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317 22LR 3" Kit Gun Owners Opinion Sought!
- Thread starter tmd17
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I've had a 317-1 for over 20 years. The major strong suit is their light weight. The frame and cylinder are aluminum alloy. The barrel is aluminum with a stainless steel liner. I'm pretty sure the yoke is stainless steel.
I carried it at deer camp and used it to train new shooters. Mine had to go back to the factory after about 5000 rounds because of excessive endshake. I picked up the 2" version maybe 15 years ago and carried it in my pocket on Western hunts for snakes.
If you're looking for an ultra lightweight field gun, they're superb. If you plan on doing a lot of shooting, you're probably better off with a model 63 or a 617.
I carried it at deer camp and used it to train new shooters. Mine had to go back to the factory after about 5000 rounds because of excessive endshake. I picked up the 2" version maybe 15 years ago and carried it in my pocket on Western hunts for snakes.
If you're looking for an ultra lightweight field gun, they're superb. If you plan on doing a lot of shooting, you're probably better off with a model 63 or a 617.
Venom6
Member
Love/hate relationship with mine. Delightfully lightweight and compact. Holds eight rounds. Easy for my old eyes to see the Hi-Viz front sight.
But mine has either a flaw or erosion on the recoil shield just below the firing pin bushing; don't think it hurts anything but is annoying none the less. More importantly, it demands plated bullets. Anybody's plain lead bullets leave substantial portions of themselves in the grooves. After a shooting session I push threads or ribbons of lead one to two-inches long out of the rifling. Also annoying, and noticeably degrades accuracy. But I've had mine for maybe ten years, so hopefully S&W has corrected that issue in the meantime; on the other hand, this seems to be inherent with electrochemical rifling and soft lead bullets.
But mine has either a flaw or erosion on the recoil shield just below the firing pin bushing; don't think it hurts anything but is annoying none the less. More importantly, it demands plated bullets. Anybody's plain lead bullets leave substantial portions of themselves in the grooves. After a shooting session I push threads or ribbons of lead one to two-inches long out of the rifling. Also annoying, and noticeably degrades accuracy. But I've had mine for maybe ten years, so hopefully S&W has corrected that issue in the meantime; on the other hand, this seems to be inherent with electrochemical rifling and soft lead bullets.
The weight of 317 amazed me. The accuracy didn’t. If you want a serious field gun a 34 or 63 is better choice or go with 422 Target model. It’s light
and has reasonable accuracy.
and has reasonable accuracy.
jaguargolf
Member
I've had my 317 for around 20 years.
I am normally a decent shot with any handgun. I have been continuously disappointed in my ability to accurately shoot this gun. The light weight and short barrel do not work well for me.
I own a Model 34 with a 4" barrel , and a Model 63 with a 5" barrel that I shoot very well. These are both "J" frame steel guns. They are not "lightweight", but are in no way to be considered heavy or too heavy to carry all day. My Model 63 holds 8 rounds, the M34 holds 6. I used the Model 34 to teach my wife and children to shoot. I almost sold it a few years ago, and now feel lucky the deal fell through. I might get to teach my grandchildren with it.
I wouldn't recommend a 317 to teach new shooters.
I am normally a decent shot with any handgun. I have been continuously disappointed in my ability to accurately shoot this gun. The light weight and short barrel do not work well for me.
I own a Model 34 with a 4" barrel , and a Model 63 with a 5" barrel that I shoot very well. These are both "J" frame steel guns. They are not "lightweight", but are in no way to be considered heavy or too heavy to carry all day. My Model 63 holds 8 rounds, the M34 holds 6. I used the Model 34 to teach my wife and children to shoot. I almost sold it a few years ago, and now feel lucky the deal fell through. I might get to teach my grandchildren with it.
I wouldn't recommend a 317 to teach new shooters.
CAJUNLAWYER
Member
Have/had both the 317 and the 317-1. I think I would have liked the 317 better if it had the Hi Viz front sight. Didn't care much for either. Swapped the 317-1 for a stainless Series 80 1911 and the 317 is tucked away somewhere to be used as trade material sometime in the future. Find that my 63 is a much better gun for the plinking or field use. Had a 4" 617-4 that I sold-just too heavy!. If I got the hankering for more than 6 shots before reload, I've got my father's old Ruger. And I've got the old 4 screw K22.
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I have had my 317 since it was bought new in 1997.
It is amazingly light weight and I bought it mostly as a tool for classes to show the light weight spectrum of hand guns. I doubt that there has been 500 rounds through it since it was purchased
For pocket carry I like the current 3" Model 63
It is not exactly lightweight, but it is an 8 shot and shoots good
It is amazingly light weight and I bought it mostly as a tool for classes to show the light weight spectrum of hand guns. I doubt that there has been 500 rounds through it since it was purchased
For pocket carry I like the current 3" Model 63
It is not exactly lightweight, but it is an 8 shot and shoots good
Well I absolutely love mine
If I go for a walk in the woods or take the kid’s fishing, I have it on me.
It’s my most carried firearm, that’s what it was made for.
I probably have somewhere south of 3000 rounds through it and no mechanical issues. The finish is mostly gone and I’m ok with that. It’s been in an el passo IWB since new and there’s been many times I’ve taken it off and the holster and gun have been soaked in perspiration.
I have a newer m63 3” 8 shot gun an older m63 6 shot 4” gun plus 617’s for heavier range use. If anything ever happened to it , I’d immediately replace it.
If I go for a walk in the woods or take the kid’s fishing, I have it on me.
It’s my most carried firearm, that’s what it was made for.
I probably have somewhere south of 3000 rounds through it and no mechanical issues. The finish is mostly gone and I’m ok with that. It’s been in an el passo IWB since new and there’s been many times I’ve taken it off and the holster and gun have been soaked in perspiration.
I have a newer m63 3” 8 shot gun an older m63 6 shot 4” gun plus 617’s for heavier range use. If anything ever happened to it , I’d immediately replace it.
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.38SuperMan
Member
My wife has one she loves. She bought it used about five years ago and the finish was bad at that time and has since had it cerakoted. It’s her favorite gun and I don’t think there’s any way she’d ever get rid of it.
The timing went out and Smith fixed it under the lifetime warranty. Since then it has worked flawlessly and is pretty accurate. The sights are very good and I’ll say I even like shooting it.
My wife is a professional artist so when she had it refinished she wanted something unique.
The timing went out and Smith fixed it under the lifetime warranty. Since then it has worked flawlessly and is pretty accurate. The sights are very good and I’ll say I even like shooting it.
My wife is a professional artist so when she had it refinished she wanted something unique.
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I would say that is unique.
I have a 2" 317 w/lanyard pin. I haven't shot it yet, but it sure is handy.
Countrycuz
Member
My wife likes to carry hers around the homestead in case of varmints in the chickens. She can shoot it better than I can, I usually carry a 622 for chores.
sbrmike
US Veteran
I have a newer one with the HiViz sight. It is a great little piece. I have only owned about a year so no telling how durable the finish will be. I do like it!
7887mm08
Member
I have one. Have had it less than a year.
I installed crimson trace laser grips.
Out to 15 yds an 1 1/2" group is the norm.
Mine likes cci stingers so that's what she gets.
I installed crimson trace laser grips.
Out to 15 yds an 1 1/2" group is the norm.
Mine likes cci stingers so that's what she gets.
She came home with me today! A 317-3 that has the lanyard option formed into the frame hidden under the stocks.
Man, this thing is light! With all the grumps and gripes on S&W QC lately, I was pleasantly surprised to find nothing more than I could ask for as far as fit and finish.
Pics and range report coming soon.
Man, this thing is light! With all the grumps and gripes on S&W QC lately, I was pleasantly surprised to find nothing more than I could ask for as far as fit and finish.
Pics and range report coming soon.
I had one early in their production. The rifling grooves looked to be twice as deep as typical, lots of leading. The recess for the cartridge rim in the extractor was too deep and it would bind up. Sent it back to S&W and they sent me another that was good. Long gone now, guess I needed something else.
smoothshooter
Member
I have one with the 3” barrel and one with the 1 7/8”
Barrel.
Am very pleased with them both. The short barreled one is great for pocket carry in a thin pocket holster.
Would like to have another one with the short barrel for a spare.
Do not dry fire a 317 even once. If the firing pin protrusion is ANY too long, it will hit the edge of the chamber and raise a burr.
Also, I do not scrub the chambers with any metallic brush. I am afraid that might rough up the chambers in the aluminum cylinder.
That limitation is annoying because nylon brushes are not very good for removing hard fouling from the forward part of the chambers.
I should say that it is okay to dry fire these guns if you will put a small piece of a foam earplug in the hammer recess by the firing pin. This deadens the blow of the falling hammer and prevents it from actually coming into contact with the firing pin.
Just remember to remove it when you are done.
Barrel.
Am very pleased with them both. The short barreled one is great for pocket carry in a thin pocket holster.
Would like to have another one with the short barrel for a spare.
Do not dry fire a 317 even once. If the firing pin protrusion is ANY too long, it will hit the edge of the chamber and raise a burr.
Also, I do not scrub the chambers with any metallic brush. I am afraid that might rough up the chambers in the aluminum cylinder.
That limitation is annoying because nylon brushes are not very good for removing hard fouling from the forward part of the chambers.
I should say that it is okay to dry fire these guns if you will put a small piece of a foam earplug in the hammer recess by the firing pin. This deadens the blow of the falling hammer and prevents it from actually coming into contact with the firing pin.
Just remember to remove it when you are done.
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BubbaBlades
Member
[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X2NL7PPSn18[/ame]
I don't know why the 317 gets a bad reputation for accuracy.
Top photo is a 15 yard target with 7 shots using a two-handed hold and the laser.
Video is a 25 yard target shot without the laser using one hand while filming with the other hand.
Mark 40
Member
I followed the same path and I'm very pleased
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