I have an S&W model 317 Airlite, 8-shot .22, with an aluminum cylinder. I got this intending to use it for lots of rapid fire, double action practice; in lieu of spending a bundle on ammo and feeling lots of harsh recoil by doing lots of rapid fire practice with my light-weight .357 J-frame.

Problem is, I have found that the aluminum cylinder in the 317 cannot handle lots of shooting. After several hundred rounds, erosion in the cylinder holes causes the revolver to jam. In normal firing, the empty cases are pushed back against the recoil shield with enough force to cause the empty cases to bounce forward a bit. However, with eroded cylinder holes, the empty cases push back against the recoil shield and stop there, rather than bouncing forward. When you go to cock it, the empty cases drag on the recoil shield. When several cases are dragging, the gun cannot be cocked again. Even swinging the cylinder open to get the cases out takes a lot of force.

Twice I have sent this gun back to S&W, and twice they have replaced the aluminum cylinder. The second time, I sent them a letter asking them to give me a steel cylinder instead of aluminum. They did not respond to my letter; they simply sent the gun back again with a new aluminum cylinder.

I don’t want to keep doing this, so I might try to buy a steel cylinder and get it installed.

Here are my questions: Could I rely on the typical local gunsmith to replace the cylinder, or does cylinder replacement require special fitting that should be done by someone specifically trained by S&W? Could the typical local gunsmith get a steel cylinder from S&W within a reasonable wait time? Are there any other issues I should know about regarding installing a steel cylinder in a 317 Airlite?

I suppose that a Model 63 cylinder would work ok. (though sleeving comes to mind as well,if there is enough metal there)
I don't think that any of us can speak for S&W. If they have a cylinder in stock, it should go right out.If not......who knows when or if it will.
No one here knows the skill level of your local gunsmith either,but a cylinder replacement shouldn't be that difficult.
While my 317 didn't see very much use, I never had an issue with its performance.

When trading cylinders, sometimes the new one will trade out with no problems and be fine. Other times some fitting is required. A good revolver smith can do the job, or the factory can do it.

Maybe the easiest thing would be to buy an all steel 3-inch J-frame Model 63-5 product code 162634. It's a current production gun, so you could just order one anywhere.

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I called S&W and asked if they would put a steel cylinder in my 317. I was told they will not. The person on the phone did not seem to be technically knowledgeable, so I did not ask why. Maybe using my 317 as a trade in on a 63 is the best approach.