What's the difference between model 17 and 617

[686forme]

Just curious about what the differences are between a 17 and 617. I've had no luck finding a 617 but I see quite a few 17's for sale. What's the differences? Can you put a 10 shot cylinder on a 17? Thanx

 

[sceva]

617 is stainless

17 is blued

 

[686forme]

Is that the only difference? I saw one and it looked like a blue 617 and had a 10 round cylinder. Did they come from the factory that way?

 

[Camster]

A matte blue 17 was produced with a 10 shot cylinder.The cylinder on that version being made of aluminum.
There are several variants of 17s and 617s.I would suggest investing in the Standard Catalog of S&W-third edition.

 

[686forme]

Thanks all for the quick replies. I'd heard about the aluminum cylinders, I didn't know this was that gun.

 

[valkyriekl]

A 10-shot cylinder can be fitted to a 6-shot Model 17, provided the cylinder fits on the yoke (I think you'd need a -4 or later with the gas-ring on the cylinder, rather than on the yoke). You'd need a 10-shot hand (the bit of the lockwork that actually turns the cylinder, which is different for a 10-shot vs. the 6-shot). A 10-shot cylinder can also be fitted to a 6-shot Model 617, with the same requirement for a 10-shot hand.

The "standard" 17-8 had a 10-shot aluminum alloy cylinder (there's a different 17-8, the Heritage series, which had a 6-shot cylinder, glossy-blue finish, tapered barrel, and round-butt grip frame...this one is so different from the 10-shot version that some people say that it should've been called the 17-9). There was also a 617 with a 10-shot aluminum alloy cylinder, the 617-2 (although apparently later -2s started shipping with stainless steel cylinders).

 

[PMRet]

I would suggest investing in the Standard Catalog of S&W-third edition.

+1 Buy the book. Best money you will spend if you have even a passing interest in S&W handguns.