I have a 10 shot 617 with a 6 inch barrel. If you are planning to use the iron sights, get the 6 inch. It will build up your hand and make you a better shooter not only with the 617 but with other guns. I have a Colt Python with a 6 inch barrel and it is almost the same size and weight as my 617.

If you are planning to use a scope on the 617 then get the four inch because you will be adding weight. With a scope you won't need the longer sight radius that the 6 inch provides.

 

Unless I planned to do a lot of belt holstering while sitting, I would get the 6".

 

Why not get a 17 or 18?

 

I'm a relative novice and I don't feel very comfortable with buying used guns. I can see obvious damage, but I have no way of knowing if somebody is unloading their pile of junk with unseen defects on me.

Wouldn't those older models also be only 6 shot?

 

I own both in the 617-4 version and I like the 4" the best. I would recommend you get the 4" first and then add the 6" if you wish later on. You'll also probably enjoy the DS-10 Speedloaders, which are shown below.

 

I would recommend you get the 4" first and then add the 6" if you wish later on. You'll also probably enjoy the DS-10 Speedloaders, which are shown below.

I think I will most likely go with the 4" first and see how that goes. I've never gotten my hands on a 4" version as Cabela's only carries the 6". These are not the easiest guns to find (not that I've looked all that hard). Evidently, most of the nation is into either Glocks or 1911s & "real" calibers, totally failing to appreciate the timeless beauty of the revolver & the wonders of the humble .22LR.

I think I'll have to pass on speed loaders, as that would just be yet another thing to drag to a range.

Thanks for the pics of your pair. They look great, especially with the wood grips.

I know I'm just over-thinking this issue. It's not like there's any wrong choice here.

 

If you are never planning on mounting any kind of scope at all, then the 6" is fine if you are comfortable with it.
Most people seem to find that the 6" is a bit heavier and unwieldly, me being one of them.
I went with the 4" both for keeping the weight down plus I knew I wanted to mount a red dot at some point so a lighter pistol was desired in the first place to offset the weight of the scope, and, the longer barrel wouldn't be necessary anyway when scoped.

But you seem to be leaning toward the 6" so, for you, that would probably be the way to go for your first 617.

As an aside: I've been buying revolvers for over 40 years, and the reason I mostly bought 6" (or longer) barrels was because I never dreamed of scoping a revolver back then, and, since there was no such thing as concealed carry until recently, I never thought of a revolver needing to be more "compact" for potential carry. (I still kick myself for passing on a brand new Python 2-1/2" sitting at a LGS in the late 70's for just over $400.)
If I could do it all over again, I would have bought most of my revolvers in 4", some of them in the 2" range, and only one or two longer than 4" (my 8-3/8" Model 29 in Nickle is a long range tack driver with it's original open sights).
Nowadays, the ONLY barrel lengths I consider for any revolver I buy is 4" and under depending on the caliber and what I intend to use it for.

 

I've got both and hopefully neither of them are going anywhere, but if I ever did have to thin the herd, I'd probably keep the 4".

 

As you probably gather, the choice of a 4” or 6” barrel for a 617 is really just a matter of personal preference. If you are happy with the weight and balance of a 6” GP100, then you first choice may be the 6” 617.

For myself, I prefer the weight and balance plus sight radius of the 6” 17. Among the 617s, I prefer the weight and balance of the 4” but I have a 5” that I am very fond of. I find the 6” a little more muzzle heavy than I prefer. I know they made a few stainless versions of the 6” 17 and I would love it if they made more.

 

I bought and then sold a 6" 617 in the past year as I thought it poorly balanced. Someone suggested putting some lead in the grip, but I let it go.

I did just pick up a model 17 with an 8" barrel, and while it is muzzle heavy, it still balances better than that 617 IMO.

 

I was asking the same question a month ago.

 

I recently got the 6", and while I really like it, it definitely *is* "heavy".

 

4" is better for "casual" plinking and hunting. 6" is the paper punchers choice.

I am down to one > 6" , and it is a HS Citation 108 with a fluted barrel. My 17, 41, 48, and 617 are all 4". Edit, the 41 is a 5.5"

Easier to carry, easier to quickly aim and shoot for me.

 

S&W is currently marketing a "classic" model 17. I came within a whisker of getting one last month but opted instead for the 4" 617. If my business picks up this year, I still might get the 17.

 

I would get the 4" version. It has a similar balance to the old model 17 in a 6" barrel.

If you want to see muzzle heavy:

 

I use my 6 inch for Bullseye and it is very accurate. I think the 4 inch is a better fit if you are planning to plink or do casual shooting.

 

AS some others have said, the 4" is nicely balanced and is similar in weight to the old Model 17. That would be my choice even though I prefer my 6" K22 Masterpiece to all other models, but it also has a lot lighter barrel

 

I've got both the 6 and 4 inch 617s and like them both. I shoot Steel Challenge and my 6 inch gun is my primary weapon. I like the 10 shot and do not feel outgunned by any of the automatics. It hosts a fiber optic front sight and an LPA rear sight and is very accurate.

My 4 inch hosts a C-More Railway red dot sight. It balances perfectly with the dot and is easy on transitions. With the C-More, moving from target to target is the natural sequence of things. Sight hardly rises and next shot is already prepped and ready.

 

As people have stated weight and balance are the two most common things cited when choosing the 4 over the 6". There are rimfire revolvers but they are also full framed all steel revolvers and that weight can get tiresome for many shooters. It is highly unlikely you'll see any difference in accuracy between them even with iron sights. I agree with the comment to get the 4" first, you never hear anyone say they have a 4" and it's too light lol.

 

I had a 6-inch Model 617. It was very accurate but so heavy. For me, it wasn't pleasant to shoot like my Model 17 6 inch. I I will buy a 4-inch Model 617 in the near future. After I tried out the feel of the 4-inch model, I can say it's better balanced. S&W needs to get rid of the full-length rib.

 

Wow, this is an old thread.

Times have not changed. It all comes down to what you are using it for. If you need the longer sight radius, get the 6”. If you are going to carry it, get the 4”. The 4” 617 has a balance similar to the 6” model 17. The full lug of the 617 sure changes the balance of the revolver.

My 8-3/8” model 617 needs wheels and a bipod.

 

I agree with you. I have a 4" and a 6". I prefer the 4" for the reasons others have stated.

The 6" is heavy. An 8-3/8 would be approaching field artillery.

 

 

I had a gunsmith cut off the underlug and it came out very well. It is the way it should have been made originally.

 

Friends sorry to bump a month's old thread.

Good Sir, can I ask who did the excellent work removing that barrel rib?
I just not 2 days ago purchased a 617 6" .

 

Yes, S&W needs to get rid of the underlug and make the pistol look slim and in proportion. S&W has done this too to many of their beautiful handguns. I can't see where it makes the pistol easier to shoot being muzzle heavy.

 

@OP, you mentioned 'other' revolvers; have you considered the Colt King Cobra Target in .22 caliber? I'm thinking that will be my next one in 2024.