[Indifferent]

Hello.
Looking at getting one of these, a 317 or a 617 or a 63.
Rented a 617 at the range, it did not run very well, lots of light strikes, no fire)
The Range Officer looked at it, said it was way out of time.
Said they go out of time 5-10k rounds.
Is this true? Anyone have more experience that says other wise?
And if this is true. Well, how does one set it back in time? With the price of 22LR ammo, I'd be having to have the gun smithed back into time, every other week?


Anyways thanks!
:)

[Indifferent]

Of course, I have been thinking I want a 357 MAG, hmmm... Decisions, toy for the wife or a toy for me?

[Ron James]

Do you really under stand how long it would take you to shoot 10,000 rounds out of a revolver. If I have any revolver go 10,000 rjounds with out needing some type of work, then I'm very happy.:)

[Indifferent]

No, no I don't understand how long that is. I try to hit the range with at least 1k rounds every week. Thats about 5 hours a week, my little Ruger MK3 takes it in stride, I have 6k rounds in it in under a month.

So to answer my question, any feedback on these little Smith and Wesson 22lr revolvers?

[Luis Leon]

Indifferent,

I own and shoot a model 63, though I typically shoot about 100 rounds through it, then move on to my 6 inch barrel S&W K22. I really do like the Model 63, though it is small for my hands. I bought it for my wife and kid to shoot, yeah right, someday they may discover it then I'll be sorry.

regards,

Luis Leon

[GunTech]

I am a huge fan of 22 S&Ws. I stick with the older ones, preferably 5-screw models. If you want small and worry free, it's hard to beat the 63, although I am partial to 34s.

I have medium hands, but have found the Sile wood grips work well to make the tiny J and I frame guns feel bigger in my 'man hands'.

Here's a nice little pair - matching 34 and 51 4 inch flat latches

http://guntech.com/revolver/34s.jpg

Ot if you prefer something a little bigger, here's a pair of 5 screw K-22s

http://guntech.com/revolver/k22s.jpg

[TYY]

Well, my little 34-1 was made in 1961 and shoots great. Reliable and accurate. Just put on a T-grip to fit your manhands and have a blast. I still want to get a K frame 22, though.

[cpirtle]

I think it's hogwash to say they would go out of time in 10k rounds. Could it happen? Sure, but as a rule highly doubtful.

22 revo's do need a little more cleaning and range guns are notorious for never being cleaned. Light primer strikes in a dirty rimfire revolver are the norm.

I have a 4" 617 10 round and it's a fantastic gun - lock and all!

http://www.pirtleranch.com/images/Guns/S&W617/100_1561.jpg

[PzGren]

If I have any revolver go 10,000 rjounds with out needing some type of work, then I'm very happy.

I have about that much through my old S&W K 22 myself - and I bought it used. My old gun club has a Colt Officers Match .22 and I can only guess at the number of rounds that it has digested over the past decades, must be well over 50,000 rounds, closer to 100k.

If you - or anybody else - wants to be happy with a troublefree and accurate rimfire wheelgun, look for for either a nice K22 or Officers Match:).

[MrBorland]

Indifferent -

I have a 10-shot 617. Great gun, but yes, I did have to send it back to S&W for re-timing after a few months and about 10k rounds (they fixed it pronto, btw). That being said, I have at least three times that many rounds through it after being repaired by S&W and it's still running fine. My impression is that a 617 is occassionally produced that's destined to have timing issues, and that once repaired by S&W, it's fine. If 617s universally needed re-timing after 10k rounds, it'd be a general 617 issue, or "common knowledge" you'd read on forums like this. Sounds like the RO was suggesting they get the rental 617 re-timed every 10k rounds, but my bet is that while it may (or may not) have been out of time, the range never got it fixed.

[Master Blaster]

He's full of Poo.

The reason the gun at the range was suffereing light strikes, was that they dont take time to brush out the cylinder good and give it a proper cleaning. Light strikes in any .22lr revolver are most likely caused by crud buildup in the cylinder, you really need to brush the charge holes about every 300 rounds or so. 22lr is a heeled bullet as a result the bullet leaves fouling that builds up and keeps the nex round from fully seating. The firing pin blow seats the round, and a second strike will fire it. A rental gun could also be suffering from abuse, or it could be really bad quality bulk remington ammo.

I have a 1955 K 22, a 17-5 and a 617, and allare reliable with good ammo and proper cleaning. .22lr ammo is dirty I have seen rental places at a nearby range spray the gun with guns scrubber over a can and then put it back in the case. I would bet the gun you shot is packed with fouling and gunk.

[Ala Dan]

I have a S&W square butt, 2" barrel, factory nickel model 34-1 with
pinned barrel, that dates back to the early '80's. I don't shoot this
weapon, even though it has adjustable, target type sights. Rather
its a "safe queen" and conversation piece~! :scrutiny: :eek: ;)

[BigG]

The rental K22 was probably dirtier than a potato patch because 22 rimfire is just dirty and has lead bullets, to boot. A good cleaning will probably restore it to 100 % operation.

I don't believe the gun store guy.

[kentucky_smith]

Shouldn't a 34-1 be older than the 80s?

[Starter52]

34-1 were made into the 1980's. I have two non-pinned (post-1981) 34-1s.

IMO the J-frame .22s are a bit small and light, but many of my beginning shooters like them.

I've found the smooth target stocks from S&W are great for the Model 63. I also like the Sile stocks that GunTech mentioned. Pachmayr grips are also good.

The 617 is an outstanding revolver. The 6" version is heavy for a .22 LR, but very accurate. I haven't fired mine enough to worry about it getting out of time.

I don't really like the overly-light 317.

[20nickels]

I used to shoot a K22. It had countless rounds through it and I put 5000 in it after that. And I currently have 5000 through my 617, no problems with timing. As mentioned 22 is dirty, get a pack of 6mm nylon brushes and clean chambers regularly at the range. Also keep the hammerfal heavy, you may have to tighten the strain screw occasionally. Nickels.