Henry Rifle Forums

Yes, cowgirls do shoot those new-fangled double action revolvers. This one is a current production S&W model 617 (22 LR).


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.

I'm mad at you, NCG

I finally thought I had decided on my next gun a Henry BTW, then I clicked on this..............

Oops! Sorry about that.

We actually got the 617 to save wear and tear on our vintage 1972 Model 17-2, the 617's ancestor. The trigger on this one is even better and I've shot some of my smallest ever offhand groups with it.


Have to say, though, we could not be happier with the 617. The current 617s are not cheap, but our 617 has been exactly what a gun at this price should deliver, namely a gun you can take out of the box and shoot all you want with never an issue of any kind and deliver great accuracy in the bargain.

That is some mighty fine shooting. Impressive to say the least. Those grips are not my style, just a personal preference, but there's no doubt they fit you well. Thanks for the report, and again, that is expert marksmanship.

My .22 double action is a Colt Diamondback I bought in the 70s as a mate for a Colt Python I purchased. When my daughter was born in Hawaii in 84 the Python, a 22-250 with set triggers, an Ovation 12 string, and a few other goodies went so she could have all the best. The Diamondback is still here. All the kids learned to shoot on that classic Colt.

Nice groups... a good double action trigger pull, and a lot of rounds downrange... you won't need single action. Lol.

I hope to be able to duplicate those results with my Ruger SP101 in 357. It is the 4.2 inch barrel and target sites, and I really do like it. I put in the softer spring kit in it and it is much easier to fire in that regard. The double action is very smooth and the single action is amazing.

I have the 4 inch version of that 10 shot 617. Im tellin ya I cant shoot mine like that but I dont have a more accurate revolter in my safe than that 4 inch 617. Its a real good shooting 22. Al

Oh by the way NCG have you seen the speed loaders they make for this gun? Al

Thanks, folks.

No I haven't, Al, but not surprised there is such a thing. It's a popular revolver.

Been struggling to understand why my husband does so well with DA revolvers and not quite as well with our 1911s. Been coaching him on the 1911s, but if we lay off the 1911s for a time, he goes right back to needing more coaching. At this point I suspect it's a matter of bad fit with the 1911. He has huge hands. Give him a full size DA revolver like the 617 or our vintage S&W 28-2 in 357 and he can go right to work with little help from me. Go figure.

NCG, your DA shooting with that thing is pretty darn impressive!

https://www.speedbeez.com/product-categ ... eedloader/ Here you go NCG. They even come in pink for ladies. Al

It will be a challenge to duplicate NCG's POIs, but go for it anyway!

Agreed. The .357 Magnum SP101 is a quality and well-built revolver. It's the first revolver I've ever owned; in fact, the first firearm I ever bought. I wonder how many SP101s are out there? BTW, I don't remember exactly when, but I had a trigger job done on my 4.2" kit gun also. It does yield a particularly smooth SA pull, doesn't it?

You've probably read some of my Range Reports using the SP101. It was fun to look back tonight, and re-read those enjoyable range times. This one was particularly a blast...neat to "re-live" the range day! http://henryrifleforums.com/viewtopic.p ... +me#p19320

Thanks for mentioning the SP101 revolver, Cofisher. Fun gun to be sure.

Cofisher wrote:I hope to be able to duplicate those results with my Ruger SP101 in 357. It is the 4.2 inch barrel and target sites, and I really do like it. I put in the softer spring kit in it and it is much easier to fire in that regard. The double action is very smooth and the single action is amazing.

I've also had great luck shooting Ruger SPs with accuracy in DA once I found one with a good trigger or once I cleaned up the trigger. I can manage to get decent accuracy out of a revolver in SA, even with a heavy SA trigger, but shooting well in DA is really tough to do with a raunchy DA trigger.