TinyDee
US Veteran, Absent Comrade
I have said I am a genuine K22 nut but looking at the small stainless 317 makes me wonder if it would be a nice carry 22. I have never had a short barrel 22 but wonder how folks feel about the 317.
The 317, should I?
- Thread starter TinyDee
- Start date
gcarneal
Member
BUY
If you like to plink with a small frame 22, you'll love shooting the 317. You can get it with 6 or 10 shot cylinder. Buy one, you'll be happy with it.
If you like to plink with a small frame 22, you'll love shooting the 317. You can get it with 6 or 10 shot cylinder. Buy one, you'll be happy with it.
The 317’s have an aluminum alloy frame and cylinder, while the barrel has a stainless steel liner with an aluminum jacket. Don’t expect them to provide the same service life as a steel frame gun, but they’re wonderful to carry. I suggest the longer barrel version for plinking and small game.
I believe you're thinking about the 617's. The 317's are all 8 shot guns.
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I *really* want to like the 317. I love J-frames, and I *love* .22s, and I even made a trip to a local gun emporium fully intending to purchase one a few weeks ago. Nevertheless, every time I handle one it just doesn't feel right in my hand. Perhaps it's just the extremely light weight of the thing that's throwing me off; maybe if they were to make this with a steel cylinder and barrel I'd feel differently about it. I will say I've never laid my hands on a 3" model, but I hope to do so in the not-too-distant future.
I'm not trying to dissuade you from purchasing one, BTW, but I would advise you to at least handle one before doing so.
Meanwhile, I'm keeping my eyes peeled for a 2" Model 63. They're pricey, though, so I'm not holding my breath.
I'm not trying to dissuade you from purchasing one, BTW, but I would advise you to at least handle one before doing so.
Meanwhile, I'm keeping my eyes peeled for a 2" Model 63. They're pricey, though, so I'm not holding my breath.
Frailer
Do you ever see them where you live? I bought one in 1995 and I don't recall seeing them after that, I would probably buy another.
Do you ever see them where you live? I bought one in 1995 and I don't recall seeing them after that, I would probably buy another.
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cowboy117
Member
Great carry gun for a .22.I have a short barrell[2" i believe]317.I use it as a trainer for my 37-2[.38 Special].
After reading the following posts,the one i have is an older one[pre-lock]revolver.After shooting about 3,000 rounds,the gun has endshake-needs sent back to S&W for rebuilding[free,shippping also].Great trainer,tho.
After reading the following posts,the one i have is an older one[pre-lock]revolver.After shooting about 3,000 rounds,the gun has endshake-needs sent back to S&W for rebuilding[free,shippping also].Great trainer,tho.
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I never owned a 317, but I did own a new model 8-shot 63, with the 5 inch barrel. It was plenty enough accurate, but once in a while one of the cartridges would interfere with the cylinder rotation.
I believe this might have been a result of the 8 shot cylinder with not every casing having it's own complete recessed circle.
Never had this problem with any of my K-22s.
I'm very thorough at keeping my guns clean so I am not sure if it was a design issue. It would be interesting to see if anyone else had this problem with an 8 shot cylinder where the .22 casings all touch.
Anyhow, I sold it and bought a 17-3 with a 6 inch barrel.
I believe this might have been a result of the 8 shot cylinder with not every casing having it's own complete recessed circle.
Never had this problem with any of my K-22s.
I'm very thorough at keeping my guns clean so I am not sure if it was a design issue. It would be interesting to see if anyone else had this problem with an 8 shot cylinder where the .22 casings all touch.
Anyhow, I sold it and bought a 17-3 with a 6 inch barrel.
gunnerbern
Member
Is yours a 63-3? Mine from 1995 is.
crofoot629
Absent Comrade
To me they are a niche gun.
For a plinker I’d rather have a pre-34, or for that matter pre-43.
For an ultra lightweight carry gun I’d rather have a 2” 317.
I see the value in 317’s, but like K-Frames for shooting the best. Too bad they don’t make a 2” 317 with adjustable sights. I’d have one as a carry gun and kit gun.
Emory
For a plinker I’d rather have a pre-34, or for that matter pre-43.
For an ultra lightweight carry gun I’d rather have a 2” 317.
I see the value in 317’s, but like K-Frames for shooting the best. Too bad they don’t make a 2” 317 with adjustable sights. I’d have one as a carry gun and kit gun.
Emory
Triggernosis
Member
I had one (317 AirLite w/ 3" barrel). LOOOVED it for carry while hunting and trapping. However, it sucked accuracy-wise, even from a rest - may have had something to do with the mucked-up barrel crown it had from manufacturing (divot on one side). It spit powder obnoxiously and I couldn't get the sights adjusted low enough with ANY ammo. Sold it for a $100 loss after tinkering with it and sending it back and forth to S&W for over a year.
That gun actually kinda soured me on S&W's current offerings as a whole. Maybe I'll try again, but for now I'm sticking to pre-lock Smiths.
That gun actually kinda soured me on S&W's current offerings as a whole. Maybe I'll try again, but for now I'm sticking to pre-lock Smiths.
metrotps
Member
I have a fairly early 2 inch one S/N LGT32XX, that although it's trigger is a little stiff, shoots pretty well. The trigger is getting better with use and I only shoot Winchester T22 or Remington Target 22LR in it, because of the aluminum cylinder.
I have had one for the past 6 months, 3", purchased new, approx. 2000 rds. fired.
My opinion, they are not worth the price.
They are very light and handy.
Fit is mediocre at best, large side plate gap, extractor fit is loose, sight adjustment screws are not crisp.
Accuracy is not good with any ammo I've tried. Possibly it would be better without the round Hi-Viz sight, but accuracy in mine is poor even from a rest. A stock 4" Ruger MkIII fixed sight stainless non-target version with a tough trigger gives groups 1/4 as large.
Smith should deliver far better for what they are charging.
This is not a high cost gun to make - MIM internals and nearly all machining is in aluminum.
My opinion, they are not worth the price.
They are very light and handy.
Fit is mediocre at best, large side plate gap, extractor fit is loose, sight adjustment screws are not crisp.
Accuracy is not good with any ammo I've tried. Possibly it would be better without the round Hi-Viz sight, but accuracy in mine is poor even from a rest. A stock 4" Ruger MkIII fixed sight stainless non-target version with a tough trigger gives groups 1/4 as large.
Smith should deliver far better for what they are charging.
This is not a high cost gun to make - MIM internals and nearly all machining is in aluminum.
metrotps
Member
gbw from the complaints I have seen on the Walther forum about fit and finish on the new S&W produced guns, I am not surprised by your experience, just saddened. 
Hi - it is sad.
Compared to several older Smiths I have, it's chicken droppings and chicken salad. They're both chicken, but they sure aren't the same. On the old guns (pre Bangor), you have to look hard in good light to see that there even IS a plate, the sights are excellent, the actions smooth and the guns accurate. It takes gentle hands and much patience to get the plates off. On the new gun it falls off.
To add insult, the newer guns are wildly over priced. Had I been able to see this one in advance I would not have bought it. Never again. The older guns are better built, less expensive, and better all round buys.
Compared to several older Smiths I have, it's chicken droppings and chicken salad. They're both chicken, but they sure aren't the same. On the old guns (pre Bangor), you have to look hard in good light to see that there even IS a plate, the sights are excellent, the actions smooth and the guns accurate. It takes gentle hands and much patience to get the plates off. On the new gun it falls off.
To add insult, the newer guns are wildly over priced. Had I been able to see this one in advance I would not have bought it. Never again. The older guns are better built, less expensive, and better all round buys.
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I've seen a two or three in the past few months. As of a couple of weeks ago there was a new one (w/ a 2" barrel) at a local shop. I can send you their contact info if you like.
617fan
US Veteran
I had the itch for a 317.... until I got to handle one. I much prefer the Mod 34..Real target sights and the extra weight makes them much more accurate with the heavier trigger pull needed to reliably ignite rimfire cartridges. Nice 34's can be found in the forum classifieds pretty regularly in the $500 price range.
Triggernosis
Member
I second what gbw said - that's pretty much how I felt about mine.
Triggernosis
Member
Shoot whatever you want in those 317's - you don't have to worry about that aluminum cylinder with any .22LR load. Hyper-vel. is fine out of them.
owenwd54
Member
I have one of each 317 and love them both. the 17/8 of mine I put a 8.5 main spring and 14 lb rebound in it and polished the some of the inside . It shoots a whole lot better. I also changed the grips on it. I have not done any think to the 3 " one it shoots fine . I shoot both of them double action only.
Stainz
Member
For $16 over the new 3" 317K's MSRP, you could have the new-this-year 3" 63 with, like the 3" 317K, a HiViz front sight. Of course, at 26 oz (It's made of SS...) vs the 12 oz 317, it's a mite heavier. Don't rush to your dealer - they haven't started making them yet. Aggravating!
I bought a like new 5" 63 from a friend's estate last summer. I replaced the hammer spring with a 9 lb Wolff J-frame spring - and the recoil with the lightest, 13 lb, I think, trigger rebound spring. What an improvement in DA pull - and no ftf's. Accurate shooter, too - and the larger squared Hogue rubber monogrips helped there, too. The J-frame rimfires can be improved. I have shot 300-500+ rounds, mostly WallyWorld Federal el-cheapo 550 ct 36gr copper splashed hp's, between cleanings - probably ~2k rounds now (24 + whatever S&W tested with it when I bought it!) - no problems loading/extracting - and zero ftf's. I use a DS-10 speedloader with now - easy to load. I got in the habit of spinning the cylinder with my thumb bearing on the rims to insure they all sit flush before closing the cylinder.
When I bought my 617, 9/08, the choice was between it, the 5" 63, and the 3" 317K - I made the right decision - for my plinking. Just before I bought the 5" 63, I fondled a new 317K (No 5" 63 at the pusher's!) - and just couldn't see a perceived need... like that is necessary. It was neat - as was the LN used one my pusher had a month ago for $375 - a good price, indeed. I just couldn't 'pull the trigger' on that buy. I should have. Hind sight - missed buys - always bad...
Stainz
I bought a like new 5" 63 from a friend's estate last summer. I replaced the hammer spring with a 9 lb Wolff J-frame spring - and the recoil with the lightest, 13 lb, I think, trigger rebound spring. What an improvement in DA pull - and no ftf's. Accurate shooter, too - and the larger squared Hogue rubber monogrips helped there, too. The J-frame rimfires can be improved. I have shot 300-500+ rounds, mostly WallyWorld Federal el-cheapo 550 ct 36gr copper splashed hp's, between cleanings - probably ~2k rounds now (24 + whatever S&W tested with it when I bought it!) - no problems loading/extracting - and zero ftf's. I use a DS-10 speedloader with now - easy to load. I got in the habit of spinning the cylinder with my thumb bearing on the rims to insure they all sit flush before closing the cylinder.
When I bought my 617, 9/08, the choice was between it, the 5" 63, and the 3" 317K - I made the right decision - for my plinking. Just before I bought the 5" 63, I fondled a new 317K (No 5" 63 at the pusher's!) - and just couldn't see a perceived need... like that is necessary. It was neat - as was the LN used one my pusher had a month ago for $375 - a good price, indeed. I just couldn't 'pull the trigger' on that buy. I should have. Hind sight - missed buys - always bad...
Stainz
BUFF
SWCA Member, Absent Comrade
I bought a 2 inch M-317 when they first were shipped. I was amazed at the light weight. I remember seeing a photo of a woman wearing 2 of them as earrings, hooked to the lanyard pin!
I bought a 3 inch -317 when they started making them. I thought the adjustable sights were a big improvement. The sights were the standard black then, before S&W started this Hi-Viz nonsense.
I was doing a lot of gun trading at the time and went through several of them. I also had steel frame kit guns, 34's and 63's, both 2 and 4 inch, and a M-43.
I find that the steel frame guns are much better for actual shooting. The 317's are just too light for me to hold steady.
I kept the early 2 incher. It is a novelty and a great pocket gun for those rare moments when I shouldn't have a bigger gun with me.
I bought a 3 inch -317 when they started making them. I thought the adjustable sights were a big improvement. The sights were the standard black then, before S&W started this Hi-Viz nonsense.
I was doing a lot of gun trading at the time and went through several of them. I also had steel frame kit guns, 34's and 63's, both 2 and 4 inch, and a M-43.
I find that the steel frame guns are much better for actual shooting. The 317's are just too light for me to hold steady.
I kept the early 2 incher. It is a novelty and a great pocket gun for those rare moments when I shouldn't have a bigger gun with me.
Shot, DA only, my new to me pre-lock 317 snub yesterday along with a 2" 34-1. The trigger on this 317 is not bad, but accuracy not as good as the 34-1. Also shot my 4" 63 and 18-3, both very accurate of course. I will carry the 317 during the summer along with my 642-1 or Cobra and use my steel guns in cooler weather. Don't think I need to buy any more 22's for plinking.
I bought a pre lock 317 2"just for the halibut. Trigger pull is smooth but H-E-A-V-Y. SIngle action is OK.
The 317 is an amazing piece. I love the classic old S&W's, pinned and recessed make my heart go pitty-pat. BUT, this revolver weighs less than 10 ounces. It goes in my daypack on my road bicycle and I forget I even have it. It is accurate, reliable, (of course,) and you will just not believe how little it weighs. But all of that aside, when I put the sights on target and stroke through the trigger, little holes appear where I aim. What more can anyone ask?
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