S&w 617

[Dobe]

I will purchase a 6" 617 soon. My question is whether I should get the 10 shot or the 6 shot. I was unaware of the 10 shot, but did find it on the internet today. I am not so concerned with the capacity of the revolver, but rather the feel while shooting DA.

I shoot primarily DA when shooting revolvers, as I enjoy this mode of shooting. Theoretically, there should be less tourqe with a 10 shot, as there is less distance thus momentum for the cylinder to travel. I am assuming that the timing will be the usual S&W "break just after lockup".

Please leave out the political ramifications of purchasing from S&W.

Thanks,
Dobe

 

[Outlander]

I have a 617 10 shot and I like it a lot, but .... for no logical reason at all, I wish I bought the 6 shot instead.
Maybe it's because scrubbing out the crud from the cylinder is a major pain with the 10 shot.

 

[motorep]

I bought one of the first 6-shot 6" 617s. It was pretty heavy for a .22. I've got a 4" 10-shot version now that I'll keep. More rounds before a reload, and it's noticeably lighter.

 

[Dobe]

Motorep,
Do you notice any difference between the torque of the lock-up when shooting quickly in DA mode. Is one any smoother than the other.

Here is my concern. It is possible that there may be less torque in the 10 shot, but it is also possible that because there is less distance between chambers S&W may have decided to time the lockup early. This would mean that the cylinder would lock much sooner than the six shot version. When this happens, as with Rugers, there is a pull to one side.

Thanks,
Dobe

 

[motorep]

Nope, triggers were the same- same letoff, etc. The only differences I noticed had to do with the weight. That 6 round cylinder is a big pice of metal with a few tiny holes drilled in it...
ps/edit: the original had a pair of very nice wood grips, as opposed to the new rubber/synthetic/whatever. I kept them, they're on the 4" 19 that I inherited from my dad.

 

[Dobe]

Thanks,
I'll confirm prices Monday, and will order. I will take your advice, and will order the 10 shot. Reducing the weight would be nice. I wish they still made the Mod 17

Dobe

 

[Standing Wolf]

I have a pre-agreement model 617 ten-shooter. I didn't know it was available both ways when I bought it, or I'd probably have ordered the more traditional six-shooter.

It takes longer to clean the extra four chambers, but it may be slightly lighter than the six-shooter.

 

[10-Ring]

I've shot the 6 & 10 shot. I liked them both. If I were to buy one, it would be the 10 shot just for convenience sake.

 

[Hal]

- - Dobe, my .$.02 worth- -

I bought a 10 shot 617 6" barrel in order to use it as an inexpensive alternative to my Model 19-4 (Square frame P&R).
I traded it less than 3 months later. You concern about the cylinder indexing is well founded. That, plus the round butt, were my main objections to it. The 617 10 shot my well be a very good gun in it's own right, but it's nothing at all like a 6 shot K frame centerfire. I was fortunate enough to luck into a pair of Model 17's a year ago. They are very much like their centerfire counterparts. My best advice would be to try before you buy.
I was fairly lucky to lose only $85.00 for my "education". I paid $410.00 for it, and was allowed $325.00 on a trade in and was happy as a clam to be rid of the thing.

 

[Dobe]

Now I'm thinking about the 6 shot again. I am mostly interested in the DA.

 

[VictorLouis]

Don't make the 10rd. 'mistake'

I agree with Hal. The 10-shot has a completely different rythym and feel than the 6rd. guns. It's much more apparent than the difference between 5-shot J-frames and larger 6rd. frames. Trigger-time with the 10rd. version will not carry over nearly as well to your centerfires.

Personally, if you have to have stainless, I'd seek out a 4" 617. I'm quite happy with mine and, truthfully, I wouldn't want to hang another two inches of full-lugged weight on it. Now, if you want to go 6" for the sight-radius, then an older M17 will fit-the-bill nicely. A pre 'dash-3' with the lighter, tapered barrel is even nicer than my 4" full-lug.

 

[Dobe]

VictorLouis,
It is the sight radius that I wanted. That is why I wanted the 6". But I really do not want all of that weight, especially for a .22. I guess that I could find a 17 somewhere. I may just get the 4" six shot.

Thanks

 

[dance varmint]

I thought the 4-inch 617 was only available with 10 shots?

 

[BigG]

Popeye the sailorman...

I have the 8 3/8" full lugged 617. Talk about building your grip/forearm strength!

 

[shotcalla]

Does anyone know what best price I can expect for a 10 shot 4 or 6 inch 617. The local gunshop is having S&W days and I'd like to know a fair price. I'm thinking anything with a 4 in front is OK.

 

[VictorLouis]

d.v., on new guns, that's correct. There may be some still out there on the shelves NIB that are 6rd., otherwise, you'd have to find a used one.

shotcalla, the low 4's is the absolute best I've seen for new ones. High-4s is the norm, with low 5's being abundant.