Opinions on Model 617

[Al W.]

Hi folks,
I'm looking to get into another revolver in 22lr and am tempted by these 10 shot 617's.
Anything specific to the model to look out for ?
Think I'll look for a 6".
Shooting paper.
Wondering if I should stick to the model 17 with the 6 shot cylinder for reasons other than nostalgia.
I'm regularly shooting a Model 14 and 15 bullseye style.
Opinions welcome.
Thanks

 

[madmikeb]

I've got 10 shot 617's in all 3 barrel lengths, as well as 6" 17. I have to say that the 10 shot guns are a blast. I use mine for plate and bowling pin shoots and they are a lot of fun. I haven't shot my 17 in years.

 

[Nightowl]

I've got a 617-4 that shoots 10. Its a really great gun and is a hoot to shoot!

 

[Wee Hooker]

This is a pretty common topic here. A search will turn up multiple threads on these great revolvers. Quality wise, there were some sporadic gripes about short fireing pins, finish variations and clocked barrels some years back but it seems most new ones coming out are issue free. If buying used (and there is no reason not too) look for the usual revolver fit and finish stuff .
Model wise, my 2 cents would be that if your looking to use the 17/617 as a bulls eye practice gun, then get a 6 shot to stay consistent. If your going to also use it for general shooting and potentially for other games, get the 10 shot . It adds a level of versatility and fun. Save a few $ for some DS Speed loaders as well.

FWIW, I own "several" 17's and 617's in different configurations. My newer 6", 10 shot gets the most use. They are ALLOT of fun.

a pair of my newer 10 shot 617's.


my 617-0 6 shot
p.s. You won't regret buying any of them!

 

[H Richard]

I added this 617-6 to my stock of K22's several years ago, and can't be happier. My old eye's appreciate the red dot sight.

 

[g-dad]

I'm on a road trip at the moment and can't post pics but I concur that you cannot go wrong with any of the 617's. My preference happens to be the 4" 10 shot and is very accurate!

 

[andyo5]

I have the first one, which I think is the -2. Avoid the early ones with the aluminum cylinders. The cylinders didn't last long. Mine is all stainless. I love mine. It is accurate and easy to shoot well, even with those purty wood grips that everybody seems to love.

 

[Decker]

I love my 617 and it's one of my most used revolvers (cuz it's cheap to shoot). Mike's a 4".

The only thing I'd recommend is to shoot both the 4" and 6" and see if you find a preference after shooting.
The reason I say that is because I did a LOT of looking into it before I bought, and I found that the 6" felt a bit muzzle heave for me while the balance of the 4" is perfect.

 

[sodacan]

I owned a 617-1 (6") for s short time. It's a very nice gun, but for me, my 17-2 and K-22 (pre-18) from 1953 are superior in fit and finish, very accurate (so was the 617), and just beautiful to look at. That being said, you won't go wrong with the 617, especially the very early six shooters. Good luck.

 

[joe44va]

I'm thinking this is going to cost me a few bucks. I was wondering what to get next.

 

[Waveski]

The Smith & Wesson model 17 has the - ahem- proper round capacity , no excessive full lug (full lug on a .22? Never got made sense to me...) , and no you-know-what hole.

IMO , S&W tried to improve on something which was already The Right Stuff.

 

[Wee Hooker]

The Smith & Wesson model 17 has the - ahem- proper round capacity , no excessive full lug (full lug on a .22? Never got made sense to me...) , and no you-know-what hole.

IMO , S&W tried to improve on something which was already The Right Stuff.

For the sake of conversation I will say that I partially agree.

I do appreciate the beauty and balance of the model 17's ( and mine are NOT for sale) The 617's have their place though. Namely, with stainless you don't have to worry about knocking $50 off the value of the gun if you holster it and /or the finish takes a hit. (A nd it will if you use them.) Consequently, I do think the SS finish was an improvement as it is in most "working guns". Additionally, I'm old school and while I was VERY reluctant to adapt to the 10 shot model, I did eventually take a liking to it once I started actually shooting them. The extra capacity is especially handy when speed shooting reactive targets. IMHO, they somewhat bridge the gap between the six shooters and semi autos.
As for the lug, I fully agree (as do many here) that it is out of place on the 617's ( as it was on the 17-8). Particularly true on the 6 and 8 3/8" versions where they can make the gun muzzle heavy. ( p.s Would love to see an Unlugged 5" Pro series offered!)
As for the "hole" , while I'm not a fan, I've never let it keep me from buying any S&W revolver that I take a shine too. I don't see it while I'm looking down the sights.
of course, I do realize that others may feel different. To each their own.

 

[KalamazooKid]

I love the heck out of my 4". It gets to go shooting a LOT!

 

[zogger]

I shot my friends 617 six-shot. Nice gun but a little too barrel heavy for me.

I then looked hard at used 17's. Again nice guns. A little pricey for good ones around here. So I decided to look at Model 18's with 4" barrel. I found a 18-2 at a LGS for a nice price and bought it. This was a good choice for me. Shoots really well.

 

[BoCash]

A pair of 617s rest here with both 6" and 8 3/8".

Way more than that are model 17s with both barrel lengths.

I love them all and enjoy shooting them regularly.

A personal thing, I much prefer a 6-shot cylinder.

While I enjoy precise plinking with the 8 3/8" barrels of either model, I think the 6" would be more versatile.

 

[Engine49guy]

Advantage of the 10 shot cylinder is less reloading which = less wear and tear.
IE 600 rounds fired in 6 shot = 100 reload cycles /100 full cylinder rotations.
Same 600 rounds fired in 10 shot = 60 reload cycles/ full cylinder rotations.

The 4" Full underlug Model 617 barrel looks neat but is slightly heavier and more noticeable in longer lengths.

Model 617 with 6" barrel has advantage of longer sight radius but adds alot more weight in full underlug versions, not so much heavier in the non underlug Model 17.

The 6 shot K-22 has the same trigger feel as the 6 shot K-38/KT357 because it is turning the cylinder the same distance between stop notches.

IMO the 10 shot versions spins up quicker so does not feel exactly the same as a 6 shot 38/357 K frame so going from one gun to the other takes some adjusting.

 

[Kingspoke]

617

Sir.
You will like any of the K frame K22's. They are all a hoot to shoot.
I have several of the blue guns, only one stainless. This 617 gets the most shooting time.
Bill@Yuma

Now that's a beauty right there!

I just bought a 617-4 4", my first 22, so I'm very interested to see how they shoot! Should be a fun gun.

 

[CH4]

Since finding my 17-6s I haven't been looking very hard for a 617. I prefer the 6 shot merely for tradition. Haven't taken them hunting, but at least one one of them goes to the range with me.
The stainless is definitely more user friendly if you plan to carry it afield, but blue steel is way more sexy.

 

[Jtown]

I have both the 617 ten shot and the model 17. I use the 617 for 10 shot matches, lots of fun. 4" barrel is perfect for me. For super accuracy I prefer the 17 with a 6" barrel. The balance of the 17 without the underlug is comparable to the 4" 617 with a full lug. You would not go wrong with either gun.
Walt

 

[D Brown]

Opinions on Model 617

I have a 4" Model 617-6 and a 6" Model 17-3. For slow precision shooting, I prefer the Model 17, for rapid fire fun shooting, I'll take the Model 617 10 shot every time.

Model 617-6 4"

Model 17-3 6"