I will be aquiring a used S&W 617-1 in a few weeks. As with all used firearms I buy I like to fully inspect / clean just for peace of mind. Any advice would be welcome because this is my first S&W. Most of all I want to inspect the trigger group. Is it just a matter of removing the side plate to inspect and remove any built up crud and lightly lube the trigger/ hammer etc ? Cheers gunna.
Maintainance on new to me 617.
- Thread starter Gunna1day
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Unless you have experience doing this you may want to take it to a smith or watch some videos and buy some tools first. As well built as these guns are a wrong move with the wrong tool can destroy the gun or its value.
Hondo44, one of our gurus on the forum recommends just getting one of the spray CLPs (cleaning, lubracating and protecting) and removing the grips and spraying through the action until the gunk and crud flushes out, and then drying with a rag and letting it drain until all the excess is out. Replace the grips, and you haven't risked screwing anything up, and all the old crud and dirt is out, and it is lubricated. Just a thought, and you can always go further later, when you have become more familiar with the platform. Most of us who work on these guns have crafted specialized screwdrivers and other tools specifically for each particular model, so that we don't round out the screw slots, etc. "less is more", when it comes to working on one of these fine revolvers.
By the way, welcome to the forum. You will find some of the most knowledgeable folks in the firearms world here, and they are mostly a very collegial group.
By the way, welcome to the forum. You will find some of the most knowledgeable folks in the firearms world here, and they are mostly a very collegial group.
hangnoose
Member
I'M WITH YOU.
All for cleaning/inspecting/familiarizing guns new to me (new or used). As posted above, they can be easily buggered up (especially the side plate), but nothing to be afraid of if you've done it before. U-tube videos, correct fitting screwdrivers, take your time, don't force anything, don't over oil. If you are a mechanical klutz, don't even think about it. A, -1 could have a lot of rounds thru it and a lot of 22 crud if not cared for. Good idea about removing the grips method & not going further until comfortable.
All for cleaning/inspecting/familiarizing guns new to me (new or used). As posted above, they can be easily buggered up (especially the side plate), but nothing to be afraid of if you've done it before. U-tube videos, correct fitting screwdrivers, take your time, don't force anything, don't over oil. If you are a mechanical klutz, don't even think about it. A, -1 could have a lot of rounds thru it and a lot of 22 crud if not cared for. Good idea about removing the grips method & not going further until comfortable.
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I'd recommend not doing much more than the instructions in your owner's manual, pages 31-33. Unless the gun has been dragged in the mud or submerged, there really isn't any need to remove the side plate. If you decide to squirt something into the innards, I think CLP is way too heavy. Use something lighter, like Remoil spray. Or just drip in some good ole Hoppe's gun oil.
If you do decide to remove the side plate, as others have recommended make sure you have the right screwdrivers and review the applicable youtube videos first.
If you do decide to remove the side plate, as others have recommended make sure you have the right screwdrivers and review the applicable youtube videos first.
Don't dry fire it, and make sure the rims of the chambers aren't dinged up from someone having done so. Use the yellow, plastic, drywall anchors as snap caps. Check the crown and bore to make sure no one has messed them up with a cleaning rod.
They're great revolvers, congratulations!
They're great revolvers, congratulations!
Redlegvzv
Member
This. Revolvers are not like semi-autos and are not designed to be field stripped. Generally S&W does not recommend that users mess with the innards. So I don't.
Yes, popping the side plate makes sense on any used revolver purchase. You never know what you find inside. Just like buying a used car and replacing all the fluids so you know where you are. There are many video's on the web about side plate removal (do not pry) and it is very straight forward if you feel comfortable.
Stu
Stu
I just came in from outside, reading an article about Purdey shotguns in the summer 2009 issue of The Double Gun Journal.
Marcus Harvey, manager of the Purdey repair shop, was quoted as saying "... the greatest enemy of all good guns is the enthusiastic gunsmith."
Considering how often I read of problems someone has encountered - a problem that just couldn't have been caused by the procedure they had just done, it most be the fault of the manufacturer - I think Mr. Harvey has a point.
Marcus Harvey, manager of the Purdey repair shop, was quoted as saying "... the greatest enemy of all good guns is the enthusiastic gunsmith."
Considering how often I read of problems someone has encountered - a problem that just couldn't have been caused by the procedure they had just done, it most be the fault of the manufacturer - I think Mr. Harvey has a point.
