I currently own a Smith & Wesson 617-1 revolver with a 6” barrel. It has a 6 shot capacity. It is 100% mechanically sound, and 95% aesthetically. I bought it used about 7 years ago, and since I have use it mainly as a backup gun when deer hunting, and also for some small game hunting and some plinking.
I think I have not shot more than a 500 brick of 22’s through it. It is accurate and performs as expected. It weighs a hefty 44 oz. and measures about 11 ¾” overall length. Although not cumbersome, it does reminds it is with me when I am holstering it in the field.
A friend of mine is currently offering me to trade my S&W 617 for a Colt Diamondback revolver with a 4” barrel. I have not seen it yet, but he says it is in pristine condition. I have always been partial for vintage guns, and hence I’m considering to proceed with the trade, since I think that the Dback would be a better backup gun, due to it’s lower weight and shorter barrel length. That is, it will be carried a lot, and shot a little, that’s why I am considering it, but first I would like to address the following concerns:
1. Doing some research, I read that the Colt Dback had a tendency for developing timing issues in the revolver action, due its close tolerance manufacture. Although it said that this was mainly in the 38 special guns and not in the 22’s. Has anybody had experience/owned a 22 Dback that can confirm this issue?
2. Also I read a commentary where it said that when this gun was manufactured (mid – late 70’s), 22 High velocity rounds were not widely available as today, so this gun was made to shoot only 22 Standard velocity rounds (lead nose). And that by shooting in it 22 high velocity copper plated rounds, the additional pressure could damage the gun, first by producing timing issues, and then other problems. Is this correct?
3. The other issue, is that supposedly when the Dbacks where manufactured, Colt produced them in 22LR, 22WMR and 38 Special. And that they used the same gun barrels for the 22LR/22WMR guns thus using a .224” barrel to shoot .223” 22LR slugs (such as in the Ruger Single Six). Supposedly that is the reason why the Dbacks are not as accurate as other guns. Does anybody knows if this is right? If it is right, will the barrel tend to become leaded more easily?
4. Is is true that since the Dback has a 4” barrel, the gun will tend to foul and get dirty much more quickly than a 6” barrel gun? This due to its shorter barrel and closer gunblast to the revolver action?
5. Finally, do you consider this trade a good deal? Or is it better to keep the S&W 617-1 and forget about the Dback?
Any input will be greatly appreciated.
Thank you.
I think I have not shot more than a 500 brick of 22’s through it. It is accurate and performs as expected. It weighs a hefty 44 oz. and measures about 11 ¾” overall length. Although not cumbersome, it does reminds it is with me when I am holstering it in the field.
A friend of mine is currently offering me to trade my S&W 617 for a Colt Diamondback revolver with a 4” barrel. I have not seen it yet, but he says it is in pristine condition. I have always been partial for vintage guns, and hence I’m considering to proceed with the trade, since I think that the Dback would be a better backup gun, due to it’s lower weight and shorter barrel length. That is, it will be carried a lot, and shot a little, that’s why I am considering it, but first I would like to address the following concerns:
1. Doing some research, I read that the Colt Dback had a tendency for developing timing issues in the revolver action, due its close tolerance manufacture. Although it said that this was mainly in the 38 special guns and not in the 22’s. Has anybody had experience/owned a 22 Dback that can confirm this issue?
2. Also I read a commentary where it said that when this gun was manufactured (mid – late 70’s), 22 High velocity rounds were not widely available as today, so this gun was made to shoot only 22 Standard velocity rounds (lead nose). And that by shooting in it 22 high velocity copper plated rounds, the additional pressure could damage the gun, first by producing timing issues, and then other problems. Is this correct?
3. The other issue, is that supposedly when the Dbacks where manufactured, Colt produced them in 22LR, 22WMR and 38 Special. And that they used the same gun barrels for the 22LR/22WMR guns thus using a .224” barrel to shoot .223” 22LR slugs (such as in the Ruger Single Six). Supposedly that is the reason why the Dbacks are not as accurate as other guns. Does anybody knows if this is right? If it is right, will the barrel tend to become leaded more easily?
4. Is is true that since the Dback has a 4” barrel, the gun will tend to foul and get dirty much more quickly than a 6” barrel gun? This due to its shorter barrel and closer gunblast to the revolver action?
5. Finally, do you consider this trade a good deal? Or is it better to keep the S&W 617-1 and forget about the Dback?
Any input will be greatly appreciated.
Thank you.
Again, unfired but still...
