for 4 weeks plus shipping time, but seemed odd that they would quote 1 Day to 4 Weeks. Companies that I have run would have been out of business in short order with that kind of production scheduling.

In any case, they are the grips I want and so I will wait.

Bob

I had the same thing happen with my Altamont order for my 617. It ended up taking a week. I purchased the Altai grips in rosewood and like them very much. They were worth the wait

 

[Drm50]

Just had 617-6, 10 shot like new on a trade. Gun has pinned
front. No complaints gun shot well and action was smooth. It
is 4" and I think a little heavy compared to a m18 or even a
6" m17,

 

[Capttjk1]

Got an interesting E-mail yesterday from Altomont regarding my grip order. When I ordered them (and paid for them) they were listed a In Stock. Yesterday after three days went by, this E-mail comes to tell me that my grips have to be manufactured and they will be done in between 1 day and 4 weeks. They than asked if I wanted to leave the order in place or get a refund.

No big deal to me, I can live without the grips for 4 weeks plus shipping time, but seemed odd that they would quote 1 Day to 4 Weeks. Companies that I have run would have been out of business in short order with that kind of production scheduling.

In any case, they are the grips I want and so I will wait.

Bob

This is pretty typical of Altamont. I have ordered many grips from them over the years. Usually it takes 1 to 2 weeks for them to ship when they have to make them for you. That seems to be the average wait time I have experienced. The only time I had it actually take 4 weeks was when I ordered grips for one of my Colt Pythons.