It's been a long, convoluted process, but I finally brought my Smith & Wesson 617 home. This has been a grail gun for me probably going on 15 years; 4" barrel, steel 10 shot cylinder and no lock! The Smith 686 has always been a favorite handgun of mine and I always wanted the 4" 617 for cheap practice.

A few years ago I stumbled across a full lug 6" 17-6 with smooth target grips. I bought it as a, "Consolation Prize" for not being able to find a 617. I aways thought I'd sell it or trade it if I found a 617. I don't think it's going anywhere anytime soon...

So for the doubters that say pics or it didn't happen:


Smith 617 with my consolation prize of a 17:

Very nice. I've wanted a 617 since I shot one in my CCW class 6 years ago. I just missed one priced at $425 on a Facebook group years ago when that was still kosher. Still look when I go to my LGS to see if they ever get one in.

I don't know that I'd call the 17 a consolation prize. That's a very nice piece.

Very nice pistols. I had both a 617 and 17.....

Great find, nice addition to a collection.

I have never cared for stainless or the full lug myself. If smith would come out with the very limited production 617 mountain gun but in good old fashioned blue I would be all over it

That 17-6 is gorgeous!
I love my snubbie 66 but a 2 1/2” 19 with combat grips is pure sex.

Very nice. Great gun!

Very nice and a pre-lock. I have the 6" pre-lock and it is not for sale.

Nice score! I've got a 4" 617 but it has the damn lock.

quote:

I bought it as a, "Consolation Prize" for not being able to find a 617. I aways thought I'd sell it or trade it if I found a 617. I don't think it's going anywhere anytime soon...

Sad. I've love a shot at that 17. But I can understand, having two kit guns.

Great day for you!

Range Report:

Probably put 250 rounds through it his afternoon. Single action trigger pull on it was a little disappointing. Really not that crisp. But the double action pull? OH MY GOD! I have never had a Smith, even the ones I have with professional and Performance Center action jobs done on them be so easy to stage in double action. It's absolutely effortless to stage in DA. I was getting better groups shooting DA than SA.

Being able to stage the trigger pull like that was absolutely rewarding. This one may very well take the place as my favorite handgun. Probably not as accurate with it as I am my Browning Buckmark, but I enjoy shooting it a whole lot more. It just takes me back to learning to shoot handguns, Smith & Wessons were what I learned on and this 617 just brings that all back.

4 inch 10 shot no lock 617 is a serious unicorn. nice score

That one is on my Grail Gun list too. My K22 four inch is a nice one to have still.

Blue is best. but stainless ain't bad.

Great work staying true to the mission of finding what you seek, that is half the fun I think. I would love one in 6” flavor.

Have a 6” lock now but I’ll keep looking.

HK Ag

Those are very,very nice revolvers. I really like the four inch. Congrats!

Congrats on your find! (It took me years to find one of these in The People's Republic of Californiastan.) Now you have the distinct pleasure of finding some more suitable stocks for it it!

4" pre-lock 10-shot 617 is still on my "buy" list. Like you, the 17-6 is holding me over along with its magnum cousin.

Gorgeous pair of Smiths. You do realize those grips may be worth more than the guns...