S&W 317 AirLite

[cockerpoodle2]

I recently received my S&W 317. I got it to use as a practice buddy for my 442 (.38sp Airweight Centennial). I like to practice (mostly) with .22lr to save money but I think that a practice gun should be similar to the carry weapon.
When I put it in my DeSantis pocket holster, I was amazed at how light it was. I hadn't considered the weight of the ammo. The 317 (loaded, 8 CCI Velocitors) is 11.7 oz. on my postal scale; the 442 (5 Hornady CD's) is 17.4. That may not sound like much but it feels like I left it home.
I will probably get a lot of flack about "stopping power" but I'm starting to carry it when I walk my cocker-poodle Maggie. Eight Velocitors should dissuade the hungriest coyote, I am guessing. I also have noticed that (without a stopwatch) I get off 8 .22's faster that 5 .38's. Recovering from the .38 recoil (in a alloy snub) takes a little time.
I welcome comments, even the ones about how stupid I am.
Thanks,
Cockerpoodle (Buzz)

 

[coltgun]

Re above

I have a very nice model 337ti in 38+p, it also weighs 11.5 oz, real light to pocket carry, and with non plus p 38 ammo the little fellow is not that bad to shoot, imho i have located some 38 cal federal low recoil ammo, that makes folloup shots very smooth...

 

[WC145]

My wife loves her 317 snubby, great little shooter, incredibly light. Not only will she actually carry it (first rul of gunfighting - have a gun!), she enjoys it enough that she actually asks me to go out back and shoot!

 

[TACC1]

If you're comfortable with your carry gun, you could do worse.
As the people who know have stated, it's not much of a SD round.
But, it'll be there when you need it, and eight rounds Are a lot of
those little rascals. Throw in some pics with your range report, Id
like to see how it does. TACC1
(Please note the "shoo-boy" prop-rod)

 

[GKC]

I handled one of those at my local gun shop yesterday...man, that gun is LIGHT!

I think I'd like a .22 for fun at the range. It sure is affordable to shoot.

 

[CWH44300]

the kit gun is on my short list, I know what you mean about the weight thing went through it myself , now the 4" 629's stay at home while the 329pd gets to go most places with me

 

[cockerpoodle2]

Thanks for the responses. Not a single "flame." This is a nice forum.
At the risk of sounding like "Two-Gun Pete," I often carry my Ruger LCP (.380) in my back pocket while the 317 goes in a front pocket or jacket pocket. I know that sounds silly but there is a substantial fine for discharging a firearm in the city limits (even with a CCW). I hope that a couple of .22's would not bring every LEO in the county. We have very brazen coyotes here.
I have ordered a new hammer from Numrich (shipped but not received). I am planning to bob the spur on the new one but keep the original. Any suggestions? Good gunsmith in Anacortes area? Anybody done it? What does MIM look like when cut? If I end up doing it myself, I'll take some pictures.
Cockerpoodle

 

[chp]

I am planning to bob the spur on the new one but keep the original. Any suggestions? Anybody done it?

Not on a 317, but on multiple .38 J's. Very easy - take the hammer out of the frame, cut off the spur, sand down sharp edges, reinsert hammer - go shoot.

 

[mtheo]

Thanks for the responses. Not a single "flame." This is a nice forum.
At the risk of sounding like "Two-Gun Pete," I often carry my Ruger LCP (.380) in my back pocket while the 317 goes in a front pocket or jacket pocket. I know that sounds silly but there is a substantial fine for discharging a firearm in the city limits (even with a CCW). I hope that a couple of .22's would not bring every LEO in the county. We have very brazen coyotes here.
I have ordered a new hammer from Numrich (shipped but not received). I am planning to bob the spur on the new one but keep the original. Any suggestions? Good gunsmith in Anacortes area? Anybody done it? What does MIM look like when cut? If I end up doing it myself, I'll take some pictures.
Cockerpoodle

My 317 Airlite came with a bodyguard hammer. It was a nice compromise between bobbed and not. I liked it well enough to have a bodyguard hammer installed in my 351PD.

When you bob that hammer and get it all shaped up to suit you. Protect the sides with tape and clamp it securely in a vice with the fresh grind/file marks facing upward. Take some 200-400 grit wet or dry sandpaper (experiment as to grit) and lay the grit side against the freshly machined surface and then using a small brass, nylon or bronze hammer (prefer bronze) lightly tap the sandpaper over the machined surface repeatedly while moving the sandpaper around so as to present fresh "sand" to the machined surface. This does a very good job of hiding the machine marks with a sand blasted surface appearance. I find this a lot quicker and easier than dragging out my bead blaster and masking the surfaces I don't want affected.
Then select the appropriate Birchwood Casey product to finish off the job.

Practice this on a hex bolt a couple of times before you wade in on your gun's hammer.

 

[Narkcop]

S&W 317

Not to dig up an old discussion but, I just bought a no lock S&W 317 from Bud's today. I fired a few cylinders of CCI velociters and I think in a pinch it will do for self defense. SO DARN LIGHT compared to my 442.

 

[Lobster Picnic]

8 rounds of CCI Stinger, Velocitor, or MiniMag should spoil somebody's picnic.