S & W model 617 in .22LR

[BruceRDucer]

The wife wanted to shop for a revolver, and found the S&W 617 in .22LR

What is noteworthy, is that I thought that all .22 caliber revolvers or Semi-Autos were "dinky" little things, or sometimes just a single-action "six-shooter" type; but the S & W 617 model is a full K-frame (medium frame) revolver that looks as though it could be chambered for a full sized .357. It is Double-Action.

It has a 10 shot cylinder. What happened when my wife shot it, was that her accuracy remarkably improved over her scores using her first gun, a .38

This was very surprising. We thought a .22 was worth a try, but shooting 10 shots straight allows for a period of adjustment and sharper focus that does not seem to happen when shooting only a 5 shot cylinder. Ammo cost is a little cheaper too.

I just thought it was worth mentioning, because until a week ago, I didn't actually realize that S & W made a four inch or six inch "full size" revolver in .22 caliber. These are much heavier in the hand than a five cylinder .38 S&W "LadySmith" model. I suppose the benefit for my wife is that it builds a little more hand and arm strength in preparation for a larger caliber.

Maybe some other people could benefit from a reminder that such models are also available, although they may not be on the shelf in many shops. Maybe someone will want to check these out?

/

 

[CajunBass]

I don't have a 617, but I do have an older Smith & Wesson 17, the blue steel, six shot version of the 617. Great gun.

I've also got a Dan Wesson 22, that's even bigger than the "K" frame Smith & Wesson. It's either between the "K" and the "L" frame Smith or the same size as an "L" frame. Another great gun, but big and heavy. And no longer made of course.



The Model 17 at top left, the Dan Wesson, center left.

 

[Carl Levitian]

I've long been a fan of the K frame .22 revolvers since I got my first one back in the late 60's. A model 18. Now after 40 years, my love affair with them has not ended, and I picked up a new 4 inch 10 shot 617 last year. It's one of my most used handguns.

The advantage of the K frame .22's is that like my old model 18, it usually has a centerfire counter part. My 18 was teamed up with my model 15, the .38 special cmbat masterpiece. doing alot of practice with the .22 caliber model 18 let me really concentrate on sight picture, breath control, and trigger squeeze while using low cost .22 ammo. Then picking up the model 15, everything was the same exept for a little bit more noise and recoil.

But extencive shooting with a .22 will result in a better shooter more than just occasional practice with a center fire. All the principles are the same. Good marksmenship is good marksmenship. No matter if practiced with a .22, or .38, or even a good airgun.

Now, after more than 50 years of shooting, a .22 is still my first choice just for the fun of it. And I love my Smith and Wesson revolvers.

 

[GUNKWAZY]

The 617 has been around since somewhere around the late 80's and is the stainless brother of the model 17 which had been around for decades before that.
Darn good shooters and you can practice with the cheap stuff instead of blasting away boxes of 357 mags.
Everyone knows this and that's why you will not see very many used ones come to market.
There's a love for these revolvers and with the price of ammo currently, those little 617's are going to maintain a high level of value.

Jeff (GUNKWAZY)

 

[andre66]

Just picked up my 617 yesterday at the post office and had it out to the range. Great revolver, it's going to be with me for a long time.

 

[rcmodel]

You get S&W revolvers at the Post Office?

I didn't know that!

I'll have to check it out!

rcmodel

 

[20nickels]

Yes the 617 is a heavy beast for a .22lr, but the cheap practice value of this gun is immeasurable and will make her a great shooter. Although not my favorite It is my most used gun.

 

[BlindJustice]

I have a 617 6" Bbl. 10 shot cylinder
the 6 shot cylinder was discontinued Jan.1, '08
I believe. I got the 617 the same month I
bought a 625 5" Bbl. .45 ACP - due to the N frame being
a little longer besides deeper the sighting radius
for each of these are nearly identical. THe 617 is
great for warm up, SA as well as DA and then DA
Double Taps besides just being a FUN gun. The 6" Bbl.
with the full underlug is 45 oz. I think the MOdel 18
with the 4" Bbl but just a shrouded eejector was in the 37
oz. range. IT served me well as a teen on the farm
and camping, etc.

I have the full size - profile is similiar to the stock rubber
grips - Guy Hogue uncheckered Coco Bolo with a white spaced
and cherrywood butt cap. The dealer who transferred it said
"It;s a beauty." you don't see them come up for sale much as
they are prized. Top of the line .22 RF Revolver.

FWIW for the O.P. centerfire K-frames include:
Model 15 K-38 Combat Masterpiece 4" Bbl.
plain ramp front sight and adj. rear sight.
.38 SPecial +P
Model 19 various barrel len. in .357 Mag.
and there's some in the 6n range like the above
but in stainless steel.

R-

 

[Majic]

Even slightly larger and heavier DA .22 revolvers have been made. Dan Wesson and Colt made .22 revolvers that are about the size of a L-frame S&W. Where have you been for the past few decades?

 

[absolute0]

Guys in the know have long recognized the S&W K-22 and it's varients as THE .22 caliber double action revolver to own and shoot.

End of story

 

[theNoid]

Congrats on the great guns, now come and join the club:

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=327880&highlight=617

Noidster

 

[rklessdriver]

I looked at a brand new one of these at the last gunshow. It was beautiful. It made me want it... bad, infact real bad - right up till I saw it was going to cost over $700.00. Tough to swallow for a lock equiped .22 plinker.

I still think the 617 is a very nice, fine looking and capable pistol. But I'm happy with my Smith 22A and my wifes happy with her Ruger MKII - both of which didn't cost that much combined.

If I'm going to spend that much $$$ I figure I might as well search around, go the whole hog and find a vintage K22.

BTW Andre66 - let me say beautiful pistol you got yourself there, Congrats.

Will

 

[ClemY]

Pachmayr Presentation grips must be pretty heavy. I like them on my double action wheelguns. My 6" 6 shot 617 weighed 49.4 oz. I felt it was too heavy and too long, so it now is 5" and weighs 46.8 oz. My 5" 627PC weighs 46.0 oz., so it is a very good match and understudy for the 627. I also have a 4" 10 shot 617, but the gun I prefer is the 5" 8 shot 63-4. That is a really sweet little thing, and weighs in at 30.2 oz. with Pachmayr Decellerator grips, the same grips I use on my J frame .357s.

 

[SeanSw]

I love my 6 shot 617. Yeah, it's a monster but it is my most used gun. Hogues distribute the weight in my hand fairly well and make quick double action a snap. In the end I may prefer a shorter gun with more chambers but the 617 will stay with me forever.

 

[Sheldon]

So glad I bought mine a few years back when the prices weren't so crazy and the demand so high with ammo prices the way they are. Just took out my Ruger MKII along with the S&W 617 10 shot today with my 2 sons. They burn through a brick of ammo pretty quick with them two guns!!

 

[Majic]

Guys in the know have long recognized the S&W K-22 and it's varients as THE .22 caliber double action revolver to own and shoot.

End of story

I don't know about that. There are some old Colts that will raise an eyebrow to that statement.

 

[armabill]

Mine all ready for squirrel hunting:

 

[absolute0]

I don't know about that. There are some old Colts that will raise an eyebrow to that statement.

Agreed Majic.

I wouldn't mind putting about 10 or 20k rounds through an Officers Model Match or Target to make me want to re-evaluate my position. But until recently the older used K22's have been one of those rare guns that provide the unwashed masses (i.e. me) the highest level of quality & performance for a relative pittance.

 

[BlindJustice]

Hey, Magic - whoever else

Didn't mean to ignore the fine .22 RF Colts - they
just don't come readily to mind, since I can't recall the
last time I saw one. THey must be rarer than the K-22
Masterpiece which are getting pricy. Heck, my 617 cost
$4 more than the 625 and the most of my S&W revolvers.

I'd like to find a Model 18 to replace the first gun now long
gone I ever had.

Now in Semi-Autos, gimme a Colt.

I was at my AUnt's last Sept. - she brought out the
Hi STandard I used for two years in my early teens. SUre
took me back. I forgot it had a safety on the RH side
above the trigger guard near the slide. WEIRD position.

Randall

 

[rcmodel]

There are some old Colts that won't too.

They went through a period of over-size bores there for some time that didn't shoot worth sour apples.

rcmodel