New S&W 617

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RussB

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I got this yesterday, brand new. I participate in steel plate matches, and there's a 22 revolver class. I've been itching to get a 617 for some time now.

It's a 10-shot. I have some speed loaders and Hogue grips on order for it. Can't wait to shoot next week in Providence RI


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Nice ! Looks familiar ! I did a K-frame trigger job on mine and installed the C&S extended firing pin along with the lighter springs for an 8 lb DA and 3 lb SA. Shoots awesome, feels great. Highlighted fiber optic front sight and settled on Pachmayr grips. I tried the Hogues too, and I like them a lot, but I have big hands and wanted a bigger full grip. Overall just a great gun. Lots of fun to shoot and very accurate. You will love it I'm sure.


-Mike


C&S Extended Firing Pin for S&W revolvers

Wolff Spring Kit for S&W Revolvers

HiViz Fiber Optic Front Sight for S&W Revolvers




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Nice job, Mike!

I did smooth up the trigger by stoning the rebound slide & track along with a light polish of the double-action contact surfaces. I installed a 14# rebound spring too.
 
Sweet rig Russ! You are going to love it!

Mike, any trouble with light strikes? Is the C&S extended firing pin a fairly easy install?
 
I have the 4" and really like shooting it. I will be using it for steel as well when I finally get the time (stoopud kidz!!). Enjoy it.

C
 
Tophernj said:
I have the 4" and really like shooting it. I will be using it for steel as well when I finally get the time (stoopud kidz!!). Enjoy it.

C
Click to expand...
I struggled with the 4" vs. 6" choice for some time...a 5" 617 would be just about perfect!
 
Rummaging through my "stuff" I found a set of K frame Pachmayr "Gripper" grips. They are much more substantial that the rather small grips they come with these days. I preferred it when they came with rubber Hogues



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I bought a 4" about a month ago and I'm in love with it. I 'd wanted one for more than ten years and finally had enough and did it. Has proven very accurate and most importantly reliable. The folks over on Rimfire Central had me scared that it would quit running after a hundred rounds or so due to crud buildup and I'm happy to say that mine has ticked through an entire brick of Wildcats in one session with zero issues.
 
Howdy

I picked up a used 617 a few years ago because I was attending a monthly plate shoot too. I had to get off 8 aimed shots in 15 seconds and I just couldn't reload my six shooters that fast. I had been using my Ruger Mark II, but I thought a revolver might be fun. To tell you the truth, I have not fired the gun much. I much prefer the classics, the action on them is just better. This 617 is the only MIM parts/lock gun I own. But maybe I will try changing out the springs and smoothing up the action a little bit and see if I like it any better.

Was the firing pin difficult to replace? More importantly did you really need to do that? Was it unreliable? I have not had any failures to fire with the stock firing pin. I know how to replace springs in a Smith and how to smooth up the action a bit, but how do you replace the firing pin? The link says it has to be done by a 'qualified gunsmith'. Am I qualified if I can take one apart and put it back together again without any left over parts?


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Awesome. I, personally, believe that the 617 is one of the best-looking revolvers ever made. I need one, too. OK...not really need so much as want. 'Twould be a great companion to my 686.

Enjoy!
 
My 617 6-shot is my favorite revolver. Maybe my favorite out of everything I own. At first I thought it was too much for a .22 but now I don't want any less.
 
re: removing the firing pin in a S&W current production frame-mounted firing pin revolver


remove the side plate
remove the hammer
pull the firing pin retaining pin out. It pulls right out
slide the firing pin and it's spring out of its recess


Extra length firing pins are not recommended for the S&W 22LR revolvers. Also, go easy lightening the pull. I've read over on the Enos forums that top notch pistolsmiths can only get the DA pull to around 7 # to 8# and keep reliability with all brands of 22LR ammo.

Folks have mixed results using aftermarket mainsprings.

Apex Tactical makes a replacement 617 hammer that, along with some 'smithing can get a reliable pull a bit lighter. They are also one of the top revolver smiths in the country

https://apextactical.com/store/product-info.php?pid3.html
 
Birdshooter - The firing pin is an easy swap out. Its not physically any longer or shorter than the stock firing pin, just the channel is a little wider to allow it to punch the shell a little deeper. I always use snap caps if I dry fire it. Which I try not to do too often. No light strikes so far but I've only been using Federal and CCI rounds.
Russ those are the same Pachmayrs I use now. I used the 12 lb trigger spring when I did mine and polished all the moving surfaces.



-Mike
 
Thanks for the information. Of course folks get mixed results when changing out springs. Changing springs is not a trigger job. If you don't lessen the internal friction, but go ahead and lighten the springs, there may be enough friction that the firing pin can't do its job.

But I'll bet you knew that.
 
Congrats on a great purchase. I know you will like it and it has an excellent reputation for accuracy.
 
ChiefTJS said:
I bought a 4" about a month ago and I'm in love with it. I 'd wanted one for more than ten years and finally had enough and did it. Has proven very accurate and most importantly reliable. The folks over on Rimfire Central had me scared that it would quit running after a hundred rounds or so due to crud buildup and I'm happy to say that mine has ticked through an entire brick of Wildcats in one session with zero issues.
Click to expand...
Your story is similar to mine. I had been wanting one for many years...and welcome to the forum! :)
 
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