Author Topic: SW 617 problems (Read 2496 times)

donzov · « **on:** April 16, 2003, 11:57:21 PM »

I recently bought a 6 inch, 10shot Smith and Wesson 617 K-22 masterpiece. Well it sure wasn't a masterpiece.
When I went to pick it up at the shop the cylinder seemed very loose, the dealer said that it was normal for a 10 shot to be that loose and assured me that there wouldn't be any problems with it.
The first time I shot it the groups were terrible but it was about 35 degrees out and I blamed it on the cold.
The next time it was much warmer and I really took my time with it, the groups were still bad so I figured I should try a variety of ammo in it. I tried Rem subsonics, Rem thunderbolts, Win wildcats, CCI stingers and CCI blazers.
I marked the cylinder and fired 10 rounds of each at 25 yards. The results were less than spectacular. The best group was from the subsonics at 4 inches, the worst was with the stingers at 7 inches and I noticed that the seventh shot on all targets was kind of a wild one.
I also noticed that the gun spit back alot of lead and had to use a pick to clean it out of the frame.
Well it went back to S and W the other day so they could check it out.
I was wondering if anyone else has had simular problems?
I paid almost 500 bucks for it and it doesn't perform as good as my 200 dollar ruger 22/45.

Questor · « **Reply #1 on:** April 25, 2003, 04:18:40 AM »

I think there may be a legitimate problem with the gun, but there may also be something wrong with your choice of ammo.

I have a six shot 617 that will, with a scope, shoot 5/8" groups at 25 yards using Federal match ammo (the expensive stuff). It shoots 1.5" groups with Federal Walmart promotional ammo. It shoots most other high velocity hollow points with 1.5" groups.

The cylinder does have a little play, as do all double action revolvers, but it by no means sloppy.

Your ammo, however, is stuff that I have specifically had bad results with. The worst ammo I've used, which is not on your list, is the $11 per box Eley Red target ammo. The groups were about 4" at 25 yards. The super high velocity ones like the stinger also gave bad groups, as did Remington subsonic.

The ones that work well, and which I would recommend that you try are:
Walmart Federal Bulk pack hollow points (550 box)
Federal high velocity hollow points
Winchester Super X high velocity hollow points
CCI mini mags
Federal 711B standard velocity lead
CCI standard velocity

All of these are modestly priced, especially the Walmart's, which cost under $10.

BobYoung · « **Reply #2 on:** April 26, 2003, 07:14:03 AM »

I've had a 6" 6-shot 617 for several years now. It too was a disappointment out of the box. 4 or 5 inch groups at 25 yds. as I recall. Did nothing about it a few years and then decided to get rid of it. Was cleaning it one afternoon in preparation for swapping it off and took a hard look inside the muzzle with strong light and a magnifier. Didn't like what I saw...the rifling was damaged and obviously so about a half inch in from the muzzle.

Packed it up and shipped it off to S&W with a polite note pointing out the problem and stating that my low dollar Ruger Mark II's and my Single Six all shot circles around the 617 (which they did). To S&W's credit, they not only replaced the barrel for free, but the cylinder as well. The gun's a very good shooter now...holds its own with anything I've got. Glad I didn't dump it.
Bob

donzov · « **Reply #3 on:** April 27, 2003, 12:51:22 PM »

Thanks for all the tips and info. I got the gun back from SW the other day and was very impressed with their fast service. They realigned the barrel, adjusted the cylinder and changed the rear sight blade.
I rushed to the range to check it out but before I could get it sighted in, the splattering lead thing came up again. This is painful at times as it hits my hands and sometimes my face not to mention what a pain it is to scrape out of the frame.
I called SW back and explained it to them and they said to send it in again. I'm going to ask them to exchange it for a six shot.
In the meantime I'm going to try all the other ammo that you've mentioned in my ruger and try to really improve my groups with it.

Thanks again

les hemby · « **Reply #4 on:** August 17, 2003, 08:57:09 AM »

i really appreciate this thread. i have been wanting one of these bad but now i am not willing to take a 500$ chance. will just stick with my ruger

Questor · « **Reply #5 on:** August 18, 2003, 03:19:59 AM »

Time to send it back. My six shot 617 shoots 1.5" six shot groups at 25 yards with most cheap ammo, and 5/8" with its favorite. The cylinder is not loose.

les hemby · « **Reply #6 on:** August 18, 2003, 11:57:02 AM »

that is what i am interested in is the 6 shot

Questor · « **Reply #7 on:** August 20, 2003, 03:37:08 PM »

I like the six shot. I sold my old Ruger to get it. What a step up! It was a quantum leap improvement.

X-man · « **Reply #8 on:** August 27, 2003, 12:07:58 PM »

The spray back of lead you say you're getting...could that be specks of unburned powder? I have a 6" 617" that will ocassionally spray back unburned powder when shooting outdoors (wind in your face or crossing). It usually happens when I'm shooting the cheap .22LR stuff like Blazer or bottom end Winchester. This is a great reason to always wear shooting glasses!

My 617 generally likes the mid-range .22LR stuff and I've pretty much settled on the Federal 36gr HP loads available from Wal-Mart in their big Valu-Paks. My pistol shoots groups in the 1" to 1.5" groups with this ammo and no unburned powder problems. Did a real marathon shooting session last Sunday. Ran 500 rounds through it over the course of a full day at the range. Had some carbon residue cover the cylinder by the end of the day, but almost zero fouling of the bore. A couple of passes with my own Ed's Red bore cleaner took care of the bbl and a few scrubs with an old tooth brush took care of the carbon build up on the cylinder. A little CLP and my baby was ready for another trip to the range!

One note though. The 617 has a really heavy trigger pull in DA out of the box. It could really use some time with a competent gunsmith.

leomort · « **Reply #9 on:** August 29, 2003, 05:39:18 AM »

Hello Gentlemen,

I also have recently purchase a S&W 617 6" six shoot revolver. What are some decent brands of ammo to try that we give good accuracy?

Thanks,

Leo

X-man · « **Reply #10 on:** August 29, 2003, 06:32:31 AM »

Hey Leo,

As I said in my earlier post, I tried a lot of different brands of ammo, before settling on the Federal Bulk Pack you get from Wal-Mart. .36 gr jacketed hollow point load. It gives me more than acceptable accuaracy and is very cost efficient. I tried some of the higher end "target" grade ammo, and it did shoot very well, however, cost is a factor if you want to do a lot of shooting. Shaving 1/4 or 1/2 inch off my groups doesn't seem worth the extra expense. Using the Federals, I can do tons more shooting. The Winchester Super X also shoot pretty well, but I find it a little dirtier than the Federal. However, you need to keep in mind that every gun is different. Just because we shoot the same model, doesn't mean it will digest/like the same loads. Best advice I can give you is to try as many different brands/styles/weights as you can find and pick the one that gives you the most cost-effective performance. Hope this helps.

Questor · « **Reply #11 on:** September 02, 2003, 05:55:22 AM »

X-Man:

I use the Federal bulk packs from Wal Mart in my 617 and use it to shoot competitively in bullseye matches. It's accurate and reliable (and really really cheap!) It don't get no better than that.

leomort · « **Reply #12 on:** September 10, 2003, 02:01:01 PM »

X-man and Questor,

I've tried some different brands to see what my 617 likes. I've tried Winchester hollow points, Winchesters Power Points, Remington Target T22's, Federal Gold Medal Target, and Eley Target ammo.
The worst ammo was the Remington Target T22, absolutely terribe. Not only in my S&W 617, but my T/C contender, and my wife's Ruger Single Six. Actually had several misfires in her Ruger.
The best was with Federal Gold Medal target, followed by Eley's Target grade. All test was down at 15 yards from a rest.
I bought two more boxes (50 rounds) of the Federal Gold Medal target to do some more serious test as well as box of RWS Target grade.
Now gotta find some time to go to the range to try out the ammo

Regards,

Leo

X-man · « **Reply #13 on:** September 10, 2003, 02:27:19 PM »

Hey Leo,

Sounds like you're on the right track. Try as many brands/weights as you can. Don't overlook the .36 gr Federal HP loads though. It is a very good quality load at a very reasonable price and offers more than adequate accuracy. The higher end target quality ammo I shoot is generally reserved for my .22 target/varmint rifles. I find the Gold Metal Target stuff really good, also have very good results with the CCI Green Tag target ammo. Try it in your T/C, I think it will like it!

leomort · « **Reply #14 on:** September 17, 2003, 03:29:47 AM »

Hi X-man,

So far I've stay with the moderate price "target" grade ammo. I'll try this to see if any of them are accurate. If I find one, I won't move up to the more expensive stuff, but instead try some of the cheaper stuff. I'll probably end up buy a couple of bricks of the moderate price stuff and have fun shooting and plinking

Questor · « **Reply #15 on:** September 17, 2003, 07:56:24 AM »

You really don't need to spend money for a moderate price target ammo (by which I assume you mean $300 per case of 5,000). Aguila SV is a lot cheaper and it will work very well in a revolver. I paid $140 per case, shipped.

leomort · « **Reply #16 on:** September 18, 2003, 02:54:59 AM »

Hi Questor,

The "target" grade ammo I'm buying runs somewhere betweem $2.75-$4 box of 50. The Federal Gold Target ran $2.75/box 50. If I get a brick it will run me $25, which work out to about $2.50. Not sure how much it would drop for a case, but your in the ballpark. Don't know if I'd buy a case, wow...that's alot of ammo!

I've have to keep a look out for Augila SV you mention, as well as try those Federal bulk pack at Wal-Mart that you and Questor suggest.

Thank you, everyone, for all the help. I'm have alot of fun with my S&W 617.

Regards,

Leo

S.B. · « **Reply #17 on:** October 19, 2003, 02:23:36 PM »

My 617 shoots everything I put in it, well. As a bonus, it also shoots the birdshot cartridges.

plateshooter · « **Reply #18 on:** November 17, 2003, 02:27:26 PM »

The M17 I have was made in 1965 and shoots about everything I put through it well. I haven't tried one of the newer models. I'll have to check one out and try it next time I hit the range. Do the newer ones have steel, or aluminum cylinders?

Loozinit · « **Reply #19 on:** November 18, 2003, 09:39:26 AM »

Mine's an '83 M-17 and it likes everything you can put in it. Far more accurate than I can even come close to with these eyes.

Loozinzit

Old Griz · « **Reply #20 on:** November 18, 2003, 06:23:32 PM »

I got a six shot 617 for half price when a sporting goods store was going out of business. Wound up putting a scope on it, and now it's my favorite squirrel gun. It seems to shoot everything well, including the cheap stuff. It loves Winchester Wildcats, CCI Blazer, SGB, and Standard Vel. I even made hollowpoints out of them and they shoot mighty fine. Federal Classic is great ammo, too. I wish all my guns shot as good as this one.
:cb2:

mec · « **Reply #21 on:** January 05, 2004, 11:55:36 AM »

I haven't tried any cheap stuff but mine shoots Stingers, Minimags, Velocitors and the Aquilla QuikShok at least as well as it shoots Eley /Remington Club.

One famous custom smith said a guy in his shop has a 617 that won't shoot and they can't figure out why. I guess theyre not all perfect but mine,made in 1999 is a real shooter.
CCI MiniMag 25 yards: