Dear Smith and Wesson forum, I would like to hear some opinions on the s&w model 317 kit gun .22 caliber revolver. sincerely and respectfully mg357 a proud member of the Smith and Wesson Forum. p.s. the reason that i am asking for opinions on this specific s&w revolver is because i was at my favorite gun shop today and they have a s&w model 317 kit gun for sale and im thinking about buying it.

I had a 3" model and felt it was too light to shoot accurately. It's a real featherweight. I also didn't care for the hi-viz front sight and deep V rear sight. I couldn't get a decent sight picture. Between the weight and the sights I couldn't get it to shoot accurately at all and soon traded it off.

I bought one as a CCW for my recoil sensitive wife. It is REALLY light, which does make it suffer in the accuracy department. It is easily to conceal, and with 8 CCI Stingers, it will get the job done if a bad situation arises.

That being said, I would sell it in a heartbeat if my wife didn't like it so much.

I have two of the 2-inch fixed sight versions. I purchased a used NL for the wife and we both loved it so much....that I bought me one too, but had to settle for an IL. I can live with that. She would not mind having one she can lock around the grand-kids anyway.

I have many other guns in much larger calibers, but for being out-n-about, this little "weightless" piece cannot be beat. Stick it in your pocket and you never know it's there.....10.5 ounces and a bit more for the kit-gun in 3 inches.

Wolff does sell a spring kit for it and it will reduce the TP to a point that the wife can fire it off-hand with one finger. I did quite a bit of research on the aluminum cylinder thing and from what I have gathered, you will likely never wear it out and if you are the original purchaser...it's warrantied for life anyway. The barrel has a stainless steel liner and the working-guts are stock Smith steel components.

Notwithstanding the ever-running argument against a 22 as a SD weapon...if it's all someone can shoot, then nobody should harass them about it. I rather like to just poke the thing in my pocket and forget it as opposed to strapping on my tactical vest, shoulder holster, or suspenders to hold the big ones up....along with my pants.

I LOVE the things for the purpose intended. The only beef I have with the thing is....it's one of the most expensive guns in the S&W lineup.

Folks....lets not start another debate over the pros-n-cons concerning the SD or lack thereof. MG is asking about the gun itself....not the caliber. He knows what it is.

My wife is using an older 2" no-lock LS version as her CC. I like my 34-1 snub for more accuracy but up close the 317 works just fine and gives her two more chances to hit something.

I have the 317 super light weight 3 inch model. I like it. I even like the green hi-viz sight. I can shoot it accurately enough, in spite of the light weight. However, when it was new, I had trouble with cases not extracting. I sent it back to the factory, and they promptly replaced the cylinder. I have not had any trouble since then.

I purchased a 3 inch 317 because of it's light weight.

I found that I had trouble holding elevation with the hi vis sights.

I called S&W and found that the front and rear sights for a Mod 60 will fit the 317.

I ordered a set of the sights and installed them and they work very well for me.

The gun is very light so you really have to pay attention to the front sight and your
trigger control when you are shooting it.

Great field gun for rabbits and squirrels.

My gun does have the issue where with some ammunition fired cases are hard to extract
but for the ammunition I use most often it extracts OK.

My wife is recoil shy, has bad wrist and extra weigh in hand bag hurts her shoulders. She loves her 317 snub with Crimson Trace. Never a problem with the gun (unless I'm banging away a few hundred rounds, at which time, when it is too hot to hold, ejection gets a little sticky). 8 rounds of Stingers should do the job when I'm not around. And yes, it is handbag made for carrying a gun and she never lets it get out of hand reach. Can't talk her into carrying on her person.

I have a 317 2" barrel. The round count through it has passed 10,000 with zero problems. I installed Crimson Trace grips and there is no problem keeping all shots in the "A" zone at 25 yds. and I am 60+ years old with bifocals. The gun is light to carry and fun to shoot. I haven't performed any spring jobs,etc. and shoot double action 99% of time. If things got rough it would one of the last to leave my collection.

I recently acquired a 3" model, with the Hi-Viz sights.
The sights work well for me, where a standard blade appears as just a blur. I can see the sight, and the gun is accurate right out of the box.
Trigger pull is okay, too. I'm considering getting another one, just brcause I like it so much. For me it's the perfect .22.
Enjoy!! TACC1

pipeliner.....10,000 rounds you say. That really makes me feel good. I will NEVER wear the ones I have out!

TACC1.....I HAD to purchase another one....the wife took the first one. I had tried the girl out with down-loaded 32 and 38-special stuff in guns with trigger jobs and reduced pull springs and all she could ever do was hit a 12" x 12" square on occasion. With this little 317....you can cover her groups with your hand at around 20-feet....believe me, for her that is plenty amazing. If it accomplishes no purpose other than getting her use to shooting so I can gradually work her up to a larger caliber...it will have served it's purpose. BUT...I won't part with either of mine even if she does eventually graduate to a larger caliber. I have two grandsons that will love them when the wife and I are gone.

If you imagine the 317/3" in stainless steel, you've got the model 63.

I had a 317, sold it, and bought the 63--some more mass to steady the aim, and stainless steel which is easier to maintain. You'll have to use nylon brushes to clean the cylinder of the 317, and the clearcoat is prone to flake.

Still, the 317 is a nice (yes expensive--but aren't all Smiths?) revolver for those looking for a really lightweight kit gun.

I'll second the suggestion of the 3" 63 as an alternative to the 3" 317K. I couldn't shoot the 317 well due to it's lite weight (12.5 oz). The 26 oz 3" 63 is fun - and still has a red HiViz sight, the 317K's HiViz actually having been a plus for me. They are about the same cost, too. My 3" 63 came with a great trigger, too. If the weight isn't of the utmost importance, I'd at least consider the SS 63.

Stainz

If you want the sights, then certainly go with the 317 kit-gun, or the 63 if you're not looking for the weight reduction....agreed. BUT...if you are looking for a point-n-shoot pocket pistol, the sights will get in your way with either one.

I think you can really tell the difference it weight though. A 26 ounce gun will feel much heavier than a 13 ounce gun. I have 38-specials in both SS and air lite and I can really notice the weight difference when I pack either around all day.

I think the question was more in the line of possible durability issues with the aluminum components and from what I know and have learned....durability does not seem to be an issue with the 317.

I would not argue one against the other, but I do not think one needs to be concerned about the aluminum 317 in terms of durability.

I bought my 317 kit gun in April this year. I fired a total of 10 rds. before I was into the cylinder locked up problems discribed in other posts. Shipped it back to S&W in May and it appears they replaced the cylinder. S&W's turn around time was 9 days! Unfortunately I have not had the chance to fire it yet but that may be hours away.

What I wanted was a lightweight, cheap to shoot, quality 22 revolver to carry while fishing and on woods walks. The 317 KG is perfect for that purpose in my opinion. I have a 442, 642 and a 37 but they are not as cheap to shoot. They also gain a little weight when loaded. I like the fiber optic front sight. The fact that the 317 dissappears on my belt is my prime objective. If my need is for 22 accuracy I have an older 617 and an older 18.

I will report back as soon as I get a chance to shoot the 317 KG. Hopefully it will work fine. If not S&W will get it back and they WILL get it right. The 317 fits my needs perfectly

Good luck. Every time I have talked to the S&W folks they have been great to deal with. I have never had to send one home for repairs, but they have entertained any questions I had about any particular model in a very professional manner.

Sadly, I have not had such pleasing experiences with other manufacturers, but that's not on topic. I think my only point is that Smith will get it right if it's not right and they have been making those 317's for years.