Infos on S&W 22 LR revolvers

[fausto]

Hi,
I'm in the process of trading my Browning Buckmark Target for a S&W 22LR revolver with the following choices:
a 617-6 with 4" barrel, a 17 and a 17-3 both with 6" barrel.
To provide me with some orientation before stepping into the gun shop I would like to know:
1) the 617 is built on a K frame or on a L frame? I'm asking this because in the pix it looks like a 686
2) What is the general opinion on the DA pull of the new revolvers compared to the older ones?
Overall, as a matter of personal tastes, I find the model 17's to be more appealing but still, in favor of the 617, I like 4" barrel better than 6" barrels.
Thanks
Fausto

 

[ClemY]

The 17 and 617 are K frame .22s. The 17 was usually a light 6” barrel and the 617 is the fully lugged barrel mimicking the 686. My favorite gun of this crowd is actually my old model 17. I like the feel, balance and sight radius. In the 617, I personally feel the 6” is more muzzle heavy than I prefer. I like the 4” for weight and balance, but I would prefer a slightly longer sight radius. I took my old 6” 617-5 and had it cut down to 5”. That works out well for me. It now has a much better weight and balance for me and the sight radius is adequate. It also exactly matches my 627PC and makes a terrific understudy gun.

Of course this shouldn’t matter a bit to you. Consider picking up a 17 or a 4” 617. Get both if you can.

 

[StrawHat]

I prefer blued revovlers so I would recommend the Model 17 in some flavor.

 

[CajunBass]

If you like blued guns, but want a 4" barrel, what you want is a Model 18/22 Combat Masterpiece.





This one, from 1953, shows the post-war flat finish that S&W used to speed up poroduction. Later ones have the brighter blue that we're all used to from Smith & Wesson. It is a great shooter. Built on the "K" frame is a virtual duplicate of the 38 Combat Masterpiece.

Cost? Less than a new production 617.

 

[robctwo]

I own the 4" 617, 4" 18-3 and 6" 17-3. They are all great guns.

The 6" 17-3 balances as well as the 617. The 18-3 feels "handier" than the others, and I would carry it first.

My 617 10 shot with the lock is a great gun, but that's after I put a Wolff spring kit in it and slicked up the innards. I have the Khunhausen manual and a good set of tools. I'm sure I could have shot it in, but I know how to do the spring kit so I do.

If you are at all interested in optics, the 617 is drilled for them, the others are not. 10 shots has advantages over six. Accuracy with all of them is outstanding. I shoot the 617 more because I like the red dot sight with my 61 year old eyes.

 

[22-rimfire]

I don't think you will notice a significant difference in the triggers on the old M17 or M18's versus the M617. I prefer a blued revolver, so I lean toward the M17 and M18. But the round count on the M617 is appealing if you like stainless.

I also prefer the 4" M617 over the 6" due to balance and general feel. I don't own a M617 but I have several M17's and M18's, including a 4" M17 with the full underlug. These are all six-shooters.

The thing that would decide my purchase of new versus old is stainless steel and 10-shot cylinder versus 6-shot cylinders if those things are important to you. Also if you plan on heavy extended use outdoors where rain and snow will get onto the revolver, I would choose the stainless now rather than the blued steel M17/M18.

The price is important, but it would not stop me from buying new versus clean used. A few $100 would be felt, but over the long haul, it would mean nothing for me.

 

[fausto]

thanks for all the good advice. I will probably stick to the M17.

 

[TonyT]

I shoot 6 inch Model 17's and 4 inch Model 617. I found the 6 inch 617 with the full barrel underlug a bit too muzzle heavy.

 

[10-96]

Great decision! I don't think you can truly go wrong with either of them. My preference would go towards the 17 (or 17-3) as well. I have a 17-3 and with a little time and attention to Kunhausen's instructions and a 12lb rebound spring- it is a true joy to behold. I know it's likely a "me" issue, but I've come to find better consistant groups with my 17-3 over my Model 41 (which ticks me off to no end when looking at dollar values and what I had to go through to get my new in box 41 made in '77!)

 

[BYJO4]

Both are excellent 22s and the actions should be close. More a matter of your preference between blue or stainless. I have both a 4" and 6" model 617 and unlike many, I like the 6" best.