Yea or nay: S&W model 617

[Florida Guy]

I'm getting close to pulling the trigger on a 4" model.
Most likely it will be a new one with the IL.
To current or past owners, I'm looking for your feelings about the gun, both good or bad.

 

[one eye joe]

I'm getting close to pulling the trigger on a 4" model.
Most likely it will be a new one with the IL.
To current or past owners, I'm looking for your feelings about the gun, both good or bad.

After lookin' unsuccessfully for a clean used 4 inch W/O the IL for quite some time, I purchased a brand new one. I replaced the IL with "THE PLUG" from our esteemed fellow forum member, Bullseye Smith. I also replaced the front sight with a Red Ramp and the rear sight with one with a wider notch by Jack Weigard (aids me in gettin' a proper sight picture with my compromised vision.) A set of Ahrends conversion grips round out the package. I am shootin' the snot outta the revolver, and lovin' every minute of it. It is very well made, and the fit and finish of mine is perfect. It is very accurate and reliable, and the 4 inch length balances well. I think you'll like the 617, IMHO it's a GREAT revolver......

 

[civil1977]

The 4" is probably the best version to own. Of my two I prefer it over the 6" for balance and looks.

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

Bought my 4" 10 shot several years ago. Has been flawless. Only gripe is I wish it had a square butt frame.

 

[Stu1205]

I have been looking for one for years.
I picked up a like new in the box with papers 617-1 6" 6 shot at the gun show in Jacksonville last weekend for $525.00 cash.
I haven't had a chance to take it to the range yet.
Like the post above mine, I wish it was a square butt too.
We are both in Broward. I am going to be working the gun show this weekend in Fort Lauderdale.
If you are going to attend, PM me and let me know.
I will bring it to show it to you.

Stu

 

[Engine49guy]

I say get one,
They are awesome,
BTW, If you really want a pre lock Midway sells 4" barrels for about $125.
Stu125 if you really want a SB,
There will be a 4" SB no dash at the Ft Lauderdale show this weekend for sale.
The seller is a dealer from Naples and has carried it to all the shows and had it on GB for over a year now.
The price was $1800...yes $1800 I have tried to explain that they are way overpriced and perhaps its sinking in as I think they recently dropped it to $1000 ...
Perhaps they just enjoy watching us drool.

 

[SmilinEd]

When I take several .22s to the range, shoot them and then shoot my 617 there is a moment when I wonder why I even bothered to shoot the others. It just feels great and makes me feel like I can shoot better than I do. Mine is a 6" with a red dot. It has had a little trigger work too. It is accurate and smooth whether DA or SA. It was my first S&W and was followed by a M14 - another great shooter, both bought used.

 

[one eye joe]

The Square Butt issue can be easily resolved, IF you are willing to go to an aftermarket grip.. Kim Ahrends makes grips that convert Round Butt frames to Square Butt grips. Fit, finish and workmanship is superb--price is modest. It's what I use on all of my RB Smiths. Here's a link Ahrends Grips : Home Below are some pics. The revolver @ the extreme left in the pic on the left, of 4 revolvers, is my 617. The other 3 are Mountain Guns. The single revolver in the pic on the right is a 625 Mountain Gun in .45 Colt.

 

[M2MikeGolf]

Only gripe is I wish it had a square butt frame

This is a baffling statement, and I see it time and time again. I also like the square butts, but the advantage of the round is that you can get conversion grips of any size, shape, style, etc. About the only advantage you get with a square butt is that it looks really cool with magnas/old service grips. Civil1977s excellent photos clearly illustrate how good you can make a round butt look (I'm guessing those are Ahrend's, my personal favorite ). One eye joe gave the point, and I 100% concur with his comments on them.

I've got future plans for a new 617, wouldn't hesitate to get one, especially with a 4" barrel. Don't worry about the lock, it's a non-issue, contrary to some opinions. I guess if you don't like the look of it, you can get the "plug", but I can't understand why someone would throw away money to do that. I certainly wouldn't let it influence you buying a new 617.

 

[Nick B]

I say get one,
They are awesome,
BTW, If you really want a pre lock Midway sells 4" barrels for about $125.
Stu125 if you really want a SB,
There will be a 4" SB no dash at the Ft Lauderdale show this weekend for sale.
The seller is a dealer from Naples and has carried it to all the shows and had it on GB for over a year now.
The price was $1800...yes $1800 I have tried to explain that they are way overpriced and perhaps its sinking in as I think they recently dropped it to $1000 ...
Perhaps they just enjoy watching us drool.

Nope, I know that dealer . The price is now $1295.00 .

 

[fyimo]

The 617 is a great revolver in whatever flavor you buy and I have a 6 inch and a 4 inch no dash and my 4 inch out shoots the 6 inch in the accuracy department.

 

[Franciscomv]

Definitely get one!

I've got a six shot, no lock, 617 with a 6" barrel and it's probably the best gun purchase I've made. It comes with me on every range trip. It groups remarcably well even with some of the cheapest .22 ammo available.

It's helped me improve my DA shooting (I never shoot SA) as well as my long distance skills (still non-existant but getting better!). It's also a fantastic platform to get new shooters started.

 

[Camster]

You simply can't go wrong with getting one.
I have one just like the above photo-also have a later 10 shot four incher.

 

[AzShooter]

A few years ago I almost made a big mistake and sold my 617. I hadn't shot it in years and another club member wanted it. Fortunately by the next match he changed his mind.

We started shooting Steel Challenge Matches and I brought out my 617. It was great. Lots of shooting and no reloading. That 10 shot was enough for any stage without reloading on a stage.

Now it's my favorite go to gun when I shoot Steel.

Get some DS-10 Speedloaders for it and you're all set to go. All you need to add is a loading block.

Good luck with your 617.

 

[MR.G]

I have the 4" 10 shot. Nice gun but I bought mine new and paid way too much. I think my 17 and 18 are better guns, and cost less.

 

[snubbiefan]

I consider finding a 4-inch NL to compliment my 6-inch NL...the Holy Grail. One of these days I will find it, but until I do....it gives me something to wish for and dream about. BUT...I ain't going to pay $1800 for it. I would trade and even give some boot, but I am not going into outer-space for it. The 8-inch barrels seem to be out of favor in my neck-of-the-woods. We've had a ND on the table at the past 4-5 shows for $850 OTD and nobody seems the slightest bit interested.

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

Only load every other charge hole. Alternate charge holes each shooting session. It mekes for easier clean up and extends the life of the gun.

 

[Ksan]

I've had mine for about a year and am still looking forward to range time every time I open the case. Excellent fit and finish. I recommend it. Ksan

 

[Stainz]

YEA!

Just don't 'pull the trigger' without snap caps - or, if you are at the range - and the range is 'hot' - some ammo in the chambers!

One major fault I found with mine... I waited way too long to buy mine! Get one sooner rather than later - you'll thank me for that advice. As you can see above, Ahrends retro target grips will turn a RB grip frame into a square butt grip! The HiViz #SW617 and DS-10 speedloader & baseplate wereextra, too.

In case you didn't notice... and mine is 'current production'... I voted:

YEA!

Stainz

 

[mchech]

I've got a 617-1. Currently it is serving duty as warm up practice for my 629. I hunt deer with the scoped 629 and with the 617 scoped I get tons of inexpensive practice. Every range session I fire 5-6 cylinders full of 22 before I bring out the big stick. The older I get more often I forget to take the 44 to the range. These are my favorite two revolvers....period and if I had to pick just one it would be the 617. Killing deer isn't as important anymore. I hate paper!!!

So that makes for a YEA!!!!