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Smith 617 or 1911 .22LR Conversion????????

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cslinger

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Not really sure if I should have posted here or in the revolver forum but hey that's what mods are for right? :D

So I am contemplating either a Smith 617 revolver in .22 Long Rifle or a 1911 .22 Long Rifle conversion. I think I am leaning towards the revolver since even with the best 1911 conversions there seems to be issues from time to time.

So what are everybody's thoughts. I would like it to be accurate but I do not want a multi thousand dollar target gun. I am looking at spending say up to around $400 max.

Now for some background. I have two .22 autochuckers and 1 .22 single action revolver.

I am daydreaming today so I figured I would troll for other thoughts. Feel free to recommend anything. within reason.

Thanks
Chris
 
I have a 10-shot 617 6" and really, really like it. I don't think you'll be able to get a new one for less than $400, though. If you already have two .22 semi-autos and SA revolver, it seems like a DA revolver would be the logical choice.
 
Unless you get lucky and find one used I doubt you will be able to come up with a 617 for any less than $500.00 so it puts the gun out of your price range.
I haven't worked with any .22 conversion unit for the 1911, Colt included, that was anything near decent, all had function or accuracy problems that could be improved but never really corrected.
You should be able to find a Ruger .22/45 pistol or a Mark 2 for sale either at or below the price you listed and they would be good choices.
A Browning Buckmark Target could be found in your price range as too can a Model 41 Smith and Wesson in used condition.
All these would be good choices to consider.
 
Currently I have 4 .22s in my safe:

A Ruger MK II standard model
A Colt Officer's Model Target (top-of-the line when made)
A Fed Ord M1911A1-style frame with a Ciener conversion kit.
An Argentine M1927 with a Colt Ace conversion kit (the old, floating chamber version.)

The Fed Ord-Ciener is a plinker. The Argentine-Colt Ace is a fine pistol, and I have shot it in bush league matches. With selected ammo, the Colt Ace will shoot right in there with the Ruger.

The Colt OMT is a gilt-edge shooter, and the Ruger is a Ruger -- boringly reliable and predictably accurate.

I would not select the Ciener kit as my ONLY .22. The old Colt Ace is another matter.
 
I have a 6-shot 617 that I LOVE. It will shoot anything from CB-caps to high-velocity rounds and is capable of much better accuracy than I am. I know that if I miss the blame is all mine, the gun did her part.
 
I picked up a 3" 617 at Galyan's for $339 two months ago. With a bit of coaching from BluesBear, I put in a 14# trigger spring and 9# hammer spring (from MidwayUSA, $8 Wolffe spring kit), and let me tell ya, it's a sweet little shooter. While I had it apart, I lubed everything with the magic stuff from a Sentry Solutions armorer's kit, and it's really smoothed out nicely. It'll put all 8 in a 1.5" circle at 25' (which is good for me). It's going to be a Christmas gift for my wife :)
 
I picked up a 3" 617 at Galyan's for $339 two months ago. With a bit of coaching from BluesBear, I put in a 14# trigger spring and 9# hammer spring (from MidwayUSA, $8 Wolffe spring kit), and let me tell ya, it's a sweet little shooter. While I had it apart, I lubed everything with the magic stuff from a Sentry Solutions armorer's kit, and it's really smoothed out nicely. It'll put all 8 in a 1.5" circle at 25' (which is good for me). It's going to be a Christmas gift for my wife
Click to expand...

Mike,

Didn't know the 617 came as an 8-shooter. Did you mean 317? In either event, great price!
 
I have a Smith & Wesson Model 617-6 4-in Bbl 10-shooter. It cost less than $400. It's very accurate. Great for practicing double action trigger work. I don't have any conversion types but I do have a Ruger Mark II which is another accurate gun. Both are inexpensive to shoot and each contributes to learning a different set of trigger control skills, like SA vs DA shooting.

For me the choice would be weighted by what type of gun I wanted to be best on, wheelgun or selfloader, and. on if I were more serious about target or tactical shooting.

Fortunately for me, the 617 is just about the same size and weight and feel as my L-frame and K-frame wheelers, so transition to them is easier than from, say, the Ruger MK II to 1911 type .45 or to a 9mm K&K P7. Oh, well. I'll just have to have longer shooting sessions ;)
 
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Marvel .22 kit

Most accurate .22 pistol I have ever shot. On a sidenote very fun to shoot suppressed, no problem shooting bottle caps at 25yds.
 
I have had a Colt conversion unit since 1974 and used them before that. They are picky about ammo in that the wrong stuff will coke up the floating chamber area and freeze it into the barrel. Mine has varied from plugging up in about 25 rounds to going 3-400 rounds and still dropping free. (Federal 38 gr. HV HPs work best in mine and the cost is right.) CMP has just cut loose some of these as military surplus and the pistol portion of the CSP site (www.jouster.com) has recent comments on them. I like mine, use it quite a bit.

Have only a little experience with the M-617s. I prefer the old M-18 as it is a lighter, handier gun but should work the same. I am fond of it also as I have had mine since 1982 and it gets used regularly as well. I would hate to part with either.

K-22s seem to be fairly plentiful at reasonable prices and might be worth a look.You really can't go wrong with one.
 
i would choose the revolver..

i had the marvel kit and wasn't impressed when i found out that it was SO picky about ammo... high veloicity only, and no hollowpoints... :(

i would pick a 3" 317 myself...
 
KONY-
My bad, you are correct - it's a 317 AirLite - I had to check the model number on the frame. I'm one of those 'S&W-challenged' people that can't fathom S&W's model numering scheme. Still a neat little gun, though. Cheers -
 
Mike,

Wish I had snatched-up one of those before they vanished from Galyan's. :banghead:

However, I did pick-up one of the $191 Buckmark Campers (my first gun!) :)
 
Although there is a soft spot in my heart for the feel of a well made revolver. I have to say that I can see how the conversion might be a little more rewarding since you wouldn't be getting used to a different trigger, grips, etc. I have looked into some of those conversion kits and there's one thing that seems a little "odd" about them. They frequently won't hold the slide open when the mag is empty. Not that you'd be thinking tactical .22lr or anything, it's just my understanding that it isn't good for the firing pin should you lose count and send it crashing into the barrell.
 
I don't think the S&W 617 can be had for $400.00 either! :uhoh: I would suggest the revolver though ............ how about a S&W M17 6"? Try Guns America and you should be able to come up with a nice one shipped for under the $400.00 price range. I don't think you will be disappointed with a K22 Model 17 as they are one of the more accurate .22 revolvers ever made. :)
 
I agree with Bill B.'s suggestion. If it doesn't have to be a SS model then the Model 17 can be found for under $400 and you would have a high quality revolver that is extremely accurate.
With the revolver you can shoot loads ranging from the CB all the way up to the hyper velocity, something you can't do with a semi-auto without mods.
 
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