Model 617

[campfire]

Back in the late 90's I had a 6 shot 617 which I enjoyed shooting for a several years but I sold it in what can only be described as a moment of lapsed judgment or complete stupidity. (The feelings of regret and guilt had set-in by the following morning.)
I am hoping to acquire a new 617 / 10 shot soon but I have a bit of trouble focusing on the patridge front sight and I have always preferred the red ramp front sight and white outline rear.
Can anyone tell me if Smith & Wesson make a red ramp to suit the 617 and I would also like to know if the standard target grips are made to suit the round butt frame?
Any comments, opinions or 617 photos with nice grips or the red ramp would be most appreciated.

Thanks
Campfire

 

[campfire]

Back in the late 90's I had a 6 shot 617 which I enjoyed shooting for a several years but I sold it in what can only be described as a moment of lapsed judgment or complete stupidity. (The feelings of regret and guilt had set-in by the following morning.)
I am hoping to acquire a new 617 / 10 shot soon but I have a bit of trouble focusing on the patridge front sight and I have always preferred the red ramp front sight and white outline rear.
Can anyone tell me if Smith & Wesson make a red ramp to suit the 617 and I would also like to know if the standard target grips are made to suit the round butt frame?
Any comments, opinions or 617 photos with nice grips or the red ramp would be most appreciated.

Thanks
Campfire

 

[Wayne M]

You can replace the front sight with a factory red ramp. Measure the height to the top of the patridge from the barrel base to know the correct height. Another solution is to paint the blade that's on the gun. Hunter orange works great although it will take a couple days to dry throughly and needs to be replaced once in a while.

 

[Revolver King]

A better idea would be to replace the front sight with a fiber optic one in red or green. I know that my old eyes see them much better then any other sight.

 

[rfo1]

campfire
The older 617s were square butt guns.Most of them left the factory wearing combat grips.You could put a round to square butt conversion grip on your new purchase if you prefer the feel of square butt guns.Mine is a 617 no dash, six shot, square butt gun.

 

[Frank237]

Heres one of the early 617's with out the underlug. Six shot, four inch bbl, square butt, came from the factory exactly as shown.

FN in MT

 

[likestoshoot2]

I have 2 617's a 4" and a 6", by far I have more rounds through the 4" as I take it "outback" more then the 6". With all the use they both get I paint the front sight either neon yellow or bright orange this seems to help a lot and does not take that much time.

 

[stevieboy]

I've also got 2 617s, a 617-1 4" and a 617 no dash 6". Both have black patridge front sights. At first I thought I'd hate them but I actually see them better than I see the red ramps on some of my other Smiths. It just seems easier for me to line up the sights on the 617s. At one point I put orange nail polish on the front sights, thinking it would help. I actually found them harder to see in that configuration, so now the polish is off.

 

[mykey51]

I put a piece of orange tape on mine, it has lasted for years; and makes a big difference. Lots of people with good ideas here, like the orange nail polish, or paint. I used different colors, but went back to orange. Mostly used tape because it was available and cheap. I'm 55 with bifocals, the solid black just does not work for me. Mike

 

[campfire]

Thanks to everyone for the comments so far.

Mykey51. I am the same age as you at 55, I don't wear bifocals but as you said the solid black patrige sight just doesn't work for me.
I think I will just go with the factory red ramp.

 

[HEADKNOCKER]

I've also put a piece of Orange pinstripe tape on the partridge blade of my 617 & much prefer it's sight picture to the black for range use.
I bought a roll of this tape @ Auto-Zone Years ago & have used it on several handguns with great success, Clean the sight with alcohol or acetone then cut a piece exactly & stick it in place, rub it before removeing the clear outer skin to ensure adhesion..
Works for me & easily removed too..
Gary/Hk

 

[Mule88]

I had smith send a red ramp for both my 617 and 648 and my local gunsmith installed them on the gun.