How are the S&W 617's?

I bought one brand new last year. I love it. There is absolutely nothing wrong with it, and everything right about it. Fit, finish, function, accuracy, smoothness all are excellent. I got the 10-round model because since I have to clean it, I might as well spend more time shooting it. If ya got to have a .22 revolver (and everyone should), get the 617.

THR rocks.

I bought my buddy one a few months ago as a retirement gift. Fit and finish was great, and it's a real sweet shooter.

I have a 4" 10-shot 617. In retrospect, it was one of my wiser firearm purchases. Its high versatility and superb accuracy make it one of my most-shot guns in my safe. It's a pretty tight gun, though, and you may find it's most agreeable when kept relatively clean.

Good gun -- made better

I have a 4" version bought several years ago. It is a great shooter -- very accurate. Especially with Aguila Golden Eagle Match Pistol but pretty darn good with CCI Standard Velocity.

However, the chambers were very tight. I could only shoot a cylinder or two before extraction became difficult with any kind of .22LR ammo. Target, bulk, high speed, plated, lead made no difference. Twenty shots fired and extraction got sticky.

I bought a .22LR revolver chamber reamer and a set of .22LR go/no go gauges. After reaming the chambers the sticky extraction problem was fixed. I can now shoot it for hundreds of rounds and the cases pop right out.

I decided to customize it. I felt the muzzle was too heavy for the type of shooting I like to do. I knew a gunsmith who had just opened his own shop. We discussed the work I wanted done and he gave me a price I could live with.

Here is the result with a Burris FastFire and Ahrends grips. I had him bead blast the frame and the rail mount. I also did my own action job, installed Wolff main and trigger return springs and replaced the OEM firing pin with an Apex Tactical XP firing pin and spring.

I've had my 617 for years and love shooting it. I have no problems and find it to be very accurate and reliable. I have the 6 inch and was able to do a trigger job getting the double action pull down to 8 lbs which will reliably set off all ammo I've tried.

I put a Fast Fire III on it because my eyesight isn't what it use to be. Groups are outstanding at 25 yards. I shoot it a lot, keeping down the expense of shooting my center fire revolvers.

S&W 617's are the best!

The 617's are the most used revolvers I own. I started with the 6 shot and had to get the 10 shots when they come out. I have shot many thousands of rounds through them (mostly all DA speed shooting, bowling pins and steel challenge) and they only seem to get better with age.

Top = S&W Model 617 (no dash) 6" 6 shot (stock)
Middle = S&W Model 617 (-2 SS cylinder) 6" 10 shot (w/LPA rear sight and Hogue grips)
Bottom = S&W Model 617 (-6) 4" 10 shot (w/Burris FF3 and Allchin mount)

I like my 6" barreled version a lot. The full-length ejector housing lug adds to a balanced hold when shooting one-handed, as required in Bullseye competition.

I've got a 6" model preload 6 shot that I bought back in the 80s,still have it and the last time I took it out there wasn't a 12 gauge shotgun shell safe in the area.

I have a 4" 10 shot model. It shoots and points great. The only downside was the price. Buy once cry once.

Beautiful and love mine.

Howdy

Well, here is the old naysayer.

I bought this 617-6, made in 2003, used a few years ago. I was shooting a steel plate match at the time, and I could not get off 8 aimed shots in 15 seconds with my old Model 17-3. So when I came across this 10 shot 617 I grabbed it. It's OK, I really can't complain too much about it, other than the butt ugly factory grips, and I really don't much care for the full length under barrel shroud.






But to tell you the truth, the 617 is not as accurate, and the trigger is not as good as on this really worn looking old K-22 from 1932.





Or this nice K-22 Masterpiece from 1950.



So, I always advise folks, look for one of the old ones. They are out there. And you may be surprised how inexpensive they can be. I only paid $500 for that worn old K-22 from 1932, and it is the most accurate 22 revolver I own.

I had a 617. Locked jammed once in the halfway position, so I was unimpressed. Accuracy was very good, better than my Model 18. Trigger was quite heavy in DA, acceptable in SA. I never did warm to the wide target trigger and the heavy barrel balance did not suit me. I sold it on, kept my Model 18 and I am now in the market for a Model 17.

I gotta agree with Driftwood and Radagast.

Then again the 1930's-1950's aren't coming back, so the 617 is a good .22 when limited to new production. A K-22 like in post 12 (1950) is getting pretty spendy (for good reason).

I like the older M17 and M18's better. Just haven't bought a 617 as I have a number of the older ones. Of course, they are six shooters versus 10 shot. But the 617 is very good. Many have to keep them pretty clean to run right as they are very tight.

The 617 only downsize is the old adaggio of buy once cry once or their weight (get the 4"). Being said that, you won't regret buying it. I love mine.

I think they are great revolvers! Accurate, great fit and finish. Can't go wrong.