Goodyear, AZ – Reviewing the Smith & Wesson 22LR 617 Revolver | Gun Range News

It’s not a shocker to say that Smith & Wesson know how to make a revolver. Luckily, the 617 is no exception to this belief. While it ranges on the pricier side of the market for guns and revolvers in general, it is completely worth every penny for its standard. It is seriously reliable and can be handed down from generations in the family without problems. It’s been known to be considered a quintessential “kit” gun, great to just stick in the tackle box or pack for a wilderness walk without hesitation.

Frame & Ammo: The 617 revolver sports a 4-inch barrel and a stainless-steel satin finish. The frame is constructed to be tightly fit together and is properly put together. There is no wobble in the cylinder whether it’s engaged or trying to be reloaded. This revolver also takes any .22LR ammo that you want to put through it. So while the price may be a bit higher, ammo may not be.

Magazine & Grip: The cylinder of the 617 revolver holds 10 shots at a time. Smith & Wesson specifically say to NOT dry fire this gun. It can cause a lot of damage to the internal mechanisms of the gun and the cylinder itself short term and long term. The grip on the 617 is synthetic but not oversized. It is also capable of being replaced and customized to the preferences of the shooter.

Sights: The front sights on this revolver are basic black and pinned partridge. The rear sights are easy to adjust for various ammo types, and the overall picture is great. Like the grip, the back sights are replaceable and able to be customized to what the shooter likes or needs based on the situation.

Trigger: The trigger is light and crisp and breaks in the same place every time. There is no slop of sluggishness that contributes to surprises when firing this revolver in double action. After hundreds of rounds of firing on the range or anywhere else, don’t be shocked if you find your finger ready to keep going for hundreds of rounds more. This goes for the recoil as well. It’s a heavy gun shooting .22LR ammo meaning there is virtually no recoil to deal with.

On the range: Tested on the range this revolver has one of the most accurate shots. It puts the shots anywhere you need them to be with very little variability. While there may be a few malfunctions due to user error like not sitting the ammo fully inside the cylinder, after these are quickly fixed, the gun continues as if nothing happened. It is a reliable and durable gun capable of pushing through quite a few mistakes with no problems afterward. The extraction of the empties is also flawless with the revolver, no sticking shells or struggles getting them out.

While the price of the Smith & Wesson 617 revolver is on the higher end, it is worth absolutely every penny. It has low customizability but given the features of this gun it doesn’t really need much. Go check it out now!