Smith & Wesson Model 617 Mountain Gun

The MSRP of the Model 617 Mountain Gun sits at $1,199 which is a big chunk of change for a .22LR revolver. Smith & Wesson justifies this with the premium Tyler Gun Works grips, absence of the internal lock, all-stainless construction, and the Mountain Gun series fit and finish. That being said this is still expensive for what amounts to a really nice plinker or pest control revolver.

“The Model 617 Mountain Gun is an iconic K-Frame revolver. Chambered in 22 LR with a 10-round capacity, this revolver features a lightweight, tapered-profile barrel and Tyler Gun Works high-grade walnut Bear Hug grips. Classic aesthetic, with superior performance.”

First Impressions: Smith & Wesson Model 617 Mountain Gun

My very first impression when I pulled this out of the box was how pretty it looked. The stainless finish is flawless and the walnut grips contrast perfectly with the steel. The gun arrived in Smith & Wesson’s standard blue hard case (I have never been a fan of these as they kink every time they close) along with a manual for the K-Frame, two decals, a cable lock, and the revolver itself.

The second thing I noticed was that the cylinder crane/release is stiff. Right now it requires two hands to swing the cylinder out. This should loosen up with break-in but out of the box it is noticeably tight. The only other immediate observation was how perfect those TGW Bear Hug grips felt in my hands. They are substantial without feeling bulky and the lack of checkering is plain but effective in a good way.

Range Time: Smith & Wesson Model 617 Mountain Gun

I brought the 617 Mountain Gun up north with me for a long weekend at the cabin. I had it on my hip while working on deer stands with the family and walking trails for grouse. Over the course of the weekend I put about 200 rounds through it. The bulk of the ammunition was Remington Standard V with some mixed bulk stuff thrown in. No ammo issues popped up.

Out of the box the revolver was shooting about 2 inches left at 15 yards. The adjustable rear sight fixed that easily with a small flathead screwdriver. It just needed to be tweaked out of the box. Once I got it dialed in I was consistently grouping around 1.5 inches standing, one-handed at 15 yards. That is more than adequate for a trail gun or pest control duty.

The trigger on this revolver is genuinely excellent. Single-action breaks crisp and clean while the double-action pull is very smooth without any stacking. I own a new Model 29 and a Model 350 and this 617 has a better trigger than either of them. In the 200 rounds I put through the Model 617 I did not have any light primer strikes, ejection failures, or timing issues in either double action or single action.

Those TGW Bear Hug grips are the real deal. They fit my hands perfectly and stayed comfortable through extended shooting sessions. The size and shape are exactly what you would want on a “mountain gun”. They are substantial enough to fill your hand without feeling bulky. I would imagine on this gun’s 10mm, .357, and .44 Magnum brothers that a rubber grip might be nicer for recoil management but the .22 does not move at all just because of the weight of the gun.

The gold bead front sight worked well despite being up against full fall colors up north. It was easy to pick up and I never had any washout issues. Some shooters prefer different sight configurations but for a revolver like this the gold bead fits the classic aesthetic and does its job. Still a fiber optic may be more utilitarian but I will take the gold over average all blacked out sights. 

Loading and unloading the 10-round cylinder went smoothly throughout testing. Ejecting spent casings has that satisfying clink that only a revolver provides. I also took out a couple red squirrels around the cabin at 10-20 yards using the single-action trigger. Just pest control work as they get into our cabin and mess stuff up. One thing I noticed was this gun seems quieter than other .22 handguns and revolvers I have worked with. Maybe my hearing is continuing to get worse but when I took those shots without ear pro it did not hurt or ring my ears like I expected.

Everything about this revolver is high quality. The stainless finish is immaculate, lockup is tight, and the overall fit and finish justify the premium price from a craftsmanship perspective. The crane/release feels very tight as of right now and could use some break-in to get the cylinder released one-handed. Besides that everything is as tight and as pretty as you would imagine for a brand new $1,200 .22LR revolver.

At 36.1 ounces this is not a lightweight trail gun. It has real heft compared to cheaper single-action .22 revolvers but I did not find it bothersome over the course of a day carrying it on my hip. The weight actually became an asset when shooting since there is essentially zero felt recoil.

Final Thoughts: Smith & Wesson Model 617 Mountain Gun

After a weekend of carrying and shooting the Model 617 Mountain Gun I can honestly say I really enjoyed it. The trigger is fantastic, the grips are perfect, the accuracy is there, and the build quality is exactly what you would expect from a $1,200 revolver. That being said I cannot say I would personally drop $1,200 of my own money on it even after genuinely loving the gun.

The Model 617 Mountain Gun is the .22LR version of legitimate mountain guns chambered in serious calibers. The 629 in .44 Magnum makes sense as a backcountry defensive tool. The 686 in .357 Magnum is a proven wilderness companion. The 610 in 10mm fills a similar role. But a .22LR mountain gun? The practical justification gets murky.

I can see three types of buyers for this revolver. First is someone who already owns a Mountain Gun in .44 Magnum, 10mm, or .357 and wants to practice with identical handling characteristics without beating up their wrists or wallet on ammunition. Second is a shooter who wants an heirloom-quality American-made .22LR revolver and is willing to pay premium prices for it. Third is the collector or enthusiast who appreciates the craftsmanship and aesthetic enough that the price becomes secondary. The Model 617 Mountain Gun accomplishes what it sets out to do. It is a beautifully crafted, highly functional .22LR revolver with premium features and Smith & Wesson’s excellent build quality. Whether that is worth the asking price is a question only your wallet can answer.

As a Lipsey’s exclusive availability might be limited depending on your local dealer’s distributor relationships. Smith & Wesson typically manufactures in batches so expect some wait time if your dealer does not have one in stock. If you are in the market for a top-tier .22LR revolver and the price does not make you flinch the Model 617 Mountain Gun delivers.

In closing I want to say thank you to Smith & Wesson for allowing AllOutdoor and myself the opportunity to try out their Model 617 Mountain Gun. That is greatly appreciated. We would like to know what all of you guys and gals think. Do you believe the Model 617 Mountain Gun is worth spending your money on? Would you take this out as a trail gun or for pest control? Would this be your go-to .22LR revolver? Let us know all of your thoughts in the Comments below! We always appreciate your feedback.

Sam.S

Writer | TheFirearmBlog
Writer | AllOutdoor.com Instagram | sfsgunsmith Old soul, certified gunsmith, published author, avid firearm history learner, and appreciator of old and unique guns.