Thinking about Model 617 w/6" BBL

[drayks]

I was wondering about buying a 10 shot SS Model 617 in 22LR with 6" Barrel. Is there any consensus among you owners of such? Had a 22LR Model 999 H&R. Real ***. Write on.

 

[glenncal1]

Handle one before you buy. I think the full lug 6" barrel is a little nose heavy, you may prefer the 4". I would buy an older gun, way to much QC problems on new S&W's, YMMV

 

[hdfinder47]

If you're thinking it - do it. What's not to like?

 

[pasound]

I own one. It is a little nose heavy, but you get used to it. Zero recoil, very fast DA. I bought a 100-round loading block and a SpeedBeez loader, and I burn through ammo too fast some days.

 

[H Richard]

Buy it, you won't be sorry. I've had mine, a 617-6, for several years and love it. It is a tack driver. I did enhance mine just a little with a Red Dot and different stocks.

 

[GypsmJim]

I have fired one and loved it. My K22 is one of my favorites. So, why didn't I buy a 617?

The price. Simply that. I ended up buying a 10-shot GP100 and put a reflex on it. It may be second best, but it still outshoots me.

 

[Engine49guy]

The advantage of a 10 shot vs a 6 shot is less reloading loading procedures which will equal less wear n tear on the yoke and cylinder assembly.
I look at it this way,
if you fire 600 rounds that's 100 open reload close procedures in a 6 shot but only 60 in a 10 shot.

 

[SWFan27]

I LOVE my 4 inch 617-6.

 

[toddimusnimski]

You'll pay a bit less for the current production -6 with keyhole, but others prefer the older -4 model without it. This 4" 617-4 came from the local show a few years back at the first table I saw when the doors opened. Price was too good to risk even setting it back down. I have no experience with the 6" barrel but some report it being a bit front-end heavy.

The WO rear sight was added later and helps me a lot.

Todd

 

[MikeR90S]

I have a 6" 617-2 (stainless 10x cylinder) and a 4" 617-6. I think they balance about the same. The 6" full under lug barrel has a lighter profile than the 4" so I doubt it is much heavier. The added sight radius is nice.

Edit: I got a new kitchen scale for Christmas…. The 4" gun weighs 40 oz and the 6" weighs 44 oz. Both are round butt, different grips though. Ignoring the grips, 4 oz / 10% distributed over the length of the barrel…. I think the front heavy perception is mostly mental.

 

[wproct]

I had a 617 no dash full target with 6 inch barrel and foolishly sold it. Later I replaced it with a 617-1 with a 4 inch barrel. At the time I really wanted the 6 inch bbl but when the 4 incher showed up at a good price I took it. Actually now I think I prefer the 4 inch bbl. As MikeR90S posted, the 617 4 incher weighs 40+ oz. and that is still pretty hefty for a .22 caliber revolver. All of the 617 revolvers that I owned were 6 shot models, I'm kind of old fashioned and that's what I prefer.

 

[Gater]

I love my M617. It is a 10 shot. I had a trigger job done on it. It is a tack driver.

 

[Gater]

Check this M617 out.
1996 Smith Wesson 617 K22 TH TT – Fugate Firearms

 

[Jimmyjones]

My K22 was my favorite range gun, till I got a 617-1, only a six shooter but it makes me smile.

I put a Red Dot on it.

 

[NCBeagle]

I have a 6" 617 (no dash) and 4" 617-6. Like them both and shoot Steel Challenge matches with the 4". I prefer the 4" because it feels more balanced. The 6" is heavy.

 

[8shot]

I have two 6" 10 shot 617's - one is pre-lock, also have a 4" 617 10 shot. Love them all...the 4" just feels and looks the best to me. Using the 6" revolvers for competition. Had to ream (Manson) the cylinders on both 6" revolvers, the empty cases ejected very hard, now they are slick! Keep in mind you can't adjust the action like a center fire K frame, the rimfire needs a very solid hit.

 

[sandog]

I've always preferred 5 and 6 inch barrels, but i'm glad I went with the 4 inch 617. It has a nice balance, not muzzle heavy at all.

I have the Wolff Power Rib mainspring with longer strain screw and a 14lb, rebound spring. That combo has set off everything I've fired in DA mode.

 

[firefighterjohn]

I got my 617 no dash 4" almost a year ago. It is an awesome shooter. Up until that time I never saw a 617 in ANY length or capacity show up at my LGS. When I did see it, I scooped it up quickly. It's also a great compliment to its big brother the 686. This one is a keeper for sure!

Although I've never held or shot a 6", I can't imagine I would have passed on one if I saw it. So, go get that 6" before it's GONE! You won't be sorry.

 

[jaymoore]

I have both 4" and 8 3/8" barreled 617s, some six shot, some 10. All great, but not for the same uses. Also some 6" and 8 3/8" Model (and pre-Model#) 17s. The long barreled ones get the most rounds downrange over time, but the 4" versions put more rounds out in quick bursts. Kinda like golf clubs- use the one best suited for what you want to do at the time.

 

[RKmesa]

Buy it, you won't be sorry. I've had mine, a 617-6, for several years and love it. It is a tack driver. I did enhance mine just a little with a Red Dot and different stocks.

Richard:

We have similar taste in stocks for our ten-shooters...

 

[drayks]

Made the choice for a 4" barrel 617 since my daughter will be inheriting it in time. The comments were enough to convince me. My other (3) revolvers are 6" barrel already, but no full underlug. GB had one that was 3 years old, only had one cylinder full through it so leaped on it. Will see what turns up to my local FFL. Where did you guys get those fancy S&W scales with finger grooves? Thanks for all the helpful comments.

 

[CHARLIE699]

I've only had 6" 617's, but like them.
Three 6, & a 10 shot.
Got the 4" covered with pre-18
If you have access, handle & shoot both.

 

[Babysitr]

I have a 617 no dash 6" from 1993 full target...love it, slightly nose heavy but, if you get a chance buy one....you wont be sorry

 

[Shrek Of The Arctic]

I got my 6" 617 about a year and a half, two years ago. I absolutely love it, and it makes friends wherever I take it. I've gotten a few people interested in revolvers with it. I got it for plinking and Steel Challenge. It is far more shootable than Inhad any right to expect. It is a tad nose heavy, but when transitioning targets, seems to make up for a slighly slower speed of movement with smoothness. I do enjoy the slightly longer sight plane of the 6" barrel. I actually dislike full underlugs on most any revolver, but..I've come to accept it. The 6" bbl. suits me very well, but I think the 4" will be excellent as well, especially when other less experienced revolver shooters may be handling it. I almost forgot to mention that my 617 is the only bone stock S&W revolver I own, and it has never missed a beat. I'm sure you will love yours!

 

[8shot]

My (3) shooters...no dust on them.

 

[Yendor357]

It takes a pretty good 22 rifle to outshoot my scoped four inch 617.

 

[DS-10-SPEED]

My (3) shooters...no dust on them.

Interesting weights you added, are they for long range shooting?

 

[Zimm]

617 was my family's first firearm in 1990 when my dad bought one. I've been shooting it ever since. It's a tack driver, zero recoil, but it is heavy. I think too heavy for a new/beginning shooter. But after shooting big bore stuff, it's nice to take a break and shoot some .22's without recoil.

I asked S&W about converting it to a 10 shot, but that would cost half the price of a new gun.

I'm looking at getting a model 63 to teach my kids and wife how to shoot revolvers.

Get one, they're fun.

 

[8shot]

Interesting weights you added, are they for long range shooting?

They are barricade lugs, I use my fingers to clamp the revolver barrel against the barricade.

BTW: The scope base is my design with a button on the right side that I use to pivot the scope left/right while shooting the Action Pistol "moving target" so I can shoot at the target "center" and not lead it.

 

[firefighterjohn]

617 was my family's first firearm in 1990 when my dad bought one. I've been shooting it ever since. It's a tack driver, zero recoil, but it is heavy. I think too heavy for a new/beginning shooter. But after shooting big bore stuff, it's nice to take a break and shoot some .22's without recoil.

I asked S&W about converting it to a 10 shot, but that would cost half the price of a new gun.

I'm looking at getting a model 63 to teach my kids and wife how to shoot revolvers.

Get one, they're fun.

Getting your family shooting on a 63 first is a great idea. Comparatively, the 617 is heavier than the 63. I can make that comparison firsthand since I just got a 63 a month ago but haven't had nice enough weather to shoot it. Those little 63 'kit guns' are very comfortable! Once they've mastered the 63, the 617 will be a good step up. Then you'll have to step up AGAIN to get them shooting a 686.

See how this progresses? Yep, you're S&W pistol addiction is gonna get worse. As they said on Sienfeld: "...not that there's anything WRONG with that!" But, I think they might have been talking about something else?

Great plan Zimm...now go out and find a 63! Then a 686...then a ...