I like the 617's, but you need a Sherpa to actually carry it around. If I'm going to carry that much weight I'll just break out a S&W model 41 that has a better trigger and really does shoot like a rifle.
For plinking, it's hard to beat a S&W model 63-5 3" barrel with the FO Sight, or if maybe you want to have a CCL BUG that is also a blast to shoot- the S&W Model 43c (the c stands for Centennial) is really a great J DAO Hammerless J frame. I have a couple of the 317's, but why really have a hammer on a aluminum J Frame that you are going to shoot DA anyway.
A lot of the older .22 S&W Revolvers in good shape are getting to be very expensive & hard to get parts for. Pretty much for the Collectors at this point.