S&W 617 vs. Ruger Single Six

S

simonz

New member
I'm looking for a fun .22 revolver to be used plinking and for range practice. Since I live in Massachusetts my options are limited and I'm trying to decide between a S&W 617 (DA/SA) and a Ruger Single Six (SA) revolvers.

My other handguns, which I use for for HD, are a 4" S&W 686 and a 6" Ruger GP100. They both handle very nice.

Does anyone have a preference of either of these .22 revolvers?

How about length? The Ruger Single Six lengths that I'd be interested in are 4 5/8", 5 1/2" and 6 1/2". And 4" and 6" for the 617.

simonz
 
i'm gonna bet you would like the 617 better too. I hear a lot of complaints about indifferent accuracy in single sixes. That said, I have a bisley 6.5 ss and a 9.5 SS that are extremely accurate and have had only one that was not very accurate. I seem to be luckier than most.
 
Well you are in luck because I have both...and I love both. I'm not sure I could part with either. The 617 is a 6" 6 shot and the Super Single Six is a stainless 5 1/2" .22 LR/.22 WMR convertible. I have both because I love both action types and have centerfire versions of both from their respective manufacturers. Both have been 100% reliable and extremely accurate. Fit and finish and overall quality of both is superb. If you can only get one and you intend to stick with only DA revolvers in your collection, get the 617. It would be better for practice for your centerfire DA revolvers. But, if you think you might want to branch out and try some SA revolvers, get the Single Six and see if you like it. You will have the advantage of an extra cylinder in .22 WMR as well. I bet if you got a Single Six, it wouldn't be long until you found yourself looking at those Blackhawks and Vaqueros in the gun cases of your local store. Either way, you can't go wrong.
 
The 617 is the natural companion piece

for your 686.:) I would encourage you to spend some time in the shop handlng the 6", because it is awfully heavy. The 4" is my recommendation. I shot a buddie's SS recently, and it felt so much heavier to me for some reason. Perhaps the SA design vs. what I'm used to with a Smith? A fun, solid gun, nonetheless.
 
I am a big fan of DA revolvers and while the SA ruger .22 is fun it is a pain in the A** to reload it all the time. I use a friends Single Six sometimes and after a few cylinders I get real tired of the unloading and loading process. All I think of when I am punching out cases and loading rounds one by one is how much faster it is with a DA revolver. I much prefeer my 10 shot 617 over the Single six. Since you already own DA revolvers I think you will be more happy with the 617.
 
I'd go with the Single Six. I'm a sucker for Single Actions. ;)
Pretty damn good triggers too. Ruger makes the finest single actions available. I prefer the 6 1/2" barrel to get a bit more out of the powerful .22 Magnum cartridges.
 
Last edited:
The long one has been in continuous use since the '70s. Shoots very well with most or all long rifles and The WW , WW supreme, Federal 30 grain jhp and pmc magnums.
 
Last edited:
I would go with the Single Six in a convertible .22LR/.22Mag. My choice would be based on my familiarity with Ruger SA revolvers, the bigger ones and the fact that I have two Marlin rifles in those calibers.
 
Those are some real nice pics, mec! Thanks alot for sharing them. This is all I have to offer of mine, at the moment: :)
25 yrds. 2- handed.
 

Attachments

  • 22 mag group.jpg
    22 mag group.jpg
    29.1 KB · Views: 499
The 617 should have the better trigger pull - the one I owned was much better than my Single Six trigger. However the 617 I owned was the only S&W revolver that I ever had problems with. After Smith sent it back I was still not satisfied with it and traded it off. Most of my shooting friends that own 17s/617s seem to be very pleased with them - I just have the knack of picking out the "lemons" out there!

My 5.5" SS has been a real surprise - very good accuracy with 22lr. Trigger had the typical Ruger single action creep but a trigger job cured all that. I almost always take it to the range with me and I end up shooting it more than the other guns that I bring with me!

Either gun should be a good choice.
 
Those are some real nice pics, mec! Thanks alot for sharing them
Ewok guy......

That looks like an inch or a bit over. Outstandingly good for a bench group much less a hind-legged one!
 
Thanks for all the feedback. It was a tough call, but I went with the Ruger 6 1/2" Single Six (blue). A local dealer had a sale on the Single Six that I couldn't resist.

If the Single Six is fun and shoots well, I'll soon be looking at Ruger Blackhawks in .357 and .45 Colt.

Simonz
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top