Is a .22LR Revolver worth $670 Dollars?

[VAdoublegunner]

I like the 17's and 617's. I don't like the 10-shot ones though, the timing seems weird to me, but many do so to each his own. If you get a 10-shot used one I'd recommend staying away from the alloy cylinder models. I had a 17-8 that was nothing but trouble, so I sent it back to the S&W Performance Center to have a 6-shot SS cylinder installed.

Is the 617 the Rolls Royce of 22 revolvers? ummmm...well, that's all pretty subjective. You can get a used Freedom Arms 252 for around twice the price you quoted, or one of their current production 22 rimfires for a bit more, or a Korth for much more. They are a little more in line with what I might consider premium revolvers.

No doubt decent 22 LR revolvers are going high today, especially with certerfire factory ammo and components being so high cost. However, if you can find a used 17/617, and they have been a little scarce lately, you can find a decent deal. But while you are looking for that
decent deal, just think .... you can also be out shooting that new one and how much you'll save over centerfire ammo costs!

 

[ab4ka]

I paid $725 for mine brand new earlier this year and it was worth every penny. Regardless of caliber, if they are the same frame size a good revolver is going to cost the same, regardless of the caliber. It doesn't cost any less to produce a K frame .22 than a K frame .38 Special. When I got mine I was happy to spend the money on a new one as a. I had it, and b. I found one. Used S&W .22 revolvers are rare as hen's teeth around here.

 

[InTheWoods]

I am not sure why folks don't want to pay much for 'only' a .22. A good .22 will be shot more than any firearm you own. Excellence in workmanship, fine triggers, and superior accuracy are worth a premium in a gun that will be used this much. I may be nuts, but many of my .22s (rifle and handguns) cost more than most (but not all) of my centerfires. A cheap .22 looks and feels, well, CHEAP.

 

[Bart 44]

I'm commited sorta. I just want a 617 10 shot but is the cost worth it? Is this the Rolls Royce of .22's? Joe

If it's new that price is OK. I paid about that for one of mine last year and a little less for another about the same time.

No, they're not the Rolls Royce of 22s or even the best production 22 revolver. I would place Freedom Arms and USFA 22s well ahead of the 617. That being said, I do think the 617 is the best for the money you're going to find. Mine are of good quality and I really like the 10 shot capability.


Dennis.

 

[Stainz]

Try as you may, no matter how hard you pull the trigger on a FA, USFA, or even what Ruger has now in a rimfire, it aint going bang unless you cock the hammer first! The 617 is now the best available production DA-capable revolver... the 63 is second!

Stainz

 

[stantheman86]

For a fan of new S&W's (like me) it was totally worth it, I love my 6" 617! The 617 is THE best new .22 LR revolver out there, period.

You can find a decent used K-22 or M17 for less than $700, I have a nice K-22, too but the 617 takes most of the plinking duties. A K-22/17 will last forever too. But prices are skyrocketing on these too as people are looking for .22 revolvers like never before these days. Soon the 617 will be a "bargain" compared to a nice K-22.

There's also the older Dan Wesson .22 revolvers.

In short, I paid just over $750 for my 617 this summer, and the ammo savings alone paid for the gun. I must have fired 1,000's of .22's this summer for backyard plinking fun. If these were .38's it would have cost me well over the price of the gun.

Nothing beats being able to "scratch the itch" to fire a revolver a little bit, for $4 per 50 rounds vs. $20 for .38's.

 

[Bart 44]

Try as you may, no matter how hard you pull the trigger on a FA, USFA, or even what Ruger has now in a rimfire, it aint going bang unless you cock the hammer first! The 617 is now the best available production DA-capable revolver... the 63 is second!

Stainz

Unfortunately that's not saying much. What's the competition in 22 DA revolvers? Taurus?

Dennis.

 

[ric426]

I bought a 6 shot 6" 617-1 a few months ago for $550 and it's worth every penny. The thing is crazy accurate, even with bulk pack ammo. If I do my part right it'll make single ragged holes at 25 yds. all day long in SA.
After some action work the DA is pretty smooth, though I can't get the trigger pull as light as I'd like without getting misfires. Does anyone make a longer length firing pin for the 617?

Ya know, it just occurred to me that my other .22's haven't been to the range since I got the 617. I guess that says something (besides the fact that I prefer wheelguns).

 

[stevieboy]

$670 is a fair price for a new 617. It's a quality gun and you'll not find a better .22 revolver out there in that price range. I wouldn't be bothered by the lock. Even those of you who have convinced yourselves that the lock can malfunction as the consequence of recoil must agree that the negligible recoil generated by .22 lrs isn't likely to cause the gun's lock to spontaneously engage.

My 617 happens to be a 617-1 4" made back in '93. It has a steel six shot cylinder. I love the gun, it's amazingly accurate, and has roughly the same heft and feel of many of Smith's centerfire guns. I can't outshoot my wife with her Model 41 with this gun but I can come reasonably close. I occasionally develop problems firing my centerfire revolvers, not unlike a golfer who develops a hitch in his swing. The 617 is a great, inexpensive trainer to help me work out the kinks in my shooting.

 

[Revolver King]

617 10 shot great Revolver

That is about what I paid for mine, No regrets. I wouldn't take that for it.

 

[gr7070]

I have a little different take than many.

I paid $645 for my NIB 617 this spring, and I am very happy with it and the price I paid. I wouldn't sell it and do not regret the purchase in the slightest.

However, is it worth the money over another .22 handgun? I'm not sure the answer is yes. I wanted a .22 revolver and wanted DA. With that understanding the 617 is about the best choice.

If one doesn't truly desire a DA wheel gun then there are much better choices for the money out there - Ruger MkIII or the Single Six, among a few others.

So, *for the money*, unless you just have to have a DA wheel gun go elsewhere. If these two options are what you desire the 617 will not disappoint, even when considering the price it delivers.

 

[ab4ka]

However, is it worth the money over another .22 handgun? I'm not sure the answer is yes. I wanted a .22 revolver and wanted DA. With that understanding the 617 is about the best choice.

If one doesn't truly desire a DA wheel gun then there are much better choices for the money out there - Ruger MkIII or the Single Six, among a few others.

When it comes to just having fun to shoot in a .22 handgun, I think the S&W 22A is as good a choice as any, especially for the price. But I, like others, wanted a D/A revolver, which brought me to the S&W (not to mention I just like Smiths). I like revolvers, and I'm not big on single action revolvers (I've tried them and just keep moving them along) so for me, the S&W was it.

 

[LubeckTech]

I don't think I would go $670 for a NEW 617 but would go that much or a little more for one of the early ones. The older S&W revolvers ARE better than the newer ones, that being said, my experiences with the current generation have been very positive. Last summer a new 610 followed me home (of course I had to feed it and let it stay) and after a Wilson Combat spring kit has been an outstanding gun. My Christmas present to myself (wife never knows what to get me) the year before last was a 10 shot 617 from Bud's Gunshop new for $599 and it has been great! DS-10 Speedloaders and a 13lb trigger return spring make it a competition gun that will keep up with the Rugers. I found a gently used (Chumlee said it was) 4" 686 with lock at a Vegas pawn shop (Gunbroker auction) for $365 - 13lb return spring, XS big dot sights and cutting for moonclips by Alex Hamilton at Ten Ring in TX have made it a fine ESR gun for IDPA. I have read some people having problems here and there with the new crop of S&W revolvers. Plus a lot more BS that I attribute to "old timers syndrome" (NONE of the new stuff is as good as the old stuff) but I am happy.
YMMV.

 

[bountyhunter]

I'm commited sorta. I just want a 617 10 shot but is the cost worth it? Is this the Rolls Royce of .22's? Joe

It's cost/value ratio doesn't make sense to me..

If you want a ten shot .22 that will shoot circles around a 617 and costs about $350, buy a used Ruger MkII (If you can find one). I don't like the new MkIII's because Ruger screwed up the design of the gun to satisfy the new requirements for a "trigger disconnect" if the magazine is released. Buy any Mk II Target model with a bull barrel you see, they will not be made again and will be very valuable. The supply has already completely dried up here in kali.

 

[stantheman86]

I'm talking from my perspective as a DA revolver fanatic........IMO the 617 is THE choice for a modern, DA .22 LR revolver.

If you just want any .22 pistol to plink around with, you can get used Ruger Mark II's for $150-200 and have just as much fun, as well as Single Six .22 WMR/LR convertibles for half the price of a 617.

I wanted a NEW .22 LR DA revolver and I am well satisfied with my 617. I do have a K-22 from the 50's, the 617 shoots just as well as it. The K-22 is my "iron sight" .22 revolver, the 617 is my "scoped" .22 revolver. With a 4x optic the 617 will shoot pea sized groups at 20 yards.

 

[617X10]

I have shot my 617 alongside a Ruger 22/45 and can say this...mine goes bang 10 times every time, unlike that tent stake with a grip screwed onto it.

 

[RHINOWSO]

I paid $450 for a K-22 Combat Masterpiece, much better IMHO.

YMMV, however.

 

[cp1969]

They've always been expensive.

I had to work a lot longer and harder to accumulate the $200 I paid for my M17 in 1977 than I would to pay $700 for a new one today. Even so, that $200 was well-spent.

 

[depicts]

I sold a very clean 17-4, blue, 6" today with 95% finish, numbered grips and original box for just under $600. I think it was a great price for the guy who bought the gun.

 

[powwowell]

I hope that $670 isn't too much. I bought one this past Saturday for $680. Sales tax brought it to $732.70. Luckly, I had something to trade.

I got to run 200 rounds through it this morning. I had trouble seeing the sights. Must be due to my old man eyes? When I caught the light right, the revolver was very accurate.

I have had and still have a few .22 pistols and revolvers over the years. I have a Ruger MKII that I won't part with. But, I wanted a DA .22. S&W is the only player out there. Ruger doesn't make one. I had a terrible experience with a new DA Charter Arms. Ditto an older Rossi. Ditto an older High Standard. A close friend of mine bought a Taurus that locked up on the second cylinder. I didn't want to pay the S&W price, but da#@, I wanted something that would work! I hope the new 617 is it. I can see myself changing out the front sight and probably the grips.