That's a really tough question. I agree with the "get both" answer, but then I've already done that. I got the 22 handgun bug a few years back and now own quite a few different ones.
You can shop judiciously and get a good price on a used 617.
I paid $325 for this 8-3/8" 617 earlier this year. With the right ammo, from a rest, this revolver shoots 1 hole groups at 25 yards and has no trouble shooting 1" groups at 50 yards. I've ordered a 4X pistol group to see if I can do better at long ranges, since thoase 1" groups were shot with a 4 MOA dot sight.
This is the 6-shot model; the S&W crowd prefers the 6-shot version as the actions tend to be smoother than the 10 shot versions.
Even with the complete Volquartsen internals upgrade, I have less than $400 in this Ruger Mark II 5.5" bull barrel pistol. It's not quite as accurate as the S&W at ranges over 25 yards, but hits tin cans with little trouble out to 100.
You might also want to consider an older S&W revolver. This is a Model 17, the blued predecessor of the 617. They are only available used, and a 98% gun will generally go for ~$350, possibly more with box and paperwork (which appeals to collectors).
Whatever you choose, I'm sure you'll enjoy it.