Smith & Wesson model 617 or 41. Which one?

[cudakidd]

Well, I guess it's sorta like a 1911, kinda...

No, for practice I get it, but if a 1911 is your choice a good quality conversion on it would make more sense? And there is a 41 style conversion available too!

[Olav]

My Model 41 has supernatural shooting ability.

I point the pistol at a target and a hole appears in that very spot on the target regardless of range it seems.

I shoot water bottles out to 100 yards with it at the Los Altos tin can range off hand and it's doing all the work, I just hold it.

It's very satisfying to shoot especially if you want an ego boost thinking you're a good shot when in reality it is the gun's spirit guiding the bullet to the destination via some sort of alternate albeit unseen pathway.

I then switch to another pistol and I'm back to normal.

[cudakidd]

Here's some pics of my toys...

First up, a pair of 41s, Bull barrel with Hogue Kingwood checkered target grips and a Clark Barrel with Hogue Tulipwood checkered target grips, Millet red dot sight...



Next model 617, Performance Center bead blasted finish, JM speed grips, Red dot sight...



Last and not least a model 17 with Craig Spegel checkered target grips

[nikki#2]

Well, I guess it's sorta like a 1911, kinda...!

Well... At least to me, the 41 feels pretty similar to my Kimber Rapter II.... And my Kimber's holster thinks they're pretty close as well!

No, for practice I get it, but if a 1911 is your choice a good quality conversion on it would make more sense? And there is a 41 style conversion available too!

Well.... You do have a point there!

And if it's Accuracy you want, get a Marvel Unit 1.... and go pick on someone with a 41!

[cudakidd]

Yup a Marvel is the way to go for a 1911 conversion, but in straight conversion vs 41 I don't need the 1911 grip safety, etc to match plus you still get the quick change of the 41 barrels, I have 4 of them, 5" field, 7" field, 5" bull, Clark 5" and will eventually track down 7" compensated or a really tricked out Bully Barrel!

http://bullybarrel.ray-vin.com/frbarrels.htm

[nikki#2]

Yup a Marvel is the way to go for a 1911 conversion, but in straight conversion vs 41 I don't need the 1911 grip safety, etc to match plus you still get the quick change of the 41 barrels, I have 4 of them, 5" field, 7" field, 5" bull, Clark 5" and will eventually track down 7" compensated or a really tricked out Bully Barrel!

http://bullybarrel.ray-vin.com/frbarrels.htm

Excellent setup you have there!

Of course there is no 'right answer', but my original 'food for thought' for the OP was; "Which would be your preference in a SHIF scenerio: 1911 or 686?"
My personal preference is a 686, making the 617 the obvious choice. If the OP prefers a 1911, perhaps that would sway him to the 41.

Then again, given the amount of $$$ invested in your 41... I would personally choose a Quality 1911 plus a Marvel Unit 1 (no offense intended)
and use that grip safety over and over, and over again. That would give you the best of both worlds: The only thing preventing you from outshooting a 41 is YOU.
And in a SHIF scenario (12-gauge aside), a 1911 would be sufficient for protecting you and your family... assuming you know how to use it.

"Beware the man with one gun."

[cudakidd]

A quality 1911 (Kimber/Springfield) AND a Marvel should run way more then a 41. But a 1911A1 basic and Marvel might be the same or a little less...

I traded a Model 66 for my first one, yup waayy up on that trade! Second model, two extra barrels (one a Clark) AND Bushnell Holosight for $800.00. Sooo, smoking deals and all I added were the grips, Hogue ambi targets, they fit great!

As a NRA certified shotgun instructer and avid Shotgun shooter I would prefer my 870 for HD/SHTF and for carry a Kahr...less safeties, less human error factor for Me!

I shoot every weekend, Plenty O' practice here....Bianchi, Sporting Clays, Skeet, Cowboy Action Shooting, Tactical Small Bore, etc...

[nikki#2]

"...I shoot every weekend, Plenty O' practice here....Bianchi, Sporting Clays, Skeet, Cowboy Action Shooting, Tactical Small Bore, etc..."

I'm envious as all get out... Consider yourself a lucky man! (thumbs way up)

Unless I'm up for listening to a bunch of whining.... The one gun I can get my wife to shoot any time / any day is my 617.
Funny thing... it looks and feels exactly like the 686 in our bedside table.

[Gunaria]

I have a buddy asking the same question. So what he did was go buy both. The trigger on the 41 is unbelievable.

[cudakidd]

[QUOTE=nikki#2;2899784]I'm envious as all get out... Consider yourself a lucky man! (thumbs way up)

Here in B-Town we are lucky to be in a firearms friendly enviroment, most conservative county in CA.

I live Equidistant from Kern County Gun Club (trap, skeet, sporting clays) and 5 Dogs range (CAS, Bianchi, etc). About 17 miles each way. I shoot skeet just about every Saturday and all the other stuff in between...

Both are excellent ranges, 5 Dogs hosted the California championships for Cowboy action shooting, While KCGC hosted the California Skeet Championships.

By the way, nice pic of the 617! I have Crimson Traces on both my J frames (my model 317 airlite and my wifes model 60) and 3 out of four Kahrs (the PM9 has XS big dot tritium sights) Best thing going!

But I do sooo like my spegel grips....

[Ifticar]

It sure sounds like that both the 41 and 617 have mystical qualities. The 41 finds the X ring for you. The 617 feels good in the hands plus women love it.

[nikki#2]

"..... The 617 feels good in the hands plus women love it...."

True enough. But don't forget that Supermodels prefer a 617 nicely polished, with wood grips that fit their hands well,
and are color-coordinated with their hair color, nail polish, or shoes.

I think you know enough to be dangerous... Go for it!

[Mutant]

I have the `17 Masterpiece and a 41, both bought in the 1970s I believe (at least a longggggg time ago. Both have many, many thousands of rounds through them, mucho ground squirrels, targets, cans, water jugs, pencils, etc.

I would take the 41 only because I shoot a lot of autos. I also love the 17, especially in a hay field with Belden ground rats. My wife chooses the 41. It is easier for her to shoot accuratly at targets.

Obviously you can't go wrong, but I suggest you decide if you are a wheel gun guy or an auto guy and choose appropriatly.