Carbon_15
Member
Let me qualify that question by saying that I have 7 S&W revolvers. I am having a hard time justifying almost $600 for a new 617, that would only be used as a plinker. Is it worth so much scratch? Should a 617 be my 8th Smith?
S&W 617...worth the price?
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glassman
Member
I have the 2006 catalogue in front of me. MSRP for the 4", 10 round capacity is $742 so the $600 doesn't sound so bad. That being said, I think all the suggested prices in the catalogue are way high. If I were to buy a 'plinker', I'd buy another Ruger Bearcat. I had one years ago and loved it but when my brother moved out of the house so did the bearcat.
Shear_stress
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It's ultimately up to you. I'd rather rather my money into a used K22, and spend the difference on ammo.
With 7 other revolvers, how much would you shoot it? My take is that this has some bearing on whether it's worth it (though "worth" is entirely up to the buyer). For example, I bought a 4" 617 5 months ago, to be used as my primary shooter to practice, practice, practice with, so I wanted something new. In the 5 months since I got it, I've put about 11k rounds through it, so to me, it was most definitely worth it.
OTOH, I have my eye open for an older blued K-22 or a Single Six, but since they wouldn't be my primary shooters, I'd balk at spending on it what I spent on my 617.
OTOH, I have my eye open for an older blued K-22 or a Single Six, but since they wouldn't be my primary shooters, I'd balk at spending on it what I spent on my 617.
jad0110
Member
Do you have any 22s? If not, they will very quickly pay for themselves given the super low price of 22 ammo. I love being able to go out shooting until my trigger finger gets fatigued, having spent well under $10 on ammo.
Yeah, you can pay $600 for a nice new 617, or you can hold out for an even nicer (IMHO) K-22 Model 17 Target or 18 Combat Masterpiece for less $$$. The 17s are mostly 6 inchers, though an 8 3/8" option became available in the mid 60s I think, and later a 4" model was added when the 4" only 18 was discontinued in 1986 or '87.
The Model 17s, though getting harder to find, are by no means rare. A Model 17 in great mechanical condition, if not great cosmetic shape, can still be found for around $300 or less. My Model 1959 17-0 4 screw with it's original serial number matching diamond magna stocks is in near perfect condition. I paid $430 for it. Though on the one hand I'd call that a fair price, on the other I'd say it is a small price to pay for one of the finest revolvers ever created. Certainly one of S&W's greatest achievements. Not to mention it is my favorite in my small collection.
Hard to put a price on that
.
Yeah, you can pay $600 for a nice new 617, or you can hold out for an even nicer (IMHO) K-22 Model 17 Target or 18 Combat Masterpiece for less $$$. The 17s are mostly 6 inchers, though an 8 3/8" option became available in the mid 60s I think, and later a 4" model was added when the 4" only 18 was discontinued in 1986 or '87.
The Model 17s, though getting harder to find, are by no means rare. A Model 17 in great mechanical condition, if not great cosmetic shape, can still be found for around $300 or less. My Model 1959 17-0 4 screw with it's original serial number matching diamond magna stocks is in near perfect condition. I paid $430 for it. Though on the one hand I'd call that a fair price, on the other I'd say it is a small price to pay for one of the finest revolvers ever created. Certainly one of S&W's greatest achievements. Not to mention it is my favorite in my small collection.
Hard to put a price on that
.
jad0110 - that's one beautiful piece!!! Exactly what I'm looking for! Thing is, I wouldn't have the heart to shoot it much.
I shoot the heck out of my new-and-expensive 617 (and take care good of it too), but since it doesn't seem to have that heirloom quality to it, or any "history", and is stainless with that lock everyone seems to hate, has no damage from a previous owner and shoots great, I don't mind shooting the heck out of it and didn't mind the price.
I shoot the heck out of my new-and-expensive 617 (and take care good of it too), but since it doesn't seem to have that heirloom quality to it, or any "history", and is stainless with that lock everyone seems to hate, has no damage from a previous owner and shoots great, I don't mind shooting the heck out of it and didn't mind the price.
Carbon_15
Member
yea...I have 4 other .22 handguns but no .22 revolvers
Thats a super nice gun jad. I have a few of the vintage Smiths, and there is nothing like that bluing. Problem is, I dont shoot them as much as I would like because of the mint bluing. If I get a .22 Smith, It will be stainless
22-rimfire
Member
Right now the Smith 617 is the best new 22 revolver on the market. I prefer Colts and would look for a slightly used Trooper Mark III in 22 for a shooter. That being said, both the Smith 617 and 317 are on my "to buy" list. Why? Because I have the Troopers covered. I expect you will anti-up the change for the 617 because you like Smiths.
I expect you will anti-up the change for the 617 because you like Smiths.Mr. Designer
Member
I have a 10 shot and love it. I paid a little under $600 and feel the quality of the gun justifies the price.
Sheldon
Member
I'm too cheap to pay that much. I waited and eventually got 2 of them. The newer one is 617 with the lock and mim parts with a 4" barrel and the 10 shot cylinder.....lots of fun for $425. I also got an older pre lock and mim 617 with the 6 shot cylinder and 4" barrel for $400. They aren't as common as their larger calibered brethren, but they are out there on the used matket.
They're good but I wouldn't pay $600 for a new one. I paid a 1/3 of that for an older used Taurus .22 revolver and it compares very well. Try to find a used Smith for less or keep looking for a favorable example from another manufacturer.
Ranger61
Member
I wouldn't spend the money for a new one but used 617 are cheaper and really I've seen very few that looked like they were used all that much. The Taurus 920 Tracker 22 is about the same size but only comes with a 6.5" barrel so If you want a 4" its out. Dan Wesson 22 revolvers in stainless are very nice and can be found cheap but you do need to look them over good because often they can be heavily used by silhouette shooters and they have been out of production for quite a while.
My 317 cost $320, new, in '93. I suspect it's worth just a bit more than that now, due to those higher retail prices for fresh hardware. I'm scouting about for an older K-22 'cause I'm looking for something less muzzle-heavy.
I don't think "new" prices are out of line. Materials, labor, legal -- everything related to new firearms is stupidly high-cost. Not too long ago, I jawed a retailer into "giving" me a Model 66-6 at an "out-the-door" price of $600. That's a great deal higher than the "old days" but I can't buy MOGAS for ninety-eight cents/gallon either. . . . :banghead:
I don't think "new" prices are out of line. Materials, labor, legal -- everything related to new firearms is stupidly high-cost. Not too long ago, I jawed a retailer into "giving" me a Model 66-6 at an "out-the-door" price of $600. That's a great deal higher than the "old days" but I can't buy MOGAS for ninety-eight cents/gallon either. . . . :banghead:
Master Blaster
Member
Some folks have this bizzaire idea that because its only a .22lr it should be really cheap. It costs just as much to make a 617 as it does to make any other quality revolver made by S&W.
There are many high quality match grade .22lr pistols that sell for over $1000 because of the workmanship and attention to detail that goes into them.
Since I shoot more .22lr than any other caliber I would say yes, i have a 17-5 and a 617, both bought LNIB one was $350 the other with a good scope and mount was $400.
So you can find used examples in good shape for less money.
There are many high quality match grade .22lr pistols that sell for over $1000 because of the workmanship and attention to detail that goes into them.
Since I shoot more .22lr than any other caliber I would say yes, i have a 17-5 and a 617, both bought LNIB one was $350 the other with a good scope and mount was $400.
So you can find used examples in good shape for less money.
BlindJustice
Member
Amen to jt1's comment about S & W
I have a 617 4 inch Bbl. 10 shot cyl.
friends who don't know the gun and
handle it are surprized when they
open the cylingder and find the
'high capacity' cyl. The 617 4 inch
is a companion to my 686P 4 inch.
great to practice SA or DA shooting
with the 617 and cheaper than the
.357 Magnum.
I'm waiting on a Milt SParks rig with an
HSR for both.
I have a 617 4 inch Bbl. 10 shot cyl.
friends who don't know the gun and
handle it are surprized when they
open the cylingder and find the
'high capacity' cyl. The 617 4 inch
is a companion to my 686P 4 inch.
great to practice SA or DA shooting
with the 617 and cheaper than the
.357 Magnum.
I'm waiting on a Milt SParks rig with an
HSR for both.
I'd like one, but I'm wary of the price. If I could find another Mod. 17 (didn't have the money to buy the like-new 17-8 I saw a few months back), I'd jump on it.
If not, I'll probably try to hunt down a .22lr-only Ruger Single Six.
If not, I'll probably try to hunt down a .22lr-only Ruger Single Six.
glockman19
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I just had a great experience buying from www.budsgunshop.com here is the link to the page with their 617's. They also have a GE money Sport credit card that allows for NO payment & NO interest for 90 days with a purchase over $200. The 617's below are around $550
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/index.php/cPath/21_39_72
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/index.php/cPath/21_39_72
Damn nice gun, that 617.
A Ruger Single Six is in the same price range as a Blackhawk, too. A quality .22LR revolver will cost about the same as its centerfire equivalent.
My Marlin .22 lever gun cost me about 20% more than the equivalent .30-30. Then I bought another one... Nothing beats being able to shoot hundreds of rounds, and pass the gun around to other people, without giving a thought to the cost or the effort of reloading, burning up the barrel, or recoil!
The reason you can pick up a 10/22 or Mark III cheaper than centerfire guns is that the low pressure of .22LR will allow a very simple semiauto blowback action that has few moving parts, and you can make parts like a 10/22 receiver or a Henry receiver from alloys that are much cheaper to work with than steel.
If you want a steel gun that's made like a centerfire (S&W 617, Ruger Single Six, Marlin 39, etc.), a .22 isn't going to be cheap just because the caliber is smaller.
Got 7 already? Why not get a .22LR, then? You probably have enough centerfire calibers to cover all the bases.
A Ruger Single Six is in the same price range as a Blackhawk, too. A quality .22LR revolver will cost about the same as its centerfire equivalent.
My Marlin .22 lever gun cost me about 20% more than the equivalent .30-30. Then I bought another one... Nothing beats being able to shoot hundreds of rounds, and pass the gun around to other people, without giving a thought to the cost or the effort of reloading, burning up the barrel, or recoil!
The reason you can pick up a 10/22 or Mark III cheaper than centerfire guns is that the low pressure of .22LR will allow a very simple semiauto blowback action that has few moving parts, and you can make parts like a 10/22 receiver or a Henry receiver from alloys that are much cheaper to work with than steel.
If you want a steel gun that's made like a centerfire (S&W 617, Ruger Single Six, Marlin 39, etc.), a .22 isn't going to be cheap just because the caliber is smaller.
Got 7 already? Why not get a .22LR, then? You probably have enough centerfire calibers to cover all the bases.
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