[earlthegoat2]

Im in the market for a 22 handgun and was looking for a DA revolver. I guess I was ignorant and didnt realize that aside from Taurus there really arent any out there for less than 500. I was at the local sporting goods store and they had a 617 brand new 6" barrel. As a sidenote the price was 719.99. It would be used for small game hunting and as a general workhorse for target shooting. I want the 6" barrel for the increased accuracy on tree rats. I do love the 10 shot cylinder.

Does anyone have any experience with this revolver? I figure that it is a Smith so there is inherent quality but you have to realize that my only other 22 revolver was a Colt Diamondback so I have been spoiled and am kind of a 22 revolver snob.

[adweisbe]

Very heavy DA pull but incredible accuracy. 1 inch at 25 yards off the bench with the right ammo.

[MrBorland]

I have the 4" 10-shot variant, and I can recommend a 617 highly. Spend some time finding its preferred ammo, and you ought to be pleased with it.

You didn't ask about alternatives, but since you're a fellow "22 revolver snob", another option might be the 617s predecessor, the Model 17, or its predecessor, the K-22. You can probably find a very nice one for the same price as or even less than a new 617. They were, and are, fine pieces and ought to hold their value.

FWIW, though DA trigger pulls are relatively heavy in general, I don't find the DA trigger pull on my 617 noticeably heavier than any of my other DA revolvers.

[Carl Levitian]

I have the 4 inch 10 shot and love it.

It was a good shooter right out of the box, but the trigger pull in double action had a little rough spot just after you felt the bolt stop click. Single action was very good, Coke cans at 50 yards were in deep poop.

It's been two years now, and its been shot every week and I go through 3 to 4 bulk boxes of Federals from Walmart a month. No problems with the gun at all. I bought it because I missed the old S&W model 18 I traded off years ago like an idiot. The new guns don't have the fine workmenship of the old guns, but mechanicly they shoot just as good.

The new Smiths are a bit expensive, but you have a lifetime factory warentee, and the guys up at the Smith and Wesson place know what they are doing. I love my 617, and plan on shooting the heck out of it for the rest of my life. Its become my favorite handgun.

[20nickels]

I have one, it is my most used range toy. The chambers are tight for accuracy and .22 ammo is dirty so buy a few 6mm brushes for the chambers and scrub often, every 50 rds or so. Same goes for K22 series.

[Bellevance]

I have a 617 10-shot with the 6-inch barrel and also a K-22 five-screw, and I shoot the 617 a lot more. Just as accurate as the K-22. I love it.

DS 10-speed makes an excellent speedloader for the 10-shot cylinder, too. If you pick up the 617, you'll definitely want the speedloader, too. :)

[twoclones]

I've owned the 6" 617 for about 3 months and have run around 3,000 rounds through it. Probably the truest shooting revolver I have ever shot.

[Stainz]

Below is my new 9/08 4" 617 with an L-frame - a 696. The 617's K-frame could have beem a 64 or 67 - or 66, if they still made them. That's the reason they are pricey - its a 'real' revolver. Mine was marked $619 at my pusher's - he took $10 off for my repeat sales and cash (I had sold my MKII!). I did splurge $66, inc s&h, to Ahrends for those cocobolo retro-targets, shipped unfinished - they sport three coats of oil in the picture - great grips. The 696 has Ahrends finished cocobolo non-fg square conversion grips.

http://s171.photobucket.com/albums/u307/Stainz_2007/IMG_0951.jpg

I did replace the springs - using a full-power Wolff hammer spring. I also replaced the strain screw with a #8-32 by .5" SS socket-headed setscrew, 2/$.56 at Home Depot, coated with blue Loctite. I adjusted it to get no ftfs with cheap ammo (Fed $13.47/550 @ Wally-world), then a quarter turn or more for good measure. Two months and 1,500 rounds later - one ftf - bad round!. Not quite up to my K/L/N-frame centerfire triggers - but not far off - and better than a friend's K-22 that most drool over. I don't know about a 10-shot 'speedloader'.

Please note: I am not wealthy. I am a retired college instructor - limited sheckles. This 617 was a sginificant purchase - and a bargain. When my wrists bother me, it is still a fun plinker. Great buy, in retrospect - sorry I waited so long!

With the madness-buying of hi-cap bottom feeders - and AR/AK's at pusher's these days, you might just get a decent deal on a 617.

Stainz

[The_Shootist]

A 6" bbl 617 was my first handgun 11 years ago and I still have it. Sadly, it sat underwater for a couple of weeks after Hurricane Ike (along with my AK) and now will need a REAL good cleaning. Although basically the finish looks ok.

Great trigger, super accurate, likes ALL sorts of ammo (really like's the Aquila SuperMax stuff). Overall, just a superb .22 revolver. Think I got it NIB for about $ 400 11 yrs ago.

[Bellevance]

Stainz--

Here's a link to some info about, and pictures of, that speedloader for the 617. You'd love it, I guarantee. ;)

http://groups.msn.com/Speedloader