Thinking a 317 3" .22 for an 11year old to learn from

[timpitera]

I wanted to get a revolver -Looking at possibly getting a 317 3" .22 for a 11 year old to bring to the range. It's only 12 oz. The 617-3 6" I have is a little to heavy for her. I was also thinking of a 617 4" but that's still possibly too heavy. Thoughts? ( Boy, I hate the Lawyer Lock on 'em though.)

 

[murphydog]

I would vote for a 4" model 34 or 63 J frame Kit Gun, or possibly a model 18 K frame. I think the 317 may be hard to shoot for a beginner, too light and a heavy DA pull.

 

[tops]

I started my 12 yr. old grandkid on a 6 in. 17-4. Worked great. Any of your choices should work fine. Larry

 

[vytoland]

I can only echo murphydog's good advice….the trigger pull on a 317 will be too heavy for a youngster

 

[Bart 44]

I would vote for a 4" model 34 or 63 J frame Kit Gun, or possibly a model 18 K frame. I think the 317 may be hard to shoot for a beginner, too light and a heavy DA pull.

I agree with this but would include a 6 inch model 17 with small grips as a possibility.

Dennis.

 

[TACC1]

If I was going to teach someone to shoot with a 22, I'd try the 317 first. If the trigger pull was too much, any J-frame 22 should do the
trick. Maybe even a Ruger Bearcat. (I REALLY like the 317!)
TACC1

 

[CWH44300]

I really like the 317 kitgun - it might be a hard one for her to learn on (very light) - maybe a small steel framed gun would be better - my 13 year old daughter has a hard time with mine but she does ok with a 5.5 single six - I think its great that your teaching her to shoot , have fun with it.

 

[turbo38gn]

I may be partial at this point, I spent an hour last night at Smith & Wesson Retail store playing with the 3" 317, snubby 317 and the 4" 617 SS, I opted for the 3" 317. The trigger felt very good, should be fine for anyone in DA. SA was really awsome. DA can easily be softened up with a spring kit from APEX. I put the 317 3" on layaway.... oh ya, along with an MP15-22 camo.. they had a 30% off retail yesterday for Presidents day only.. I wanted to put about 5 guns on layaway...

 

[chp]

I started mine with a Browning Buckmark. It worked well.

 

[PaulF1911]

I may be partial at this point, I spent an hour last night at Smith & Wesson Retail store playing with the 3" 317, snubby 317 and the 4" 617 SS, I opted for the 3" 317. The trigger felt very good, should be fine for anyone in DA. SA was really awsome. DA can easily be softened up with a spring kit from APEX. I put the 317 3" on layaway.... oh ya, along with an MP15-22 camo.. they had a 30% off retail yesterday for Presidents day only.. I wanted to put about 5 guns on layaway...

Please tell me this isn't so!!! I was in there Sunday and asked if they had a sale coming up! I was told no! I thought maybe they would for Presidents Day or the IDPA Winter Nationals.
Do you mind me asking what you paid for the 317? I have been looking at the 317 3" Kit gun with the high viz front sight. Is that the one you bought?

 

[ColbyBruce]

I started my son on a S&W #2214 when he was five years old. These are cheaper than a #34, 63, or 317 and just as accurate with practice. I also have owned several #34's, still have a 63, 317, and a 650. I swapped my son out of a #2213, and will hang onto it for future granchildren.

 

[turbo38gn]

Please tell me this isn't so!!! I was in there Sunday and asked if they had a sale coming up! I was told no! I thought maybe they would for Presidents Day or the IDPA Winter Nationals.
Do you mind me asking what you paid for the 317? I have been looking at the 317 3" Kit gun with the high viz front sight. Is that the one you bought?

Yep... I walked in there Monday nite, they had signs all over the doors saying the range was closed for the IDPA match.. nothing about the sale. But when I walked in, the range guys that I know... who know I am a gun addict, immediate told me of the sale and that it was a surprise, called down from the office during the day.. It was 30% off of MSRP, unfortunately MSRP is higher than the advertized price on the guns. Still a good deal, the 317 , Yep, Hi-viz 3" kit gun went for $540. I feel good about it, figure I at least can cover the cost if I wanted out.. Also bought another MP15-22 in camo.. and an MP-15 stripped lower receiver.. I wanted the 617-4" .. and the PC M629-2.6" 44mag, PC M627-2.6" 357mag.. I'm disappointed, cause I really been wanting the PC guns.. just couldn't commit to $750 for each one.. they're listed at $1050. ... grrr.

sorry to go off topic here..

 

[K1500]

You probably don't want to hear this, but depending on his stature, you might be better off with something like a Walther P22. It is lighter and the trigger is easier to manage than a 617, without the heavy trigger pull of the 317. Plus it is cheaper. I have instructed youngsters with both autos and revolvers, and see no appreciable difference between the two in terms of safety. Proper instruction is the most important thing (and I am sure you can cover that). Every youngster that has fired my p22 has LOVED it, and could manage the size very well.

 

[ikor]

I started my grandsons off at around age 9 with a M34-1 4in. and then progressed to a M17 K22 and a M14 K38 (they already shot rifles and shotguns but these were their first handguns). My son and daughter started with my old Colt Match Target Woodsman as it was the only .22 pistol I owned back then. They have all worked just fine so long as competent adult supervision was there.

 

[owenwd54]

How about the model 63 3" barrel

The model 63 with a 3" barrel would be a good choice it is heavier and would make up for the heavy trigger pull on the 317.

 

[MTKTM]

I think that the 317 3" should be a fine 'first gun' for a child. My son, who is now in his 30s, started out shooting a 4" 63 which I later gave him, and he still has it and loves it. I own a 317 and keep it in my camera bag.....except when flying! I do think it's a little light, but I like the fact that it actually jumps a little and ought to help accustom a kid to a bit of recoil so that when they transition to a 38 or such it won't come as much of a shock.

 

[Rivers2k]

I started mine with a Browning Buckmark. It worked well.

I second that I love my browning buck mark, love my browning buck mark rifle even more but that's getting off topic. A model 63 would be a lot of fun to have also it will be my next revolver when I can find a nice used one.

There is a big fan base for the 617 but in my opinion the 617, even in 4", just seems to be to big of a gun for the .22lr.