Author Topic: s&w 617 (Read 2063 times)

Jim n Iowa · « **on:** January 20, 2005, 02:24:44 PM »

I bought a 617 this summer. I have listened to all the rags being negative on S&W, and really have no problem with it. I wanted an accurate revolver in 22 that would imitate the K-22 or the fine Colt targets that were made then. I was at a loss to find one. Now the Mags are singing high praises of S&W. No matter this 617 is a great shooter, for my age and eyes it is truly an investment for my grand kids. If one wants a accurate auto 22, go no further than a Ruger. The 617 is a fine revolver as I wanted to get back to the basic off hand shooting.
Jim

Questor · « **Reply #1 on:** January 21, 2005, 04:59:13 AM »

It really is excellent. I don't think there is a finer .22 revolver made.

TNrifleman · « **Reply #2 on:** January 22, 2005, 05:48:13 AM »

I've had a 617 for about 8 years now. I have found it to be a truly excellent rimfire revolver.

Tacoma · « **Reply #3 on:** January 22, 2005, 11:20:44 AM »

I have to agree. All the S&W K framed K-22's are just a pleasure to own and shoot. I'm smitten with them! Besides a pile of 17's I now have 2 617's. A 4" 6 shot and just today a 6" 10 shot ( with 1.5# trigger and magnaporting.)

Jim n Iowa · « **Reply #4 on:** January 25, 2005, 02:22:58 PM »

Tacoma
I really like my 617, shooting double action(trying to get my squeeze down). Having no local outlets(that I know of) for comp shooting for this gun, I may want to scope it, with a 2x nikon that is idling around in my basement. What think you?
Jim

KENTDEP · « **Reply #5 on:** January 26, 2005, 06:18:16 PM »

I have one too and I really like it. I for one could not part with it.

Jay

Tacoma · « **Reply #6 on:** January 27, 2005, 11:55:30 AM »

Jim, I would think that that 2x nikon would work sweet on that gun for maximizing accuracy. Particularly when rested, you should be able to beat up beer cans @100 ds. However trying to sight through any magnified optic while executing a steady handed DA squeeze might get a little shakey ( litterally). If DA shooting is your thing, a unmagnified dot might be more practical. In any case, the mount is the same. I'd give the scope a try. Keep us posted.

busman202002 · « **Reply #7 on:** January 31, 2005, 03:05:53 PM »

I own a 617 4", it's a great gun but would like to have a action job done on it, who would you suggest. Talked to S&W performance Center their out 4-5 months and talked to Gary Reeder he said all he did in .22 was Ruger single actions, any ideas.

Jim n Iowa · « **Reply #8 on:** February 01, 2005, 02:45:12 PM »

busman
I am curious as to why you want a action job? I have never had one on any of my pistols. I am wondering if I am missing some thing. What are the clues?
Jim

busman202002 · « **Reply #9 on:** February 02, 2005, 04:08:09 AM »

jim, I to wondered the same thing, why would anyone need a action job on a hunting revolver. Then I purchased a performance center .44mag, .41 mag, and a 357 mag.daylight and dark between production guns and performance center guns, their smooth as glass and the trigger on double action is great. I think with the right gunsmith it would be 150.00 approx. well spent. Just don't know who to send it to, I may end up sending it to S&W and just wait my turn.

Tacoma · « **Reply #10 on:** February 03, 2005, 08:13:30 AM »

My 2 cents. Why wouldn't you want an "action job" on a hunting revolver?
IMHO a smooth DA and or ( reasonably) light crisp single action is just as important in taking game accurately and humanely as for targt shooting. Is it a requirement? No. Is it a nice to have if you can afford it? Yes! It helps you get the most accuracy from the gun.

Jim, FWIW, I just bought a (second) 617 that had a profesional action job (for SA target shooting). Da is marginally smoother but the SA is AWSOME. The trigger breaks at just under 2# and is CRISP. Man is it SWEET!

Loozinit · « **Reply #11 on:** February 03, 2005, 05:55:37 PM »

I'm also curious about an action job on the 617??? I own a Model 17 (8-3/8ths, target this, target that) that I bought new in '82. I consider it about as perfect a revolver out of the box as anyone can produce. I would never touch it. Single action let-off is more like a "thought" than a movement. Are the newer Smiths a little tough?

Tacoma · « **Reply #12 on:** February 07, 2005, 01:51:28 PM »

Don't get me wrong guys. I'm not saying that a trigger/action job is necessary to get a good trigger on a S&W. I'm just saying that it can improve many that weren't born that way.
FWIW, I currently own 11 S&W rimfire revolvers ( and many more centerfire). My earliest production guns all had the best "production" triggers. Partially to the fitting/quality that went on in those days, partially because of years of use. (In reality , just pulling the trigger (with snap caps of course) 1-2000 times will smoothen most triggers out. )
With my latter 70-90'sS&W revolvers, SOME triggers were more gritty and or heavier than others ( with the same amount of use.)

If your happy with your trigger then be thankful. If you think it could be better then consider having some work done to it.

Old Griz · « **Reply #13 on:** February 10, 2005, 04:32:38 PM »

:cb2: I have to agree with Questor and TNrifleman--it's got to be one of the best .22s ever made. Now I'm sure the FA is a fine .22, but I'll never know for sure.

Bigdog57 · « **Reply #14 on:** March 08, 2005, 02:56:23 AM »

I'm proud to finally join the august company of K22 owners. I have been lusting for one for a couple years now, and finally began searching the auction sites. The prices were putting me off though. Then I found a nice Model 17-3 (blued, six inch barrel) in a local pawnshop. Nice gun for an excellent price. It's in my gunlocker now! Gonna have some fun come Saturday at the range!

Questor · « **Reply #15 on:** March 08, 2005, 04:43:29 AM »

About the triggers on S&W revolvers, I think they are excellent as field and hunting triggers right out of the box. For target shooting, a number of questions need to be asked, like what is needed for the single-action trigger puill (2 pounds for bullseye, maybe lighter or heavier for something else), how wide does the trigger need to be (narrow is better for some who do action shooting), and does the double action trigger pull need to be lightened or smooted in some way (this depends on what events you want to shoot.) That's the nature of true target guns. Taking any general purpose gun and applying it to target competition means that you're going to do some customizing.

KF9VH · « **Reply #16 on:** April 03, 2005, 11:14:11 AM »

Clark does action jobs on Smith's.

http://www.clarkcustomguns.com/revserv.htm

S.B. · « **Reply #17 on:** April 30, 2005, 03:05:39 AM »

My S&W 617. I'm very impressed with this gun. I can't remember the last time I owned a S&W that actually needed an action job. Most just need to be shot and broke in?

Jim n Iowa · « **Reply #18 on:** April 30, 2005, 11:56:46 AM »

SB
I find the trigger ok. I shoot at 25 yds and rest the butt on a bag and 5 shot groups are 2-3" and centered, I am ok with this. I really like this gun. It seems so far to like most ammo except Blazer and Remington target. On the advice from a person at Ruger I p/u a new MK2 bull 5". It looks to be a shooter. And talk about cheap to shoot.
Jim

Questor · « **Reply #19 on:** May 01, 2005, 03:41:46 AM »

I put a scope on my 617 and with Federal match ammo it shoots 5/8" groups at 25 yards for six shouts.