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11-07-2011, 07:00 PM
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Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Georgia
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317 durability?
Wondering if anyone here has experience with a model 317 with a high round count, and if so, how well it holds up over the long term?
I'd like to get a 3" hi viz 317 for a walking-in-the-woods sidearm, but I'd also like to use it as a range plinker as well, without having to be too concerned about how many rounds it sees.
Any comments appreciated.
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11-07-2011, 07:46 PM
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Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Southern Mississippi
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I asked a similar question some time ago...one poster said he had over 10,000 fired and still going strong. I have two so it is taking me a little more time to get that far on each piece.
I have had time to really go over the guns and have had them all to pieces replacing springs and things like that on several occasions. I think there is only a couple of possible weak areas of the gun...the yoke/crane assembly. The "guts" in the cylinder are the same steel components as in the 63, but the yoke is rather thin aluminum. I tend to remove the cylinder more often on these guns and keep those parts well lubed. One other area that would concern me over time is the lock-up where the ejector rod bears against the rather thin back-strap (the notch). The ejector spring is strong and I don't know how many cylinder-closings it will take to wear that area where the ejector rod tip bears against the frame. I keep that area well lubed as well.
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11-07-2011, 08:15 PM
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I purchased a new 317-1 around 2001 from my local dealer. I was teaching NRA classes at my local club and used it to transition new shooters to small guns before working up to larger calibers. I was also using a 4" Model 34-1 for the same purpose. After approximately 11 bricks, I noticed the front of the 317-1 cylinder contacting the back of the barrel when cocked. It still functioned fine. I sent it back to S&W under warranty, they replaced the yoke and had it back to me in 8 days. The service tech described the problem as "wicked" endshake. I don't know if they've changed materials or the design since then, but I do know that the new yoke is steel.
Since then, I've backed off on the use and carry it in a coat pocket while small game hunting. It's accounted for a porcupine and several grouse. I do occasionally take it to the range and put a box thru it. Several years ago, I picked up a used 317 2" to use with birdshot while hunting out west. The price was right and the 2" fits better in a pants pocket. It finally accounted for a pack rat this year, but no rattlesnakes yet.
I think of the 317's as specialized guns where weight is an issue. A steel gun will probably hold up better if you plan on putting thousands and thousands of rounds thru it, but the lifetime service policy means repairs won't cost you anything but time.
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11-07-2011, 11:02 PM
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I know, from my carry habits, that I will carry the 317 readily, but a heavier gun, I'll pause and often leave it behind. My daily carry is a 642, and when guns get much heavier than that, it becomes a nuisance to me; I find it distracting as I go about my daily tasks.
The warranty does give peace of mind. I'll probably start with a new 317, assuming the yoke has been updated to steel, and see where it takes me.
Appreciate the replies!
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11-12-2011, 05:49 PM
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Location: Wyoming-Texas, USA
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rbstern
I know, from my carry habits, that I will carry the 317 readily, but a heavier gun, I'll pause and often leave it behind. My daily carry is a 642, and when guns get much heavier than that, it becomes a nuisance to me; I find it distracting as I go about my daily tasks.
The warranty does give peace of mind. I'll probably start with a new 317, assuming the yoke has been updated to steel, and see where it takes me.
Appreciate the replies!
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I bought my 317 in the first year of production. I doubt I have anywhere near 10,000 rnds through it, more like 2-3000, but it is not showing any signs of wear that I can see. I've never thought of this little gun as a high use gun like I do my mdl. 18 K-frame which has 10,000+ rnds through it. I like the little gun as a gun for walking around when I'm wearing shorts and a t-shirt and my wife wouldn't be without it anytime.
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