New 617 (disappointing quality)

[misswired]

A monthlong search ended today with a 609$ purchase of a new 617 k22....one LGS had a used priced at 799$..After seeing the clerk do a tv spinning cylinder slam, I started the research for another pistol. WHAT ???Academy has them new for 699$...Hit up 5 stores today and no one has them in stock. Pointed out to the LGS they were priced 100$ used over new. Hemhaw,,, well someone paid too much on trade....(not my problem).

Finding the 609$ deal I hustled on down... made the purchase and headed home with high expectations. What a disappointment, couldn't make it thru a cylinder without binding and lock-up. Oh Noooo... my first S&W return.

Remembering a long ago thread about binding.... I checked the ejector for obstruction... none there. What about burrs under the ejector? Yep, massive burrs! After a minor deburr... I'm up and running.

Any ideas on further smoothing of the action? I'm starting to like this pistol.

 

[Jtown]

I have a new 617, it shoots fine. BUT I have to clean under the ejector about every other load. Not really a problem.
Walt

 

[Dave.357]

Shoot it every day it will get better and
Better .

 

[Ribwizzard]

Yes, you can get some plastic drywall anchors to use as snap caps and shoot the **** out of it.

 

[RGVshooter]

I bought my 6" 617 about 4-5 months ago and used it weekly at outdoor steel plate matches. It was real tight when new however shooting the heck out of it and cleaning it after each range trip made a world of difference. These revolvers are built like tanks and with proper care will outlive any of us.

 

[Ashlander]

I bought my 4" 617 maybe a couple years ago and in that time it has become my most used gun. Thousands and thousands of rounds - I can't even guess. It has smoothed out very, very well. I shoot it 90 plus percent in double action.

 

[rwsmith]

If you are still disatisfied......

If your problems are fixed, no problem.

If not it sounds like a return to mother ship problem.

 

[67ray]

For these reasons I am starting to buy all my revolvers used. Not only do you get each one with some trigger smoothing (although most only have a few hundred rounds) you can get preMIM and prelock which just isn't an option now.

Best one was from the now 86 year-old Marine that I took my first shooting class in college from. A 17-4 that with a trigger that was glass smooth. Other than it being absolutely filthy there was a little tip wear on one side of the muzzle. Just looking at it makes me want to take this one out today!

 

[sfcjcl]

About 2 years ago I purchased a filthy 617-6, 10 shot, 6" barrel, box, test fire cartridge and paper work. I paid $580 including tax and decided to take it to the range the day after I bought it. What a mistake!!!! Misfire after misfire. I was prepared to call S&W to send it back for service, but decided to give it a good cleaning first. I found that the main spring screw was loose and the whole gun was just filthy. Tightened the main spring screw and cleaned it THROUGHOUT!!! Shoots Great!!! Nice Trigger!!!
Have noticed that if I let the cleanings go, build up under the extractor causes misfires. I clean everytime after I shoot!!!

 

[Wee Hooker]

First, you stole that gun at that price. I've rarely ever seen a beat up used one for that. These guns DO hold their value. My guess is that the gun was being sold at cost because the binding issue kept it from selling.
Now onto the gun. As others have said, shooting and /or dry firing (on caps) will smoothen the gun out quite a bit. That said, I've installed 14# trigger return springs in these two to lighten the DA pull. Many of us with ageing eyes paint (or replace) the front sight too.
Adding a DS10 Speed loader ( or 3) and loading block will also add to your enjoyment.
Do a search here on 617 and you'll find lots of input from the 617 fan club.

Now go shooting!

 

[misswired]

First, you stole that gun at that price. I've rarely ever seen a beat up used one for that. These guns DO hold their value. My guess is that the gun was being sold at cost because the binding issue kept it from selling.
Now onto the gun. As others have said, shooting and /or dry firing (on caps) will smoothen the gun out quite a bit. That said, I've installed 14# trigger return springs in these two to lighten the DA pull. Many of us with ageing eyes paint (or replace) the front sight too.
Adding a DS10 Speed loader ( or 3) and loading block will also add to your enjoyment.
Do a search here on 617 and you'll find lots of input from the 617 fan club.

Now go shooting!

That was by far the best price I found; betting you're right about the binding and price reduction. I have a couple of Wilson spring kits on hand, I'll crack it open for a good inspection/cleaning and install the 14# spring this afternoon.

Did find that Aguila brand is very difficult to eject the spent casings. No problems ejecting Remington or CCI. The unfired casings measure the same.....hmmmm.

 

[Ribwizzard]

I will say, that before ordering my 617 from G O.G., I looked at a few at bass pro and other lgs's. Saw a few that had been dry fired extensively. One lgs offered me $100 off one that was locked up. I asked why didn't he send it back to Smith and Wesson, never got a straight answer.
Unfortunately, my experience has me now ordering all my new guns online, so as they are actually new and not handled and abused demo guns.
I also looked at a 686 at a major lgs that the face of the cylinder and forcing cone had enough lead that it looked like several hundred rounds had been through it.

 

[HOUSTON RICK]

Good luck, I hope it works out long term. I look to claim a particular K-22 in the not too distant future.

 

[nachogrande]

CLERK COWBOYING THE CYLINDER.

Clerk abuse would be a talk to the mgr for me.

 

[misswired]

Clerk abuse would be a talk to the mgr for me.

I am by no means a gun guru, but I strongly suspect clerk abuse is a reality...( saw the clerk spin the cylinder on the 799$ used 617 while slamming it shut)
Being non- confrontational.... I don't speak to management or make complaints to anyone.
Long story short the pistol is buttery smooth now; but light striking in double action ( occasionally single action too)....as a student of the forum; what do I do next?

ETA: where are you Toolguy???? Give me the fix!!!

 

[nachogrande]

AM I GETTING THIS STRAIGHT?

You bought a used 617 after seeing the clerk cowboy the cylinder for 799$ + tax & are NOW seeking help? R we talking about the same gun? OR the 609$ new one with the burrs? Regardless, light strikes = put the original spring back & try again & with different brands of ammo, FOR ME. Others with more know how will surely be along. Great guns, don't give up hope.

 

[Green Frog]

I have frequently posted here with statements including "Everybody ought to have a..." (Fill in the gun of your/my choice.) In point of fact, I keep coming back to two guns, especially my K-22 and one of my Chief Specials. even with all of my experimentation with a variety of other calibers, those two pop up over and over (and yes I have a bunch of other 22s and 38s.) I predict that your Model 617, once its (likely minor) difficulties are resolved, will be one of your favorite guns of all times.

Froggie

 

[misswired]

I have frequently posted here with statements including "Everybody ought to have a..." (Fill in the gun of your/my choice.) In point of fact, I keep coming back to two guns, especially my K-22 and one of my Chief Specials. even with all of my experimentation with a variety of other calibers, those two pop up over and over (and yes I have a bunch of other 22s and 38s.) I predict that your Model 617, once its (likely minor) difficulties are resolved, will be one of your favorite guns of all times.

Froggie

I've only had it 48 hours. Even without running 100% .... it's already my favorite 22lr( surpassing grannies 9 shot sentinel and pawpaws single six convertible)...

You forum enablers should be ashamed!

 

[Wee Hooker]

Did find that Aguila brand is very difficult to eject the spent casings. No problems ejecting Remington or CCI. The unfired casings measure the same.....hmmmm.

Aguila .22LR has always used a waxy coating on their ammo. Most of it is good stuff but will gum up any .22 I've owned at twice the rate of others. We actually used to wipe each round down and then top our mags off with a drop of CLP back when my team and I shot Subsonic Aguila (Purple) in local leagues. ( We had ordered 40,000 rounds of it at $13/brick and had to "make do"
FWIW, I've used Mothers Mag polish on a patch to polish the chambers of my 617's just to help extraction along.

 

[Wee Hooker]

I am by no means a gun guru, but I strongly suspect clerk abuse is a reality...( saw the clerk spin the cylinder on the 799$ used 617 while slamming it shut)
Being non- confrontational.... I don't speak to management or make complaints to anyone.
Long story short the pistol is buttery smooth now; but light striking in double action ( occasionally single action too)....as a student of the forum; what do I do next?

First, (assuming you didn't change out the main spring), check the main spring strain screw to assure it's fully seated. If it's backed off, even a bit, it can cause light strikes. (If you did change out the spring, put the old one back in.)

Second, clean the cylinder chambers WELL. If they are dirty they can cause the round to not seat fully. Then when the firing pin strikes, the round moves forward slightly and absorbs some of the energy.

If that doesn't cure it, It should go back to the mothership for warranty rework.