Buying S&W 617 worth it?

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Recently I have been switching between guns I want to buy, now that I did more indepth reviews on the governor I dont want it.

The LCR-22 came to mind, and still want it for an extra CCW peice, and good DAO 22lr for revolver training.


But the S&W 617came to mind, and today I sold some stuff and earned over $400 (sold a gun back to a family member) lol, so I have money to buy a S&W.

I know this is something I can pass down in my family when I age because S&W is built strong(see K-22's)

So I have the money, are they really worth it? what is their trigger pull like? is it a nice crisp target shooting handgun in 4"? How does it balance out? Is it heavy frontal? Am I going to feel it pull forward on me?



Thanks
 
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I've got one in 6". I love it for the purpose I got it for - that is to be able to shoot cheap ammo but still be pretty close in "feel" to my 629 .44mag. If I were to want a trail gun I would have picked something else like an older model K-frame without the heavy barrel underlug.
 
I don't care for the 617, but that's only because I don't care for stainless steel guns. I'd rather have a old Model 17 or 18, but a 617 seems to be just as good a gun.
 
So I have the money, are they really worth it?
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To me, yes. I prefer the 4" K frame myself, especially if it has the lugged barrel. In 6" my preference is for the older K22/17s without all that weight up front.

I only own the older 6 shot (a 17 and an 18), but do like the newer 10 rd offerings. And I like blue carbon in lieu of stainless. But thats just moi. YMMV

See if you can find a 617 no dash. Only 6 rds, but no lock. Kinda pricey in the overall realm of .22s mind you, but one to own and cherish over the years.
 
I found the 6" version to be too muzzle heavy for my tastes; I've not gotten around to a 4" version yet. That being said, I like S&W 22 revolvers, and currently own three-- a 17, 18 and 63.
 
The no dash/is very hard to find with another $100 on top.

This is going to be a range/learn how to get TIGHT GROUPINGS gun not SD. So if the gun does lock up from the IL bs I don't care, my life is not in danger and I always have a gun on me.

I can't seem to find it locally, buds has it for like $670 and I belive taxes are included in their prices yes? I know shipping is for this one. I am looking @ $700ish total. Which is pretty good for a gun that can outlive you lol.

I just worry about the weight of the 4" with full underlug of a 22lr.... Seen some nice set ups for sights which I look forward to. I am going to look for one at the range to rent.
 
If I could only have one, I'd go for a model 17. See my caveat above; additionally, I lean towards blued guns over stainless.

Now if you want a target pistol (I know this is the revolver folder but), I'd get a model 41.
 
I have a 4" 10-shot 617, and it's probably my most-shot gun. I often use it as my "understudy" to my 686, but it's superbly accurate as well, so I don't hesitate to press it into target duty. I've also used it in rimfire steel matches, and for introducing new shooters to the revolver. It'd obviously be a good plinker, and would be good for small game, so long as the shooter's up to the task and that there are no barrel length restrictions. It was an expensive purchase, but in retrospect, one of my wiser gun-related decisions.

As far as the trigger, I'm a trigger snob, so I feel the DA trigger on it, like on most revos, could benefit from a good action job, though I'm capable of good DA accuracy with it with the factory trigger. I rarely shoot in single action, but the SA trigger, like on most S&Ws, is excellent.
 
The trigger on the 617 is smooth. If you're not used to double action triggers it might seem a bit heavy to you.
But with time you get used to the weight and in some ways prefer it.
I'm not as accurate in double action with my 617 as I am with my Ruger MK II. In single action I'm more accurate.

I like the weight of the full under lug. It helps me keep the gun steady.
 
sold lol... rented and 100% sure, so LGS had some on back order and I placed one on order. :D DA was smooth as butter, maybe 8lbs.. :) better than my J frame I thought.
 
better than my J frame I thought.
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I would hope so--a J-frame uses a different type of mainspring to generate enough power to ignite the primer. A K-frame's trigger doesn't need as strong a spring and thus can be lightened more than a J-frame without causing light strikes.
 
I owned one in six inch heavy barrel and loved it but it was a massive gun for the 22 caliber.

There is no telling you just how special that gun is put together.

I think it is the finest 22 revolver you can buy period.

That said,I prefer the older Smith's without the heavy barrel under lug and I would prefer one in four inch and not six inch.

Easier to carry,almost as accurate and just easier to live with all around.

But that 617 is a wonderfully made revolver.

Much credit to the American craftsmen who make it.
 
A model 617 is very much worth the money as far as I'm concerned. I prefer the 6" barrel as I use it for Bullseye shooting and the heavy, fully-lugged barrel is an asset (for me, at least) in keeping the revolver "steady".
 
I have an older 617 ( 6 shot ) in 6" which I like a lot ....but I also have a model 18 blued in 4" that is a great gun ...

I think you'll like the model 617 in a 4"...even though I don't like the 10 shot cyclinder...

I've been looking for a model 617 in a 4" ( 6 shot ) for a long time....

Congratulations on the choice of a nice revolver.
 
My 617

Recently bought the 4 inch. Felt the 6 inch to forward heavy. I have owned a K22 and 17. Also own the 63 4 inch. Got rid of the k22 and the 17 when I bought the 41. 41 more accurate than all the others. But for my uses the 671 is accurate enough. I really like the feel of the 617 and the 10 shot cylinder. It is so much easier to load than the clips. I think the single action trigger pull is crisp but heavier than all my other Smiths at 4 1/2 pounds. Hopefully it will lighten up with use. All in all with todays high prices I think the 617 is worth it.
 
like the others here I prefer the older ones and have a 18-2 and a pre model 17

great companions to the pre model 14 and 15-2..

now with that being said, i would not hesitate if I found a 617 in 4" to be a mate with my 686..

would prefer a 6 shot though..and pre lock if available.

but they are a fine revolver that you can enjoy using and passing down..
 
I have an 18-3, 17-3 and 4" 10 shot 617. I put a Burris Fastfire red dot on the 617. It gets shot more than the others combined. i love the older guns, and will continue to shoot them,but my 61 yr old eyes like the red dot.

I did an action job on the 617, Wolff springs and slicked up the innards. I have the Khunhausen manual, some good screw drivers and the rebound spring tool.
 
Yes, it is worth the money

I picked up a 4" 617 several weeks ago. Like robctwo I did an action job on it and replaced the iron sights with a Burris Fastfire II. I replaced the trigger rebound spring with a Wolff 13# spring. The single action pull is now 3.25#.

This past weekend a friend and I shot several hundred rounds out of it. Great, great accuracy. The Burris FFII has a big dot but even so we were getting many one hole groups at 12 to 15 yards. (Conditions were very good with no wind and no bright direct sunlight.) We used at least five types of ammo from bulk (Federal 550 pack), target (Remington), standard (CCI Standard Velocity), fun (Aguila Super SubSonic) and high speed (CCI MiniMag) plus a few others I had in my ammo bag.

It is front heavy. That is both good and bad. It helps steady your aim but after an extended period of shooting it does wear on the arms.

I'm going to put a pistol scope on it any really wring out the accuracy.

If you like plinking with a .22 it is a great revolver.
 
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