I have been on every notify me app on most websites since the beginning. I wanted, no I needed the 617 Mountain Gun.

I own the 686 Mountain Gun. It is great. I have had the opportunity to touch and buy a second one a couple times. Was tempted. Never have I even sniffed the 22 version in person.

I would always get back in stock emails only to be just a bit too slow. Got one today and I got the order in. I will have it by the end of next week.

Range report and pictures if I find a good hosting site. At this point I would be willing to pay just to have a stable hosting site.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: pedropcola,

Been looking at an upgrade to my 17-3.

I saw these mountain guns and they are pretty!

Eager to hear your experience with it.

quote:

Originally posted by pedropcola:
At this point I would be willing to pay just to have a stable hosting site.

I have stopped making recommendations about anything to the point that I would not suggest that a Titanic passenger not hesitate to get on a lifeboat. I can say, though, that I have had no complaints about ImageShack for the several years I’ve paid the modest price for their service.
https://imageshack.com/

I have had a 6" model 617 since the first year they were introduced, but I do like the looks of the Mountain Gun version. Ten rounds would be nice along with a shorter barrel, but especially without the full length underlug of the original. I actually attempted to see if it were possible to have some of the lug removed, but the company I contacted (and that had somewhat of a presence on the forum) never even acknowledged that I had contacted them.

Looking forward to a report.

Nice! I saw a 629 MG at a shop today, and drooled a little, but stuck to the plan and bought something cheaper and more practical. Looking forward to your pics and range report when you get it!

When I saw your thread title I was a little worried I was going to open this up and see that ugly new Beretta Jaguar thing, lol.

You know I am a Beretta guy through and through but that jaguar is a horrible use of the “cat” line. They are idiots. Did Ron Cohen go to work for Beretta?

Thanks for the image shack recommendation. I hate not being able to post pictures. I hate threads with no pictures. Your double negative on the Titanic threw me though. Now I’m not sure if you told me to get on the lifeboat or not get on it. lol.

If Beretta can make the BOX then they certainly can make an 87X with threaded barrel, maybe a higher cap mag, dovetail sights with options. Better grips, better better. I don’t need a pic rail but an optic plate, done correctly, would be a solid choice. C’mon Beretta.

I never liked the 617’s. Some guns look better with full under lugs. A 22 does not. I have a S&W 17 from when I was a kid (gun #2) so I have always appreciated the K frame 22’s. 10 shots is cool. Now I need a speedloader and some loading blocks.

Agreed about the 87x. I don't even care if it uses 10 round single-stack mags, so long as they're reliable. Some 92x/LTT magic to shorten the trigger reset would be welcome, too.

For image hosting I've been pretty happy with flikr. It's a little cumbersome to get the BB code from your phone, but I like that I can make collections and go back and view all my photos whenever I want, and the app is pretty nice. The free account only gives you 1000 photos, so you have to go back and purge older stuff from time to time. I've considered going to a paid account just to have more storage, but that seems kinda like overkill just to put stuff up on the forum. If I get deeper into photography I might eventually do it, though.

quote:

Originally posted by OttoSig:
Been looking at an upgrade to my 17-3.

I saw these mountain guns and they are pretty!

Eager to hear your experience with it.

Except for 10 shots instead of 6, there is no other way a current production smith is an upgrade to a classic like the 17-3.

Well, I own a 4 decades old Model 17. I can tell you it gets old listening to people say how great the old stuff is. That is partially true and partially not. The blueing on the old guns is way better. 10 shots is way better than 6. Way better. The ramp front sight of my 40 year old 17 is not better than that removable brass bead. Round butt is better than square. Stock Bear Hugs are better.

New guns are awesome. Sometimes they need some love but once that’s done I will take a new gun in many ways. If you could combine the best features of both then that would be perfect. Alas you cannot.

I have a bunch of old S&W’s. I prefer the MG L frame to my old Model 66. Now when they had the internal lock that was a deal breaker. These new ones? The MG 686 is more gun, one more round, better sights, better grips, and the triggers are pretty equivalent.

Sees internal lock.

Again, no recommendations, but although things can always change in the future, right now ImageShack allows storing a large number of photos, they are easy to upload from one’s computer, their size can be easily chosen at the time of uploading, and once loaded a link that can be used for posting on the forum is immediately available without any weirdness.

I am going to try both of those out. I can do without weirdness.

As for pearl clutching. I have exactly one (1) S&W with an internal lock. I removed all the innards and plugged it. I was shooting revolver matches with a 6 shot revolver and speed loaders and getting killed by the 8 shot moon clip guys. So I held my nose and bought an N frame 627 Pro. I did an action job on it with the help of a buddy. What an incredible gun. I’m buying the first non IL 627 Pro I ever see. Perhaps the pinnacle of a fighting revolver.

quote:

Originally posted by OttoSig:
Been looking at an upgrade to my 17-3.

I saw these mountain guns and they are pretty!

Eager to hear your experience with it.

I have had a 17-3 for over 50 years. I bought it new in 1974. I was not aware that an upgrade was possible. I think I have put more rounds thru that gun than any other. I have other .22 pistols but the 17-3 is my favorite.

I want the 617 MG myself. I have a K22 and its a damn good old gun, but I shot a buddy's 617 and decided 10 shots is indeed better than 6.
I've got the 686 MG and really like it, so hopefully it'll get a little brother soon.

The winter storm has my gun somewhere between central Florida and my lgs. So, no gun yet. Soon I hope. And yes 10 is better than 6.

When I first found out about the 617 mountain gun, it was 07/04/2025. I asked my buddy Dave at the LGS if he could get one in. Dave responded, “I’m adding that to my wish list now”. On 08/06/2025 I got the call from Dave, “a 617 mountain gun has arrived”. The adoption took place that same day.

There are some interesting design changes from the K frames of yester-years. The ejector rod end does not assist in keeping the cylinder closed. Instead, there is a ball / detent feature that is very unique compared to older ball / detent systems that were used.

Here is a link with good pictures and description of the 617-7 which is a new revision for this 617 mountain gun variant:
https://athlonoutdoors.com/article/lipseys-model-617/

Just delivered. Hopefully tomorrow I pick it up.

When you have a chance to remove the grips, you will find some new interesting features under there which I assume are for more streamlined manufacturing. It is very nice that S&W decided to put the ugly QR code there as well.

The latest process for marking the serial number on the grip butt is, laser engraving. My 617-7 has the grip butt ground down as if they used a bench grinder and then marked it using the laser engraving. Its all good so long as I keep the grips that cover the butt, but it sure looks ugly if I were to put on some grips that leave the butt exposed.

Good luck with your transfer. Check it close to make sure it meets your approval.

My guy said his computer for NIC’s was down so I did the paperwork but I got no gun. He did allow me to shoot it on the range though for free. So I accepted.

Ran probably 20 cylinders through it. Fit and finish were fine. The brass bead front sight doesn’t seem to pair up with the rear notch. To get the full bead in view the front blade is slightly above the rear notch. Ie, the rear notch should be deeper. All that being said, it didn’t interfere with making pretty group groups on an indoor range.

Trigger was a good 22 DA trigger. Smooth, slightly 22 heavy, good trigger.

In 200 rounds I had around 8 rounds that didn’t go off on the first strike. Most went off on the second and the last couple had to be spun around to go off. All the initial strikes looked plenty deep enough so I’m going to say those were all ammo related. I was shooting out of a mixed bag of various bulk packs so I can’t tell you what they were.

This is a great K frame 22. Here are some low quality cell pics.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: pedropcola,

Ooohhh... pretty.
I like most everything I see there, it just seems funny looking without the underlug on the barrel.

In person it looks good. Real good. Of course I’m a mountain gun/combat magnum profile type guy. This thing is going to become a favorite. I’m on the road today but my speed beez speed loaders and loading blocks got delivered. 15 quick reloads before I have to get back to the drudgery. lol