New 617-6 owner

[jds128]

Bought a NIB 617-6 6" barrel from LGS today. Went right to the range and fired 200 rounds. It performed without any hiccups what-so-ever. The trigger pull in both SA & DA was better than expected. I've read many 617 posts regarding the trigger pull on these revolvers and was unsure what to expect. I believe the trigger on this 617 is better than the trigger on my 34-1. My accuracy with this revolver was definitely better than expected. This revolver will be getting plenty range time.

 

[9mmsubgun-m11]

Bought my 4" July 4th and it is one of my favorites. Congrats on your new toy.

 

[MarkAlt]

Congrats! Excellent revolver.

 

[bbqbob51]

My favorite handgun is my 6" bbl S&W 617. I got myself some speed loaders and loading block case combos. Congratulations on a purchase of an outstanding revolver.

 

[Macinaw]

Like bbqbob51 I have purchased the speed loaders that make the 617's easier to shoot at the range. The 617 is my favorite gun to shoot in Steel Challenge competition.

 

[one eye joe]

CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR PURCHASE, jds128. THE 617 IS INDEED A WONDERFUL REVOLVER. LIKE ANY RIMFIRE REVOLVER, THE TRIGGER WON'T BE THE LIGHTEST THAT YOU EVER PULLED. THEY CAN BE TWEAKED A BIT, BUT RELIABILITY IS OFTEN COMPROMISED IN THE PROCESS. THE STOCK TRIGGER SHOULD BREAK IN AFTER A WHILE, AND FEEL LIGHTER. IT'S AN EXCELLENT GUN TO HONE YOUR SHOOTING SKILLS WITH. GOOD LUCK WITH IT. HERE'S MY 4 INCH TEN SHOOTER, WITH A PLUG, NEW SIGHTS AND GRIPS…………

 

[H Richard]

One of the better revolvers S&W ever made. I have a 617-6, and a 17-4, and a K22 Outdoorsman, a 22/32 HFT, a 34-1 and a 63-1. The 617-6 is my most frequent shooter, it will shoot equal to or better than any of them. Due to my age I did add a Red Dot.

 

[one eye joe]

I TOTALLY AGREE, H Richard. I HAVE AN 8 3/8" NO-DASH, WITH AN ULTRADOT MOUNTED ON IT, THAT SHOOTS LIKE A RIFLE….

 

[MaxS]

Congratulations - I brought home a new 63 today, I believe it might be called the fraternal twin of the 617. Plan on shooting it Sunday, hope it works as well as yours did.

 

[fyimo]

I had both a 6 inch and 4 inch no dash 617 and I liked them both but I sold the 6 inch. The 4 inch had much better balance in my hand and I enjoyed it more.

617 no dash 4 inch

 

[jds128]

H Richard, would you mind sharing the info on the low profile red dot sight & mount on your 617. I'm thinking about putting one on my 617. Thanks, jds128.

 

[Big Cholla]

I liked the way my 4", 10 shot, M 617 shot and handled that when I ran across a bargain in a 6", 6 shot, I bought it. I then added another cylinder that I rechambered to 22 MRF (That is what S&W calls it). I was taken back by how accurate my 6" M 617 is as a 22 Magnum. IMHO, the M 617 is going to go down in history as one of the best 22 caliber handguns S&W ever produced.

An aside; After about 200 to 300 rounds downrange, I opened up each of the M 617s and did a careful TLC trigger job with polish, hone and emery paper. The triggers in both are now very good 'using' triggers. I did not cut or substitute any springs or back off the strain screw. I polished the high spots and lubed with moly. ............. Big Cholla

 

[one eye joe]

GREAT WORK, Big Cholla.

 

[jds128]

New 617-6 owner update

Put over 500 rounds through my 617. No operational difficulties experienced. DA trigger, while strong, is smooth and predictable. Rested DA accuracy at 50 ft. is very tight. Very glad I decided to buy this revolver, regardless of the price.

 

[Paul105]

Glad you are happy (ecstatic?) with your 617. I'm a big .22 fan and a 4" 617 is one of my favorites. Sad state of affairs for .22 ammo -- hope it resolves reasonably soon. I'd shoot a BUNCH more 22s if availability would ramp up a bit.

I always thought speed loaders were a gimmick in .22 cal handguns until I ordered one (and a 100 round block), now I'm a fan. Old, cold hands (espceially here in MT in the winter) make loading .22 revolvers a chore when at the range/outdoors. Now, I load up 110 rnds in the warmth of my living room and just shoot em up at the range.

My 617 is current production (don't know dash #) and it is an absolute pleasure to shoot both SA and DA. I bought it recently to round out my 4"+ round butt "family". Two M69s, one M66-8, and the 617, all round butt 4"+ equipped with the Hogue 500 grips and transition from one to the other is pretty much seamless.

Enjoy that 617.

Paul

 

[H Richard]

jds128 the mount I used was the Allchin, sts-cmore-scope-mounts - Allchin Gun Parts and the Red Dot is the Burris FastFire III. The Burris is a 3 MOA dot, and if you normally shoot action type matches I would recommend a larger dot, probably a 5 MOA (Look at the Redfield Accelerator Red Dot). The Burris works fine for bullseye and plinking where you have time to see the dot.

 

[jds128]

Low profile red dot

H. Richard; Thanks for the info regarding your low mount & Burris sight.

 

[pappabear]

The 617 is definitely a keeper!

 

[MTKTM]

Congrats! I consider the 617 to be the best .22 handgun made, period. I have owned a 41 for decades, and like it a lot, but like the 617 better.....mostly because I am a revolver guy more than I am a semi-auto enthusiast.

I have two:



I bought the 6" several years ago, and the 4" just this past October. I had an 18 many years ago and, sadly, sold it. I could shoot that 4" .22 like it was a rifle with open sights, and I have found that to be the case with this 4" 617 as well, I find the balance and shootability of it to be absolutely perfect. For some reason I am not able to shoot the 6" quite as well, it doesn't balance quite right for me and while it's accurate to be sure, I shoot the 4" gun better. Great guns, both of them!