smith and wesson 617 .22 long rifle with a 6 inch barrel.

I have an older Model 17-2 that is a real tack driver and is one of my favorite revolvers, I think you're going to love that 617!

Let us know how it shoots for you .

Stay safe.

I have one. It's a 6-shooter. It's also heavy. I bought it new, in the '90s i think. Took a trip or two back to Smith to get it to group. Look hard at the muzzle and the bore when you get it. That's where mine had issues. They may be better now.

If it's all I've been shooting, it's fine. If I've been shooting my 586, 686, or my Security Sixes I don't much care for it. The trigger is heavier, especially double action, and it's hard to get into a rhythm that makes hits easy as with the bigger guns.

Sorry to be a downer, but it's not my favorite.

It's on my short list. There is a 6" 6 shot one locally with a trigger to die for. But they want $800 and I'm remodeling a kitchen, so no new Smith for me......

I have a 17-3 with a 6” barrel. Definitely not as heavy as the new 617 but lots of fun because it’s an accurate revolver with the right loads.

I considered a 617 last year, but the weight was a bit much for me. One thing for sure the weight makes for one steady shooter.
Speed Beez makes speed loaders and loading blocks for them. I was going to buy the 4” model and get the Speed Beez gear to go with it.
https://www.speedbeez.com/product/s...617-speed-loader-10-shot-polymer-speedloader/


Enjoy that 10 shooter

Great revolver, I have 3, a 6" 6 shot, a 6" and 4" 10 shot. It's good that ammo is available in quantities.

Had a six inch ten shot stainless, including cylinder, and regret to this day trading it for a must have .243. Early 617 revolvers had aluminum cylinders as Smith couldn't bore ten holes that close properly if you can believe that. Have a 63 that is a PIA as it won't goore than 18 rounds without talking up. Had another with the same problem. Never let it go if it shoots well.

I like the 617 a lot! I have killed a small truckload of varmints with one...

OrangePwrx9 said:

That's where mine had issues. They may be better now.

Click to expand...

I ordered a 4 inch one a month ago brand new . I kept it two days and sent it back to Smith for a bunch of issues. It wouldn't fire more than 6 or 7 rounds in a row regardless of ammo. Da or SA. The crown was also visibly mangled but it shot great anyway somehow. Also one cylinder hole has a large tooling mark in it. I got it back yesterday (5-26 under a month turnaround). They replaced the cylinder/firing pin/and yolk (remember it was a brand new gun I only fired a few times....) and it works great now. They didn't fix the crown so I worked on it this morning. The gun is very accurate and shoots at least as well as my older 6 inch masterpiece. And yes they are quite heavy. I wish smith would make a scandium model. Like my 329pd but a 4 inch 22 LR. Maybe a 12 or 15 round cylinder....

Just know that light strikes are an all too common issue. From what I read it's an issue with the firing pins.

Howdy

Put me down as one who does not care for the Model 617.

I purchased this Model 617-6 used a bunch of years ago. It left the factory in 2003.






The reason I bought it was I was shooting some plate matches that required putting 8 shots on steel plates in 15 seconds. Could not do that with my 6 shot Model 17 or K-22s.

Put me down as one who thinks it is too heavy, with the full length underlug. Also, I don't shoot those matches anymore and I really don't need a 22 with a ten chamber cylinder. Six has always been plenty for me.

I have no problem with the lock, or MIM parts. I do think the factory rubber grips are butt ugly, but I replaced them with some nice wood grips,

Frankly though, I much prefer the sleeker lines, and less weight of the classic Model 17 and K-22.

Like my Model 17-3 that I bought in 1972.






Or this K-22 Outdoorsman that left the factory in 1935.






Or this old warhorse that left the factory in 1932. Don't let its appearance fool you, it is the most accurate of the bunch and it is my favorite 22 rimfire revolver.






Or this K-22 Masterpiece that left the factory in 1950.






Or this K-22 Combat Masterpiece that left the factory in 1953.






I just like the classics better.

My 1954 Combat Masterpiece .22 as above is one of my favorites, even though it has a 1960 barrel.
Anecdote Alert: There I was, age 15 or so, with my Dad in the store and on the counter behind the showcase was this revolver.
I asked to see it and the dealer said that it had been traded in and when they cleaned it they found a bulge in the barrel so it was going back to Smith for a replacement. I looked at Dad and he nodded so I asked to be called when it came back. He did and it has been mine ever since. The barrel is shinier than the rest of the gun and now you know why.

I have thought about the 617 and wondered if I could interest my FLG in deleting most of that underlug.
On the other hand, I have looked longingly at the few 4" full lug .38s they made.
The size of the holes in barrel and cylinder matters.

I bought a 4” a couple years ago. At first the trigger was gritty feeling but some lube and a couple hundred rounds cleared that right up. Its a great shooting revolver. I had mine out a couple days ago.

Got a 617 in 6 inch barrel. Shoots fine. Like it. Would like it more if it was blued.

I have a few:

Six shot 8 3/8ths and 6 inch models and a late model 10 shot 4” 617.



The 8 3/8ths inch model shoots like a rifle and I’ve killed a wheelbarrow full of cottontails and jack rabbits with it.

Bought it used for $299 back in 2002


I bought the 4 inch model used from a LGS and walked out the door with it for $410 and it’s primarily used for my double action practice.

The 6” inch model is new in the box and never fired. I bought it from a LGS for very short money (less than 600 bucks) and it’s sat in the safe ever since.

I have a 617 6" and absolutely love it. You will find that the trigger smooths out dramatically after you've shot maybe two bricks worth of ammo. Get some speed loaders like the Speed-Beez or other good ones, and you will have a ball.

I had one of the first ones made with MIM parts. Shot it a lot and refined my double action work with it. Never had any appreciable parts wear. I had never done anything for my cousin so, I gave it to him. He came out way ahead because he thought it was a Python. I used it with iron sights but used the scope mounting holes under the rear sight and shot some very fine 25 and 50 yard bench groups.
The picture s a montage but the proportions are correct:

I like the Model 617 and much prefer the 6" barrel length. I'm a dedicated Bullseye shooter and I like the extra weight the barrel shroud affords. Bullseye is shot one-handed and the extra weight up front helps keep the revolver steady, especially when firing in the "slow-fire" stage. I use only iron sights when competing with any pistol during Bullseye competition.
Like Frulk, I would rather have a blued finish.

My favorite .22 wheelgun is a 1958 vintage Model 17. Beautiful balance and accuracy with a light 6” barrel. The 4” 617 is pretty good, but I have never cared for the 6” 617. I have tried to like it, but haven’t made it. I had my nice 10 shot 6” 617-6 cut to 5” a couple of years ago. Now it is the same weight and balance as my 5” 527PC. Much better for me.