My New Fun Gun...

[bigmike45]

Today I picked up the first Smith & Wesson I have owned in over 30 years. it is the Model 617 in .22LR. I really like that it holds 10 rounds, which is the same as my .22 Semi Auto. The guns frame is a K Frame which is the same size as the Model 686 in .357mag. It has a heavy barrel and full length underlug which pretty much eliminates any muzzle rise. I had read some folks were having problems with them not firing consistently and having the cylinder bind up as well as trouble getting the empty cases to eject. I was not able to make it to the range, but a buddy of mine has a 300 acre field plowed up and there are plenty of dirt clods. I put 40 rounds through it without a hiccup so I am happy. The sights were dead on at 15yards, right out of the box. I am going to change out the front sight for a fiber optic model to help my old eyes. The black on black doesn't work for me.
Single action trigger is about 3-4lbs and the double action trigger is about twice that, but very smooth. It will be a great companion gun for my Ruger 10/22 when hunting cottontails and bushytails here in Texas.

 

[Pahonix]

Very nice! Congrats on the purchase

 

[memtb]

Congratulations.......and color me envious! memtb

 

[v8stang289]

Congrats! I've had one several years now and I love it.
Check out DS-10 speedloaders and blocks. Makes a fun gun even more fun.

 

[Armored farmer]

Congrats.
One of those on my bucket list.

 

[Riomouse911]

Nice choice! I was scoping one out at Buds a few weeks ago, they were sold out as of last week. The 10- shot cylinder is a fantastic idea, the size of the 6-shot K and L frame cylinders is just too much metal for the teeny .22 rounds.

I’ve been focusing my attention on .38 and .22 revolvers recently, as these are the two cartridges that I have the most of in my inventory. You’ll surely be getting a lot of good practice in with that new 617!

Stay safe.

 

[sparkyv]

Hey bigmike45, you have excellent taste. I recently got one too! They are great 22LRs, and the M617 has become my new favorite. I've put almost a couple of bricks through mine, and have had only one issue. On Aguila SV, I've had a few light strikes in DA, but they do go off when restruck. All other ammo have no issues, and no SA issues at all. I too will be replacing the front sight with a fiber optic, like my other revolvers. What a fun revolver!

 

[ECVMatt]

I don't have one of these yet and threads like this don't help but I going to bet you will really like that one!

 

[Pat Riot]

Congratulations @bigmike45

If I may make a recommendation. I have astigmatism in my right eye and I have found red fiber optic sights blur out on me but green fiber optics remain crisp and clear.

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

Nice score, Mike!

I tearfully passed on a no-dash 617 last week...... sometimes I HATE being mature and responsible with my money!

BTW, the 686 is an L-frame, slightly larger.

 

[Tallball]

Nice choice!

It seems like the larger 22 revolvers always have better DA triggers than the small ones.

With that kind of trigger and such a stable platform, you should be bringing plenty of rabbits home... not to mention the dent you will put in the local dirt clod population.

 

[bigmike45]

Congrats! I've had one several years now and I love it.
Check out DS-10 speedloaders and blocks. Makes a fun gun even more fun.

View attachment 993631

Two questions v8stang289.
Where can I get the speedloaders and blocks?
Where can I get a set of grips similar to those?

 

[v8stang289]

Two questions v8stang289.
Where can I get the speedloaders and blocks?
Where can I get a set of grips similar to those?

I got my block and loader directly from David Skrzela, the designer and manufacturer.
It doesn't look like his site is up anymore, but his email address was
[email protected]
if you want to try him there.
ETA, i forgot
@DS-10-SPEED is also a member here

It looks like
https://www.revolversupply.com/speed-loader-for-s-w-617-10-shot-ds-10-swch/
Also sells them.

The grips are Ahrends Tactical Fingergroove, round to square. They are great grips and were reasonably priced.
Unfortunately Kim Ahrends is no longer in business, so the only place to find them is ebay and forums. They do come up on ebay regularly but they've been going for a premium lately. The last set I saw went for $160.
I wish I'd gotten more of them before Kim was forced to close. They are great quality and he is a good guy to deal with.

 

[sparkyv]

Speed Beez has them, too.
https://www.speedbeez.com/product-c...oaders/22-lr-speed-loader/k-frame-10-shot-22/

After paying a pretty penny for that M617 I think I'll just load the cylinder by hand.

 

[v8stang289]

Speed Beez has them, too.
https://www.speedbeez.com/product-c...oaders/22-lr-speed-loader/k-frame-10-shot-22/

After paying a pretty penny for that M617 I think I'll just load the cylinder by hand.

I refuse to use speed-beez, as they ripped off Dave's design. But to each his own.

 

[Pat Riot]

Where can I get the speedloaders and blocks?

I don’t know anything about speedloader designs being “ripped off”, but I have a Speed Beez speedloader, loading block and box combo for my 8 shot model 63 and I must say that I like it very much. Very handy and works great.

 

[If1HitU]

You have a nice looking fun gun congrats!

 

[Steve Milbocker]

Congratulations on your new revolver. I generally don’t like optics on my revolvers but this Delta point with a 2.5 minute dot has worked out very well.

 

[DS-10-SPEED]

Congratulations on your new revolver. I generally don’t like optics on my revolvers but this Delta point with a 2.5 minute dot has worked out very well. View attachment 994457

Steve, is that the original finish on the frame? It looks different than the barrel. I got a good deal on my 4" because the side plate was scratched, I polished it out and did some other work to it, now it's one of my favorites. I also like a dot on my 4" 617, I have a Burris FFIII with an 8 MOA for speed sports. My other two 617's have iron sights.

 

[thehandofgod]

Pretty. I've had my eye on those since I tried one at the range last year. Couldn't find any nearby so spent my money on a couple of .22 six shooters instead. Congrats!

 

[Jonesy814]

Hard to beat a 617