New SW 617

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Maddawg46

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Have not seen a 617 for several months now. Was at a gun shop that I have not been to for a year or more. There in the case was a brand spanking new 617 4 inch. Looked pretty nice. Been looking to get another 22 revolver. They have 2, so I thought I would sleep on it. The price is $849.... Now this is California and all guns are in short supply. What are you SW experts think of the new 617?
I have a Diamondback .22 1968. Any advice on this new SW?
 
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I'm no expert but I do have an older 617 (four inch) and a Diamondback .22 also a four inch. I've always liked the Diamondbacks and Pythons, in spite of having a lot more S&Ws, but ones in collectible condition are valuable enough that I don't like to carry them. I do shoot the one in 22LR but frankly find the 617 to be more accurate, for me anyway, and a fine revolver. If I could only have one I'd look for a S&W model 18 or the six inch 17 but if those aren't available the new 617 should serve well.
 
Maddawg46 said:
There in the case was a brand spanking new 617 4 inch. What are you SW experts think of the new 617? Any advice on this new SW?
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I prefer the 4" 617 for balance and others prefer the 6" for the longer sight plane. One thing for sure, one in the hand is worth two in the case!

Seriously, I grabbed the first used one I found and it is the newer version with lock and it shoots just fine. In this part of the country, in the year or so since I bought mine, I haven't seen another 4" new or used so if it's on your bucketlist, buy, shoot and enjoy.
 
I have been looking for a Model 18 or 17 for several months. Nothing anywhere. I just am concerned with the Quality of the new ones versus the old ones.
 
Of all my DA .22's the 4" 617 is my favorite to shoot, I prefer the balance. The 3" model 63 is my favorite to carry in the woods.

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Maddawg46 said:
I have been looking for a Model 18 or 17 for several months. Nothing anywhere. I just am concerned with the Quality of the new ones versus the old ones.
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I think one could argue that the fit and finish of the new ones isn't what it was with the older ones and for the most part that is probably true. However, by buying a new one, you have S&W's warranty behind you. From the many posts I've read, I'd look to make sure it doesn't have the "near famous" canted barrel and if it doesn't I'd give it a home.
 
Smith's website lists the 617 4" at $839 MSRP. My 617 4" was purchased new at $750, after taxes and fees, from a local dealer.
 
617s have been in short supply since last summer. They are almost non-existent right now. It's a great piece, but $850 is paying a premium for sure. To some people it would be worth paying the extra. But that's up to you. Offer them $750 or $800 and and see what they say. I prefer the 4".
 
I see them from time to time and don't think they are as rare as some make them out to be. $849 does seem a bit high but I know different areas have different prices. Here I could get a pretty nice model 29 used for that money. I saw a lightly used no dash 617 at my local gun shop this past weekend that was marked at $589. It was the 6" and came with the original stock wood grips w/ finger grooves.
 
I bought a new 4" last Sept. and have been really enjoying it. Very accurate and nicely made. I may not like the looks of the "lock" but it has not caused any problems. Perhaps the older ones are made better but I bought what was available and would do it again in a minute. The price may be high but the money is not worth much any more. What does a decent diner cost for you and your wife? And that is gone by morning......use it in good health.
 
If it is a pre lock 617 4" it is a good deal,I would be on the way to get it already.If it is a IL gun that is about the going rate on GB right now.
 
I've had the 617 4-inch for a few years and it is my favorite range gun. I find it very accurate, comfortable to shoot and well balanced. It feels just like my Model 19 but allows me to shoot the much cheaper 22LR ammunition. If I had confidence in this round as a self defense round this would be my carry gun since it is the one that I shoot best, and with 10 round capacity it should be more than enough. But honestly I just don't see the 22LR as a realistic self defense round, so that is why my preferred gun is my 640 with 38+p or 357mag loads. If I ever have to sell some of my handguns, the last two to go would be the 617, and then if I was down to just one handgun it would be my trusty 19.
 
Dstyles75 said:
Those wood grips on the six inch look really sharp! Where can I get a pair?
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Those are the original S&W grips that were on it when I bought it new in 1990. That 617 is a -0 six shot.
It is also a square butt frame, not round butt like the newer ones.
 
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I found a 4" in Feb. Some QC issues out of the box but Smith's warrantee program was no hassle and they replaced the stuff that was wrong. Shoots perfect now. Bought it for $799.00. In this climate, an extra $50 is what to expect. Get it.
 
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I just got a 617 6" and love it. Shoots accurately, has a nice feel and the trigger is crisp. I've heard they are finicky about what ammunition they eat but mine seems hungry all the time and shoots fine.

I got the 6" to help me work on DA and getting used to focusing on the sight picture, while helping me be more accurate. I'm new to shooting and so far the experience with the 617 has been great - <500 rounds and growing weekly. I highly recommend the 617 - I personally prefer the the 6", though many here really like their 4".

Shoot one and you'll be hooked.

Take care,
 
I have no-dash six-shot 617s in 4" and 6" barrel lengths. I bought the 6" new back in the 1980s for what seems like an insanely cheap price these days and the 4" used for around $600 two years ago on GunBroker.com.

DSC_0449.jpg


Both like CCI MiniMag 40-grain copper-plated round-nose ammo real well. The 6" came with the target trigger and hammer; I added them as well as a Millett rear sight to the 4" and since the photo was taken, I added a Millett to the 6" as well (darned things are hard to find and not cheap when you do happen upon one). Both guns also have Wolff spring kits.

Both shoot with the same accuracy but on those "special" days, the 6" seems a smidge more accurate. But I prefer the handling of the 4" so it is the one that sees the most use.

Ed
 
Call Bud's and see if they will back order one for you. They have them in their retail location here quite often, and they are under $700.
 
Oh, forgot to add that I'd rather have a new 10 shot than a prelock 6 shot. Usually I prefer the older guns, but these new 8,9,10 shot revolvers tip the scales for me in the direction of the newer models. Having 10 vs 6 is a huge difference, especially considering how many 22's you can blow off in one afternoon!
 
Local turner's had a 6" for $700 something(about $800 out the door iirc) if I had $800 to spare I would have bought it. If that price is good for you and you have a local turners they can do a store transfer. It was the Orange store if you want to check.
 
If it is a prelock, I would jump on it. Pre locks in California are all rare.

If it is new with the lock, I would pass. Go over to the Calguns forum, you will find a prelock for sale eventually. I bought a lot of great smiths in their classifieds when I was in CA, but you have to be fast to reply.

If you don't care one iota about the lock, get it. The 10-shot 617 is just fun, fun, cheap to shoot, and fun.
 
Just picked-up a new 617-6 4" yesterday for $675.00 plus tax ($722.00 out the door). Went to the range today during lunch and fired 80 rounds. I was all smiles and my new Smith was a blast to shoot.
 
I got a 4inch last summer...paid regular retail and was darn happy too, since they were hard to find back then. Gun Broker has them all the time. I put a Cmore on it mounted on its side. Very quick steel gun
 
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