S&W 617 22LR - Considering Buying one New very Soon

[qrachel]

I'm just about ready to purchase this gun, new. My first gun purchase in many years, exciting stuff .

I've read tons of acclaims and quite a few complaints about the 617 shooting flawlessly or for some not so much. I get the folks with problems are going to be noisy - I am when I spend good $$$ on a premium product and get disappointed. Though in all of this, it sounds like S&W provides great service.

Sooo, I'm not sure I could do better buying another maker's top of the line 22LR revolver; that leaves me wanting to just pay the bill and get on with it - well sort of, it's a bit of a hassle here in CA!

You folks who really know S&W, especially 617 owners, what might you add to my knowledge before I drop the dime.

Take care all,

 

[slickracer]

I purchased a 617 in October and it's a great revolver and has functioned perfectly to date. I like it so match I'm shopping for a 6 shot version as well.

 

[BrianE]

I picked one up a few years back. Shoots great with 0 issues. Shoot and clean, then repeat . The only things I'd like to change on mine is the front site and the awful rubber grips

 

[LL617]

I had the opportunity to fire an old 6 chambered 617 and then a newer 10 chambered 617 before I received mine for last Valentine's Day. It was a great gift.

I so enjoy shooting this revolver! [As a matter of fact, the shortage of .22LR has really distressed me]. It is easy to balance, little recoil, and is just flat out fun to shoot. This revolver makes me look good; I can make a vey tight spread with this gun.

I don't think you'll be disappointed with this model.

 

[mtelkhntr]

I think you've decided on the perfect 22 wheel gun. Your next big decision is which barrel length. I bought the first used one I tripped over which has a 4" barrel and I just love it. It has good feel and balance and it shoots like a dream. As long as you're buying new, hold both the 6" and the 4" for a fair comparison. Each has it's own virtues so you need to weigh how they feel with what you want. Good luck and start stocking up on bullets. That 617 will eat through a pile of ammo and you'll be grinin' the whole time.

 

[fyimo]

There are those that would say get a Model 17 or K22 instead but I have all of them and the Model 617's that I have shoot great and actually have less problems then the earlier editions. The early models sometimes exhibited problems with the extraction of spent cartridges and my two no dash 617's have not had that problem. So I would say buy one and enjoy it and trust me you can shoot everything you can buy and you won't wear it out.
617 no dash 6 inch

617 no dash 4 inch

Model 17-4

Model K22

 

[Hack]

I own a 4" model 617 10 shot. I've put probably 1000 rounds through it. I agree that the front sight isn't perfect. I'm contemplating applying a bit of florescent orange so it's easier to pick up. Another thing is that you need to make certain the rounds are all properly seated in the charging holes. Otherwise you will get random non-fires. I use a SpeedBeez loader and I still need to press on the bottom of the cartridges to ensure they are fully seated. Bear in mind, I have yet to clean the revolver, so I imagine that might make the feeding/extracting issues disappear.

Good luck with it, I love shootin mine.

 

[avigar]

Stopped by some area gun shops the last couple of weeks. All the staff spoke highly of the Model 617. They consider it the best current model 22LR revolver due to its high quality craftsmanship.

 

[qrachel]

I picked one up a few years back. Shoots great with 0 issues. Shoot and clean, then repeat . The only things I'd like to change on mine is the front site and the awful rubber grips

Yep, couldn't agree more on the front sight and the grips and I'm pretty sure that'll be a fairly near-term set of upgrades!

Thank you for the reply . . . take care,

R

 

[qrachel]

I purchased a 617 in October and it's a great revolver and has functioned perfectly to date. I like it so match I'm shopping for a 6 shot version as well.

Thank you for your input . . . it's appreciated.

Take care,

 

[qrachel]

I had the opportunity to fire an old 6 chambered 617 and then a newer 10 chambered 617 before I received mine for last Valentine's Day. It was a great gift.

I so enjoy shooting this revolver! [As a matter of fact, the shortage of .22LR has really distressed me]. It is easy to balance, little recoil, and is just flat out fun to shoot. This revolver makes me look good; I can make a vey tight spread with this gun.

I don't think you'll be disappointed with this model.

What a nice gift . . . and thanks for the reply,

 

[qrachel]

I think you've decided on the perfect 22 wheel gun. Your next big decision is which barrel length. I bought the first used one I tripped over which has a 4" barrel and I just love it. It has good feel and balance and it shoots like a dream. As long as you're buying new, hold both the 6" and the 4" for a fair comparison. Each has it's own virtues so you need to weigh how they feel with what you want. Good luck and start stocking up on bullets. That 617 will eat through a pile of ammo and you'll be grinin' the whole time.

I'm already partial to the 6" barrel - really like the sight picture the length gives (will probably replace the front sight).

Take care,

 

[qrachel]

Stopped by some area gun shops the last couple of weeks. All the staff spoke highly of the Model 617. They consider it the best current model 22LR revolver due to its high quality craftsmanship.

Ditto your comments . . . shops seem to rave about the 617!

Take good care,

 

[qrachel]

There are those that would say get a Model 17 or K22 instead but I have all of them and the Model 617's that I have shoot great and actually have less problems then the earlier editions. The early models sometimes exhibited problems with the extraction of spent cartridges and my two no dash 617's have not had that problem. So I would say buy one and enjoy it and trust me you can shoot everything you can buy and you won't wear it out.
617 no dash 6 inch

617 no dash 4 inch

Model 17-4

Model K22

Wow, love the pics . . . really great!!! Thank you for sharing.

Take care,

 

[qrachel]

I own a 4" model 617 10 shot. I've put probably 1000 rounds through it. I agree that the front sight isn't perfect. I'm contemplating applying a bit of florescent orange so it's easier to pick up. Another thing is that you need to make certain the rounds are all properly seated in the charging holes. Otherwise you will get random non-fires. I use a SpeedBeez loader and I still need to press on the bottom of the cartridges to ensure they are fully seated. Bear in mind, I have yet to clean the revolver, so I imagine that might make the feeding/extracting issues disappear.

Good luck with it, I love shootin mine.

Thank you and it seems that luck often comes to those who covet S&W hardware

 

[robctwo]

It's a great gun. I have the 4" 10 shot with the Fastfire red dot and Ahrend's retro combat grips. I much prefer the balance of mine to my neighbor's 6". He loves the Ahrends grips, but had to go back to the rubber to deal with the front end weight. He's young and claims the weight doesn't bother him.

I did a slight trigger job on mine, just a buff and polish really. Gives it that 50,000 round broken in feel.

We routinely shoot clay birds on the hill at 30-40 yards, then break up the pieces, they are that good.

What front sight?

 

[PMRet]

The 617 is a great choice, it's built like a tank and is easily maintained. And, despite the occasional hiccup in quality control or customer service, S&W does offer a lifetime warranty and in general provides excellent service.

A couple of things to consider: If you've not already decided between the 4" and 6" barrel lengths, you should try to handle both before choosing if possible. Some folks feel that the 6" full lug barrel is too muzzle heavy and that the 4" is better balanced, while others think both are fine. Also, I believe you mentioned in another thread that you may purchase a 617 to shoot along with a .357 revolver (excellent idea), so you may want to consider getting the same barrel length in both guns to keep them somewhat similar in handling characteristics. Of course, if you do that, then you may also want to look for an older 617 with a 6 shot cylinder if that's what the .357 has...

Hey, not trying to muddy the water, just trying to provide food for thought. Besides, all these things just make buying the gun more fun, right? Regardless, good luck with your choices, and be sure to keep us posted. Oh, one more thing, when you make the purchase and get it home, remember that we LOVE pictures here...

 

[qrachel]

Dear PMRet:

Thanks for support and encouragement. Muddy water reminds of a great cup of coffee with my favorite flavored creamer in it!

Ya, you're bringing up the barrel lenght in context of a 357 that I'd like to have to . . . really love the feel of the 627PC with a 5" inch barrel as a companion to a 617 to start off my heavenly obsession. I also really like the feel and shootability of the Sig P232 380 Stainless Steel. If I ever CC (not likely but . . .) the P232 would almost certainly be my pet, probably as a purse concealed weapon.

I drive and travel about the west coast a lot for my business, more in CA than anywhere else and CC has appealed to me when it's late and I'm alone having to eat some place strange before getting to the hotel for the night. Anyway, it's not urgent just yet and shooting with my instructor (44 mag this w/e) has been a real joy and I've learned a lot already - much more to come I'm sure.

Again thank you,

 

[AveragEd]

I have two of the early no-dash 617s and love them. The four-inch just seems to balance better for me and I probably shoot it and a 6" Model 66 the most of all my S&W revolvers.

The front sight complaints puzzle me a little. These guns are intended first and foremost as paper-punchers - in fact, many of the early 6" ones came with target triggers and hammers like mine (I added them along with a Millett rear sight to the 4"). Accordingly, they usually are equipped with what bullseye shooters feel is the most precise front sight, the black Patridge.

If you try shooting bullseye targets with say a red ramp or one of those "glow worm" front sights, you likely will find your groups opening as a sight without a sharp rear edge is harder to align the same way every time. Hunting in various light conditions is a different story - there, colored sights can be helpful - but give that old standby you have a fair shake before you start changing things.

Ed

 

[VAdoublegunner]

Excellent choice in a quality revolver. I'm sure you will be pleased.

My girlfriend prefers the 4" version over the 6", claims it 'balances' better. It is a highly subjective area to be sure, but I think with a light recoiling revolver like a K-frame 22LR there is little need for the extra barrel length unless one plans to do longer range target shooting or perhaps shoot metallic silhouettes with it, and she finds the 'back in the hand' feel less fatiguing for a longer shooting session than the longer barrel. We enjoy shooting metallic silhouettes (informal for bragging rights among ourselves, not as a competition but they will certainly do well at it) with my 6" 17-8 (it has a full underlug barrel like the 617) and find hits easier to make at longer distances with it however.

WRT to sights, I find that the dayglow type sights do not work for me. There is to much of an interfering aura around them, they provide a very indistinct and imprecise aiming point and are difficult to align precisely in the rear sight.

While I do not think it possible to distract anyone from a finest quality firearm like the S&W Model 617, I also would plug the Ruger Mark III standard pistol in stainless steel with a 4" barrel. This was apparently a special run and they are drilled and tapped for a scope mount. She got one of those, I fitted it with an inexpensive Bushnell TRS-25 red dot scope and that is singularly one of the most remarkable small rimfire pistols I have ever shot. It is boringly easy to shoot standard 1/10 smallbore rifle size pig and ram silhouettes from a standing 2 hand hold at 50 yards with that pistol.