Selling 617 to get a 63 3"?

[GlossyTundra]

I have a 617-2 with the aluminum cylinder. Its a 6" barrel. Fantastic target revolver, but I'm looking for something more like a hiking/camping/fishing/packing gun. I had an SP101-22 and loved it, and wanted to sell the 617 to get the SP101-22 but I was told that would be a sin and I shouldnt do the trade.

So I started looking at the Smith 63 3" (the new model). Apart from the lock, it looks like it would be perfect for me. Small enough to pack, but yet still the quality of a Smith.

Would I still be insane to do this swap? Do the 63's have the same quality as my 617?

 

[DS-10-SPEED]

Swap?

Swap? trade? sell? Those words should not be used, only use "Add".

As far as quality, my new 63 had to go back for a new barrel right out of the box, bad rifling. Other than that it's a great revolver.

 

[BigBill]

Ditto, I traded in a colt 80's 1911 gov. model in nickel for a new ruger redhawk in 44mag thinking I could always get another nickel colt 1911 I was dead wrong when colt discontinued it. Now I only add and never sell even if it sits in the safe.

I can see if it's a bad gun but if it's a good target gun why get rid of It?

 

[Dale53]

If you actually want to hit something, you might want to consider at least a 4" revolver. An experienced shooter can do excellent work with open sights but it is quite helpful to have a longer sight radius.

Having said that, I have a 3" Model 60-4 (Chief's target model) that I can do surprisingly well with. However, I would have bought a 4" if I had had an option. You'll find the .22 very useful and fun at the range, also, so give yourself all of the help you can get and opt for the 4" barrel. In a holster the extra inch will not be a detriment and will be helpful when you need to hit something...

FWIW
Dale53

 

[Cal44]

I like the idea of adding rather than trading.

I have a 63 4" and it's a great gun. Very accurate and easy to shoot.

I have a 617 on my wish list, but I plan to wait until I find one in a LGS and have the "bread" to buy it (a term from my youth that younger people may not recognize).

No way am I giving up my 63, though.

I agree with the guy who posted that the 4" is better in this type of gun.

I'd go for a 4" 617 also, if I can ever find one.
Dave

 

[Matt Hooper]

Had both a 617 and sold it for a 63 3". Loved them both but preferred the 63. Even with a slightly shorter barrel, it still aimed true and was a whole lot easier to carry. For a day at the range, those extra ounces of difference really added up. Can't go wrong with the 63!

 

[finesse_r]

I Would Not Make That Trade.....

Both the 617 and the 63 with the 3" barrel are incredibly sweet revolvers. However, I would value the 617 more than the 63 with the 3", especially one with an internal lock.

My suggestion if you can't have both, is to sell the 617 outright and buy a model 63 separately. I would not make the trade even-Steven across the board. You can get one of the older model 63 revolvers without the internal lock and even a pined and recessed one for less than you should be able to sell your model 617-2 for. Then you can have money left over to buy ammo.

As much as I like both the above guns, I prefer the Ruger SP–101 with the 4.2" barrel to both of them. I have a model 617 that I may sell in order to pick up a second Ruger SP-101 4.2" barrel. Even if I pay for a trigger job rather than doing it myself, I will still be in the Ruger for less and have a gun I like better.

 

[Stainz]

I've shot the current Ruger SP101 4" in .22LR alongside my much appreciated 3" 63. While the new Ruger is a great improvement over their original .22LR SP101, it is still not up to the 3" 63. I also have a 4" x10 617, which is a great dedicated range gun and has an inherently lighter and smoother trigger than the 63, much less than that of the Ruger. If I had to limit myself to one .22 revolver, it would be my 3" 63. Luckily, I don't - and I can keep my 4" 617, 4" 651, 5" 63, and my most recent rimfire, a 351PD!

One great attribute - the 3" 63, seen waiting for it's sibling 3" 60 Pro to vacate their holster below, is more mobile than a 4" 617 - and it's accuracy will amaze you. It is ammo-sensitive, however. While it will shoot up a brick of Federal 36gr plated HPs between cleanings, don't expect to shoot up a box (50 rounds!) of CCI Stingers at one sitting! Get a x8 'DS-10 Speedloader' and loading baseplate, too, for maximum fun.

That holster was made by DeSantis for S&W Accessories (~$65 from S&W + s/t + s&h) and is a great fit for both of my 3" J-frames (Use a better belt!).

Stainz

 

[GlossyTundra]

Let me clarify a bit. I would be selling my 617-2 in favor of getting something else. I don't shoot it, its too heavy, so I see no need to keep it.

I'm looking at the new 3" 63 and the ruger sp101. I had the sp101 last year along with my 617, and shot it much more than my 617.

 

[DS-10-SPEED]

I also have many guns that never leave the safe anymore, but each one has fond memories connected to it of times past, that's makes it easier to keep than sell.

GlossyTundra: check this thread.

http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-re...2lr-revolver-classic-m63-new-ruger-sp101.html

 

[Lobster Picnic]

I think if the 617 is gathering dust and the 63 would be something that gets carried and shot a lot, I would sell the 617. The target models are very nice but they don't really carry well.

I would also like a 3" M63, to go with my 3" M60-4, I can't speak for the accuracy of the M63, but they are a nice size and the balance feels right.