I have been flirting with the idea of buying a little J Frame .22lr (317 or 43C) as a practice piece for my 38/357 J Frames. I definitely don't need it at all, but it might be fun to have for practice and to show beginners how to shoot a revolver. My local LGS just had one pop up in the showcase. He will do it for $470 out the door.

It is in as new never fired condition. Not a mark or scratch on it.

I just looked on GB and reviewed the sales of 317s over the last 3 months. They seem to go from $475 to $650. So should I do it for $470? I won't loose any sleep if it comes to pass.

Here is a pic of the model I am looking at. THIS IS NOT THE ACTUAL ONE AT THE STORE, just grabbed it online for illustration purposes.

I actually prefer the 43C over the 317, as the 43C resembles my other J Frames (hammerless centennial style). Trigger pull on either model is brutal, and the Apex kit is not reliable with the 22lr revolvers. So other then a little polishing, I will have to live with the trigger.

You've already established that it's a very fair deal.Only you know how much you want it (beyond a very few guns,need doesn't figure in,but you know that already)-someone else can't answer that for you.
It goes without saying that most here are willing to give you a nudge,if that's what you need.
I've owned J frame .22s including the 317.Sold them,as I'm a K frame kind of guy.If I was to keep one of the ones that I owned,it would be the 34,not the 317.Two inch 63s are nice too,but probably beyond what you want to spend.

Good answer. Guess I am looking for a few folks who have them to share their thoughts on them. Is it a must have? I have never shot one.

I've got a 3" and it's a great gun, trigger is a little strong but not ridiculously so. It's a decent price for a no lock 317 but if you prefer the 43c you can find those for ~$500ish too. Depends on which you want more I suppose.

More accurate than you might imagine,but between the small size,light weight,tiny hammer spur,heavy pull,they take a lot of concentration to shoot well.
At some point,you have lacquer wear on the finish.I think that I'm old school when it comes to materials.
I had an early three incher,with adjustable sights and wood grips.

I just purchased the S&W 43C and looked in the usual places for the best deal as they were not available to me locally. The best deal I was able to find was $560 and most are listed on the fixed priced sites for $600-$650, with very few being sold. I also looked at the 317 and 63 and never came across a deal as sweet as yours plus it doesn't sound like you will be paying any shipping or FFL cost. I can't comment on the trigger other than I think it is 10-12 lbs and I read a great deal of controversy about both the 43C and the Ruger LCR but at the end of the day will always opt for a S&W. I can't comment beyond that as I have yet to receive it.

Save a little more and buy a Model 63. I have one and love it. All stainless, smooth trigger and no worry about the finsh wearing off. I shoot at least 300 rounds through it every week. Other then a little lead build up around the bottom of the forcing cone it's very easy to clean. Also you don't have to worry about what cleaning solvent you use on the stainless. I haven't had a problem with it.

Attached Images

63 004.jpg (82.1 KB, 68 views)

In the Denver area that gun wouldn't last a day in the display case...
just sayyin

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Jim
Many K and N Frames

Good price, decent gun. I bought one several years back and keep it in my camera bag for some strange reason......I guess because it's light and I barely know it's there.

They are a challenge to shoot real well because of the light weight. I have an older 4" 63, and a 4" 617, and both of those guns are far easier to shoot well, and it isn't just about the extra inch of barrel/sight radius IMHO.

I like mine, so do my kids. I wanted a 43 but found the 317 used. I think I am better off with the hammer for the kids/wife to shoot it. Most people don't enjoy double action shooting like I do for some reason. Ed

You cant Lose..Buy It....Shoot..reload..Shoot...Reload...Repeat..

If after the above you dont like it...Put it for sale on this forum for 500 and it wont last a day...

BUY BUY BUY

If its a pre-lock, definitely buy it. S&W quality was great during the post-MIM, pre-lock era. I found a similar one for $425 and the decision was easy. Nice carry gun in its own right with hot .22 LR loads.

FWIW, I paid $470 BNIB for my 43C. You just have to be patient.

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-Roger

The 43C has that God Awful Lock though Doesn't It??

The 317 above does not.

No Sir, the 43C does not have a lock. I've never seen a 43C with ILS, but some 317's do.

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-Roger

I've owned, & shoot, a 317 pre lock for around 20 years. Great little practice handgun. My trigger isn't terrible (it ain't a model 10...). Use high speed ammo or you'll be cleaning your chambers a couple of times a range session.

If you do opt for standard vel ammo bring a bottle of Hoppes 9 and a bunch of cotton swabs when at the range. Cleans the chambers nicely if they get gunked up.

Rich

Mine has Barimi grips, just because.

I had a 317 pre-lock for many years, but didn't shoot it much. A few years ago I decided to get it out and after one box of ammo I discovered a cracked frame under the barrel lug. I sent it back to S&W and asked them to replace it with the 43C, and they did. One of the first ones out. I really love the 43C.

My 63-5 has an excellent trigger, SA or DA. Why would other j-frame rimfires have "ungood" triggers?

Harrishmasher,
I don't know if you should buy it or not, the price seems pretty reasonable. I will say I NEVER see 317 revolvers in gun shops or shows in this area. Is it because they are popular and sell fast or are there just not many made? It's hard to say but because of the rarity and it is a decent kit gun I would seriously consider it. At least make an offer.

My 63-5 has an excellent trigger as well, my 317 is heavy as all get out. Something about the need for a heavier trigger in a light gun, I dunno.

If I saw that, I buy it in a heartbeat.

I went ahead and bought it today. $440 plus tax.

My friend who owns the shop bought it from a little old lady. She fired 8 round put it back in the case and it sat there for years. It is brand new, not a mark on it.

It will be great to teach people to shoot a revolver and a great training tool for me.

I took off the Uncle Mike's boot grips and replaced them with the S&W grips that ship on current revolvers. The new ones are 0.5ozs lighter. The gun now weighs 10.3ozs unloaded and 11.2ozs loaded.










I'm going to pick up my 586 L Comp that I bought last week and just arrived at the other LGS/range in town and shoot them both! I will let you know how it goes.

I put a couple of cylinders through it and it worked perfectly. Very fun little shooter. But I was too pre occupied with the 586 L Comp I picked up to give this little guy the attention he deserves. Next time for sure.

I put a cell phone wrist strap on my S&W 317. It has come in handy along creeks and rivers.

Now that I see the pics and how nice that little revolver is I think you got a great deal and I wish I could run across one just like it. Good for you.

Great deal on a cool little popper! Nice pics!
The 317's make darn good plate shooting guns. There are a few
folks in our club who love bringing them to the matches.
They get a lot of "Wow!"s when someone who is not familiar
with them gets to handle one for the first time.
"Dang, that's light!" , or similar, is often heard.

Looking Good!

The 317 snubs are great guns to throw in a lightweight backpack or belt pack for exercising or trail running.

Yeah, I think you stole it at that price!
Paid $550 +tax for mine, new, several years ago.
(And it has the lock.)
Didn't like paying that much, but I've never seen a used one for sale here.
The only thing I've done to mine was to install a reduced power rebound spring from Wolff.
Makes it easier for my daughters, nephews, etc. to shoot.

I have seen some complaints about the finish wearing.
Each time I clean mine, (CLP only) I buff it completely, then apply a coat of high quality auto wax to the entire gun.
Mine is holding up well so far.

It is truly a blast to spend a day with that gun, a brick of ammo, and the kids.

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