Model 617

[LEW1943]

Rented a 6" 10 shot 617 at my local range last weekend. A real fun revolver to shoot and it is very similar in feel to my 586-8 minus recoil. Now I want one (probably 4")! Submitted my NJ application for hand gun purchase permit today so will need to wait up to 30 days before I can actually buy one. In the meantime, would like to hear from others about pros/cons of the 617. Also, what is the latest dash number of the 617?

Thanks for your comments.

Lew

 

[jack the toad]

Congrats, 617's are a fun gun and I think a wise choice. I too prefer the 4".
I think -6 is current model but mine are earlier versions of both the 6 & 10 shot. Post some pics along with range report when you can.

 

[Ashlander]

My 10 shot 4" 617-6 is the gun I shoot and enjoy the most (of dozens). I had a 6" version, but it was a bit too front heavy. The 4" feels perfect.

Mine started a little tight in the chambers -- after only 30 shots or so the empties would get very hard to eject. While not everybody would agree with my solution, I glued 320 grit wet/dry to a wooden dowel just a bit smaller in diameter than the chambers. I simply hand-turned the dowel in each chamber (to just the length of a 22 LR case) for a few minutes and that solved the problem. By the way my 6" 617-6 did not have that issue, so it might have been just a tooling issue or some isolated issue with my 4". That said, it was only a minor inconvenience.

 

[Breaker]

I just purchased a new 617-6 4" and I am waiting 10 days (California) to take delivery. The -6 is the current version. The pros for me were the all stainless steel construction, build quality and 10 shot capacity. I also like that it has similar weight/handling qualities as my k and L frame .38/.357's. The negative is the internal lock, but I can live with that on a range gun/plinker.

 

[wproct]

I have owned 3 different 617 revolvers. The first one was an 8 inch bbl full target no-dash, the second was a 6 inch bbl full target no-dash, and my current one is a 4 inch bbl 617-1. I think the current model is a 617-6. My favorite of the 3 that I owned was the 6 inch bbl. I just liked the heft of the 6 incher better but I think my 4 inch bbl model is a better choice for my grandkids to shoot. All three of the ones that I owned were 6 shot models.

 

[DS-10-SPEED]

I also have a 6" 617-0 but my 10 shots are used more than any gun I own.

 

[CLASSIC12]

I have owned this 17-6 for some time, 6 shot 6 inch, very nice gun for target, plinking and casual shooting

With its big brother 586-1M

 

[KalamazooKid]

Love my 4" 617 with 10 shots! Shoot it a lot. Feels best with the Culina made walnut target stocks.

 

[gr7070]

Love my 4" 617 with 10 shots!

Favorite gun ever made.

 

[robvious]

my 6 inch 617 10 shot is one of my favorites and one of my son's favorites as well... the fun trick at the range is to bust clay pigeons at 50 and 100 yards... draws a crowd... then I let some take a turn... probably has made a future sale for S&W more than once... mine is wicked accurate... ENJOY...

 

[spdguns]

I absolutely LOVE mine.

 

[Mgb556]

Best of both worlds. 4" weight in a 6" barell.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[TANZER]

Most fun you can have without going to jail.

 

[n c rod]

617

A good friend gave me one of his 617's as a gift. I love shooting 22 anything. It is a 6" stainless but the cylinder has a different finish . Any help with identification will be appreciated. 10 shot .22 with original rubber grip? Double action usually produces at least 2 FTF . Single action never one FTF. Accuracy is excellent with the $10.00 per box and up Target ammo (800-900fps) but rapidly disappears after 200 rounds. Lead build up more than most 22's. You know they are going to be a bitch to clean Smells good shooting them nasty. Really like to know about the cylinder finish. Happy Trails

 

[Taipan01]

A good friend gave me one of his 617's as a gift. I love shooting 22 anything. It is a 6" stainless but the cylinder has a different finish . Any help with identification will be appreciated. 10 shot .22 with original rubber grip? Double action usually produces at least 2 FTF . Single action never one FTF. Accuracy is excellent with the $10.00 per box and up Target ammo (800-900fps) but rapidly disappears after 200 rounds. Lead build up more than most 22's. You know they are going to be a bitch to clean Smells good shooting them nasty. Really like to know about the cylinder finish. Happy Trails

Probably a 617-2 with the aluminum cylinder (though the last ones had stainless I believe.).

 

[Gunna1day]

Gotta love a 617 . This is mine , 617-1 with 8-3/8 barrel and bomar target sights. It's a great Steel silhouette gun.

 

[jack the toad]

Nice... Ashland???

 

[gfors]

I bought my first one, a month ago. It's a 617 no dash, 6" barrel. It's a bit muzzle heavy, which I like for range work. The extra weight helps counteract my caffeine jitters, during morning range sessions.
Mine came with factory combat stocks, which look awesome, but I find the larger target stocks more conducive to tighter groups.
Except for recoil, it feels a lot like my 686-6+ 6".

 

[Joe Hohmann]

I've had my 617 6" for 2 years. The only negative, for me personally, is the 10-shot capacity. Our gun club is very safety oriented (good thing) and has a 5-round loading limit. Loading only 5, in a 10-shot revolver, is a bit of a pain to line up correctly. With a 6-round gun, you just line up the empty chamber and close it up.The major plus for me is that the 617 is the same weight and configuration as my S&W 686 6".357/.38. Except for recoil, it's very similar.
My 617 came with black rubber grips. It now sports square butt rare wood.

 

[H Richard]

My only drawback is if you wish to shoot bullseye, the classical game with one handed shooting, it is a little heavy for sustained shooting one handed. Other than that, no complaints.