I would first like to say, that this is a great forum with a lot of good information. I have a couple questions about this Model 617 (no dash) I just recently purchased used. It's serial # is BHH6, and is in a 6" barrel length. As you can see by the pic's it's in very nice condition. Would anyone know its approx date of mfg, and I was curious about the grips. Did these come with the revolver, or were the added later? Thanks for any help - it's greatly appreciated
Smith & Wesson - Model 617
- Thread starter gbarnes15
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aHFo3
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Welcome to the forum! That's a great looking 617! Did you get the number from the base of the grip? You should post this in the sticky DOB thread for S&W revolvers at the top of the Revolver Forum, you'll probably receive a quicker answer. Good luck.
revolverforums
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617 with no dash was made between 1989 and 1992. They are tough to find with the six shot steel cylinder. Excellent find, I have one just like it with the 4 inch and it's a dandy shooter.
aHFo3
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I guess a welcome to the forum is a little belated. I looked at your 1 post number, and not your join date of 2 1/2 years before me! Anyway, congratulations on your first post!
The_Shootist
Member
Nod
6 shot SS 617 in 6" bbl (no-lock) was my first handgun over 11 years ago and I still have it. Its a keeper and its not going anywhere.
Unfortunately, it was under 2 ft of water for a while after Hurricane Ike and the trigger was corroded. Rest of the gun cleaned up fine and I'll take it to the range tommorrow to make sure its in good form.
6 shot SS 617 in 6" bbl (no-lock) was my first handgun over 11 years ago and I still have it. Its a keeper and its not going anywhere.
Unfortunately, it was under 2 ft of water for a while after Hurricane Ike and the trigger was corroded. Rest of the gun cleaned up fine and I'll take it to the range tommorrow to make sure its in good form.
krs
Member
It was made between March and July of 1991 and those are very likely the original grips.
It was standard SS .22 with either 4" or 6" full lug barrel. It remained unchanged until 617-1 in 1993 that had the frame drilled and tapped for scope mounting and synthetic grips were introduced in a somewhat more sculpted pattern.
The 10 shot alloy cylinder version was not introduced until 617-2 in 1996.
I have a matte blued ten shot model 17-8 that introduced ME to the concept of a ten shot revolver, and I've come to really like that convenient capability.
More is better, especially when it comes to cartridges.
It was standard SS .22 with either 4" or 6" full lug barrel. It remained unchanged until 617-1 in 1993 that had the frame drilled and tapped for scope mounting and synthetic grips were introduced in a somewhat more sculpted pattern.
The 10 shot alloy cylinder version was not introduced until 617-2 in 1996.
I have a matte blued ten shot model 17-8 that introduced ME to the concept of a ten shot revolver, and I've come to really like that convenient capability.
More is better, especially when it comes to cartridges.
revolverforums
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gbarnes if you decide to go with krs's advice on a 10 shot let me know and I'll take it off your hands. I had a 10 shot before I got my 4" 6 shot and hated it. Just didn't look like a revolver to me.
krs
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Hey! Get in line!
...can't tell it's a revolver??
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revolverforums
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KRS it looks like a revolver yes but the cylinder from a distance tells me it's a 22. If they made it unflutted it wouldn't look so bad but with all the flutes it just doesn't appeal to me.
kolob10
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I owned a 617 several years ago with a 4" barrel & steel cyl. I sold it as I could not get it to shoot under 2" @ 25 yards with any ammo. My old model 17 shoots 1" @ 25 yards with good ammo. Good shooting.
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