Need advice re 617

[GreyRider]

Here's my dilemma boys: I'm in the market for a 617. I have a 3" 686 and thinking a 4" 617 would complement it nicely. Not many, if any, to be found locally. So I've been cruising GB.com looking at NIB 617-6's. (Much prefer to buy locally, the 686 has a slightly canted barrel. Shoots fine but I was not please initially) Then I come across a 99% 6" no dash with target trigger, hammer and stocks. Very pricey but man is it pretty. Since I'm kinda planning to set the new piece up for target (thinking red dot sight) I'm rationalizing to myself why I should buy this gun and not new. (And I don't think I could bear to put a red dot on this gun). So, thoughts? Even if I don't buy this gun, I'm no longer sure what I'm looking for. Could be worse, right?

 

[dotdsd334]

I'd go with the 99% pre lock every time. Just my preference. You should be able to get a scope mount that will replace the rear sight. No harm to the gun and it fits your desire for a red dot. Can always remove it and put the rear sight back.

Just my .02

 

[Macinaw]

Do you plan on shooting in any competitions? Then; maybe a 10 shot 617 would be good. I primarily use the 6 inch for the increased accuracy. For general use it is hard to beat a 4 inch.

 

[qrachel]

The 617 6" is one of my all time favorites; it's a 10-shooter and I love it. You can't go wrong with a 4" though, as my 686+ is a 4" and it's a dream to shoot.

It may seem confusing and all that (or not), but I assure you that once you put a cylinder full down range from a 617, whatever 617 you get you'll love it. They are great guns.

R

 

[garystl]

I've got a 4" 617 I bought last year. Great Gun and lots of fun to shoot. Everybody loves it!

I did replace the main and rebound springs with Wolff springs to improve the da pull. Not had any misfires yet that couldn't be attributed to bulk ammo.

 

[fyimo]

The 617 in any version is an awesome revolver so you can't go wrong getting one.
4 inch 617 no dash

 

[Stainz]

I'll agree re the 4" x10 617 - a lot of range fun, for sure. Mine is the current 'lock' version and it is fine. Just be careful re Macinaw's picture... it has the evil 3" 63 in it. That handy little beast is even more fun than the 4" 617.

Stainz

 

[fred5876r]

Here is mine with a DeltaPoint on an Allchin mount. Great package for steel.

 

[BobR1]

I have a 4 Inch 6 Shooter. I also have an LCR22. I consider them to be my practice revolvers. To me owning a 617 for economical practice and training purposes is a must have. I have started several lady shooters off with my 617, before moving on to a 38 Special.
No recoil, and minimal muzzle blast is a great combination for a beginer.
I also shoot my 617 in our Club Defensive Pistol Match, and also in ICORE Rimfire Classic Division.

My brother has a 617 in a 6 Inch 6 shooter. One of his favorites also.

We got both in the 6 shot version on purpose to keep the round count the same as our 38/357 revolvers. For practice having the same number of shots in both rimfire and centerfire makes very good since.

Bob

 

[BuckeyeS&W]

I have a new 617 with 4" barrel I love it , you can't go wrong and if you for some reason don't like you'll have no problem moving it .

 

[GreyRider]

Ahhhh.... You guys sure make it easy to decide (not). But after looking at the pics of those beautiful shooters I'm leaning back toward the 4". I do like the look... Which is how I got there in the first place... The lock doesn't bother me. I'm considering competition Mac, but that may be a ways off yet. And here in the great state of NJ it'll be almost exclusively used at the range. (They frown upon backyard plinking here) In some of the older posts folks seem to prefer the 4". General consensus being the 6" is just a tad nose heavy compared to it? That said, keep the pics and opinions coming please!

 

[GreyRider]

The 617 6" is one of my all time favorites; it's a 10-shooter and I love it. You can't go wrong with a 4" though, as my 686+ is a 4" and it's a dream to shoot.

It may seem confusing and all that (or not), but I assure you that once you put a cylinder full down range from a 617, whatever 617 you get you'll love it. They are great guns.

R

Rachel, as you have the 4" 686, what made you go with the 6" 617?
Thanks so much,
GR

 

[Nick B]

I had a 6" 617 but sold it . Nice gun but it felt nose heavy . I like the 4" model I have now .It balance's much better to me .
A 5" version would be the cat's meow .

 

[TAROMAN]

Just get one - if you can find any - and enjoy.
Lock makes no difference at all.
I use mine to shoot golf balls at 50' in our club games.

 

[fishcreekrim]

I have always felt the no underlug 17 balanced best at 6" and the 617 with the underlug balanced best at 4". I also prefer the six shot models, 22's seem to get harder to eject after some shooting and if you want to shoot a little more before stopping to clean the six shot helps a little, I also agree same round count as the centerfires makes for a better practice piece. JMHO/YMMV

 

[GreyRider]

So, one more question. The 6" has a longer sight radius. For arguments sake, I'm going to assume (personal preferences aside) that the longer radius makes for a more accurate target gun. But, if I'm putting a red dot scope on it, does the site radius issue become moot?
Thanks, GR

 

[Matt Hooper]

The 617 4" was my very first gun. I am incredibly sad I let it go. Unbelievably accurate and a pleasure to shoot. Gets my vote! This was my baby I put up for adoption

 

[bbqbob51]

I have a 6" 617 I bought new last fall and it is a tremendous gun with a great trigger and VERY accurate out of the box. My friend who owns several S&W revolvers, all barrel lengths and calibers from .22lr to 44mag and many collectible grade, thinks my 617 is the best and most accurate Smith he has ever shot. He is going to get one himself as soon as he can find one.
If I were you I would get the 6" version if you can get your paws on one, they are hard to come by. That being said, I am planning on getting myself a 4" 617 in the future. My 6" revolver needs a little brother!

 

[GreyRider]

Thanks guys, I'm champing at the it ... I'm trying to figure out whether putting a scope on it - or a red dot sight - makes the barrel length, be it 4", 6" or 8-3/8" insignificant re: accuracy. Or is a longer barrel just more accurate because the bullet has a longer way to travel? I think this is a geometry issue. Or maybe it's trigonometry. Either way, math was never my strong suit. It seems to me that if you're not using the iron sights, the length of the barrel doesn't matter...?

 

[garystl]

The 617 4" was my very first gun. I am incredibly sad I let it go. Unbelievably accurate and a pleasure to shoot. Gets my vote! This was my baby I put up for adoption

Nice grips, what are they?