Just curious about the utility of an airlite 317 kit gun .22LR ?

Lady Smith · Feb 25, 2020

Hey guys

Maybe many of you will find my question is stupid but I have to ask.

The other day on a facebook group about firearms collectors, a guy was talking about a S&W revolver I didn’t know, the Airlite 317 kit gun .22LR.
He said this « Kit Gun » revolver is appreciated by American folks for daily use because it’s small, light weight, easy to carry and it’s easy to carry a lot of cartridges as well.

I just don’t understand why you, Americans, could have interest in a snuby .22LR for daily use as he said.

I mean, to my mind it’s useless for self defense (or maybe only against rattlesnakes I don’t know) and I know many of you like to carry a snubnose daily for self defense but in .38 special or .45acp.
So I’m wondering why to carry a .22LR snubnose when a .38 or .45 can do the job better ?

Is this kind of gun really appreciated for daily use in the U.S and why ?
Just curious

Thank you

1sailor · Feb 25, 2020

While a 22 revolver may not be optimal for self defense it is very good as a "kit gun". The United States has huge tracts of wilderness area which are hiked, hunted, and fished. A kit gun is a lightweight, easy to carry revolver often carried by those who are performing other activities such as those mentioned. A large heavy pistol can be a burden for anyone who goes off the trail. They can be used to take small game and in the event you are injured can be used to signal to search parties at distances that would drown out your voice. Also, the 317 is not actually a "snubby" having a 3" barrel and adjustable sights.

ColbyBruce · Feb 25, 2020

I have one of the pre-lock fixed sight snubbies with rubber stocks. I think it weighs 11.5 ounces empty. It is nice and light, holds eight cartridges, and cost me $250.00 plus tax brand new. Due to the light weight, horrendous trigger pull, and my lack of skill I do not hit well with it. Like Scarlett O'Hara Hamilton Kennedy Butler, I can shoot straight if I don't have to shoot far.

It is a joy to carry and a box of fifty cartridges weighs next to nothing.

BAM-BAM · Feb 25, 2020

"Kit Guns" are just one piece of equipment when one is out in the woods..... hiking, fishing, cutting wood, camping, backpacking......... one is usually burdened with a lot of other stuff you're more likely to need...... a kit gun generally gets carried a lot and shot very little. Maybe a little plinking/informal target shooting.

As they say "ounces turn to pounds over the miles".....................

I have a 4" 63 and a 3" 60-10 that fulfill that role for me.... in the last decade the 60-10, micro-686, fills that role more often than the .22lr 63.

Where I use to hike a lot today it's more likely a ATV or Side by side.

geokeg · Feb 25, 2020

I have one with the 3" barrel. It is quite accurate and easy to shoot. With 8 rounds of your favorite cartridge in the cylinder it can be very handy in a number of situations. So easy to carry, what's not to like...

681ismyfavorite · Feb 25, 2020

its a reasonably small, light weight easy to use handgun and 50 rounds of ammo for it can be carried easily and out of the way. in single action and equipped with descent sights it can be used (if you practice a lot and have some hunting skills) to take small game whilst camping. as a gun for snake defense, I laugh because I usually step aside and the snake is generally glad for that too.

Old cop · Feb 25, 2020

I gave each of my grown daughters the same .22 b/c they’re both recoil sensitive AND they handle this little gun well. A .22 is better than nothing, and I witnessed a lot of people dropped w/a .22 in my 30 years on the street.

s&wchad · Feb 25, 2020

Sounds like there’s some misunderstanding on “utility”. If I could only have one handgun, it certainly wouldn’t be a 317. I have a 317 (2” fixed sights) and a 317-1 (3” adjustable sights) and like them both, but I’ve never carried them for protection from violent criminals. They fill a specific niche. I use them for small game, venomous snakes and plinking. I have other handguns for self-defense, serious target shooting and just because I can.

That’s one of the great things about America. In most places here, you’re free to own as many handgun as your can afford and your spouse will abide!

bigwheelzip · Feb 25, 2020

When I took my cousin to the range the first time, she was just too nervous about the drama of 38s and 9s, but when I put a 22 pistol in her hand, she happily shot the whole 100 round box while the rest of us used bigger calibers.

Like grandma used to say, "There is a cover for every pot".

Lady Smith · Feb 26, 2020

Thanks y’all !
So it seems it’s more specifically useful in the countryside.

That being said, I agree at the range it could help to improve your skills due to the low recoil and light weight.

murphydog · Feb 26, 2020

Bonjour! The 317 Kit Gun is something of a niche product; it is light but because of that and the heavy trigger pull not particularly easy to shoot. But we on the west side of the Atlantic love our firearms and there is a small but dedicated following for these.

Just curious about the utility of an airlite 317 kit gun .22LR ?

Lady Smith

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BAM-BAM

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