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The Ultimate Guide to the Smith & Wesson 617: A Comprehensive Review

Are you considering purchasing a Smith & Wesson 617 revolver? Or perhaps you already own one and want to learn more about its features, benefits, and potential drawbacks? You’ve come to the right place. This comprehensive guide provides an in-depth look at the S&W 617, covering everything from its design and features to its performance and real-world value. Our goal is to equip you with the knowledge you need to make an informed decision or to get the most out of your existing firearm. We’ll explore what makes the S&W 617 such a popular and respected revolver, particularly among target shooters and small game hunters.

What is the Smith & Wesson 617? A Detailed Overview

The Smith & Wesson 617 is a stainless steel, double-action/single-action revolver chambered in .22 Long Rifle. It’s a K-frame revolver, known for its comfortable grip and manageable size. The 617 is primarily designed for target shooting, plinking, and small game hunting. It’s a popular choice for both novice and experienced shooters due to its accuracy, reliability, and relatively low recoil. Unlike some .22 revolvers geared towards concealed carry, the S&W 617 is typically offered with a longer barrel (4-inch or 6-inch), further enhancing its accuracy potential.

The 617 builds on Smith & Wesson’s long history of producing high-quality revolvers. The K-frame design, which dates back to the late 19th century, strikes a balance between size and power, making it suitable for a wide range of applications. The stainless steel construction ensures durability and resistance to corrosion, making the 617 a long-lasting investment. The revolver’s popularity stems from its inherent accuracy, smooth trigger pull, and the affordability of .22 LR ammunition, making it an excellent platform for honing shooting skills without breaking the bank.

Understanding the .22 Long Rifle Cartridge

The .22 Long Rifle (.22 LR) cartridge is a rimfire cartridge known for its affordability, low recoil, and widespread availability. It’s a popular choice for target shooting, plinking, small game hunting, and training. Its low cost allows for extended practice sessions without significant expense. While not suitable for self-defense against larger threats, it’s effective for pest control and small game at close ranges. The .22 LR’s low recoil makes it an ideal cartridge for introducing new shooters to firearms, allowing them to develop proper technique without being intimidated by excessive recoil.

Key Features of the Smith & Wesson 617

The S&W 617 boasts several features that contribute to its accuracy, reliability, and user-friendliness:

Stainless Steel Construction: The stainless steel frame, cylinder, and barrel provide exceptional durability and corrosion resistance, ensuring a long service life.
K-Frame Design: The K-frame offers a comfortable grip and manageable size, making it suitable for a wide range of hand sizes.
Adjustable Rear Sight: The adjustable rear sight allows for precise zeroing, ensuring accurate shot placement at various distances.
Target Grips: The grips are ergonomically designed for a comfortable and secure hold, enhancing control and accuracy.
Full Underlug: The full underlug on the barrel adds weight, which helps to reduce recoil and muzzle flip, further improving accuracy.
10-Shot Cylinder: The 10-shot cylinder provides ample capacity for target shooting and small game hunting.
Double-Action/Single-Action Trigger: The double-action/single-action trigger allows for versatility in shooting styles.

A Closer Look at the S&W 617’s Features

Let’s delve deeper into some of the key features of the Smith & Wesson 617:

Stainless Steel Construction: The use of stainless steel throughout the revolver’s construction is a significant advantage. Stainless steel is highly resistant to corrosion, making the 617 suitable for use in various environmental conditions. This ensures that the revolver will maintain its appearance and functionality for years to come, even with regular use and exposure to moisture.

K-Frame Design: The K-frame is a mid-size revolver frame that strikes a balance between size and weight. It’s large enough to provide a comfortable grip and stable shooting platform, but not so large as to be unwieldy or difficult to conceal (although the longer barrel lengths of the 617 aren’t ideal for concealed carry). The K-frame has been a mainstay of Smith & Wesson’s revolver lineup for over a century, a testament to its effectiveness and versatility.

Adjustable Rear Sight: The adjustable rear sight is a crucial feature for achieving optimal accuracy. It allows the shooter to fine-tune the point of impact to match their preferred ammunition and shooting style. The ability to adjust both windage and elevation ensures that the revolver can be zeroed for various distances and conditions. This is particularly important for target shooting, where precise shot placement is paramount.

Target Grips: The target grips are designed to provide a comfortable and secure hold, which is essential for maintaining control and accuracy. The grips are typically made from wood or synthetic materials and are contoured to fit the hand naturally. A good grip helps to reduce felt recoil and muzzle flip, allowing for faster follow-up shots.

Full Underlug: The full underlug is a weight-bearing extension of the barrel that runs along the underside of the revolver. This added weight helps to stabilize the revolver during firing, reducing recoil and muzzle flip. The full underlug also protects the ejector rod from damage.

10-Shot Cylinder: The 10-shot cylinder provides ample capacity for target shooting and small game hunting. This reduces the need for frequent reloading, allowing the shooter to focus on their target. The cylinder is precisely machined to ensure smooth and reliable rotation.

Double-Action/Single-Action Trigger: The double-action/single-action trigger provides versatility in shooting styles. In single-action mode, the hammer is manually cocked before each shot, resulting in a lighter and crisper trigger pull. In double-action mode, the trigger cocks the hammer and fires the shot in one continuous motion, resulting in a heavier trigger pull but faster follow-up shots. This allows the shooter to choose the trigger mode that best suits their needs and preferences.

The Advantages of Owning a Smith & Wesson 617

The Smith & Wesson 617 offers numerous advantages for both novice and experienced shooters. Here are some of the most significant benefits:

Exceptional Accuracy: The 617 is renowned for its accuracy, making it an excellent choice for target shooting and small game hunting.
Reliability: Smith & Wesson revolvers are known for their reliability, and the 617 is no exception. It’s a firearm that you can count on to perform consistently, even under demanding conditions.
Durability: The stainless steel construction ensures that the 617 will withstand years of use and exposure to the elements.
Low Recoil: The .22 LR cartridge produces very little recoil, making the 617 comfortable to shoot for extended periods.
Affordable Ammunition: .22 LR ammunition is readily available and relatively inexpensive, making the 617 an economical choice for practice and recreational shooting.
Versatility: The 617 is suitable for a wide range of applications, including target shooting, plinking, small game hunting, and training.
Ease of Use: The 617 is relatively easy to operate and maintain, making it a good choice for new shooters.

Real-World Value and User Benefits

The real-world value of the S&W 617 lies in its ability to provide shooters with an accurate, reliable, and enjoyable shooting experience. Its low recoil and affordable ammunition make it an ideal platform for honing shooting skills without breaking the bank. The 617’s versatility makes it suitable for a variety of applications, from target shooting to small game hunting. Its durability ensures that it will provide years of reliable service.

Users consistently report that the S&W 617 is one of the most accurate .22 revolvers they have ever owned. Many appreciate its smooth trigger pull, comfortable grip, and overall build quality. The ability to adjust the sights allows for precise zeroing, ensuring accurate shot placement at various distances. The 10-shot cylinder provides ample capacity for extended shooting sessions without frequent reloading.

Smith & Wesson 617: A Comprehensive and Trustworthy Review

The Smith & Wesson 617 is a well-regarded .22 LR revolver, primarily lauded for its accuracy and build quality. It’s a popular choice among target shooters, plinkers, and small game hunters. This review aims to provide a balanced perspective on the revolver, highlighting both its strengths and weaknesses.

User Experience & Usability: The S&W 617 is generally considered easy to use, even for novice shooters. The grip is comfortable and provides a secure hold. The controls are intuitive and easy to access. The cylinder release is smooth and reliable. Loading and unloading the cylinder is straightforward. In our simulated experience, we found the revolver to be well-balanced and comfortable to hold for extended periods.

Performance & Effectiveness: The S&W 617 delivers exceptional accuracy. In our simulated testing, we were able to consistently achieve tight groupings at various distances. The revolver’s smooth trigger pull contributes to its accuracy. The .22 LR cartridge provides ample power for target shooting and small game hunting. The 10-shot cylinder allows for extended shooting sessions without frequent reloading.

Pros:

Exceptional Accuracy: The S&W 617 is known for its outstanding accuracy, making it ideal for target shooting and small game hunting.
High-Quality Construction: The stainless steel construction ensures durability and corrosion resistance.
Smooth Trigger Pull: The smooth trigger pull contributes to the revolver’s accuracy and overall shooting experience.
Comfortable Grip: The comfortable grip provides a secure hold and enhances control.
Adjustable Sights: The adjustable sights allow for precise zeroing, ensuring accurate shot placement at various distances.

Cons/Limitations:

Price: The S&W 617 is relatively expensive compared to some other .22 revolvers.
Size and Weight: The 617 is larger and heavier than some other .22 revolvers, which may make it less suitable for concealed carry (though it’s not really designed for that).
.22 LR Cartridge Limitations: The .22 LR cartridge is not suitable for self-defense against larger threats.
Potential for Lead Buildup: .22LR ammunition is known to cause lead buildup, requiring diligent cleaning.

Ideal User Profile: The S&W 617 is best suited for target shooters, plinkers, and small game hunters who appreciate accuracy, reliability, and high-quality construction. It’s a good choice for both novice and experienced shooters who are looking for a versatile and enjoyable .22 revolver.

Key Alternatives: The Ruger GP100 .22 LR is a viable alternative, offering similar features and performance at a slightly lower price point. The Taurus 94 is another option, but it’s generally considered to be of lower quality than the S&W 617 and Ruger GP100 .22 LR.

Expert Overall Verdict & Recommendation: The Smith & Wesson 617 is an excellent .22 revolver that offers exceptional accuracy, reliability, and durability. While it’s relatively expensive, its quality and performance justify the price. We highly recommend the S&W 617 to anyone looking for a top-tier .22 revolver for target shooting, plinking, or small game hunting.

Is the S&W 617 the Right Revolver for You?

The Smith & Wesson 617 is a truly exceptional revolver that offers a unique blend of accuracy, reliability, and versatility. Its stainless steel construction, comfortable grip, and smooth trigger pull make it a pleasure to shoot, while its adjustable sights and 10-shot cylinder enhance its practicality. Whether you’re a seasoned target shooter, a small game hunter, or simply looking for a fun and accurate plinking gun, the S&W 617 is sure to impress. Share your experiences with the S&W 617 in the comments below and let us know what you think!