Yea or nay: S&W model 617

[jwk]

I have one of the early production 6" 6 shot SB 617s and a later production 4" 10 shot 617s (pre-lock). Love both of them. Shoot the 4" a lot more because I do more wandering around the farm plinking than I do any type formal range shooting these days. I don't shoot it quite as well as I do the 6" but I don't have to reload it as often either.

Pre-lock or one with a lock, you will love shooting a 617.

 

[civil1977]

To reaffirm: Is the 617 10 shot .22 S&W revolver built with a round butt K frame?

The current ones are. The 617 and 617-1 were square butt. The 617-2 introduced in 1996 was round butt as is every one since. Most have round to square butt conversion grips. That what I have on my two 617-4s shown in Post 3 above.

 

[Nick B]

At one time or another I've owned both a 4" and a 6" . I still own the 4" and love it . The 6" felt a little muzzle heavy to me .
Too bad they don't make a 5" 617 . It would probably balance perfectly .

 

[ostlund]

o my goodness.....yes! quality and much pleasure

 

[AveragEd]

I have no-dashes in four and six-inch - better revolvers don't exist.

I much prefer square butts over round because I consider six-shot, non-IL, non-MIM S&W revolvers to be "old school" firearms and as such, think they ought to wear the kind of stocks they came with. It's just the right thing to do for them.

I never had bore or top strap leading concerns with either gun but only use CCI MiniMag 40-grain ammo with copper-washed bullets.

Ed

 

[steamloco76]

I'll probably end up buying a new one as well. Older ones, in excellent condition, are going to be just as expensive and a rare find. I don't foresee any issues with the internal lock since it will be strictly for range use anyway.

I lucked into a lightly used 617-6 four inch ten shot a couple years ago for $595. Fantastic shooter and the lock is a non-issue. Mine now wears a set of Jordan Trooper grips from Herrett's thanks to a forum member. It is my second favorite .22 revolver after a 617 no dash 8 3/8ths inch I bought new when they first came out.

 

[aftra]

Got mine recently. 4" brand new. I love shooting .22lr and this is the best gun for me since I love revolvers the most.

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.