Is S&W 617 Revolver Discontinued?

[Evergreen]

I cannot find these guns anywhere. I was looking to get a S&W 627 4" barrel 10-round stainless cylinder revolver as my main plinking handgun. The concept seems good and I don't like the intricacies of the Browning Buckmark I currently own. Also, I personally hate loading those little 22s into mags which I found to be a real pain. I find it much simpler to load into a cylinder.

Does anyone know the stories about the S&W 617 as to why nobody is carrying them anymore? Does anyone know when they will be available? Does anyone in PDX area have one they can sell me, thats in good shape?

I am bummed out, I just was getting ready to go purchase one, but only to find that nobody carries them anymore.

Does anyone think the Taurus 22LR revolvers could hold out with daily plinking? I realy don't want to own a Taurus. I am not sure if Ruger makes a 22LR revolver that is any good. I hear the Smiths have good accuracy and are very reliable.

 

[Racinbob]

They are around. Great revolvers that will last your great grandchildren's lifetime. Ruger's .22's are single action but you can't go wrong with them. Ruger made a few sa/da but they are hard to come by. Taurus, well......I won't go there.

 

[MIgunguy]

Does anyone think the Taurus 22LR revolvers could hold out with daily plinking?

LOL, that made me smile.

Can't go wrong with a Ruger Single Six, older S&W 17 or 18, or a Dan Wesson. If you insist on buying new, the Ruger is the only option (of those three).

617's are fine, but IMO prices have just gone nuts on them b/c everyone wants one or has decided they "have" to have one. THAT'S probably why you can't find one.

IMO stay away from the 317... it's truly a gun that answers a question no one asked.

 

[Evergreen]

Thanks for the posts.. I just called a few more knowledgable dealers and it seems they are a month out or so. Dang.. Yeah, they aren't cheap, but no good gun really is cheap anymore. COnsidering it will be the gun I will shoot the most, why should I go cheap on it? Of course, it won't be my defense gun, but it sure will take a lot of abuse.

The only justification I can see with the S&W 317 is the fact it may help me improve my skills with my S&W 442 snubbie, but shooting a .38spl +P through a snub and a 22LR is a whole different beast. So, in this effect, I don't see any reason to buy a 22 snubbie revolver.

Anyhow, I plan on selling my nice shiny new Browning Buckmark to finance purchasing the S&W 617, because I am just sick and tired of how complicated it is to operate and maintain the gun. I am sick and tired of constantly forgetting if the small little safety is on or off. Also, I just hate filling up the tiny little magazines with the tiny little 22LR rounds that make my fingers sore. I think a revolver with a bunch of speed loaders would be way more convenient way to do my plinking. For me, its worth the extra $$$ to havea good reliable plinker that wont kill my fingertips.

 

[MR.G]

Where is PDX ?

 

[Evergreen]

Where is PDX ?

Well, I figure if you have to ask this, you are not from here. PDX = Portland, OR metro area which encompasses Portland, OR and Vancouver, WA.

 

[MR.G]

If you were in Florida I could help. Good luck with your search.

 

[eastbank]

here,s my S&W 617 six shot revolver with a 2x silver burris scope with a no drill mount, it thinks its a rifle and is one fine revolver. eastbank.

 

[ArmedBear]

The 317 is a really neat little piece.

Not sure what question it answers, but it's a neat little gun.

 

[Evergreen]

Very nice looking setup you got there, eastbank. I can only say I am envious. I really am looking forward to the day I can purchase my S&W 617 and sell off my Browning Buckmark . One question, why did you choose the 6 shot vs the 10 shot cylinder? I am planning on getting the 10 round cylinder, because I like to have more rounds to shoot without reloading.

 

[blackwalnut]

yes they are still making the 617. Its worth the money. I have two Stainless models a 617 and a 648. They are excellent. My 617 is a ten shot that was sold back to the orignal dealer and I picked it up a good price. The ten shot models are also good because you are carrying 10 rounds with you automatically . This is good for plinking and squirrel hunting.

 

[DELTAJOHN]

That Smith 617 is a cool piece, my favorite 22 though is the older High Standards, I have a model GB, 1949 , a Supermatic 1956, and a Supermatic Citation military, 1974. The older two I purchased for under $200. at gun shows.
They are incredibly accurate, light in weight, and contain amazing, precise machining and fit. They are my favorite carry 22's in the woods. My Buckmark went bye-bye too, it just weighed too much, and was large and clunky!
That Smith however looks like a sweetie, I have a soft spot for Smith wheel guns!

John

 

[eastbank]

evergreen, i bought one of the first ones to come to our local sports store,a 617 no dash six inch barrel and all they were made in was the six shot then. here in pa. we can,t use a semi-auto to hunt with, only a manualy operated hand gun. so the 617 is my small game hunting revolver and it,s the cats meow. my just go shoot cans,rocks and paper is a old ruger ss mark 11. if i found a four inch barreled 617,i would buy it. the 617 handles any and all 22 ammo,shot,short,longs and long rifle,high or low volocity. eastbank. ps i thought the 617 was high priced when i got it,but it was worth it.

 

[content]

Hello friends and neighbors // I did not even try to bargin when one came up for sale at my local gun shop.

A revolver well worth the price.
I bought my 617, 10shot, 6" to simulate shooting my S&W model 586, .357. It is a much cheaper day at the range. The 6" is a bit front heavy for my 14 year old sister, she greatly prefers a 4". For turning a handgun into a compact rifle IMHO it is hard to beat a 6", 10 shot, 617.

In answer to your question about 10 round vs 6 round, I believe most folks are more secure in the 6 shot maintaining its timing or they are purchasing which ever they find.

The Ruger single sixes are great if you like single action and the extra Magnum cylinder could come in handy as well. Last week I looked at three, one 6" with box/papers/both cylinders from the 1970s for $449, one 4" with both cylinders LNIB but no box $425, and the last was $319 a 4" showing some holster wear. I should note this store does not haggle they have firearms priced below total internet costs already. The Ruger single sixes also come in stainless if you can find them.

I would just keep looking locally and create a buddy list by offering to keep your eyes open for firearms others are looking for. People you talk to at the range..... For a premium some gunshops will search out one for you. I do have one "buddy" who thinks he should get every 870 Wingmaster we find under $200 but on somethings its every man/woman for themselves lol. The buddy list does work because we are all looking around for firearms on our wish list all the time making it easy to look out for Jim's --- it also give me an excuse to browse when I'm too broke to buy.

Until you find a 617 you can always find a $150 or less old H&R 9 shot or a new $200 Heritage (I think) 10 shot to full fill the need.

Good luck in the search, maybe today is your day to find one.

 

[Stainz]

I was torn between my 4" x10 617 and the 5" 63 nearly two years ago. I opted for my 4" 617 9/08 - then, the next summer, I bought, sadly, from his estate, the new 5" 63 a friend had recently bought. Both were regripped/resprung - and are far better plinkers than they were as delivered.



They are totally different animals. The 5" 63 'points' extremely well - but, as a J-frame, will never have the trigger of the K-frame 617. Still, by itself, it is quite a plinker. The 4" 617 is just in a category by itself. Believe me, it is worth the wait. Not knowing ithe 617's abilities first hand, however, would make the 5" 63 quite acceptable. My ten year old KMK-678GC left to help pay for the 617 - and I haven't missed it a minute.

The DS-10 speedloaders and loading plates I have for each revolver really help - and are great purchases. I had to go with grips first - never liked the Hogues on the K, L, & N-frames - and the J-frame grips were just too small - I actually bought Hogue square conversion monogrips for the 63. The 617 has Ahrends 'retro targets' on it - a proper marriage! They are fun. They can offer some home protection - recall that we nearly lost our greatest president of recent years to a .22.

Stainz

 

[slick6]

Here's my six-shot Model 617-1. I had to look for a long time before I discovered this fine .22 revolver-but, it was worth the wait. I wanted a six shot because this is traditional and what I've been used to shooting:

 

[MR.G]

How much is a 617, in like new condition, selling for these days?

 

[Stainz]

I just visited my pusher - he keeps new 617s in stock. He has both a new 4" and a 6" sitting in the display - either one is $730. Some distributors obviously still have them - he was out a week or so back. Have your local guy check more distributors.

Stainz

 

[Evergreen]

Stainz, if you can be so kind as to hook me up with your pusher... LOL.. Please PM if you can tell me where I can find a S&W 4" 10 round for $730. Of course, I have found some local guys who say they can get it for $700, but of course, they are all out. Anyhow, I am searching frantically, but no dice.

 

[content]

Hello friends and neighbors // Mine has a slight cylinder turn but if you judge by the sharp edges it has not been used much.

Manufactured between April and October 2000 S&W 617-4 (there were some improvements made over the no - making the -4/-5 desireable).
Also IIRC Calif. has requirements making it necessary for a 617 to be -4 or maybe even -5 in order to meet them.

Purchased Jan. 2010 for $550.00 OTD with a nylon carry case, a lead free cleaning cloth and the original S&W rubber grips. I was very pleased.

 

[The_Shootist]

Thumbs Up!

My 6 shot 617 in a 6"bbl was my first handgun over 12 years ago - I still have it. Its one of those guns you simply can't think about selling or trading.

I've been thinking of dressing it up somewhat with some nice wooden grips - any suggestions? I presume its a round butt.

 

[22-rimfire]

Evergreen, I think you are making the right call about the Smith 617. Yes, they are expensive. I prefer the 4", based on handling them at a dealer. I want one eventually, but it is not a huge priority as I have both a Model 17 and Model 18. Both are guns I simply ignored for years (because I have Colts) until I finally just bought one of each at a gun show a couple years back.

 

[71Commander]

There's two in the case at my local gun shop. I'm shootin tonight and I'll see what the price is.

My 6"- 10 shot. When I got this, I sold my Buckmark.

 

[Phydeaux642]

I picked up a model 17-8 in the box about a year and a half ago for $399. I would of rather had a Model 18 with a 4" barrel, but what the heck - it was $399.

I hold out for used revolvers anymore. They don't come around as often, but they are generally less expensive.

The 317 is a really neat little piece.

Not sure what question it answers, but it's a neat little gun.

It answers the same question the Model 34 answered - a light, easy to pack gun for camping, hiking, etc.