the newer s&w non-j-frames, with the strain screw secured leaf spring, inject a fly in the ointment with wolff hammer spring replacements. The end of the strain screw is so small that it intrudes into the 'power rib' and, even fully tightened, doesn't provide enough pre-load to prevent ftf's with the full power spring! I got aound this by using an allen headed ss set screw and adjusting it until i got no ftf's then turned it in another quarter of a turn - and applied blue loctite via a toothpick to the threads. The last step is the hardest - leave it alone for 16-24 hr to cure!
Why are s&w hammer and return springs so stout? S&w is protecting their bacon! They want to insure that your revolver's hammer will pop any primer - and the trigger will return for another shot - no matter how clean your revolver is kept. Add to that the additional energy requirement to crush a rimfire primer, and you see why your 617 is so stout on da as delivered. Make it a .22 wmr model, and it takes even more.
My 617 is super now - and it will still discharge cci stingers & velocitors, if needed. As a dedicated plinker, it's 100% reliable with the el-cheapo federal 550 packs of 36gr hps from wallyworld. The only one that didn't go bang in that 617 failed to do so in one of my cz-452 rifles, too - a definite dud. Not bad considering the large number of bricks of that ammo i have shot over the years. Dirty chambers, in my 63's and the 617 alike, make insertion of the cci cartridges a bit more troublesome, ie, they don't fall in or out - like the federal cartridges. I do find myself turning the cylinders with my finger pushing the rims towards the cylinder's chambers prior to closing the cylinder - an old habit, but, perhaps, the reason i don't have problems - even after 450+ rounds since a cleaning in my 617 once - a purposed nastiness test, which it passed! My 617 as it is today:
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okay - the ds-10 has a load of fed automatch in it - which works great in my wife's little walther bottom-feeder.
Stinger 317 - what seizes in your new 617?
Stainz
