I bought the 648 6" this spring. Some Altamont grips and a fiber optic front sight and I have a gun I love and will never let go. A great woods walking gun.
Thanks for another great presentation! My grandpa started me with a Ruger Single Six in the early 70s. I still have that pistol and it works flawlessly. Now, I think its time to pick up this 648!
Ordered my the second I found out about it, have had it for about 6 months now and absolutely love it. Also have 2 617’s in 4” and 6”, and a 647 in 8 3/8th”. Love Smith rimfire revolvers.
My dad taught me to shoot with a SW Model 17 (22 LR) 6” barrel which I inherited from him. As an adult I bought a SW Model 48 (22 mag) 8-3/8” barrel. Nothing shoots like a Smith. I wish you had put the dud cartridge back in to see if another area of the rim would ignite the cartridge. Thanks for the video. I need to get my Smith’s back out to the woods.
I always cycle the duds one more time, and I have about 99% success of them firing the second time. If there is a good reason not to do this, I would love to know!
Nice gun plinkster. I didn't have the patience to wait that long so about 10 years ago I picked up a nickel-stainless Taurus 992 revolver which has changeable cylinders .22lr & .22 WMR. It is surprisingly accurate at 50 feet and beyond given it's 4" barrel.
Super accurate .22lr pistols for ISSF shooting (like Walther SSP, GSP or Pardini) often only have a barrel length of around 3". It's supposedly more than enough for .22 rounds. What makes most of the difference is the spacing of the sights, which is large in these pistols (their overall length looks like the barrels are longer than they actually are)
I had one of these & I liked it so much I bought a second one to put a scope on it. In one afternoon, on a strolling hunt down a dry creek bed, I killed 37 ground squirrels. Best small game pistol I ever owned. Only negative was the very sharp muzzle blast. I've owned a lot of Smith's & I found it was best to leave the main spring tension screw alone for as close to100% reliability as you could want. This is especially true when shooting double action.
I enjoy your no-nonsense, down to earth gun reviews. After watching your review on the Model 648 I purchased one and took it to the range for the first time about 5 weeks ago. Out of the first 40 rounds about 15 of them did not fire the fist time. I repositioned the misfires in the gun and all but 2 of the misfires went off the second time around. From examining the cases, it looks like the problem is light strikes. I called Smith and Wesson Customer Service who immediately email me a set of shipping labels and had me ship it back for repair. I will report back after they return the gun to me and I've had a chance to shoot it.
You can get a slightly longer firing pin and drop it in. With that extra 0.5mm you can even lighten up the mainspring for a lighter trigger pull and still have only misfires due to crummy ammo and not due to your revolver.
I bought a 617 6inch but I didn't like how heavy it was for a 22. I did like that it held 10 rounds. I sold it to a friend, my K22 is still my favorite.
I learned it from having very limited amount of cheap .22 ammo and the need to bring food to the table. When a couple of squirrels and hopefully a raccoon is the only thing for dinner you save all those duds on the hopes the next strike will bring a meal. Nowadays life has smiled upon me and my family, and we're in a much better position, but I still give them duds a second chance.
Trick shot idea...2 playing cards connected in the middle to create a x or cross...split both over the shoulder. Challenges windage and elevation. Keep plinking!
I have the .22lr in blued with 6" barrel and I just ordered the 648 in .22 mag with 6" barrel, want to get a couple really nice lefthand leather holsters for them. The .22mag will make a great campgun/trapline gun for dispatch of wolves or just fun plinking.
Taurus tracker model 992 is what i bought its a 6.5 inch barrel and shoots 22lr / 22wmr. Its also an 8 shot and comes with a cylinder for each caliber and changes out in seconds.
I bought a model 648 brand new off gunbroker . I've handled it and carried it some . It's nice good hearty tolerance's . But I maintain anywhere from a inch to inch three quarters or so less on the barrel would make it a great kit revolver . Also maybe shaved some of the under lug down like the 63-5 . I got a used 63-5 22lr kit revolver and I love it so much I bought a brand new one to keep in my collection . They are just perfection . I'm going to try the 648 squirrel hunting , but the 63-5 is just much more realistic to carry on the trail . What smith and wesson should do is revive the 22 jet and make a slick little j frame kit gun . Or some kind of center fire 22 caliber magnum 6 shot j frame just like the 63-5 kit . Or at least make a 63-5 exactly the same but in 22 magnum rimfire maybe slightly more barrel length for proper velocity . I've had some Ruger revolvers keeping the single action . But smith and wesson is just far far the best quality . Wouldn't even touch some of that cheap junk . Brittle iron Pot metal caked over a brake line junk . Now I'm no expert , I've grown up around firearms and carried some military grade abroad . But I can see no flaws in the smith and wesson model 63-5 , also hearing from a local gunsmith that he's never seen a problem with the frame mounted fireing pin and seen many broken hammer mounted pins ; has only further affirmed my appreciation for this specific revolver . The 63-5 is just a perfect "gem" . It's just so handy and portable all the tolerance's are perfect the barrel doesn't screw into the seat while driving . It's plenty accurate , ammo is lighter to carry . Good heaft in the hand and balance . Feels durable and reliable not like that light stuff . Decent sights and not too long . I mean sign um up for 4 more if you could carry it in the field unrestricted . My used one was caked with lead flash and I've put a couple thousand more threw it and the weapon hasn't malfunctioned once just a few dud rounds . On a good day I can hold a inch and half group at 7 yard's standing one hand offhand double action in under 10 seconds . I've pawed over and handled 150+ personal firearms and the 63-5 is the most handy trusty and versatile . It's a perfect go to weapon not too big not too small put a variety of loads in a little bag keep in the pocket . Then stock a survival bag with plenty of cartridge's . 22lr withstands plenty I've put colibri out in hot humidity southern weather for over a month in a cinder block sheltered environment and they all fired perfectly fine . I also soaked cotton pads and put colibri between them in a refrigerator for some time and all fired perfectly fine .
It's got a good amount of energy but being such a small round it's more of a hole poker than a stopper. It'll kill but lacks the ability for an immediate stop that a larger diameter can. I have an old 22mag revolver with a 4" barrel, but it's last in line behind the 45's, 44mag (with low power hand loads), and 38 stub nose +p
Well it's easy for him with his own personal outdoor-range. I haven't been shooting since the middle of march because all the ranges are closed around here (and we can't have private ranges here in Germany unless you are a millionaire who can afford all the licencing costs and regulations and whatnot)
love the .22 wm round in my revolver and love it in my marlin bolt action rifle, my ruger single six convertible in stainless is a very nice gun I will never part with
love my 648; i do notice a fair amount of light strikes in it compared to my more inexpensive ruger/heritages though. seems to be more prone to that problem according to some smith forums
The SW 617 and 648 are the best stock 22 revolvers available. If you are lucky enough to ever see one for sale - buy it (very rare - most folks hold on to them and pass them down). Found a used SW 617 two years ago for $700 and grabbed it instantly. For camping field guns at a lower cost, pick up a used Taurus 942 8 shot 22 (you can find them for under $500) Also, older Hi Standard Sentinel 22 can be found for $300 to $400. Remember, used handguns today are like used cars - they may sell for more then they sold new, so be realistic and be greatful if available at any price (Take a bit of the kids' college funds).
Indeed. I looked for months locally and on-line and finally just snagged a 4” 617. Yeah, I could have have bought a nice 22 revolver with spare change left over for a decent 9mm - but the thing is beautiful and I will have it forever. Rubber grips work well, but I have some nice Hogue rosewood grips on order.
The 617 is a great pistol. Hours of fun at the range and cheap to shoot. I shoot it so long that I can’t touch the cylinder bc it gets so hot. Usually try to shoot at least 500 rounds in about 35 min
S&W 617 has a special place by me. A long long time ago i learned to shoot handgun with it. As is the M1 carbine, wich i learned to shoot 'long gun' with.
Just an FYI anytime you have a Light Strike even if you don't hear anything usually it sounds like a puff but you should have cleared it and checked for a squib if you don't know what a squib is look it up people. By clearing and checking to see if that round is stuck in the barrel could be a matter between life and death
Never had that problem with CCI. But when I shot Winchester ammo I often had problems with misfires in 22 Win Mag. Turned out that the brass had hardened.
Purchased one brand new, took it immediately to the range....it would only fire two cylinders, regardless of ammo brand, had to be sent back to S&W. ..4 months later, finally get it back Absolutely no quality control at Smith. The demise of a legend!
This model and the 617 are fantastic revolvers. But I must say this. I've been shooting for more than 50 years. I can recall a time when a S&W K frame revolver could be had in the neighborhood of $90 - $120. A Colt Python for under $150, a Remington 700 for $125, a Winchester M - 70 $150, a Ruger 10/22 $70, and a Mossberg 500 for around $100. These prices are approximations from the early to mid 1970's. Jump forward to the 2000 - 2020 period and those same guns have risen to sickeningly obscene prices. Which I feel is for no justified reason. Sure there is labor, materials and inflation to consider. But as in some cases a 1000% increase, that's ridiculous, it's disgusting, it's greed at levels that makes one understand just why many of the manufacturers have gone out of business, declared bankruptcy, been absorbed by larger manufacturers or been, one way or another, bought out by huge corporate holding companies. What this means is that where you were once able to afford one gun every two months or so, now you are lucky if you can justify the expenditure of $800 - $2000 for a run of the mill 1911, S&W, SIG, Rem 700, Ithaca 37, model 70 or X - Bolt let alone a quality AR Platform or any better quality O/U shotgun than a Browning Citori once every few years. Where hunting, shooting and gun collecting was once a hobby or pastime for the average or middle-class guy. They have now become the playground of the well to do. Even the niche of collectors of historical and WW1, WW2, and other military surplus firearms has become the realm of those with estates and leather and wood bound dens. My God, even up to the 1980's an M - 1 Carbine could be had for virtually nothing, but today ????? Well, let's just say that most will set you back a month or two in salary. And this trend is mainly going to get worse, and up, up and up in price they will go. Yes, as said most will hold a very high resale value. But I'm looking to buy, not sell !!! One more point of consideration is the cause and effect that politics and legislation, proposed or passed, has on the firearms market. Firearms prices, new or used, are influenced by this. And it would not be out of the realm to attempt to make them so expensive that fewer and fewer could afford them and only the rich would own them. This rationale would be flawed, as there are already 300 million firearms in civilian hands, and that strategy would be to little to late. But it wouldn't stop them from trying. $800+ for a .22 revolver I think is a bit much, it's not a Korth. Is anyone else in agreement?
Yes I agree. BUT: Since 2000 we had 30% inflation. Everything has become crazy expensive... Funny you mentioned the Korth. I was recently looking for a Korth Combat in mint condition. Here in Germany you could get these a few years ago for about 2k € wich is more or less equal to 2k US$. Now you can't get them for anything beneath 3,5k. And prices are climbing due to the pandemic. But I got lucky and found a new and unfired S&W Model 66 No Dash from 1975 in blue box for 850 €. Quite a bargain these days. A current Model 66 (which isn't imported anymore btw) runs for about 1,4k €.
My guess? The government makes anything "firearm" related expensive by enacting laws that lower supply and increase cost of production. It's the same for illegal drugs. If we want to be truly free, we must get rid of thousands of laws.
I have resorted to buy used for s&w revolver from dealer. I agree how crazy the prices have become. Ever since usa got away from gold back currency the usa dollar been looseing ground(inflation)
Back in the late 60's Gold was at $35 to the ounce, and the U.S. Dollar was backed by Gold. Today (NOV 2020) Gold is at $1900 to the ounce, and the U.S. Dollar is a fiat currency with no Gold backing. Prices have not "gone up". The U.S Dollar has gone down in value. A 2020 U. S. Dollar is worth 1.8 cents referenced to the 1960's U.S. Dollar when Gold was $35 to the ounce!
The screw you are talking about is not for adjusting trigger pull, it's for disassembly. To change the pull, change the mainspring to an aftermarket one.
Wouldn't even be close, but still might be interesting. 22 Hornet would be better to compare to full power 5.7x28 if you want to see comparable results.
I picked up a Taurus Tracker 992 6.5" stainless with both the 22LR, and 22WMR cylinder. I've always wanted a full-size rimfire revolver. I've owned a couple S&W wheel guns, and they are great. But I keep buying Taurus because they seem to be more plentiful at my local dealer, plus the money I save, I can purchase more ammo with. I did over pay for some 22LR when I got this gun, and didn't realize it until I got home. I told the guy to give me a 500 round brick of 22LR. He sold me 500rds of Federal HV gold match at $0.09/rd. Ouch!
I have a beautiful model 48 four inch configuration. Mine also has the factory fitted 22lr cylinder with it. The gun is a pleasure to shoot. I do feel the longer barrel in the video may be better suited to the Magnum cartridge
Wish you would include a simple paper accuracy test at 25 or 50yds. Looks like it shoots better than the SS Taurus 22mag I had some years ago, I didn't expect no tack driver but it literally .couldn't keep all shots on a pie plate at 25 off a rest no matter what ammo I tried. Nice gun but I got rid of it quick and it was my first Taurus and my last.
Taurus has a.22 Magnum Revolver known as the Model 941, it is also on a Medium Steel Frame & it is in .22 Winchester Magnum Rimfire & also has 8 rounds.
They have a double action convertible with a .22lr cylinder and a .22 win mag cylinder. There’s a push button on the frame to switch them out. Pretty dang cool; it’s too bad Smith and Wesson hasn’t done anything like that for 40 years or so. I’d love an updated 651 j frame with 2 cylinders.
razrramonel4077 I have that Taurus 941 .22 magnum in stainless and it shoots great. it actually looks like a much larger caliber than it is. The only negative thing is that the hammer where you put your thumb to cock it is rather small and it is deeply knurled and will make your thumb real tender and raw within about a dozen pulls. I noticed that the S&W in this video looks like it has a larger one than the Taurus. I haven't tried researching this yet, but I wonder if a gunsmith could build up that area with maybe a Tig welder. then it would be much easier to pull the hammer back.
I would love to have one of those, I like 22 Mag. I had a Ruger American rim fire in 22 Mag but I was in desperate need of a weed trimmer so I sold it.
@@panthermartin7784 yeah I kind of thought maybe that was the case. I still have a Ruger 10/22 I’ve had for 23 years that I would never sell. I’ve killed plenty of rats with it so it’s proven to be good for pest control. I didn’t want to get rid of the 22 mag but I was tight on money and didn’t want part of my yard looking like a jungle.
I'd be interested to see a video that looks at the comparison between 22 short, long and WMR and how the muzzle velocity is effected by different grain sizes and barrel lengths. Like does a larger grain WMR fired from a shorter barrel pack the same punch as 22lr from a longer barrel where it gets more time to accelerate. The big muzzle flashes for the shorter barrels tend to be a give away to lost power, but does the extra charge in a WMR counter this in a shorter barrel??
Yes there is a dramatic difference between the 22 LR, and the 22 WMR when fired from snub nosed revolvers. You HAVE to use the right ammo to get the best performance from a short barrel, such as the Hornady Critical Defence, or the Speer Gold Dot. Those cartridges have a specially formulated gunpowder that burns faster than standard ammunition. Look up mini revolver ballistic tests using Gold Dot, and Hornady Critical Defense, it will surprise you. The Gold Dot has a nice mushroom every time I've shot them, while almost all the others have little, to no deformation. Happy plinking. -Sawyer from Western NC.
It's a dandy! Relative thought... My dad had a S&W Model 48 6" blued he bought new in late '70s, beautiful revolver... He loved it. Very accurate & potent... He believed in .22 Mag! 🔫... Left to my Mom & I when he passed away in '82. I'm thinking of purchasing a 648 6"... 👌 🤔 😁
Bout 25 years ago I bought a new S&W 651 for the whopping sum of $317. Just as awesome today as then. The 648 is nice, but too big for me to carry for my use.
Very Cool S&W revolver !!!!!!!!!!!! I would love to have one of these in my revolver collection!!!!!! Thanks for showing this gorgeous revolver 22Plinkster !!!!!!!!
I bought a brand new 648-2. S&W now has it back. It wouldn't fire a shot, not 1. The extractor star sits around the rims and not underneath them. The cylinders don't appear to be counterbored at all when I believe they should be. The cartridges sit too far away from the breach face so the firing pin gives almost invisible strikes. When you go to eject the still unfired rounds, the ejector star goes right past the rims and never even attempts to pick one up. You turn the revolver up and they fall out. It isn't a gun. It's a paperweight. S&W has had since April 24th. How they could let a completely non-working gun get past QC is beyond me. I tried every brand of ammo I could get my hands on just to make sure it wasn't out of spec ammo, CCI Maxi-Mag, Winchester, and Aguila...all the same. Here's the funny part. The gun was filthy dirty when I got it. It had clearly been shot but not with that cylinder. I'm wondering if S&W's loyal dealer was playing games but that seems so off the wall I can't see it happening. I'm praying that S&W fixes it the first time and I don't have to live with this going back and forth.
6:50 isn't the problem with the ammo, rather than with the revolver? Also, a question: I can't find the effective range specs for this revolver anywhere. Any information on this would be appreciated.
You flung a hankerin on me with this vid and I bought a 648 from Bud's a couple weeks back. Took it out and put 50 rounds through it (Winchester, I think. Not CCI) and got 4 of those "light strikes". I saved them all and placed them back in the cylinder all together but rotated for a different pin strike. All four fired the second time! So...what does that tell us? I'm not sure but I think the primer in rimfire starts out as a liquid in the base of the casing. Would my results indicate a lack of even distribution?
That’s a pretty gun. Looks accurate and fun to shoot. But, hey, 22 Plinkster, if you know anyone at Smith & Wesson, you might tell them: Some of us ain’t buying one more S&W until they stop drilling a hole in the frame and installing the internal lock. Nope, not one, uh uh...
It can be subjective...our heritage has never had a hiccup...this 648 is almost too pretty, and the price is to me silly for a .22wmr revolver...we have a taurus 942 .22wmr on order, and could buy two for the price of the 648...there are a couple of other manufacturers of .22wmr revolvers, ruger and rock island come to mind...we have the .22wmr cylinder for the heritage, but stopped shooting it when we decided to get a dedicated. 22wmr revolver, so we have a modest stash of ammo when the taurus ever gets here...
Do they make other barrel lengths? S&W should give one to Willie on swamp people like other gun makers have to guys on show. After all Willie uses a old smith now
My Ruger single action has interchangeable cylinders. .22lr loses considerable velocity when shot out of a .22wmr barrel as opposed to when shot out of a .22lr barrel.
@@877-MASH-NOW You didnt know about the 357 and now your telking me about my 38 ...ok maybe you know ..what other bullets can i shoot with my 38 Revolver and also the 38 and the 380 what size bullets are they in MM ? Per example the 32 is a 7.65 mm etc etc .
Only if you have an interchangeable cylinder. 22 MAG bullet diameter is between 22.4, and 22.6 22LR has a bullet diameter that is .2 cal smaller at 22.2 you can get revolvers like the Ruger Single 6 that come with the 22 MAG cylinder. There are also high performance cartridges that are made to burn the podwer twice as fast giving more for than standard ammo. Hornady Critical Defense is good, but the best in my experience are the Speer Gold Dot. Happy plinking.
I bought the 648 6" this spring. Some Altamont grips and a fiber optic front sight and I have a gun I love and will never let go. A great woods walking gun.
Thanks for another great presentation! My grandpa started me with a Ruger Single Six in the early 70s. I still have that pistol and it works flawlessly. Now, I think its time to pick up this 648!
Ordered my the second I found out about it, have had it for about 6 months now and absolutely love it. Also have 2 617’s in 4” and 6”, and a 647 in 8 3/8th”. Love Smith rimfire revolvers.
I think. 22 Mag is my favorite thing to shoot. Absolutely love taking it to the range and plinking.
The 22 magnum is so amazingly accurate. I will never forget the first time. I fired one.
My dad taught me to shoot with a SW Model 17 (22 LR) 6” barrel which I inherited from him. As an adult I bought a SW Model 48 (22 mag) 8-3/8” barrel. Nothing shoots like a Smith. I wish you had put the dud cartridge back in to see if another area of the rim would ignite the cartridge. Thanks for the video. I need to get my Smith’s back out to the woods.
I always cycle the duds one more time, and I have about 99% success of them firing the second time. If there is a good reason not to do this, I would love to know!
I'm a young man in the market for a s&w 48 8 3/8 But they're almost extinct, glad to hear you've got one and keeping the legacy alive
@@JaredFromSubway88 it was back in the days you could go to a gun show, find what you wanted, hand the guy a couple of Benjamins and be on your way.
@@TxHornyToad those days may be long gone, but some of the men survived
I just got a Smith & Wesson 351 PD in .22 mag, and it is quickly becoming my favorite camp gun. Thanks for the video, be well my friend.
Nice gun plinkster. I didn't have the patience to wait that long so about 10 years ago I picked up a nickel-stainless Taurus 992 revolver which has changeable cylinders .22lr & .22 WMR. It is surprisingly accurate at 50 feet and beyond given it's 4" barrel.
Super accurate .22lr pistols for ISSF shooting (like Walther SSP, GSP or Pardini) often only have a barrel length of around 3". It's supposedly more than enough for .22 rounds. What makes most of the difference is the spacing of the sights, which is large in these pistols (their overall length looks like the barrels are longer than they actually are)
I had one of these & I liked it so much I bought a second one to put a scope on it. In one afternoon, on a strolling hunt down a dry creek bed, I killed 37 ground squirrels. Best small game pistol I ever owned. Only negative was the very sharp muzzle blast. I've owned a lot of Smith's & I found it was best to leave the main spring tension screw alone for as close to100% reliability as you could want. This is especially true when shooting double action.
Great 22 Mag option, I have a 4" S&W 617 .22LR and it's easily one of my favorite handguns.
I enjoy your no-nonsense, down to earth gun reviews. After watching your review on the Model 648 I purchased one and took it to the range for the first time about 5 weeks ago. Out of the first 40 rounds about 15 of them did not fire the fist time. I repositioned the misfires in the gun and all but 2 of the misfires went off the second time around. From examining the cases, it looks like the problem is light strikes. I called Smith and Wesson Customer Service who immediately email me a set of shipping labels and had me ship it back for repair. I will report back after they return the gun to me and I've had a chance to shoot it.
You can get a slightly longer firing pin and drop it in. With that extra 0.5mm you can even lighten up the mainspring for a lighter trigger pull and still have only misfires due to crummy ammo and not due to your revolver.
S&W makes the sweetest revolvers, in my opinion. I have several including the 617 with the 8 3/8" barrel. It is a little nose heavy but very accurate.
I bought a 617 6inch but I didn't like how heavy it was for a 22. I did like that it held 10 rounds. I sold it to a friend, my K22 is still my favorite.
When I get a dud, I just turn the bullet so the hammer strikes a different section of the rim and it usually works.
Yep, an old trick that does nicely in a pinch.
It's actually stupid how often that trick works with a cheapo made ammo.
Z-Link Corrupted -old trick is new to this Old Dude,so thanks. Usually I just keep going click until bang. be Well
Hmm, good tip.
I learned it from having very limited amount of cheap .22 ammo and the need to bring food to the table.
When a couple of squirrels and hopefully a raccoon is the only thing for dinner you save all those duds on the hopes the next strike will bring a meal.
Nowadays life has smiled upon me and my family, and we're in a much better position, but I still give them duds a second chance.
Ringing 100 yard Steel with a S&W.
Jerry Miculec "The force is strong in this one"
@J Calhoun
S&W revolver, I wouldn't own one.
We have 5 in fact😁
Love the M&Ps as well.
@@TheBrewer3535 S&W revolvers are fantastic. I've got a 15-22 that's been getting a lot of use with our current ammo situation.
Trick shot idea...2 playing cards connected in the middle to create a x or cross...split both over the shoulder. Challenges windage and elevation. Keep plinking!
I have a 648 six shot 6" bbl, no lock, S&W wood grips.picked it up about 30 years ago. Love it! You should do a video on the 647,17 hmr.
I have the .22lr in blued with 6" barrel and I just ordered the 648 in .22 mag with 6" barrel, want to get a couple really nice lefthand leather holsters for them. The .22mag will make a great campgun/trapline gun for dispatch of wolves or just fun plinking.
Taurus tracker model 992 is what i bought its a 6.5 inch barrel and shoots 22lr / 22wmr. Its also an 8 shot and comes with a cylinder for each caliber and changes out in seconds.
I have a 992, fun gun. Trigger on the 648 much better.
I bought a model 648 brand new off gunbroker . I've handled it and carried it some . It's nice good hearty tolerance's . But I maintain anywhere from a inch to inch three quarters or so less on the barrel would make it a great kit revolver . Also maybe shaved some of the under lug down like the 63-5 . I got a used 63-5 22lr kit revolver and I love it so much I bought a brand new one to keep in my collection . They are just perfection . I'm going to try the 648 squirrel hunting , but the 63-5 is just much more realistic to carry on the trail . What smith and wesson should do is revive the 22 jet and make a slick little j frame kit gun . Or some kind of center fire 22 caliber magnum 6 shot j frame just like the 63-5 kit . Or at least make a 63-5 exactly the same but in 22 magnum rimfire maybe slightly more barrel length for proper velocity . I've had some Ruger revolvers keeping the single action . But smith and wesson is just far far the best quality . Wouldn't even touch some of that cheap junk . Brittle iron Pot metal caked over a brake line junk . Now I'm no expert , I've grown up around firearms and carried some military grade abroad . But I can see no flaws in the smith and wesson model 63-5 , also hearing from a local gunsmith that he's never seen a problem with the frame mounted fireing pin and seen many broken hammer mounted pins ; has only further affirmed my appreciation for this specific revolver . The 63-5 is just a perfect "gem" . It's just so handy and portable all the tolerance's are perfect the barrel doesn't screw into the seat while driving . It's plenty accurate , ammo is lighter to carry . Good heaft in the hand and balance . Feels durable and reliable not like that light stuff . Decent sights and not too long . I mean sign um up for 4 more if you could carry it in the field unrestricted . My used one was caked with lead flash and I've put a couple thousand more threw it and the weapon hasn't malfunctioned once just a few dud rounds . On a good day I can hold a inch and half group at 7 yard's standing one hand offhand double action in under 10 seconds . I've pawed over and handled 150+ personal firearms and the 63-5 is the most handy trusty and versatile . It's a perfect go to weapon not too big not too small put a variety of loads in a little bag keep in the pocket . Then stock a survival bag with plenty of cartridge's . 22lr withstands plenty I've put colibri out in hot humidity southern weather for over a month in a cinder block sheltered environment and they all fired perfectly fine . I also soaked cotton pads and put colibri between them in a refrigerator for some time and all fired perfectly fine .
That 22wmr out of that “6 barrel has enough force to be useful as a home defense firearm
It's got a good amount of energy but being such a small round it's more of a hole poker than a stopper. It'll kill but lacks the ability for an immediate stop that a larger diameter can. I have an old 22mag revolver with a 4" barrel, but it's last in line behind the 45's, 44mag (with low power hand loads), and 38 stub nose +p
@@datsuntoyy Interesting because most rifle cartridges are smaller in diameter than pistol cartridges and they do just fine. Power over size any day
Ooooh. This is a good little home defense gun. 22 wmr is a quick little round.
Great video ! I like it that you don't talk about all the virus crap and just do your thing.
Well it's easy for him with his own personal outdoor-range. I haven't been shooting since the middle of march because all the ranges are closed around here (and we can't have private ranges here in Germany unless you are a millionaire who can afford all the licencing costs and regulations and whatnot)
Great shooting, great review, great revolver! It’s why I love this channel!
It reminds me of Ruger SP101 in 22lr. I love that gun too. This S&W is a beauty for sure. Thanks for the the video!
ackamack101 I think it is more in line with a Ruger GP 100 .22
Matt Riffle You’re right!
Yes, I was lookin at getting one of these and now you review it YES
love the .22 wm round in my revolver and love it in my marlin bolt action rifle, my ruger single six convertible in stainless is a very nice gun I will never part with
Good review, but I would have liked to see the results on a Chronograph to see how much better the velocity is on the .22 Magnum vs .22 long rifle.
love my 648; i do notice a fair amount of light strikes in it compared to my more inexpensive ruger/heritages though. seems to be more prone to that problem according to some smith forums
Maybe adjust the main spring to hit harder? Usually Smiths allow you to tighten/loosen a screw under the grip.
For the $ they charge you shouldn't have to. It shouldn't have left the factory in that condition.@@joshklaver47
The SW 617 and 648 are the best stock 22 revolvers available. If you are lucky enough to ever see one for sale - buy it (very rare - most folks hold on to them and pass them down). Found a used SW 617 two years ago for $700 and grabbed it instantly. For camping field guns at a lower cost, pick up a used Taurus 942 8 shot 22 (you can find them for under $500) Also, older Hi Standard Sentinel 22 can be found for $300 to $400. Remember, used handguns today are like used cars - they may sell for more then they sold new, so be realistic and be greatful if available at any price (Take a bit of the kids' college funds).
Indeed. I looked for months locally and on-line and finally just snagged a 4” 617. Yeah, I could have have bought a nice 22 revolver with spare change left over for a decent 9mm - but the thing is beautiful and I will have it forever. Rubber grips work well, but I have some nice Hogue rosewood grips on order.
You are the first person I'v seen on video to unload a revolver like it's supposed to be done. That's way I was taught by FBI instructors in the 70's.
The 617 is a great pistol. Hours of fun at the range and cheap to shoot. I shoot it so long that I can’t touch the cylinder bc it gets so hot. Usually try to shoot at least 500 rounds in about 35 min
Great looking and shooting revolver for sure. I really like that model!
I need one of these. Really great design. Thanks for sharing!
Going out this weekend to shoot and you just talked me into shooting my Rossi M518 22LR. Have not had that out in a while.
I love this revolver, as well as the Ruger single 6. Thanks for the review 22 Plinkster! Love your content.
-Sawyer from western North Carolina.
S&W 617 has a special place by me. A long long time ago i learned to shoot handgun with it. As is the M1 carbine, wich i learned to shoot 'long gun' with.
Just an FYI anytime you have a Light Strike even if you don't hear anything usually it sounds like a puff but you should have cleared it and checked for a squib if you don't know what a squib is look it up people. By clearing and checking to see if that round is stuck in the barrel could be a matter between life and death
Ah yes, I love a good “Snith and Wesson” revolver lolol
@Thomas Grimes
Snith and Wesson is the new gun his using in the video ...lol
0:16 READ !
I caught that too. LOL
Thomas Grimes bruh.. did you even watch the video 😂
Never had that problem with CCI. But when I shot Winchester ammo I often had problems with misfires in 22 Win Mag. Turned out that the brass had hardened.
Purchased one brand new, took it immediately to the range....it would only fire two cylinders, regardless of ammo brand, had to be sent back to S&W. ..4 months later, finally get it back Absolutely no quality control at Smith. The demise of a legend!
Was going to get one but after hearing many bad reviews and seeing it side by side with a Ruger GP 100/22 I went with the Ruger.
This model and the 617 are fantastic revolvers. But I must say this. I've been shooting for more than 50 years. I can recall a time when a S&W K frame revolver could be had in the neighborhood of $90 - $120. A Colt Python for under $150, a Remington 700 for $125, a Winchester M - 70 $150, a Ruger 10/22 $70, and a Mossberg 500 for around $100. These prices are approximations from the early to mid 1970's. Jump forward to the 2000 - 2020 period and those same guns have risen to sickeningly obscene prices. Which I feel is for no justified reason. Sure there is labor, materials and inflation to consider. But as in some cases a 1000% increase, that's ridiculous, it's disgusting, it's greed at levels that makes one understand just why many of the manufacturers have gone out of business, declared bankruptcy, been absorbed by larger manufacturers or been, one way or another, bought out by huge corporate holding companies. What this means is that where you were once able to afford one gun every two months or so, now you are lucky if you can justify the expenditure of $800 - $2000 for a run of the mill 1911, S&W, SIG, Rem 700, Ithaca 37, model 70 or X - Bolt let alone a quality AR Platform or any better quality O/U shotgun than a Browning Citori once every few years. Where hunting, shooting and gun collecting was once a hobby or pastime for the average or middle-class guy. They have now become the playground of the well to do. Even the niche of collectors of historical and WW1, WW2, and other military surplus firearms has become the realm of those with estates and leather and wood bound dens. My God, even up to the 1980's an M - 1 Carbine could be had for virtually nothing, but today ????? Well, let's just say that most will set you back a month or two in salary. And this trend is mainly going to get worse, and up, up and up in price they will go. Yes, as said most will hold a very high resale value. But I'm looking to buy, not sell !!! One more point of consideration is the cause and effect that politics and legislation, proposed or passed, has on the firearms market. Firearms prices, new or used, are influenced by this. And it would not be out of the realm to attempt to make them so expensive that fewer and fewer could afford them and only the rich would own them. This rationale would be flawed, as there are already 300 million firearms in civilian hands, and that strategy would be to little to late. But it wouldn't stop them from trying.
$800+ for a .22 revolver I think is a bit much, it's not a Korth. Is anyone else in agreement?
Yes I agree. BUT: Since 2000 we had 30% inflation. Everything has become crazy expensive...
Funny you mentioned the Korth. I was recently looking for a Korth Combat in mint condition. Here in Germany you could get these a few years ago for about 2k € wich is more or less equal to 2k US$. Now you can't get them for anything beneath 3,5k. And prices are climbing due to the pandemic.
But I got lucky and found a new and unfired S&W Model 66 No Dash from 1975 in blue box for 850 €. Quite a bargain these days. A current Model 66 (which isn't imported anymore btw) runs for about 1,4k €.
My guess? The government makes anything "firearm" related expensive by enacting laws that lower supply and increase cost of production. It's the same for illegal drugs. If we want to be truly free, we must get rid of thousands of laws.
@@oregondude9411
And the Democrat swamp dwellers.
I have resorted to buy used for s&w revolver from dealer.
I agree how crazy the prices have become.
Ever since usa got away from gold back currency the usa dollar been looseing ground(inflation)
Back in the late 60's Gold was at $35 to the ounce, and the U.S. Dollar was backed by Gold. Today (NOV 2020) Gold is at $1900 to the ounce, and the U.S. Dollar is a fiat currency with no Gold backing. Prices have not "gone up". The U.S Dollar has gone down in value. A 2020 U. S. Dollar is worth 1.8 cents referenced to the 1960's U.S. Dollar when Gold was $35 to the ounce!
Really nice pistol. Ha for the woods I carry the MKII but even those aren't cheap , I guess now it's the MK4. Last one I bought was MK3.
What I like about the 648 is ballistically it is a .22LR with a 22 inch barrel shooting CCI Velocitors 40 grain, only it is a 6 inch barrel.
The screw you are talking about is not for adjusting trigger pull, it's for disassembly. To change the pull, change the mainspring to an aftermarket one.
It would be nice to see some chronograph data as to velocities you get with 22 wrm in a pistol format.
I know I'm not the only one thinking a young Hickok 45
funny you mention it; I did a double-take myself at the range.
Not enough pot smoking
I'd like to see a comparison between 22 wmr and 22 hornet.
The 22 hornet will have at least twice the energy with egual weight bullet heads. It is centerfire and considerably larger
Wouldn't even be close, but still might be interesting.
22 Hornet would be better to compare to full power 5.7x28 if you want to see comparable results.
Y'all need Magnum Stangers!!! Great vid. Stay safe!!
Great presentation of the 648!! Thank You
SNITH AND WESSON LOVE THIS GUY
I would love one, but gosh it’s so expensive.
Taurus makes some nice .22 revolvers.
Ricochet no, no they don’t
@e fred Taurus is Brazillian.
Heritage makes nice revolvers.
@@signlsirchir2156 "affordable" lol
I picked up a Taurus Tracker 992 6.5" stainless with both the 22LR, and 22WMR cylinder. I've always wanted a full-size rimfire revolver. I've owned a couple S&W wheel guns, and they are great. But I keep buying Taurus because they seem to be more plentiful at my local dealer, plus the money I save, I can purchase more ammo with. I did over pay for some 22LR when I got this gun, and didn't realize it until I got home. I told the guy to give me a 500 round brick of 22LR. He sold me 500rds of Federal HV gold match at $0.09/rd. Ouch!
Oh man!!!! That is insanity cool!!!!! I reeeaaaallly love my 617 6 inch barrel !!!! I need 1 of these!!!!
Can't wait for Taurus to release there 942's in America, would love to start a 22lr 3 Gun Comp, Revolver, Pistol, Rifle.
I have a beautiful model 48 four inch configuration. Mine also has the factory fitted 22lr cylinder with it.
The gun is a pleasure to shoot. I do feel the longer barrel in the video may be better suited to the Magnum cartridge
Wish you would include a simple paper accuracy test at 25 or 50yds. Looks like it shoots better than the SS Taurus 22mag I had some years ago, I didn't expect no tack driver but it literally .couldn't keep all shots on a pie plate at 25 off a rest no matter what ammo I tried. Nice gun but I got rid of it quick and it was my first Taurus and my last.
Taurus has a.22 Magnum Revolver known as the Model 941, it is also on a Medium Steel Frame & it is in .22 Winchester Magnum Rimfire & also has 8 rounds.
They have a double action convertible with a .22lr cylinder and a .22 win mag cylinder. There’s a push button on the frame to switch them out. Pretty dang cool; it’s too bad Smith and Wesson hasn’t done anything like that for 40 years or so. I’d love an updated 651 j frame with 2 cylinders.
razrramonel4077 I have that Taurus 941 .22 magnum in stainless and it shoots great. it actually looks like a much larger caliber than it is. The only negative thing is that the hammer where you put your thumb to cock it is rather small and it is deeply knurled and will make your thumb real tender and raw within about a dozen pulls. I noticed that the S&W in this video looks like it has a larger one than the Taurus. I haven't tried researching this yet, but I wonder if a gunsmith could build up that area with maybe a Tig welder. then it would be much easier to pull the hammer back.
I would love to have one of those, I like 22 Mag. I had a Ruger American rim fire in 22 Mag but I was in desperate need of a weed trimmer so I sold it.
A weed trimmer?
@@panthermartin7784 AKA “weed eater”
@@appalachiangunman9589 oohhh i know what it is I just cant comprehend someone doing that and still sleep at night.
@@panthermartin7784 yeah I kind of thought maybe that was the case. I still have a Ruger 10/22 I’ve had for 23 years that I would never sell. I’ve killed plenty of rats with it so it’s proven to be good for pest control. I didn’t want to get rid of the 22 mag but I was tight on money and didn’t want part of my yard looking like a jungle.
I'd be interested to see a video that looks at the comparison between 22 short, long and WMR and how the muzzle velocity is effected by different grain sizes and barrel lengths. Like does a larger grain WMR fired from a shorter barrel pack the same punch as 22lr from a longer barrel where it gets more time to accelerate. The big muzzle flashes for the shorter barrels tend to be a give away to lost power, but does the extra charge in a WMR counter this in a shorter barrel??
Yes there is a dramatic difference between the 22 LR, and the 22 WMR when fired from snub nosed revolvers. You HAVE to use the right ammo to get the best performance from a short barrel, such as the Hornady Critical Defence, or the Speer Gold Dot. Those cartridges have a specially formulated gunpowder that burns faster than standard ammunition. Look up mini revolver ballistic tests using Gold Dot, and Hornady Critical Defense, it will surprise you. The Gold Dot has a nice mushroom every time I've shot them, while almost all the others have little, to no deformation. Happy plinking.
-Sawyer from Western NC.
It's a dandy! Relative thought... My dad had a S&W Model 48 6" blued he bought new in late '70s, beautiful revolver... He loved it. Very accurate & potent... He believed in .22 Mag! 🔫... Left to my Mom & I when he passed away in '82. I'm thinking of purchasing a 648 6"... 👌 🤔 😁
Bout 25 years ago I bought a new S&W 651 for the whopping sum of $317. Just as awesome today as then. The 648 is nice, but too big for me to carry for my use.
Quality is there! A worthy .22 Mag. revolver. I have their K, N, an X frame revolvers in stainless.
Very Cool S&W revolver !!!!!!!!!!!! I would love to have one of these in my revolver collection!!!!!! Thanks for showing this gorgeous revolver 22Plinkster !!!!!!!!
I bought a brand new 648-2. S&W now has it back. It wouldn't fire a shot, not 1. The extractor star sits around the rims and not underneath them. The cylinders don't appear to be counterbored at all when I believe they should be. The cartridges sit too far away from the breach face so the firing pin gives almost invisible strikes. When you go to eject the still unfired rounds, the ejector star goes right past the rims and never even attempts to pick one up. You turn the revolver up and they fall out. It isn't a gun. It's a paperweight. S&W has had since April 24th. How they could let a completely non-working gun get past QC is beyond me. I tried every brand of ammo I could get my hands on just to make sure it wasn't out of spec ammo, CCI Maxi-Mag, Winchester, and Aguila...all the same. Here's the funny part. The gun was filthy dirty when I got it. It had clearly been shot but not with that cylinder. I'm wondering if S&W's loyal dealer was playing games but that seems so off the wall I can't see it happening. I'm praying that S&W fixes it the first time and I don't have to live with this going back and forth.
I love my 317. It’s the discontinued snobby model. I’d like to check out the 22 mag version as a backup gun.
"Snobby", huh? ;-)
You should review one of the Charter Arms pathfinder with the 4 inch barrel
Got mine in 1999. Great pistol! Great vid man!
I'm a really big fan of the gp100 22 I love shooting it
6:50 isn't the problem with the ammo, rather than with the revolver?
Also, a question: I can't find the effective range specs for this revolver anywhere. Any information on this would be appreciated.
when are we going to see a review of the taurus 942?
You flung a hankerin on me with this vid and I bought a 648 from Bud's a couple weeks back. Took it out and put 50 rounds through it (Winchester, I think. Not CCI) and got 4 of those "light strikes". I saved them all and placed them back in the cylinder all together but rotated for a different pin strike. All four fired the second time! So...what does that tell us? I'm not sure but I think the primer in rimfire starts out as a liquid in the base of the casing. Would my results indicate a lack of even distribution?
Please do a video on the diamondback sidekick with the federal punch 22 wmr
The new SNITH & WESSON 22 ...Nice .👍
Thanks 22p. Great job. Good info.
Cheapest I found new is 760 currently. It is a tempting buy.
I got a no dash from an estate sale for $400. Awesome pistol
Nice revolver! Good shooting.
Exactly what I was looking for
Hey Plinkster ever try some little s&w .22lr revolver like 43 or 317?
I just got mine today. So excited! Beefy is right..lol
That’s a pretty gun. Looks accurate and fun to shoot. But, hey, 22 Plinkster, if you know anyone at Smith & Wesson, you might tell them: Some of us ain’t buying one more S&W until they stop drilling a hole in the frame and installing the internal lock. Nope, not one, uh uh...
Got a used heritage rough rider. All it did was make me hungry for a better .22 revolver.
It can be subjective...our heritage has never had a hiccup...this 648 is almost too pretty, and the price is to me silly for a .22wmr revolver...we have a taurus 942 .22wmr on order, and could buy two for the price of the 648...there are a couple of other manufacturers of .22wmr revolvers, ruger and rock island come to mind...we have the .22wmr cylinder for the heritage, but stopped shooting it when we decided to get a dedicated. 22wmr revolver, so we have a modest stash of ammo when the taurus ever gets here...
@@PetuniaIii-pd1ww Yeah. Really love the idea of a .22wmr revolver. And the price is alot, but that what makes it more a grail gun 4 me.
The strain screw must be tightened all the way. It's not for trigger pull adjustment.
Only problem is the Blazer 22LR is $3.80 for a box of 50 and the CCI WMR is $17.99 for a box of 50.
(A) Not any more.
(B) Would you rather have sex with a model for 5 minutes or hump your pillow for an hour?
Would you ever want to "retry", or "refire" a light primer strike or not?
Could have been a squib better check the barrel before shooting again
I've had 22lr not go off and I reloaded it and it went off the second time and it hit the rim in a different place.
Can you shoot 22lr in the 648? Or change out the cylinder for 22lr?
I know certain Ruger and others can but yeah that's ideal
Why are they so damn expensive?
Union labor?
Revolvers are expensive to manufacture
A revolver takes a lot of work regardless of the caliber.
Alot of the reason is quality ... I really like my Ruger GP100 's but the truth is the extra $150 is in the trigger and smoothness ..
Machine time
Shooting across a creek.
Has the DNR or EPA hassled you about lead contamination to creek ?
How do you recycle the empty casings that are scattered on the ground?
Just got one for squirrel and rabbit hunting. To hold it, feels like my .357. Going shooting tomorrow. 😁
Do they make other barrel lengths?
S&W should give one to Willie on swamp people like other gun makers have to guys on show.
After all Willie uses a old smith now
They only make it with a 6" barrel.
Why don't they just sell an interchangable 22wmr cylinder with the 617? Not worth it for me if it doesn't come with both.
My Ruger single action has interchangeable cylinders. .22lr loses considerable velocity when shot out of a .22wmr barrel as opposed to when shot out of a .22lr barrel.
i recently had a dud 22 mag round trying to repel an attacking dog , went out and purchased a 410 judge . end of problem .
Killin it bro
Is Snith &Wesson made in the USA?
It’s the Chornese ripoff
No, 'nade' in the USA.
Umited States of Anerica
Can you shoot 22lr from this revolver too. Like 357 shoots 38? I have the 686 one of my favorites. Great review.
Can a 38 shoot 357 bulkets also ?
@@myname7558 no a 38 cannot shoot 357.
@@877-MASH-NOW
You didnt know about the 357 and now your telking me about my 38 ...ok maybe you know ..what other bullets can i shoot with my 38 Revolver and also the 38 and the 380 what size bullets are they in MM ? Per example the 32 is a 7.65 mm etc etc .
Only if you have an interchangeable cylinder. 22 MAG bullet diameter is between 22.4, and 22.6 22LR has a bullet diameter that is .2 cal smaller at 22.2 you can get revolvers like the Ruger Single 6 that come with the 22 MAG cylinder. There are also high performance cartridges that are made to burn the podwer twice as fast giving more for than standard ammo. Hornady Critical Defense is good, but the best in my experience are the Speer Gold Dot.
Happy plinking.
thanks for a review. I have a question: did you do a trigger job? DA is over #13 (