Whats the skinny on the 647

[wheelgun28]

I have a chance to get a 647 at a decent price. Seems that these are kinda scarce. I see they were only made three years, how many did they make? I am wondering if in twenty years this will be the hot rare gun?

It does have some negatives to me, non reloadable expensive rounds. Also the 8 3/8 barrel.

How load and how much blast is their?

Any thoughts

 

[ken158]

Not very accurate, loud and expensive to shoot. Long barrel makes it hard to carry anywhere but the range. Had one for a short time and traded it off - sat on the dealer's shelf for a very long time after the trade.

 

[HeloMt]

Model 647

I'm looking at one also, for much the same reasons you list. I think they will be one those "grail guns" in 10 years and everybody will want one. Remember, almost all the current grail guns were models which really didn't gain much traction when they were marketed. Model 58's come immediately to mind as nobody much cared for them when they were available.

I've heard it both ways on the accuracy department. From one I can gather it is either gun specific or one type of ammo works much better than others. Having owned 17's in the past, they are extremely sensitive to bore fouling and in order to get good results, diligent cleaning practices must be followed. Rick Jamison wrote on article about it in "Shooting" magazine when they first came out and his produced outstanding accuracy. I think they would be a very cool 50 yard gopher gun, if good accuracy can be maintained. The one I am looking at shows decent workmanship and a neat feature regarding the extractor machining. If it only didn't have the d@%&ed lock!

I kind of view it as a poor man's version of a Jet...which come to think didn't have a positive following in the day either. Just try to find a cheap one now.

 

[kennethg]

I have one that I mounted a scope on. It is accurate but does need to be clean. It is fun to shoot!

 

[au2183]

Mine is very accurate when it's clean. No big deal to clean either.

 

[wheelgun28]

Well I wound up buying her!

I took her to the range and shot fifty...

I shooter better than I can, had almost no recoil and has a pretty good bang to it. I think its a fun gun to shoot

I certainly would not want to get shot with it those rounds seem pretty nasty

It must make one heck of a small game gun, rabbits and squirrels look out!

I will clean her up and put her away for a while. I feel that HeloMT is correct and perhaps in the future this will be a collectable item. Seems it was really only made two years (03 and 04) and Id guess not an awful lot were made. I also thought of the 22 Jet when looking at this gun.
Time will tell, if the value doesnt go up, no loss, I will take up small game hunting

Thanks !!

 

[HeloMt]

Model 647

Hi Wheelgun 28,

I went ahead and bought the one I was looking at also. It was used (and dirty) when purchased. I shot it on the way home and I think it will be fine, accuracy wise. I cleaned it and will give it a good workout with some different brands of ammo this weekend. I concur with your thoughts, should make a great small varmit gun on a calm day.

Randy

 

[m657]

I love mine!!!

Being used to cowboy action loads (mild-moderate at that) this is zero recoil/zero noise IMHO.

Accuracy: IF I bench rest at 25 yards, it's possible to get 6 shots into a thumbnail group....which I don't often do.

The 17 is affected by mild-moderate side winds.

I got it to shoot along with my 17 Savage....which is specTACular accuracy! I've got a cell phone photo of a 10 shot group at 100 yards that is smaller than a dime.

So whether the ammo is too spendy or not seems silly to worry about. Consider most autos are simply gasoline consuming devices, and in 100,000 miles many of them cost 3x in fuel what they to buy in the first place, I find somehow I adapt to that ugly expense for the pleasure of whatever the ride may be.

 

[madmikeb]

I've had one for a couple years now, and dime sized groups at 25 yards are not unusual if I do my part! I thinks it's a great gun, but I'm pretty partial to 8-3/8" Smiths.

 

[cobra44]

These are great revolvers. I was on the 17 HMR kick a few years ago, and found one of these new that had been in the dealers store for 4 years. I walked out with it for 454.00 out the door. I am glad that I bought it. It shoots really well.
Recently I bought a Taurus 17 at an auction. It was like new with a 4 inch barrel. It does not shoot as good as the S&W, but it is alright for 225.00.
Not sure of how many they made of the 647, but I know that sales were not good.

 

[Inspector-Callahan]

Hi Wheelgun 28,

I went ahead and bought the one I was looking at also. It was used (and dirty) when purchased. I shot it on the way home and I think it will be fine, accuracy wise. Randy

Well, I most certainly HOPE you pulled over before firing! One of my buddies likes to shoot cowboy style in the air while driving whenever he makes a new gun purchase!!

IC