We've had this revolver for a few years, now. It's seen thousands of rounds without a single malfunction and we rarely make a trip to the range without it. Despite all that, I've shot it very little. You see, it really is Bill's gun. If this S&W 617 was the only handgun he had to shoot, he'd be happy. He just walks up to the target and from 12 yards away, he just puts all ten shots in a 6" bull, time after time.
Yes, it's a ten shot 22 LR.
The SA and, especially, the DA trigger on this particular 617 is great. Not all new 617s are this good, but I waited until I found the right one before we bought one and it's paid off, nicely.
The only reason I decided to shoot this one a bit, yesterday is because I forgot one of my Contender 22s, so when Bill was done with the 617, I decided to get in some double action revolver fun. Here's a 16 yard standing target. Top bull was done in SA and the bottom in DA. Notice how in DA, my group moved a bit to the left. Need to work with this gun a bit more in DA and see if I can correct that, but the DA group demonstrates what a great DA trigger in a DA revolver can do.
And to finish up, had to do a 25 yard group from a standing position. Almost got them all in the 3" bull, but I'll get it done next time... and there will be a next time, soon. Why I waited so long to shoot this Smith is a mystery. Won't make that mistake, again.
Might be something to these new-fangled double action revolvers, after all.
