Not all 617's are 10-shots; my early 617 has a steel 6-shot cylinder. Later 617's have alloy, 10-shot cylinders. The 10-shot models have a distinctly different double action feel, which is why I wanted a 6-shot version as it is timed, and has the same action "feel" as my 6-shot L-frame .357's.
S&W likely went with the underlug so that the 617's and underlugged 17's would have the same balance as the L-frame .357's. They make for heavy 22's, but good "understudy" revolvers for the bigger bores.
Last edited by Oregon45; 09/27/13.
