New 617 vs no dash 63 trigger pull

[Dave Lively]

Can anyone with first hand knowledge tell me how the SA trigger pull of a brand new 617 compares with the SA trigger pull of a no dash 63?

I am once again looking at 22 revolvers. I want one that has a good SA trigger pull, a swing out cylinder and is preferably lighter than my S&W 69.

I have shot a couple of recent 617s my friends own and the the SA trigger on both of them was very nice and while the DA pull was 22 LR heavy it was very smooth on both of them. My only complaint was they are both pretty hefty guns.

This would be a range gun and get used mostly for shooting at small spinning metal targets with the occasional shot at plinking type targets. I am not going to be shooting bullseye matches with it but being able to hit what I am shooting at is always a plus. While a 617 with a 4 inch barrel sounds like the obvious choice I would prefer something something lighter but still shootable.

The local trading website has a couple of no-dash 63s with 4 inch barrels with an asking price of $800, about what a 617 would cost. They are 6 shot vs 10 for the 617 but that is not a big deal either way. I realize they are not going to be as accurate as a 617 but if the trigger pull is comparable I expect they will be more than accurate enough.

I like revolvers. I like 22s. But combining the two has been problematic for me. About 30 years ago I bought a Taurus 94 that had to go back to the factory twice for timing issues before I sold it. Shortly after that I had Ruger Single Six which worked fine but I didn't like punching the empties out one at a time and it was surprisingly less accurate than the Taurus. I later read that the 22LR/22 magnum guns like I had used a barrel sized for 22 magnums and the tiny increase in bore diameter made it less accurate with 22 LR. After that I swore off 22 revolvers for 25 years until a few years ago when I ordered a Ruger GP100 right after they became available in 22 LR. I expected the DA trigger pull to be heavy but the SA pull was a not particularly crisp 7 pounds. The gun also had some cosmetic defects that bugged me, was heavier than needed and just felt a little clunky compared to my S&W69 and other S&W revolvers I have owned. So I sold it too. Hoping the fourth time is the charm.

 

[saemetric]

For casual plinking and hunting, I'd get the model 63... Target use the 617. For me, a 22 is a lightweight cartridge, so the gun should be light.
This is my 63 and it's perfect for me.

 

[sodacan]

A nice gun between a 63 and a 617 would be an older model 18. I have 1953 K-22 that is a terrific shooter with a very smooth trigger in both S/A and D/A. If you're stuck on S/S, this suggestion would be meaningless, but I thought I'd throw it out there anyway. Good luck.

 

[Nightowl]

Almost all Smith & Wesson revolvers have a crisp, no creep single action trigger pull of about 3 pounds. N frames are supposed to be 3 1/2, but it seems the newer ones are less than that. If you want lighter than the 617, the 63 is the way to go. I find mine was harder to shoot than my 6 inch 617s, but just as accurate when I did my part. The 63 has a coil spring mainspring, while the 617 has the leaf spring, which makes for differences in the double action feel.
I put a smooth trigger in my 63 after the original grooved trigger put a blister on my trigger finger.

 

[Dave Lively]

A nice gun between a 63 and a 617 would be an older model 18. I have 1953 K-22 that is a terrific shooter with a very smooth trigger in both S/A and D/A. If you're stuck on S/S, this suggestion would be meaningless, but I thought I'd throw it out there anyway. Good luck.

Blued would be fine but I forgot to mention $800 is about the most I am willing to pay. I haven't priced model 18s but nice, old S&W and $800 or less are three terms you rarely see in the same sentence.

ETA: I checked on GunBroker and prices on sold 18s are less than I expected. I am going to keep an eye out for them locally. Thanks for the suggestion!

 

[lscocoa]

My hands are a little large and I can't shoot the j- frames as accurate as I can the k-frame 22's . I have several k22's so I recommend the 617 in 4" which basically the same weight as a m17 with a regular barrel in 6". Stainless does seem to smooth out over time with usage but just changing the the factory rebound spring to a 14 pound spring can help a lot. The same in blued guns . The 63 is a very accurate gun to but you have weigh how the different size grips fit you and either will come with a good factory trigger. Good luck choosing your next fun gun !

 

[H Richard]

The 617 is the heaviest of them all. The Mod 63 4" is a light gun, and really fun to shoot (also the Mod 34 blued version).




The older Mod 17 (6") or the Mod 18 (4") are in between.

The accuracy of all 3 can be the same, but the 63/34 are lighter in weight and a little harder to shoot until you adapt to the weight. The Mod 18 is probably the overall best compromise of weight and accuracy. Literally all S&W will have a single action trigger pull of about 2 lb, and you probably don't want it any lighter.
(Sorry, just realized I don't have a picture of my Mod 18).

 

[DS-10-SPEED]

I think most know I'm a die hard 10 shot 617 guy but for the $800 price tag you are looking at for an older model, have you considered a new 8 shot 3 " 63? It should be a lot less than that. I added Altamont grips to mine, It's not as easy to hit the target as a 617 but still fun to plink and carry in the woods.

 

[brucev]

I have had gobs of .22 LR revolvers since I bought my first in 1983. Started w/ a Model 18. Have had a total of six. Bought my last one in 2000 ... $350 ... from a acquaintance who sold it b/c he was facing terminal cancer. I couldn't afford his Springfield Sporting rifle. But I positively adore that little model 18. Last Thursday a gentleman offered to trade me a H&R nine shot revolver and pay $400 extra just to buy my Model 18. I didn't want to be rude to him, but I just wasn't interested.

When it comes to a .22 LR revolver for targets and for field use, I just don't think there is anything that can do more than come close the S&W Model 18. I've used mine to hit Coke cans at 50 yds. Even at 100 yds., it can be done. Simply a tremendous revolver. If you see one ... buy it! Sincerely. bruce.

 

[saemetric]

For more precise shooting, I use my model 17-6 carried in an El Paso Saddlery Holster.

 

[mikeruns]

I like and own the model 18...and the 17. They are my favorite, I have a 6" 617-1 which is very accurate with a great trigger as all the s&w rimfire revolvers I've shot but it is very nose heavy. I have a 2" model 34 which is fun but also, I have a 2" Ruger LCR 8 shot with the hammer hidden (DAO) in the frame which is quite fun and I
like the aesthetics and lite weight of it. I recently saw the LCR with a bit longer bbl-maybe 3 or 4" with double action and hammer spur and adjustable sites...these are no replacement for the s&ws' in my opinion, but a handy less expensive very light trail and camp plinker worth considering. I stay true to the model 18 as my all time fave but thought I'd share a valid option fwiw....
Good luck ad have fu with whatever you find!

 

[Stevens]

I've had a model 63, 8 shot and 3" barrel, I use for plinking and carry fishing or woods/swamp walking. I worried about the 3" barrel accuracy but find it surprisingly accurate, for me and SS for easy maintenance.
Steve W

 

[Redlegvzv]

One thing to know about the new model 617 is that the trigger really smooths out after maybe a thousand rounds. I was amazed at how much nicer the trigger got with use. Love my 617!

 

[Injunbro]

The 63 will be lighter in weight but generally slightly higher trigger pull. I say "generally" because after doing action jobs on my 63's & 34-1's they are very light. A 3" 317 is even lighter weight than a 63... mine somehow became my wife's for that reason. :? As far as accuracy even a 1 17/8" bbl. is enough to stabilize a bullet if you can hold the gun steady & understand the shorter sight radius is a factor.

 

[.38SuperMan]

My wife haves a 317 which is the alloy version of the 63 and I have a 617 & 34-1 4" as well as several other 22 revolvers. I considered a 63 but after handling one and shooting my wife's 317 I decided on the 4" 617. I found a nearly new 4" 617 and traded for it and find it to be very accurate and has one of the best triggers I've ever shot. Single action is very crisp and the double action is lighter than the 63 and 317 and absolutely butter smooth. If you like staging the cylinder the 617 is perfect and I find I shoot it better double action than single action. I have no regrets getting the 617 over the 63. Saying that my wife loves her 317 and wouldn't trade it.

I have a model 34-1 4" also and it's a delight to shoot but I find I don't shoot it as well as the 617 but it's a sweet little revolver.

I have a couple of single action Ruger 22's also and would recommend them. I have a single six stainless convertible in 5-1/2" I've had for thirty years I'd guess and it's great in every respect. The trigger is excellent and it's very accurate plus you can shoot magnums if you'd like. I also have a new Bearcat with adjustable sights and love shooting it. Great trigger and good accuracy. I've had two vintage versions also which had excellent triggers.