First Handgun

D

Drummer101

New member
And I am at a tough point...

2 choice I have narrowed it down to.

Ruger Mark lll Hunter 6 and 7/8th
Smith and Wesson 617 6inch

I have only been able to handle the Ruger (did not like the 22/45) but was not able to shoot it and I thought it felt solid. I have never seen the 617.

After getting one of these in the next few years I am planning on getting more into revolvers or the Encore/Contender (no picking up brass for re-loading).

Is the extra $100 with it for performance in the 617? I am thinking it would be good DA practice but I am also thinking what ever center fire I get down the road I can get snap caps...

Yet I always hear wonderful things about the Ruger and am wondering what is going on with that (minus the cleaning which is no big deal for me).

But if I got the Ruger then I am thinking I would have enough money left to start re-loading my 303 which I almost never shoot (at $1.20 a pop).

Too many choices!!
 
Hello Drummer 101,,,

Too many choices!!
Click to expand...

You got that right my friend,,,

So ask yourself,,,
What do I want today?,,,
A semi-auto pistol or a revolver?

Forget what you think will be the best thing to do,,,
Simplify your process by asking yourself that one question.

What do I want?

It's not like it will be the last handgun you ever buy, will it?

Just a thought.

Aarond
 
If it were me, I'd buy the S&W. I own a Mk.II and rarely every shoot it. It suffers from FTE issues. The S&W wheelgun, while fairly expensive for a .22, looks like it would be more fun to shoot. I'm a sucker for a good revolver.:D
 
Looking at the prices I should say $150 more!!

Or get a Marlin 1895GBL (best looking rifle ever) and re-loading. But this is a pistol thread :p

I am leaning for the Mark lll for less sticker shock.
 
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In my opinion ....

The Ruger is inexpensive but its a mediocre semi-auto .22 ....the Browning Buckmark is a much better gun for the money in a semi-auto ( less feeding issues, more reliable, etc )...and there are a number of higher end guns in .22 like the S&W model 41's, Hammerli, etc ...

The S&W model 617 revolver is a very good .22 revolver... Its a gun that you will probably keep for a long time ...accurate, very easy to shoot, will probably go up in value over time. The older S&W .22 revolvers ...( model 17's and 18's / K-22 Masterpiece and Combat Masterpiece ) ...are still demanding prices of $ 750 for a good clean one / and will go up in price over time as well.

Buy the model 617 ...
 
If money is no object I'd buy the S&W but either gun will serve you just as well. I've shot many a 10 shot one hole groups at 50' with a Mark III; they're a fine shooting gun and a tremendous value and I can tell you from experience Ruger backs up their guns beyond the call of duty.

I own a Mk III and have an eye on a 617 for a future purchase but I'd have to have the money with nothing else to spend it on since I have the MK III. Smith's are just pretty guns, hands down. It's one you see and just want.

Let me come back and add; I've fired S&W .357 Magnums, nice gun no doubt but I own 2 Ruger GP 100's and I dare you to fire them beside a S&W and say the Smith is worth paying more for. I have a friend with a Smith that shot my GP 100 and he says there's no difference between the two. Sometimes expensive guns are just that, expensive.
 
Trainer for what?,,,

It doesn't exactly match any of the new S&W revolvers,,,
But it's very close to the S&W 686 in .357 Magnum,,,
I think it is close enough to be a used as a trainer.

To get an exact match you would want a used S&W Model 18 or 17,,,
And any of the used K-frames in .38 special or .357 Mag.

Aarond
 
I'd go with the 617. If you can master a double action revolver trigger, all else will seem easy.

Would a regular steel model 17 be cheaper? Does S&W even make those anymore? Keep an eye out on the used market, these guns last a lifetime.
 
The original model 17's and 18's went out of production in the mid to late 1990's.

However, in the "classic" series - the model 17 and 18 have both come back / and new, I think they're selling for around $ 850 / list price is about $ 919 - $960.

http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/...4_750001_750051_757779_-1_757751_757751_image
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In my opinion - I use the model 617 for a trainer with the model 686 ( .357 mag ) ...full length lug under the barrel ...sort of the same feel .....but coming out of a holster with a 6" revolver / I almost feel like I'm dragging it clear up to my armpit to get it out ...before I can move toward the target.../so its not a gun I use for training vs plinking. But I like the model 617 a lot ...its a great gun ...especially in a 6".

A .357 mag is my favorite revolver ....and 686's are nice guns / but my favorites are the N frames - the older model 27's and 28's ...in 4" or 6" especially. I think the 686's and the N frames are too big to carry / unless you're out in the woods / or maybe in a shoulder holster when your're fishing or something ...but they are great guns. I just think the K frame .357's are better for "Tactical" shooting or practice / and could be carried pretty easily if you wanted.

I much prefer the model 18 as a training gun - 4" barrel / and it converts very easily to a K frame .357 mag ( like a model 19 or 66 ) especially the 4" barrel models. The model 18 4" is a gun I use for new shooters, training the grandkids, and myself for drawing and firing in tactical drills...put a box or two thru the model 18 / then go to a model 19 or 66 4" with .38 spl's in it / and then with some .357 mag cartridges in it. Its a good practice session.

There are a lot of model 17's and 18's out there ....some with a lot of holster wear ( and cheaper ) ....and some that were fired very little ..and have been sitting in someones safe ...you just have to shop a little and be patient.
 
Between the Ruger MK and S&W 617, Both are good but the Ruger MK is a better value than the smith and easier to clean than a .22 revolver.
 
I'll say a big AMEN to the easier to clean too. Especially for those who know that after taking the bolt out a sharp rap on the back of the barrel with a piece of wood removes the barrel from the frame so it becomes like cleaning a piece of pipe. Can be a little tricky to get back but with practice gets easier.
 
Do you want a revolver or a auto, that is what you should be asking your self. Both the S&W and the Ruger are excellent guns but they are apples and oranges. I have both and like both, but would go with the Ruger if Bulls-eye shooting and the S&W for fun plinking. Both will last a life time, decide whether you want a revolver or and auto and you will have your answer. Good luck, there is no wrong answer.
 
Clifford L. Hughes

Drummer 101:

Fifty years ago I purchased a Ruger Single Six over Smith's K 22. A few years later I shot Smith's K 22 and I liked it; however, I couldn't afford to purchase one. When I started shooting on a Marine Corps pistol team I purchased a Ruger Mark I, 6/78 Target pistol. The only modification that I made to it was to build a thumb rest out of wood dough. With the MK l I shot master scores. I saved my pennies until I could afford a High Standard Target pistol with the Colt .45's pistol grip angle that didn't improve my scores so I went back to my MK l. Whether you buy a revolver or an auto loader should not be based on a preceived accuracy between the two, but it should be based on your preferance between a wheel gun or an auto loader. Buy the way I still shoot my Ruger Single Six.


Semper Fi.

Gunnery Sergeant
Clifford L. Hughes
USMC Retired
 
Clifford L. Hughes

Drummerboy 101:

Fifty years ago I purchased a Ruger Single Six over a Smith & Wesson K 22 and I have never regretted it. A few years later I shot a K 22 and I loved it; however, I couldn't afford one on a corporal's pay. When I joined a Marine Corps pistol team I purchased a Ruger MK l, 6/78 target pistol and I shot master scored with it. The only modificatiion that I made to it was to fashon a thumb rest out of plastic wood. While on the team I saved my pennies until I could afford a Hi Standard target pistol with the grip angle of the Colt Goverment modle. I think that it was a Supermatic Trophy. My scored didn't improve so I went back to my MK l.

With your two choices, it's a mistake to purchase a pistol based on preceived accuracy. You should pruchase it on your likes and dislikes. Both pistols are superbly accouate.

By the way, I'm still shooting my Ruger Single Six and I love it.

Semper Fi.

Gunnery Sergeant
Clifford L. Hughes
USMC Retired
 
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I have NEVER heard anyone say they regreted getting a 617. People love those revolvers and as far as training goes - they are a great gun to learn shooting fundamentals. It's just excellent.

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Also a great gun to train on is the S&W 586-4 CO2 revolver air pistol. It is a high-quality steel revolver, with the heft and feel of S&W 4" pistols. It is great for learning, practicing fundamentals. It is a very unique pistol.

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If you're teaching someone to fire, they can go right from the 586-4 to the 617, it's a great transition.

http://www.umarexusa.com/product/SW-Pellet-Gun-Revolver,37,44.htm



Another pistol to consider is the Chipmunk:

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Beatiful line of pistols:

http://www.chipmunkrifles.com/index.php?cPath=27&osCsid=6lv20dkcc8ag44dc3gdrr61sd2
 
There's no question a S&W revolver is a beautiful gun and I'd take one in a New York Minute. But like many here have said, the OP is asking about two entirely different guns, a revolver and a pistol; that's his first decision.
 
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