Can't help you with the recent models but I bought mine approximately 6-7 years ago and is one of my favorite revolvers and see no reason whatsoever will you. I have Vortex Venom dot sight on it if that matters any.

 

Bought a four-inch around 10 years ago now. It is full equal in accuracy to my semi-autos. Not ammo picky. Comfortable to shoot. Absolutely amazing pistol. Those pink squares below are one inch a side. I went back and bought a six-inch about two years ago. It is almost as good.

 

I bought mine several years ago, it grouped like a shotgun. Upon examination, I found the forcing cone looked like it had been threaded, you can see the lead it collected in the grooves:

I like to do my own maintenance when I can, so I bought a used forcing cone kit and re-cut it myself. It groups nice and tight now.

 

I bought one about 2 years ago.
Its fantastic, and everyone that shoots it wants one too.
It's very accurate for me shooting freehand.

 

And with something like the SPEED BEEZ loader and case it's even more fun.

SPEED BEEZ Speedloader Bundle | Smith & Wesson 617 – Speed Beez

SPEED BEEZ Speedloader Bundle | Smith & Wesson 617 combines the incredible Speed Beez speedloader, Speed and Speed Beez case! Check out the savings!

www.speedbeez.com

This is the perfect pistol for beginners, too.

 

Had one in the past. Tempted to buy another one. Recently bought a 63-5. Nice enough for what it is, but I think the 617 is a better fit for my big paw, and capable of accuracy beyond the plinker level of the 63. Plus, someone once said, only accurate guns interest me. That’s me too.
Plus, I like the many grip options of a K frame.
Don’t like that QC of S&W guns is hit or miss…pardon the pun.

 

PS The recent ones are square butt, aren’t they? The one I had years ago was round butt.

 

I have a 617-6 and it's a round butt. I did put Hogue round to square conversion grips on it, fills my XL mitts nicely.
edit to add: My 617-6 has been great with no drama due to poor QC, tight chambers or most anything else. Spit a little lead at first but that seems to have resolved itself. I put a Burris FastFire III red dot on it, I can't think of a way this pistol could be better.

 

Yes, a used one (about 10 years old) in top condition. I am quite pleased with it.

 

I have an older (late '80s) pre-lock 4" 17 and love it. It will shoot right with my 6" 17 and 6" Diamondback all day long. It's my go-to .22 revolver, and I have SIX to choose from.

 

I bought a new one three years ago and it is probably my most fun rimfire pistol to shoot. It is on my short list of must-have firearms. Everyone that shoots it falls in love. They sell themselves.

 

Thanks for the info. Any idea where to get a good deal on one.

 

They are rather hard to come by. Currently the 4" is going for $929.
Always check gun.deals to see if this changes.

There are only three 10 round 22lr revolvers on the market that I know of.

Try 8-round S&W 63 or a 317 as possible alternates for slightly less.

 

I've got both the 6" 10 shot and 4" 10 shot. Both have been back to S&W for the custom shop to put all of the target options and action slicked up. Awesome revolvers. With speed loaders and blocks they are hard to beat. My 6" 10 shot is a bit over 20 years old pre-lock would be one the last gun I would ever let go. I have similar feelings for my model 648. The 6" 617 is extremely accurate.

 

Every time I read about the 4 inch 617 it makes me want to go out and purchase one. Truth is I am having so much fun shooting my 1911 Marvel and Nelson 22 conversion uppers on my Para 1911 frame. Great shooting on those targets with that 4 inch 617, does not seem to be picky on ammo choice. You have a real winner there with it shooting cci standard so good.

 

I have one, and I love it. maybe 8 years old.
I will say its Not a Bullseye target pistol, but as fun as you can get.
shooting steel targets fast is great. mine just recently got a red dot using a Weigand mount so it matches my 686P

Smith Wesson K,L,N,X frame revolver Mini Mount WEIG-A-TINNY®

Mini scope mount for Smith & Wesson revolvers—compact, durable, sight-on simplicity – Free Shipping!

www.jackweigand.com

 

Bought my 617-6 10 plus years ago and it still one of my favorite shooters . I believe the -6 is still the current model from what I’ve seen so they haven’t made any manufacturing changes , which aren’t needed .

 

I have a -6 six inch and love it. I wish I had a 4” to go with it though.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

I have a 6" that I shoot better than my model 41.
BUT, I bought the 4" last week expecting it would need a little work. It is horrible!
Three of the chambers are hard to cycle the trigger DA. Extractor rod and crane seem fine. Maybe a long hand??
I will be digging into it more next week. It needs some love and will get it.
Then break in can continue before summer bullseye league.

 

I got a pre lock 6" that is my nephew left in the foam guncase in high humidity that I have no heart to show here what happened to it. I have yet to replace entire rear sight. Really surprised how much they gone up in prices for sure.

 

I think it would be a good idea to show people on what not to do considering all the new shooters out there . IMO

 

I used a friend’s 6” 617, last year. Not as accurate as my 17-4, and it was too muzzle heavy for ME.
I’d like to find a lightly used 4” at a decent price. I actually did see a 4” at a reasonable price but it was an older, 6 shot and I wanted the 10 shot version

 

I bought one a couple years ago. It an ok plinking gun. It does have circumfrential grooves in all 10 chambers, don't know if it's a new thing from S&W or a quality issue. As for the forcing cone, I'm not sure it actually has one. I've pretty much given up on new S&W revolvers, The last 5 or 6 all had/have something wrong with them. I returned a couple on warranty, neither was totally repaired. Same with one of their semi autos.

 

Thanks- you saved me some money. Too old with too little patience to go through getting another new Smith straightened out.
Did that more than once over the years.
I did buy a couple this year as a minor re-entry into shooting. They seem ok, so maybe I should quit while I’m ahead.

 

Well I bought 1 about a month ago carried it to range yesterday. It wouldn't fire at all was paissed to say the least. I put it back in bag shot other hand guns came home . Cleaned other guns and decided to open up the nib 617. I pulled side plate it was full of machining chips like it hadn't been cleaned before assembly. I blew it out oiled and reassemble. Put 10 rounds in it pull 10 time in dubble action fired every time. I called S&W this morning and they apologized till I was sick of hearing it. I have a 648 bought new same gun only .22 wmrf never had one issue with it and it's lights out accurate. I guess you can have issues even with A $900 DOLLAR 22Lr. I think I'm going to love it now.

 

They all became round butt, part way into the dash 1 series. I owned a dash 1 that was round butt, and recently saw one with a square. Mine came with a rubber grip while the square came with wood combats.
I think very recent ones are square butt, however I have been unable to confirm.

 

I think very recent ones are square butt, however I have been unable to confirm.

I believe any recent ones you see that appear to be square butt are the grips that convert round to look square. I believe the guns to all be round butt now.

 

I bought a 617, 4", 10 shot about 3 months ago. Replaced the front sight with a fiber optic. About a month ago I installed a Holosun 407k optic. I have over 2000 rounds thru this gun so far. Had some light primer strikes in the first 300 rounds, but that has resolved itself. Mine likes the Remington golden bullets best. It does not like Armscore ammo.

 

I just started a thread about mine before seeing this.

I just bought a new 4" 617 a few days ago. Overall I'm very happy with it. It's very accurate and it balances well. 10 shots are more fun than 6.

The finish kinda sucks. They definitely could have spent a few more minutes polishing. It's covered in scratches and has some tool marks. They don't really show up in the picture.