Smith Wesson 617 Mountain Gun 22 LR Revolver – Refined 4 in. Tapered Barrel, Stainless, 10 Shot

Description

The Smith Wesson 617 Mountain Gun is the rimfire answer to a question usually asked about big-bore revolvers: what if the barrel were slimmer and the gun lighter? A 4-inch tapered profile without the heavy underlug takes weight off the muzzle, and in 22 LR with a ten-round cylinder the result is a trail and practice revolver that is a genuine pleasure to carry and shoot.

Ten Rounds of Rimfire in the Smith Wesson 617 Mountain Gun

The 617 is one of the few double-action revolvers that gives you ten shots, and for a training gun that number matters. You can run a full string without reloading, which keeps a practice session moving and means the Smith Wesson 617 Mountain Gun works as a drill gun rather than just a plinker.

Rimfire in a revolver also sidesteps the biggest frustration of 22 semi-autos: ammunition that will not cycle the action. A revolver does not care. If it goes bang, you move on.

What the Mountain Gun Barrel Changes

A tapered barrel without an underlug removes several ounces from the front of the gun. On a 22 that is not about taming recoil — there is none to speak of — it is about balance and carry weight. The Smith Wesson 617 Mountain Gun points quicker and hangs lighter on a belt than a full-lug 617, which is exactly what you want on a trail gun or in a pack.

Stainless construction handles weather, sweat and neglect better than blued steel.

Alongside the 629 Mountain Gun, the Smith Wesson 617 Mountain Gun gives you the same handling in a caliber you can afford to shoot all afternoon.

Training Value of the Smith Wesson 617 Mountain Gun

This is the cheapest serious trigger time available in a revolver. Double-action practice is the hardest skill to build and the most expensive to build with centerfire ammunition. The Smith Wesson 617 Mountain Gun lets you run hundreds of double-action presses for the price of a box of 44 Magnum.

If you carry a J-frame or an N-frame, practicing the same trigger stroke on a 22 transfers directly and costs almost nothing.

Smith Wesson 617 Mountain Gun Specifications

Who the Smith Wesson 617 Mountain Gun Is For

Revolver shooters who want to practice without spending centerfire money, hikers and campers who want a light kit gun, and anyone teaching a new shooter. Ten rounds, no recoil and a stainless finish make it about as approachable as a handgun gets.

It is also a legitimate small-game and pest revolver at close range, which is the traditional use for a 22 kit gun.

Instructors keep a Smith Wesson 617 Mountain Gun in the bag for exactly that reason — it builds trigger control without building a flinch.

Ammunition That Works

Revolvers are far less picky than 22 semi-autos, but accuracy still varies by load. CCI Mini-Mag and similar high-velocity loads are a reliable starting point; match ammunition will tighten groups if you are shooting at distance. Bulk bargain ammunition works fine for casual plinking.

Rimfire fouls faster than centerfire, so plan on cleaning the Smith Wesson 617 Mountain Gun more often than the round count suggests — particularly the cylinder faces.

Try several brands through the Smith Wesson 617 Mountain Gun and settle on whichever groups best; rimfire preferences are gun-specific.

Grips, Holsters and Carry

Standard grips for the frame fit, and many owners swap to something with more palm fill for extended range sessions. Any holster cut for a 4-inch revolver on this frame size works; a simple field holster is usually all a kit gun needs.

Speed strips are more practical than speedloaders for ten rounds in a pack.

If you already own a centerfire N-frame, the Smith Wesson 617 Mountain Gun makes a natural companion for practice.

Ordering and FFL Transfer

We ship to your local FFL after we receive a copy of their license. If you have a preferred dealer, tell us at checkout and we will coordinate directly with them. Pennsylvania buyers can complete the transfer with us in Collegeville.

Browse more handguns in stock at MAG5 Firearms, or see the manufacturer page for the Smith & Wesson line.

Every firearm we ship leaves our Collegeville, Pennsylvania shop through a licensed FFL dealer and must be transferred to you by an FFL in your state. Questions about ammunition that runs well, grips or holsters? Call or email us before you order.