Put money on a bargain 617 today.

[scooter123]

At least I consider it a bargain. Backstory is that I've been looking into putting a red dot or reflex sight on my 610. After looking at what is available total cost for a somewhat inexpensive quality brand sight and rail would run about 300 dollars.

Meanwhile, there is a 6 inch, 92 vintage 6 shot 617 sitting at a dealer with a Laseraim Illusion red dot listed for 495.00. Now, this isn't some tiny red dot, it actually has a fairly generously sized optical diameter, I would estimate 30-32mm. From what I can find, Laseraim was basically the first red dot and were quality sights. In looking at it, the dot is stable, and paralax free in the central 2/3 of the optical area and breaks up a bit on the border. That dot is also quite visible.

So, scope and rail are probably worth about 150 used retail and 300 bucks if you look for new equivalent. They way I figure it, I got a good tight 617 with some moderate handling marks for about 150 bucks because I talked the shop down to 450 for the package. One other plus is that it comes with a S&W zipup rug that is in very nice condition. So, once I clean up the finish on the 617 I'll have a nice clean rug to keep it looking good.

Now I'll have to scout up some 22LR ammo because I expect to do a good bit of shooting with it.

PS; pics will happen once I get it cleaned up and looking good. Like my other revolvers, it will get a full polish because I have a "thing" for polished stainless wheelguns. So, once it's finished I'll probably do the full lineup, a 67, 610, 620, and finally the 617.

 

[Titan]

A great gun, and at the top of my wish list for next purchase.

Good luck with it, and I look forward to the pics.

 

[surfdog76]

What a deal on a great revolver! The target trigger & hammer are nice touches on the 6-shot. Wish they came on the 10-shot as well.

Looking forward to your pics!

 

[PMRet]

Call the POlice, you stole that one! IMO $450 would have been a great deal even without the optics.

 

[scooter123]

Call the POlice, you stole that one! IMO $450 would have been a great deal even without the optics.

I did feel a bit guilty about buying it. However, I suspect that the gundshop probably only payed around 300 dollars for the package. In addition they are in an area where there isn't much demand for a 22 caliber revolver. The hottest sellers for that shop are Highpoint 9mm pistols.

Now that I have it home, there are a couple of items that I'll have to address.

One is the mounting rail, it's a rail that accomidates using the iron sights by clamping on the top strap and using 2 of the sideplate screws as a mounting point. Whoever made that rail, it was an enpensive piece to make because it wraps around the cylinder to pick up the two lower sideplate screws. It's also tunneled out over the top line to allow using the iron sights with rail and scope mounted. So, I now have what was once a rather expensive scope mount that I really don't like too much. One thing I don't like at all is that the front screw that engages the yoke pin is only catching 3 or 4 threads, which means it will be VERY easy to strip that hole if I am not careful. This weekend or next I'll pull the rail off the gun and counterbore that hole a bit deeper so that the screw is engaging more threads.

In addition, the frame predates the time when S&W started drilling for rail mounts, so the top strap doesn't have the additional mounting holes for a standard rail. For now I'll just leave the rail in place and purchase a new rail for my 610. However, at some point I take the gun into work on a weekend and use our mill to add the holes for a standard rail. I'll also have to order new sideplate screws from S&W.

The good news is that the condition isn't quite as bad as I first thought. BTW, it's a 6 inch 617 no dash with serial BHL 4XXX. What it really needs is a good cleaning. I also think that the lockwork could use a bit of burnishing, single action is quite nice but it's obvious that it hasn't seen much double action shooting. Somebody also unloaded a bottle of oil into the lockwork because it's weaping down the trigger, out the cylinder stop, and up the hammer. I suspect that was done at the gun shop. So, it needs a good cleaning inside as well and a couple of drops of oil in the right spots.

More good news is the bore is in good condition with Ballard type rifling, so shooting lead bullets won't be an issue. B/C gap is a bit wider than I would like at 0.008 inch but with a 22LR that probably won't be a big problem. Timing is perfect, the firing pin and cylinder don't show any evidence that it's been dryfired unloaded, and with the lack of leading in the barrel I suspect that it's been pretty well maintained. From the condition of the recoil shield, I would estimate that it's only had around 2 to 3 thousand rounds put through it. So, it's been used but not abused and the previous owner took good care of it.

Grand total, after taxes and with a brick of 22LR came to 506 and change. So, yeah, I do think that I got a good bargain.

 

[stevieboy]

You bet, it's a bargain. Personally, I'm partial to 617 six shooters as opposed to the 10-shot variety. They're getting harder and harder to find and the price is going up correspondingly. My 617-1 six shot revolver is among my personal favorites. I paid significantly more for it two years ago than you paid for your gun.

 

[SWBigBang]

Nice catch.
Always nice when one comes across a good deal.

 

[Paulie686]

The Lazer Aim Red Dot is a very serviceable unit--I have had one on a four-inch Model 686 for about fifteen years, with no problems.

The Mount you describe sounds like an "AimTech" mount, one of the better mount-makers that hardly anyone has heard of. They make a very well thought-out product, well-engineered and nicely machined from quality materials.

Sounds like you got a very good "Bargain", as well. Congrats. Paulie686.

 

[kennyb]

you certainly got a bargin on a fine 22...congrats!