I have both, and like both. I have a K-22 pre-17, like it also. If a gun works, it's good to me. My 617 is a 10-shot, which is sometimes fun to surprise the bottom-feeder users with.

Here's some of them:

 

Bullet Bob

Nice guns. I have a 617. I'm thinking about getting a new 17 model.

 

I have a 4” 10 shot 617 and really like it. It is completely stock. I really like the single action trigger and the double action trigger is fine. Mine is 7 years old and when I first got it it had a spacing issue between the back of the cylinder and the frame that S&W took care of under warranty. Now it is one of my two favorite shooters.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

I had a 17 and I now have the 617. It's my favorite gun to plink with and to shoot for Steel Challenge Matches. I like the weight of the 617 and the fact that it has 10 shots.:gun4:

 

Did you bob the hammer yourself? If so, why?

 

I have both, on the same barrel leght, model 617 is alot heavier than model 17, so if you plan on using it on a hostler i would go with a model 17.

617 is worth it when you need those 10 shots.

 

I really dislike full lug barrels.

I really dislike full lug barrels,,,
So the choice for me would be a Model 17.

I know the full lug is supposed to steady the pistol,,,
But they always seem to have the opposite effect for me.

Besides, they are ugly.

Aarond

.

 

I really dislike full lug barrels,,,
So the choice for me would be a Model 17.

I know the full lug is supposed to steady the pistol,,,
But they always seem to have the opposite effect for me.

Besides, they are ugly.

Aarond

.

Ditto on this, and I'll add that you couldn't get a 617 back when Smith and Wesson made really fine firearms, so I'll stick with my 17-2.

 

I prefer the stainless steel of the 617 and love the feel and looks of the full length barrel lug.

 

Looking to buy a 8 ⅜!
See WTB on this site 😁

 

617

Between the durable finish of stainless steel and the 10 shot capacity, the 617 is my favorite. I've owned a 6" 617 for about 15 years and added a 4" about 7 years ago. Both have been great dependable shooters and with speedloaders and a loading block can burn through a brick in short order.

 

The 4” 617 is about the same weight as the 6” 17 according to the S&W website. I have one 4” 617 and 2-18’s, three 6”17’s, one 8 3/8” 17 . Depending on use the 4” 617 and the 8 3/8” 17 are my favorites. So buy one of each.

 

I have both and it is a wash for accuracy. The 17 points more easily for me, but I have come to love the solidity of the 617 -- so much so that I recently added a six-inch model to the four-inch that shoots so well for me. Oddly, the aiming system makes a much bigger difference to me than the barrel configuration, even though the underlug on the 617 has a noticeable effect on the handling qualities of the pistols. I have also tried a Ruger GP100, which is built on the same scale as the 617 but, of course, has no underlug. The GP100 is pretty accurate, but took some work to get the trigger where I wanted it. The S&W models had great triggers and have only gotten better with use.

617, with its big brother in .357.

Model 17:

GP100 and target:

 

K22

I like the 6-shot 617 no-dash, but it's a little heavy for the shooting I do. The older K22s are great shooters and aren't toooooo heavy.
Bob

17-3

 

ruger

Wow that ruger shoots great! Great shooting!

 

Wow that ruger shoots great! Great shooting!

Well, it was off a Hyskore rest at 15 yards. I think of it as "proof of concept." My off hand shooting turns that one inch group in to three inches at the same distance. But at least I know it's me and not the revolver.

The 4-inch 617 does as well.

 

Wouldn't be interested in a Model 617 for all the reasons already listed.

It's a Model 17 (top) and an early 1950s K-22 for me.

 

Actually they are both good guns and have a lot in common. Only the end user can decide on a personal preference and his shooting style which one he prefers.

The best decision would not be either 17 or 617 but 17 AND 617.

 

I’m thinking about getting one of these 617s with a 4 inch bbl to teach myself to shoot left handed so as to become a double duelist in my cas competitions. Using revolvers in left and right hand forward facing holsters drawing and shooting them one at a time one handed, duelist style. I have always competed right hand duelist using a crossdraw holster for my weak side revolver. Figure a .22 DA revolver would be a good start for my left hand and cheap to shoot until I move up to my centerfire revolvers. I’ve shot several Smith .22 autos and have a M41 but never a .22 Smith revolver. Sounds like you guys think these are pretty good revolvers. I like s/s as I live on the coast. Anything that I should look for or avoid. BTW, I’m 68 so the old dog is going to try to learn a new trick.

 

Not sure if it is the case now, but when I bought my 4” there seemed to be a run that had crooked barrels, such that the front sight was slightly angled. I must have gone to half a dozen stores before I found one that was straight.

Aside from barrels, I’d check the usual revolver traits: cylinder play, cylinder gap, forcing cone, timing, etc.

Also I’d highly recommend getting a speed loader and loading block setup. It makes reloads a snap, and allows you to focus more on shooting.

 

For aesthetics, I prefer the blue Model 17, pre lock versions.

For long term durability and balance, I like the 4” Model 617. The stainless steel will look good forever, whereas the blued version won’t look as good with hard usage.

 

Another good one is the Performance Center 17, which is a REALLY nice revolver.
Bob

 

The older 17s and 18s are all round nicer guns than the ones we get now. That being said, I have a 6 shot lugged 6" 17 and it's a good shooter except it's heavy, a 2 handed gun for this old man. I recently bought a 4" 617, 10 shot, it shoots spot on, trigger pull is extra heavy. The heavy trigger pull and the 10 shot cylinder are the only things I don't like about it. I'll try lighter springs in it after I shoot it some more. I don't like the lock but we are stuck with it.

 

I'd rather have the model 17 as I prefer the 6 shot cylinder.

 

I myself can’t stand stainless finish guns- old classic bluing for me.
Not a fan of underlugs either.
I do like the 10 shot capacity
For me the perfect 22 revolver would be a gun the style finish and elegance of the 1950’s model 17 with the 10 shot cylinder of the current 617

 

I have a 617 no dash and love the gun. it is very accurate. I wouldn't sell it ever. I also have a 1953 K-22 and love it too. I wouldn't ever sell it either.
They both have thier pluses and minuses.

 

I have several of each.
The 8-3/8” barreled 617 needs a bipod and wheels to use it.

The old 17s are classics and are well balanced.

With the full lug, the 617 balances best with a 4” barrel.

The Model 18 with TT, TH, TS is a real gem.


For hard use, I would take the 4” Model 617.

Nothing beats the old ones for classic looks.

 

I'll post mine.

I like my first 617 THTT (no dash) 6 shot (top) but since I started SCSA and other speed sports I haven't used it in the last 15 years.

The 4" has the best balance.

I also have a GP100 10 shot, I got it very smooth but the really long DA trigger pull is too slow for me in speed sports, I've been used to S&W's. I have since changed the GP100 to a Burris FFIII 3MOA dot and just use it for long range plinking.

I also like the old 17's but I don't have one.

They all seem accurate enough for what I do.