S&W 317

Old Navy

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I saw a NIB 317 today in a shop for $599 and thought it was rather high priced, but I just looked at S&W website for MSRP and it was list $782!!!

Does anyone have one of these and are they good for plinking or is this one of those guns for carrying in a purse or backpack?
 
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I saw a NIB 317 today in a shop for $599 and thought it was rather high priced, but I just looked at S&W website for MSRP and it was list $782!!!

Does anyone have one of these and are they good for plinking or is this one of those guns for carrying in a purse or backpack?
 
The first revolver I ever purchased was a S&W 317 with a 2" barrel. Though it showed me the ways of the round gun I ended up selling it as I found it somewhat useless. I couldn't hit a barn with it, mostly due to my inexperience with such a short tube. I didn't want to carry it as it was only a 22LR so I sold it for a .38
Special. I am currently looking for 317 4" 10 shot as I think that would be the epitomy of a great plinker.
 
Originally posted by Old Navy:
Does anyone have one of these and are they good for plinking or is this one of those guns for carrying in a purse or backpack?

Either way is good. I picked this up about a year ago, somewhat less than 500. NIB.

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The one I was looking at had a 3" barrel, they only make it in 2" & 3" barrels, with Hi-Viz front sight and adjustable V notch in rear. Looked almost like it was a K-frame instead of J-frame and I was wondering if a set of my K-frame round butt Pachmayr Presentation grips would fit on the gun.

The gun only weights 12 oz, is all alloy frame, barrel and cylinder with SS barrel liner used. I was just wondering how well it would hold up to regular plinking. I really liked the guns feel, but was wondering as light as it is if I could ever hit anything with it.
 
I debated the 317 Kit Gun and wound up getting a 4" 63. I too was scared the flyweight wouldn't be easy to shoot.

No regrets.

Bud's Gun Shop will deliver one to your FFL for $564, so he's charging about $35 for his services. That's not unfair.
 
Gentlemen, Father's Day was very good to me. I got a sweet little M 317 2" in the gray finish.

I put Crimson Trace laser grips on it and it is a pleasure to shoot, and as accurate as I can hold it.

Shooting from a sand bag, at an indoor range at 15 yards, it goes into 4" shooting SA. I may get a trigger job on it one of these days, but it shoots real well as it is. Da trigger is getting smoother as I dry fire it with Tipton snap-caps.

It is a sweet little companion to my 340PD which is just as accurate, but a #^%$#@! to shoot in .357.

The 317 is a darned sight cheaper to shoot too, and makes a great trainer for a heavier recoiling Airlite.
 
I have a 317 w/ 2" bbl. Fun to shoot and it is an inexpensive practice companion to my 642. I've really enjoyed mine. Got for $400 shipped in great shape.
L.P.
 
I have 3.
2 in 2" and one in 3".
Great Guns. I see them for about $440>$500.

I got Wolff springs for all and a bit of polishing and the action is still stiff but MUCH better. I've had no hang fires.
I use QuikShok for self defense and CCI blazers for plinking. The QS clock in at 1080fps in the 2" and 1150 fps in the 3"
 
I want one (snubbie) with the dreaded lock for my wife to stick in her purse.

She's pretty gunny having been to two Thunder Ranch handgun trainnings, but since the little ones comming along has not found a way to pack that suites her. She says she would actually pack a super light gun with a lock. The little .22 could go camping and plinking with us too.

Emory
 
Just a short comment, I bought my wife the two inch "Lady Smith", very cute, for our anniversary. She was not happy. 2yrs later she finnaly shot it and loves it. Limit your shot to 10 yards or less it's great.

I bought a 3" 317 for my son and myself. We like them but the trigger pull is horrendous.
 
I have a 317-3 3 inch.

I took the Hi-Vis sights off and put on the sights from a Model 60.

I had trouble holding elevation with the Hi-Vis sights.

I also had a trigger job done by a gunsmith friend of mine that smoothed up the trigger.

It works well. It takes a little time to get accustomed to the 3 inch light barrel.

Works well for shooting jack rabbits and cottontails out here in Arizona.
 
I got two of the 3" Hi-Viz versions, one each for my wife and daughter for defense. My wife is pre-arthritic in her hands and wrists, and could not accomodate the recoil of even a .38. I figured eight rounds of .22 that hit are better than five of .38 that miss. Plus we can afford to actually go out and practice regularly. They like to shoot them due to the light weight of the revolvers, low recoil and low noise.

Our examples will each shoot into about 3" benched at 25 yards but I have to hold my togue right and really concentrate because the round front sight in the v-notch rear is really tough to hold for elevation, as one of the previous posters has noted. Also, holsters can be an issue (3" J-frame/Hi-Viz sight holsters are not in every Wal-mart...).
 
Originally posted by 35Rem:
I debated the 317 Kit Gun and wound up getting a 4" 63. I too was scared the flyweight wouldn't be easy to shoot.

No regrets.
I didn't know the 63 came in 4", all I have seen are 5 inch. I would like a 4" better for looks and for CCW, but the 5" would be better for hunting.
 
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