.22LR revolver

[danny]

After looking at everything I could get my hands on and having owned a wide variety of rimfire pistols including S&W 41's, High Standards, Rugers, H&R's and other stuff I can't even remember, I decided on the Colt King Cobra. Not sure how accurate it will be (15 day waiting period here in the Peoples Republic of Washington) but the quality of the machining did it for me. The thing is like a jewel. Harkens back to the days of the original Python when manual machinists and fitters crossed the line between production and art to create true pieces of art.

Ok, I looked at that based on your recommendations. Looks great, BUT there is that funky glowing front sight. Can you get a real, "regular" front sight for the Target models?

Danny

 

[ronsatspokane]

Ok, I looked at that based on your recommendations. Looks great, BUT there is that funky glowing front sight. Can you get a real, "regular" front sight for the Target models?

Danny

It sounds like you can get a number of different front sights.

 

[Albany Mountain]

I got a Model 17 SW in 1971 and it is one of the best things I have ever owned. For about 2 years after I got it, I put my 22 rifle away and used the K22 exclusively. Thought I lost it a couple years ago. I thought i took it out to shoot with a friend one time and about a month later I looked for it and couldn't find it, I searched everywhere and thought I may have left it on the car while packing or something like that. I reported it as missing. But a few months later I went to my 2nd gun safe and found it stuck in a closed pocket on the door. What a relief. I had it one time when canoeing down a river when the canoe flipped. I had it it in a ammo box tied in and it was the first thing I recovered.
Just shot and cleaned it last week.

 

[Gabe22BR]

I had a stainless 617 with night sights listed for sale here- @ $500… no interest for 4 months, took add down… sold it for $600 local..
It was a shooter !!! Very dependable.. it had just come back from S&W for a refresh of components…

 

[shoot4fun]

********ALERT FOR YOU S&W PURISTS*********
Smith & Wesson has announced they will be making BLUED Classic Models WITHOUT the LOCK!!!!

Smith & Wesson Releases No-Lock Classic Series Revolvers | Outdoor Wire

 

[danny]

********ALERT FOR YOU S&W PURISTS*********
Smith & Wesson has announced they will be making BLUED Classic Models WITHOUT the LOCK!!!!

Outstanding. Hopefully they get rid of that lock on all models eventually.

Danny

 

[Dgd6mm]

********ALERT FOR YOU S&W PURISTS*********
Smith & Wesson has announced they will be making BLUED Classic Models WITHOUT the LOCK!!!!

Smith & Wesson Releases No-Lock Classic Series Revolvers | Outdoor Wire

I'm in.

 

[bobinpa]

That Colt King Cobra 22LR is one FINE revolver. Love it!!

Before or after CZ bought Colt?

 

[nockhunter]

I had a stainless 617 with night sights listed for sale here- @ $500… no interest for 4 months, took add down… sold it for $600 local..
It was a shooter !!! Very dependable.. it had just come back from S&W for a refresh of components…

I must have missed that one, or it would have been mine.

Mike

 

[COLT45SA]

I've decided against the .22WMR revolver and am leaning toward a "new model" double action .22LR revolver. Anyone have any experience with the following:

Colt King Cobra 6" bbl
Ruger GP100 5.5" bbl
S & W 617 or 17 Classic 6" bbl

Pros/cons, accuracy, trigger-pull & any other quirks with forementioned wheelguns.

I've read too many negative comments on the Cobra. Although they're beautiful to look at I would personally be looking for a older pristine S&W model 17 with a 6" barrel. Tried and true the 17 has been around for a long while and will fill your accuracy desires. I have two, one in 6" and one in 8-3/8". Both have 3-Ts while the 8" was delivered from the factory in SA only. I have never shot another revolver with a more crisp trigger.
Looks like the 617 is predominant in the opinions here.

 

[Dan Hall]

I’ve shot all three of those you spoke of and the 617 is ”THE” package. S&W makes a fine revolver and it’s a joy to shoot them. You can send it to the Performance center and they will do a trigger/action job that is hard to beat. Like I said they offer the whole package. I own several of their revolvers in 22 mag, 648, 48. In 22 LR a 617 4” And a model 18 no dash. I shoot the 18 more than any revolver I own. You won’t be unhappy with an S&W revolver.

 

[2ndtimer]

There has hardly been a mention of my favorite, that I long searched for and finally found back in 1980:

The Smiths might be more accurate, but this is the most beautiful. It came new in the box with the Pachmayr Presentation grips, but I have a set of the pretty factory walnuts preserved.

 

[danny]

There has hardly been a mention of my favorite, that I long searched for and finally found back in 1980:
View attachment 1627868
The Smiths might be more accurate, but this is the most beautiful. It came new in the box with the Pachmayr Presentation grips, but I have a set of the pretty factory walnuts preserved.

I would take that over the Smith & Wesson in a flash.

Danny

 

[ronsatspokane]

I've read too many negative comments on the Cobra. Although they're beautiful to look at I would personally be looking for a older pristine S&W model 17 with a 6" barrel. Tried and true the 17 has been around for a long while and will fill your accuracy desires. I have two, one in 6" and one in 8-3/8". Both have 3-Ts while the 8" was delivered from the factory in SA only. I have never shot another revolver with a more crisp trigger.
Looks like the 617 is predominant in the opinions here.

The only negative comments I've read is that ejecting some brands of ammo is difficult. Everything else I've read is glowing. Particularly in the realm of accuracy. I'll find out. I pick mine up tomorrow. I'll report back.

In the meantime do a search on "S&W 17 problems". You'll get a good number of hits like:

S&W Model 17-5 issues

www.smithandwessonforums.com

 

[ronsatspokane]

Oh so pretty:

 

[Rick in Oregon]

I vote Smith 617 but in 4".

Mine is the perfect companion to my 4" 686 which I posted elsewhere here. The four incher is much more handy, and with me behind the trigger seems just as accurate, even with the reduced sight radius. I enjoy shooting it as much as my 22LR auto's, even my M41 or Colt Woodsman Match Target.



The single action trigger just can't be beat, smooth as silk, breaks like the proverbial glass rod.

 

[Dgd6mm]

So Gman......which revolver did you end up with?

 

[Hoser]

I had a couple of my favorite 22 revolvers out a couple weeks ago. So much fun to shoot. And stupid accurate as an added bonus.

My S&W 617 gets used most of the time, but sometimes its good to just slow things down a little.

 

[dhagerty40]

I had a couple of my favorite 22 revolvers out a couple weeks ago. So much fun to shoot. And stupid accurate as an added bonus.

My S&W 617 gets used most of the time, but sometimes its good to just slow things down a little.

I love seeing the Freedom arms! I bought mine in 1992 (it is a pre-production model) and still super accurate! they will probably bury it with me!

 

[COLT45SA]

I have a 17-3 (6" barrel) and a 17-4 (8-3/8 in barrel which left the factory as a 'single action only' model).The trigger on the 17-4 is unbelievably crisp while the 6" 17-3 is as smooth and crisp as if it had a $200 action job.
I would never buy a 617 or any of the newer 17 versions because I just don't think S&W has the older experienced experts in their employ today.
In the meantime the old Colt Cobra was pretty good, the new ones are probably junk, and the cost of one of the older ones with a 6" barrel in .22LR have just gotten into the stratosphere~!!