Smith & Wesson Model 617 Performance Center Action Job .22 LR Stainless/Silver Revolver

13 April 2017 I...

13 April 2017 I ordered this revolver on a Monday at 11 A.M. and picked it up two days later. This was advertised as a 160584 AJ and I called Smith & Wesson twice to authenticate the Action Job. They said that they didn't do AJ's on rimfires! So I called Bud's again and after a few other calls to Bud's they furnished me with the info I was looking for. Seems as though Bud's had a retired S&W gunsmith do the Master Action Plan to a handful of # 617's. I read the other reviews on the 617's and was somewhat alarmed at what other folks had experienced with fit and finish. Then I watched Hickok 45 shoot the 617 on you tube and decided to get the 617AJ for 120.00 more. WOW is all I can say! I have been shooting revolvers for over 30 years now and have owned quite a few that were boat anchors. Hickok says that his favorite revolver company is S&W, and he likes Ruger's, but the S&W's have better lines and on that I would have to agree. The action job is really the cat's whiskers and I improved the front sight by having a Hi-Viz green fiber optic front sight installed by my gunsmith. The single action trigger is butter smooth and the double action is a little bit tight but after 5000 rounds will be just as smooth. The guys at my FFL all gathered round to check this one out. The clerk said "boy are they hard to get in 4inch" and I said Bud's has them! I set up the target and ran 70 rounds through it and didn't have to change the rear sight at all. Just one ragged hole at 1/2 inch high at 20 yards off the bags. I got this to teach my grandsons how to shoot a revolver as it is a darn sight cheaper to shoot the a 22 Magnum. I am really pleased with this revolver and the AJ really shines through and Bud's did another great job. This is my 3rd purchase from Bud's and I am planning on another one soon. This was the second revolver that I purchased after watching Hickok 45 do his review. Thanks Bud's for making it possible for Ole' Hickok to do the reviews as he is my go to guy when I get interested in purchasing a particular wheel gun!