S&W 617 8 3/8" opinions

[theNoid]

Greetings all in revolverland. New to this forum and handguns for the most part as well. I came across a S&W model 617 22lr with an 8 3/8" stainless barrel and a 10-shot cylinder today. I know it is a heavy gun but Iam 6'4" with large hands and it felt quite nice in my hands. I will be using this for plinking gophers and prarie dogs and such out here in Wyoming and wondered what your thoughts and said gun are. Thanks in advance for any comments...

Chuck

 

[Dakotaphoto]

S&W 617

I picked up the 10-shot 617 with the six-inch barrel a couple of months ago. In some ways I wish I'd had the chance to at least handle this model with the four-inch barrel but I'm still very happy with the six-incher. In a morning range session today, both my son and I shot very nice single action groups with this gun. Our efforts with double action were not very good but we're still working on that technique. My son says it's his favorite .22 in our arsenal and I just like the feel of this gun. If you feel you are comfortable with the longer barrel, go for it. You'll have a long lasting gun that will probably, with care, hold its value.

As an aside, I starting looking for an older S&W K-22 but quickly realized that these are now commanding collectible prices on the used market. I'll keep looking for the K-22 but right now I have one I'm happy to shoot. The two of us probably put 200 rounds through it today.

 

[Iggy]

Howdy nabor!!

Welcome to the forum.

Wall, outchere in Wyoming that long heavy barrel will help a mite.. It gits the bullet closer to the prairie pooch before the wind starts driftin' it t'wards Nebraska....

 

[theNoid]

Hey all thanks for the input so far. Where in Wyoming Iggy? Rock River here. Anyhow, the gun I am looking at is priced at $550 which seems like a lot of money but I figure if it's nice enough of a shot it should be worth it.....ya think?

Chuck

 

[Iggy]

Noid.. I live in Cheyenne. Do you know where the Carlin Ranch is north of RR?

That might be a little high for that gun, but by the time your son or grandson wears it out and tries to replace it, it will seem plumb reasonable.

 

[Standing Wolf]

I have one. It's a pretty good plinker.

I sent mine to the good folks at http://www.magnaport.com for bead blasting, barrel crowning, and hammer and trigger jewelling.

It's for sale these days. The custom Herrett coco bolo stocks definitely wouldn't fit large hands, but I've still got the original Hogue black rubber grips. It's for sale because, two decades after I foolishly sold my original K-22, I found another that was made in 1951, which is to say: 49 years before the 617. The 617 is a bit heavy for what's left of my right wrist and elbow, whereas the six-inch K-22 fits me better.

Send me a message if you're interested, eh?

 

[Tom C.]

Barrel length and gun balance are a very personal matter. Several months ago I got the 6” 6 shot version. It is very nice, but it is a little muzzle heavy for me. I am tempted to send it to the factory and have them change out the barrel to 4”. But that’s just me.

 

[SeanSw]

I have a 6-shot 6" 617 and I would trade it for a similar 4" model in a heartbeat. It's been a great gun but is too front heavy for a lightweight like me.

 

[theNoid]

Ok then, thanks for all the replies here folks. I am in fact going to put the gun on hold/lay-a-way until the taxes come in. Once in hand, with a few hundred rounds spent, I will indeed update you all on my opinions of this beauty.

noidster

 

[Jim PHL]

If you want it, get it and enjoy it. Few things are more personal than the "fit" of a handgun to the shooter-and of course everyone's tast is different. Personally, a full-lugged barrel that long seems a little much for a .22 unless you're hunting varmints with Iggy.
Yes, K-.22's are getting pricey, but, like you, I decided what I wanted and that meant paying for it. I found one on-line (4" Model 18) and with purchase, shipping and local transfer, came in at just under $400.

 

[BigG]

I've got the 8 3/8" Model 617 only with the six shot cylinder and the wooden finger groove grips. It's a nice plinker for a big guy like me. 6'2" 250 #. You can shoot all day with it and spend like $5.00. It's great for keeping up your double action technique, also, as it hangs very steady with the long barrel. YMMV

 

[22-rimfire]

My 8 3/8" Smith Model 57 (41 mag) is a fine shooter. I would expect your 617 would also be a fine shooter. The only problem I have with the longer barreled Smith is that it is not as easy to carrry in the woods in a regular belt holster. I carry mine in a leather bandoleer holster that I bought at a gun show. Really like the holster. It was from some custom holster leather guy and I have not seen him since at a gun show. The holster that Wild Alaska makes might be a good choice if they have it for the longer barreled Smith.

For your intended use and if you get serious, you might consider a scoped Thompson Contender with a 22LR, 17Rem, or 22 WMR barrel for those varmints in addition to the Smith.

 

[BigG]

8 3/8" Model 57 41 Magnum

I have the Model 29 44 Magnum in 8 3/8" also and you need a shoulder rig or bandoleer rig like you say.

The big centerfire revos without the extra lug actually are or seem lighter and better handling than the K-22 full lug 8 3/8" You will get some good wrist and forearm muscles shooting that puppy.



My Model 29 8 3/8"