Anyone have a M 317 Lightweight 22LR?

I have two 317s, a 2" and a 3", both prelock, and both with conventional sights. The 2" has fixed sights and the 3" has standard adjustable rear and ramp front.

I had problems with consistent accuracy when I first got the guns, but to me the trigger pulls seemed inordinately heavy and I was "pulling" the shots because I was accustomed to lighter trigger pulls. Using my Lyman digital gauge, I found out that the single action pulls were averaging 7.2 and 8.1 lbs respectively.

Doing some research, I found that the mainsprings were 12 or 12.5 lbs. I swapped the mainspring out of the 3" 317 with an 8.5 lb spring from a Model 60, with a strategically-placed dab of Tetra Grease in the right spots of the lockwork. That one modification with lubrication made the 3" 317 a completely different handling revolver and groups went from two-foot patterns to respectable minute of coffee can at 25 yds. I got a couple more 8 or 8.5 lb mainsprings and changed out the 2" 317 with the same results. I've never messed with the rebound slide springs.

I once posted my 317 experience and "fix" and got a general "Ooooh, Noah! You're going to get misfires because the springs are too light!" reaction, but the forged hammer in the prelock 317s has the same narrow thumbpiece profile as that used in the 60LS, and it came with a 8.5# spring, go figure. No matter, in easily 600 rds between the two 317s, there's NEVER been a misfire for failure to fire with the lighter mainsprings.

HTH, but as always YMMV.

Noah
 
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Great fun on steel. I love playing with my 317.
IMG_0046.jpg
 
Nice grips

Hey ENH, what type of grips are those and where do you get them?
Do they fit 642's also?
Thanks in advance for the info.
 
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