My S&W 317

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Iron Sight

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Maybe its time for a new Model 317 thread?

I've had mine about a month now. 400 rounds of CCI Mini Mags have passed through it.
Accuracy is very acceptable. For me this took a lot of patience in the beginning. I'm not used to a revolver that weighs so little but the proof was when I rested the firearm on a support. The trigger pull is excellent in my opinion reflecting the usual quality experienced in other Smith and Wessons revolvers. Tolerances of the chambers is tight and cleaning seems necessary after 100 rounds. My picture should illustrate the adjustable rear sight. The front is carbon fibre style.

S&W 317.jpg
 
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062.JPG I confess I have a 3” Model 317. I was not entirely happy with the configuration as it came from the factory. The first things I changed were to install a black, serrated ramp front sight and a square notch rear sight. I did not care for the round dot front sight and V rear sight. I also found the barrel/cylinder gap wasn’t uniform and created a gas jet that ablated the face of the cylinder. I sent the gun back twice and they finally took the hint, putting a new barrel and stainless cylinder in. It added a couple of oz. to the weight, which I find improves it. Mine is really very accurate. More accurate than my 3” Model 63.
 
I'm a member of the 317 club. I wouldn't be surprised if it is a fairly small club.

The price isn't all that bad compared to a lot of other .22 revolvers, but it is still rather high and some might find it daunting for what the gun is. Which to me is a neat little gun that is almost universally regarded as difficult to shoot.



Mine now has a stainless cylinder also, which I like. I also feel that the added weight has helped as far as offhand accuracy. I shoot mostly CBs and shorts out of mine. I think It's a good choice if weight is a major consideration. Feels almost toy-like with the aluminum cylinder, it's so light.
 
i traded an awful 4” taurus 94 plus some cash for a 3” s&w 317 a few years ago. the 317 is great to carry, but l learned that the aluminum cylinder heats up and binds after a hundred or so range rounds. i know that nobody will fire off 100 rounds during everyday normal carry of a 317, but it was disconcerting all the same. my solution? buy four more factory mags and a nice leather pancake holster for my ruger sr22.
 
I'm a member of the 317 club. I wouldn't be surprised if it is a fairly small club.

The price isn't all that bad compared to a lot of other .22 revolvers, but it is still rather high and some might find it daunting for what the gun is. Which to me is a neat little gun that is almost universally regarded as difficult to shoot.



Mine now has a stainless cylinder also, which I like. I also feel that the added weight has helped as far as offhand accuracy. I shoot mostly CBs and shorts out of mine. I think It's a good choice if weight is a major consideration. Feels almost toy-like with the aluminum cylinder, it's so light.

I agree about the toy-like quality of the 317. I still have the aluminum cylinder on mine, but I added a substantial full-sized Pachmayr grip, which seems to give it the needed additional heft and stability. :)
 
View attachment 800215 I confess I have a 3” Model 317. I was not entirely happy with the configuration as it came from the factory. The first things I changed were to install a black, serrated ramp front sight and a square notch rear sight. I did not care for the round dot front sight and V rear sight. I also found the barrel/cylinder gap wasn’t uniform and created a gas jet that ablated the face of the cylinder. I sent the gun back twice and they finally took the hint, putting a new barrel and stainless cylinder in. It added a couple of oz. to the weight, which I find improves it. Mine is really very accurate. More accurate than my 3” Model 63.

I had no idea S&W would do this install? Did S&W offer to put in the stainless cylinder or did you ask due to the problems you were having?
 
I have considered carrying my M317 on the tractor while bush hogging (rotary cutting?). I just have not added a firearm to my tractor routine yet. The last pasture that I trimmed, I saw over 10 rats escaping the bush hog's blade.

It took a while to get used to the light weight of the M317 but it serves as a good critter gun around our hobby horse farm. It has replaced my Single Six for dispatching 'coons and 'possoms I trap.

'Possums in particular carry diseases deadly to horses so I have no remorse for disposing of them by any convienient method. Racooons are not the love able animals that their reputation provides. They get real nasty when trapped so I'd rather put them in the ground as well.

(P.S. I am no tree hugger so to speak when it comes to the health of my horses)
 
Back to life!
I got a new 317 about 2 weeks ago. It's been on the shelf at the shop for over 2 years and the boss gave me a deal I couldn't refuse.
First range trip it went through about 150 rounds, of 5 different flavors, at the hands of 4 shooters. One bad round, but otherwise perfect. Sure got filthy.
I put a Wilson's J-Frame spring set in and the trigger is now smoother and lighter.
Off to the range to check results. So far I'm happy with this neat little gun.
 
I've got one of those little critters too. It's so light, it feels like it should float away if you didn't tie it down. I'd have never bought it myself, but my wife saw it and wanted it, so you know how that goes. It was in a nice little fake leather presentation case, with a padlock big enough to lock up a battleship. :)

It's marked as an "Air Lite" and a "Lady Smith." Eight shots, 22 Long Rifle. The frame and cylinder are both aluminum, the 2" barrel is aluminum with a steel sleeve. The internals are steel. It weighs about 10 ounces or so.

Ladysmith1_zps15egbdio.jpg

Ladysmith2_zpswhfywutk.jpg

I don't think it's ever been fired outside the factory, and we probably never will.

A few years back when I lived up in the country, it might have been my constant companion around the property, but for now, it's just for "cute."
 
Count me in. I bought one of the first run 317's ... a 3-inch with the rosewood grips. Like an idiot, I sold it when I found an original 6-shot Ruger SP101 in .22 LR. Boy, that was a mistake! I generally like Rugers, and I love my .357 SP snubby, but the .22 ... not so much. I sold it for more than I paid for it, and then went looking for another 317. By then, all I could find was the fiber optic and V-notch version with the lock. Rats. Bought one anyway, but still regretted letting my original go. Couple years ago I finally found another pre-lock 3-inch with the ramp front and square notch sights. Learned my lesson. I'll never sell it!

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I bought one in November... sort of a pre-Christmas present to myself. It was a tad pricy, 700 plus OTD.

I hate the looks of the hi-viz sight in profile, but the bright dot does make spotting the front sight a lot easier. The V notch rear sight blade, that’s gotta go at some point.

I like the grip, love the weight (or lack thereof) and more than 6 shots in the cylinder is a real plus. I’m glad I bought it, I just wish I had more time to shoot it.

Stay safe.
 
Yeah, not 100% sure I'll keep the sights stock, but that's for down the road.
Ran another mixed 150+ yesterday and all went BANG. Thinking about reducing the trigger spring one more level.
Another gun I have no specific purpose for, but I love it.
Going to pick up my 43X today! Got a purpose for that one!
 
Sign me up , I have the 3 inch adjustable sighted version with the " V " notch rear and fiber optic front. Purchased brand new in 2005 .
I like the fiber optic front but the new vee notch rear is giving me a hard time . I have shot NRA Bullseye for decades using square notch rear and do not get the accuracy I know should be there .
I'm not giving up on the vee just yet. I would like to have a U notch rear but don't trust my terrible gunsmithing skills to do the job... I usually screw up something . When I find a shop with a gunsmith I'll get him to do a proper job .
Love the weight , compactness , 8 shot capacity and adjustable sights , in a belt holster you don't even know it's there .
Gary
 
970BF614-25D4-4825-924E-7B20D857CB67.jpeg I carry a .22 as primary self defense weapon. A S&W 317 2”. I did an action smoothing using Wolff main & rebound springs sized for the 317 rim fire. Much better & NO misfires! I also have a 3”, ramp @ no lock.

My wife (also 73) loves hers & my life would be ‘difficult’ if I tried to trade it.
 

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Add to my last post:
I am looking to buy the Centennial version of the 317......43c.
If you see one, drop me a note.
Many Thanks
 
I have always found .22 revolvers to be pointless, because of the 6 shot capacity. If you're going so small, why not take advantage of the extra space. Plus a lot of .22 revolvers aren't made with very good quality..
But this 317 actually looks like one I would try out. 8 shots of .22 LR would be handy, considering how much .22 Lr builds up. This is the .22 Revolver I think they should've made for years, and apparently they have been. Why haven't I heard of it until now?
 
Yeah, not 100% sure I'll keep the sights stock, but that's for down the road.
Ran another mixed 150+ yesterday and all went BANG. Thinking about reducing the trigger spring one more level.
Another gun I have no specific purpose for, but I love it.
Going to pick up my 43X today! Got a purpose for that one!

The lighter springs? For double action??
 
I've caught grief, here and there, over mine.

This is it, 14 years ago. Brand new.

317 22LR Airlite.jpg

It lives in my right hand shorts pocket. 11 ounces fully loaded with a Barami Hip Grip.

317 AirLite, 22 LR, right.jpg

I'm guessing the finish is some type of paint. Whatever it is, it and my sweat don't get along.

Oh well. At least aluminum don't rust.
 
F80FBBE4-7E30-449C-A07D-82EACDD1C287.jpeg I dont have a 317, but I do have its predecessor. A model of 1955 , 22/32 kit gun Airweight, also known as pre model 43. It has a 3.5 inch barrel. The frame & cylinder are aluminum and the barrel & yoke are steel. It weighs under 12 ounces. Mine was built in 55 and I had it at the range today
 
I've caught grief, here and there, over mine.

This is it, 14 years ago. Brand new.

View attachment 847195

It lives in my right hand shorts pocket. 11 ounces fully loaded with a Barami Hip Grip.

View attachment 847196

I'm guessing the finish is some type of paint. Whatever it is, it and my sweat don't get along.

Oh well. At least aluminum don't rust.



Ouch.....Wow.....

I think they have a clear coat on them. If you wanted pretty you could probably buff it shiny and being aluminum be pretty easily maintained that way.


I kinda like it's charm the way it is for some reason I can't quite explain.:)
 
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