S&W M617 4 inch or 6 inch barrel?

[solman]

I have been wanting to get one of these new for a while now. Looks like I will be able to purchase one this spring. 22LR with ten rounds sounds good to me. Not sure what barrel length to get. This will be a range toy for the most part and I don't mind a 6 inch barrel. The 4 inch barrel is more compact I guess and I'm not sure the longer barrel offers any benefits in a 22 rimfire.

 

[gotboostvr]

If you're planning on only shooting at a static range and off a rest alot, I'd suggest the 6"

If it'll see leather more than just once or twice go 4"

That's my usually rule of thumb suggestion. I personally, will always take the 4" even if I don't think it'll get packed just because I prefer the balance.

If you can, try to wield both in a store and go with your gut. If you can't try before you buy 6" for range, 4" for carry.

There's no wrong answer, but the correct answer is "Both".

 

[Garandimal]

Revolver:
IWB - 3"
Open - 5"

Interestingly, the RUGER MkII Target Auto has a 6-7/8" Bbl. - minus the chamber is 5".

A 6" revolver is pretty unwieldy, although the 6-1/2" RUGER BH/.357 Mag. is a useful size.




GR

 

[Zaydok Allen]

I've handled both. The full underlug is totally unnecessary and makes the 6" feel rather nose heavy.

In the 617 I like a 4" barrel. In a 17 with no lug, I like the 6" barrel.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

For a range toy, I nearly always pick 6+" guns.

 

[Charlie98]

Worst pistol I've ever owned was a 617 with a 8 3/8" full underlug barrel... the most mismatched pistol I've ever seen. Trouble was, even with all that barrel, it wasn't that accurate. Conversely, one of the best pistols I've ever owned, and one I regret letting go, was a Smith 63 4".

 

[bannockburn]

solman

Like 4" barrels for carrying in the field with 6" barrels primarily for range use. Try them both if you can and dcide for yourself which feels and balances better in your hand.

 

[SwampWolf]

I use my Model 617 with a 6" barrel and the factory iron sights for occasional Bullseye shooting. It "hangs" about as well as any handgun I've ever used for one-handed, fifty yard shooting with the wind blowing when shooting the Slow Fire stage at venues like Camp Perry.

 

[Mn Fats]

The 4 inch barrel is more compact I guess and I'm not sure the longer barrel offers any benefits in a 22 rimfire.

It offers longer sight radius which equates to better accuracy. Im not saying that a guy with a 4" barrel can't be just as accurate with a guy who has a 6" barrel. But having that longer sight radius sure makes it easier. Plus you said its a range toy, so why does it being "more compact" with the 4" matter? Get the 6" imo.

 

[czhen]

I have the 4", great plinker, trigger its not bad will improve some with usage. I tried the 6", resulting in too much weight.
You won't regret getting any size. Try to handle both before buying.

 

[Mn Fats]

One other tip, ditch the rubber. Pick up some Altamont's. That balance/weight/full lug people are talking about on the 6" can be better handled by a nice set of Altamont's or Hogue's.

 

[gotboostvr]

One other tip, ditch the rubber. Pick up some Altamont's. That balance/weight/full lug people are talking about on the 6" can be better handled by a nice set of Altamont's or Hogue's.

The Altamonts are a great value, and have some nice options.

Personal preference though is a nice set of Arhends.

 

[Waveski]

I am going take the liberty of bending your criteria --- A 6" .22 is a great range gun. The extra length makes a significant difference in terms of sight radius and therefor accuracy. Plus , the longer barrel has cool factor. However , a full lug on a 6" .22 barrel is cumbersome and ridiculous , IMO. I strongly suggest that you look into a model 17 with a 6" barrel - a proven excellent shooter. Six rounds is the traditional load for a revolver ; I had a couple of 10 rounders and I found that I just went through ammo faster.
While I'm at it , a 17 is of better quality than a newer 617 anyway , and then there is the controversial issue of "the hole" ...

These are my preferences based on experience ; don't shoot the messenger.

 

[Jonesy814]

I faced the same dilemma almost exactly 1 year ago .I opted for the 4 inch barrel .It feels perfectly balanced in my hand. The 6 inch felt a bit barrel heavy .not a lot, but enough to notice .I generally shoot standing, offhand. If I usually shot from a bench with a rest I likely would have gone with the 6 inch, but I don't . Trigger was gritty feeling at first but smoothed out nicely after just a couple hundred rounds. I really like the gun, but having 10 charge holes to clean kind of sucks. Factory rubber grips feel just right to me on it

 

[ChiefTJS]

I don’t think you can make a bad choice here, the six inch is heavier but it’s not a huge deal. The proper answer to the dilemma of course is to buy both but obviously that gets spendy. I’d get the four first for all around and add a six later as funding allows.

 

[wanderinwalker]

In the full-lug barrel, my preference is for the 4". The 6" feels very muzzle heavy to me, especially combined with the round-butt frame.

However, in the plain barrel variety, I really like the way an older Model 17 balances, with the 6" barrel and square-butt frame. Though the 4" Model 18 will suffice as well.

Come to think of it, they're all great.

My order of preference:
Older Model 17/18
Early 4", 6-shot 617 or 17-6
New 4" 617
New 6" 617

 

[cp1969]

I've had 17's and 18's since the early 70's, 8 3/8ths, 6" and 4". The 18 is my favorite but not by much.

These are not range toys. If you use HV ammo, you might regret the 10 shot cylinder. Even with 6 shots, sometimes ejection can be sticky.