Need Your Opinion on Model 617 vs Airlite 317

[jcs266]

The 4" 617-6 is my go-to carry gun for around our little chicken ranch here at home. Pests, rattlers and coyotes are always around so it's on my hip all day long in a Simply Rugged Pancake holster. Super accurate and fun to shoot. I dare say it's my all-time favorite "if I could only keep one" this would be it.

 

[giants1]

Thanks, everyone!

Shrek of the Arctic, not at all! I want the best revolver that works for me and, as much as I like my 649-5 snub nose (the trigger pull is REALLY long and the front sight moves a lot when I pull the trigger), I'm totally open to another brand that might help me best.

In fact, when I was at my LGS yesterday, the owner tried to sell me his Ruger LCR, 5 shot. The trigger was VERY smooth and my front sight barely, if at all, moved. I believe it was the 3" version. He threw out $450+ for a private party transfer. Any thoughts on that revolver and the deal? Or would my 649-5 with its challenging trigger pull accomplish the same or more?

It also turned out my LGS only has the 6" version of the 617, and the seller of the 4" 617 never got back to me about the deal.

Newbie question: other than a 2" barrel and longer sight radius, are there any other differences for my purposes (again, I'm not going to carry/holster it, just use it to improve marksmanship, particularly trigger control).

OTOH, I have a S&W Model 649-5, and wonder whether I can accomplish the same and save money ($1,000 M617 vs. .38SPL ammo?)?

 

[Green Frog]

OK, I’ve been in the “steel frames only” camp, but it just dawned on me that my first hand gun, gotten in a trade over 50 years ago, was (and is) a nine shot High Standard Sentinel Deluxe Snub with an aluminum alloy frame! In the intervening half century it’s moved in and out of carry and range rotations and has been fired thousands of times with no signs of wear other than to its cosmetics from benign neglect.

If they can build framework for some buildings and airframes for airplanes out of the stuff, I’ve been selling aluminum short. Aluminum in its proper alloy and application will work work fine and last long. Now that I have thought about it, aluminum in a 22 revolver makes a lot of sense. I wonder whether I can find a Colt Commander in 45… made of aluminum?

Froggie

 

[AzShooter]

Go with the 617. It will outlast you and your family, it's that good.

 

[oink]

Go with the 617 or a 17. Does the 317 still have an aluminum cylinder? That would be a no-go for me. Yeah I know they're sleeved. The aluminum cylinder, frame and barrel will get beat up looking much quicker unless you baby it all of the time. What fun would that be?

 

[moonclipman]

If I were in your shoes, option 2 suits me best. Should be easy to find.