need help deciding between 617 4" or 6" barrel

[wantmoresmiths]

I sold off my 6" 617 due to the heavy muzzle. I suggest the best of both worlds, a 6" model 17. The advantage of the longer sight radius, plus the better balance of the non-lugged barrel. If you have your heart set on the 617, I suggest the 4" barrel.

 

[mjohnson6565]

I had the 6" sold it and bought a 4". The 6" was too heavy and didn't balance well. The 4" is much easier to carry / shot all day and every bit as accurate.

 

[Wee Hooker]

The answer to this question is always the same. Every time on every forum. 4" gets the majority vote as the "do all" due to ballance and cary comfort. The 6" wins out for the hunters and target purists. I have both and would sell the 6" first if I had to part with one.

 

[410bore]

i have the 6" and the 8 3/8" and like them both...but i would love to have the 4" as well to go along with the collection.

 

[m657]

The most accurate revolver I have is a 8 3/8" model 17-4. It's a near tie for first with a 647 in 8 3/8". Before I lost my mind and let a 14-3 in the long tube get away from me, it too was tied for "most accurate" status in my own little collection. I think there is a trend here with this barrel length.

Awkward to carry perhaps....but if "TARGET" is what you have in mind, consider this length too.

Sure I prefer to carry 4" for casual field use. I seem to shoot it as well as any 6" 22 I've had.

 

[carl3989]

Gil, you nailed it.

This seems to be a thread for nothing more than vociferous opinionating but I can aggree with myself as well as the next guy so here's my view. I have had many delightful days of informal target shooting with my 4" 617 but 4" full lugged K22s are only optimal as specialized trainers for the similiarly heavy 4" full lugged L frame .357s. 6" FL 617s have ideal balance and weight for target shooting and their longer sight radius makes them easier to shoot accurately by anyone who can hold hand guns steadily and does not need a shorter sight radius to help with a vision problem. 6" 17s with their lighter barrels are better target guns than 4" FL K22s because they do not forfit the sight radius advantage to lower muzzel weight. 4" 18s at 36 ounces make better holster guns than 4" FL K22s and also are better trainers for most service size revolvers. The predominant preference for 4" FL 617s on this site is largely due to the current fad for shorter barrels on just about all revolvers and the large number of LEOs and ex-LEOs who were aclimated to 4" revolvers on the job. I wouldn't buy a revolver for target shooting with a barrel under 6" except for close range faster blaster matches or where rules limit barrel length.

Best Regards,
Gil

As a ret. PO I was also use to the 4" barrel. However my eye prefers the longer sight radius of the 6".

 

[Decker]

As both a "new guy" to these forums as well as a new owner of a brand new 617 I picked up just a couple of days ago, I'll weigh in and say that I am extremely happy that I went with the 4".
I've got other 6" revolvers and like them all, but that full lug and little hole in the barrel (that leaves lots of heavy steel to hang out there) made the 6" 617 feel so heavy to me that I knew the moment I hefted it that it was way too front heavy for me.

There are people who like LOTS of weight out front on a target pistol, and I'm probably one of them.
But the 4" felt so much better balanced, while still being nicely "heavy" overall, that I knew the moment I held it that it was coming home with me.

It was the 6" I looked at first because most of my other target revolvers are 6", so I was really surprised that the 6" 617 was so uncomfortable right away and that it was the 4" that felt so much better.

That's my .02 and I'm sticking with it. But hey, what's a guy's first post worth anyway?
At the same time, I may be new here but I'm still on the wrong side of "old", so rest assured that I'm not just some kid spouting off.

 

[SM1357]

4 or 6 in

As having the 4in. 617, the 6in. 617 ( with a Leupold scope attached) and last but not least an 18-3, my experience with the above 3 are as follows: For Strictly target shooting and maybe some squirrel hunting and "target shooting" as I walk around in the woods, I prefer the 6in. 617-with the above mentioned package this gun is very,very accurate. Makes a great gun to have if you do not feel like carring a rifle that day. I had originally purchased the 4in. 617 as a carry -woods plinker gun- as well as a basic trainer/muscle memory trainer for my 4in. 586. This combination proves to be an excellent match to the 586 - but- I found that I was always wishing for something a little lighter in weight when out woods-walking. Thus the model 18-3, a great package that offers most of the attributes of the 2 other guns-very easy to carry-pretty accurate. The gun I carry around the most when I want a .22 revolver is the model 18-3, when I'm looking for a "hunting / target" gun for the day I pick the 6in. 617, the 4in. 617 hardly ever goes out with me anymore.
I know this has been kinda long-hope this helps you in your search.
Respectfully,
SM1357

 

[Dnotarianni]

Coke or Pepsi? I shot the 4in and the 6in side by side for indoor steel plate matches with a variety of ammo before I searched for and bought a 6in model. I found the 6 to be more accurate and less muzzle flip for quick follow up shots on steel.
Your mileage may vary

Dave

 

[cal50]

My 617 arrived today and I went with the 6" version (pre-lock 617-4). It has absolute rock solid balance and points like a laser. I don't think either 4" or 6" is a bad choice unless you have space or carry constraints. I prefer heavier guns anyway. Damn nice revolvers period.

 

[MakeMyNight]

I have a 4" 617, no dash and I would love to have a 6" and 8-3/8" too!

Already have a 6" model 17 & 8-3/8" model 48.....must be an addiction to quality DA revolvers!