Smith and Wesson Model 617-6 Mountain Gun

[bdGreen]

There was some dialogue here awhile back regarding this particular model.
I was able to acquire this one and was happy to be able to do so.
I have posted some pics in the other thread, but, thought this model needed a proper introduction of it's own.

"Model 617 serial CTR6635 was shipped in April 2013"
The fired cartridge envelope is dated '11-12-2012'.
Don't understand the delay or the chronological sequence of events to ship.

I haven't found out yet how many were actually produced in this configuration.

I have shot this gun and as you can see in the pictures it could use a proper cleaning. It is typical in that it will get a bit sticky to eject the fired cases, but, never got to a point of excessive resistance.
It performed quite well and I am pleased. I will be keeping this one.
The trigger cocking is pretty firm. Not used to that with my center fire Smith's. I will, in time, address the mechanics inside. And, no, this won't be my first rodeo.

As I stated I got lucky to find this complete package with two sets of stocks and a fairly nice holster. All in like new condition.

Enjoy the images.

bdGreen

 

[Neumann]

Beautiful revolver, a perfect plinking gun. I prefer 4" barrels and short lugs to the standard 617 (and others). Congratulations.

 

[Kernel Crittenden]

On the label the ship date code is 2317, which corresponds to November 13, 2012. The FC envelope is just one day earlier, which is not unusual.

For some reason, these guns sat in storage for a few years. When did we first see them? It was sometime in 2016, wasn't it?

I don't think anyone knows how many were made, yet. I would guess something between 200 and 500 on the initial run. The big question is.... will they make more?

 

[PatriotX]

Nice pics !


Mine has the same date for the fired case.

 

[bdGreen]

Nice pics !


Mine has the same date for the fired case.

Did you get a ship date for it?
Do you have the original stocks for it?
I know the ones in the pictures were purchased later, but, the rubber ones that came with it don't have any 'impressions' on them to indicate 'S&W'. I think the original rubbers did.

bdGreen

 

[PatriotX]

Did you get a ship date for it?
Do you have the original stocks for it?
I know the ones in the pictures were purchased later, but, the rubber ones that came with it don't have any 'impressions' on them to indicate 'S&W'. I think the original rubbers did.

bdGreen

Lots of pics here:

http://smith-wessonforum.com/s-w-re...n-gun-lots-o-pics-range-report-post-22-a.html


The grips do have the logo on both panels







Edit: looks like same ship date too ! Both of our guns have the fired case and ship date as 12Nov2012.

 

[bigtubby]

Sure would like to see another run of these I am looking for one but its a long shot.

 

[Cardboard_killer]

Sure would like to see another run of these I am looking for one but its a long shot.

I dithered on buying one and finally decided to just in time. Wish I had bought two now

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

Nice gun.......Sadly this sneaky pete gun came and went before I was aware and I missed owning one.

 

[Kernel Crittenden]

It looks like bdGreen's MG came with a pair of original Uncle Mike combat grips. I see a pair in this photo, to the high right. UM ceased production of all grips at some point, and S&W ran out of their supply in 2012 - 2013. So, the timing is just right.

To me it looks like some of of these MG's shipped with the old style UM grips (bdGreen's) and others shipped with the new current style of proprietary S&W grips (PatriotX's post).

This study of the type grips that originally shipped with these M617 MG's gives further credence to the fact that they were made in 2012, then sat in storage.

 

[Cardboard_killer]

This study of the type grips that originally shipped with these M617 MG's gives further credence to the fact that they were made in 2012, then sat in storage.

I believe they were, along with some other odd S&W revolvers, advertised by the vendor as overruns on special orders. So it's not surprising at all that they sat in storage for awhile. As a pure wild assed guess, I'd say they kept a few of them around in case they original order had any returns, then decided to sell them and the vendor picked them up as a lot. But pure speculation on my part.

 

[Kernel Crittenden]

I believe they were, along with some other odd S&W revolvers, advertised by the vendor as overruns on special orders. So it's not surprising at all that they sat in storage for awhile. As a pure wild assed guess, I'd say they kept a few of them around in case they original order had any returns, then decided to sell them and the vendor picked them up as a lot. But pure speculation on my part.

If that's true, and I read it right, these are the "overruns".

Then, where are all the guns from the initial run?

These are the first M617 MG's we've seen.

 

[bdGreen]

It looks like bdGreen's MG came with a pair of original Uncle Mike combat grips. I see a pair in this photo, to the high right. UM ceased production of all grips at some point, and S&W ran out of their supply in 2012 - 2013. So, the timing is just right.

To me it looks like some of of these MG's shipped with the old style UM grips (bdGreen's) and others shipped with the new current style of proprietary S&W grips (PatriotX's post).

This study of the type grips that originally shipped with these M617 MG's gives further credence to the fact that they were made in 2012, then sat in storage.

Thank you for your insight on the grip situation. I feel certain that the rubber grips that are in the picture are the ones shipped on the gun. The seller, in my opinion, would not have purchased the newly acquired grips AND the rubber grips losing track of the originals. The complete package lends credence to my thoughts that nothing was lost and the new stocks were gained since it shipped.
Having gained this information gives me a sense of completeness for the originality of my purchase.

And, that's a good thing.

Interesting point, though... The grips on PatriotX's gun have the 'S&W' and mine don't. But, they both have the same dates on the fired cartridge envelope.
I guess that is a minor speed bump bit of trivialities that the lack of laser engraving can be considered. Some wit, some wit out.

I wonder if there will be any answers in the next SCSW? Hmmm.

KC, Thanx again for your inputs and research.

bdGreen

 

[Kernel Crittenden]

...Interesting point, though... The grips on PatriotX's gun have the 'S&W' and mine don't. ...]

That's because the grips are made by two different companies. They're actually very different. I can't recall ever seeing a pair of Uncle Mike grips with a S&W logo on it.

Uncle Mike was a branded product made by a company that was separate and apart from S&W. They still exist, they just don't make grips anymore (for some reason).

 

[j38]

Thanks for sharing your good fortune. That gun looks like a whole bunch of fun!

Jerry

 

[Lee Barner]

Bruce, remember to bring that with you when you come to photograph my guns for me. lee

 

[SLT223]

On the label the ship date code is 2317, which corresponds to November 13, 2012. The FC envelope is just one day earlier, which is not unusual.

For some reason, these guns sat in storage for a few years. When did we first see themt? It was sometime in 2016, wasn't it?

I don't think anyone knows how many were made, yet. I would guess something between 200 and 500 on the initial run. The big question is.... will they make more?

Will they call it a 618, which is what it is by standard S&W nomenclature, and will they make it a standard catalog item? That's what I want to know.