durability of Smith 317 and other aluminum AirLites

[tostada]

I was looking at a 317 today -- the one HI-VIZ one with the 3" barrel and adjustable sights and bigger grip. Really liked the feel of it, and it's incredibly light. I'd like to have a nice little trail gun like that.

I was just wondering about the durability of an aluminum revolver. I think of S&W as incredibly rugged guns that will last forever, but looking at this little 11 oz. gun I had to wonder if it could even come close to taking half the beating of a regular S&W.

Obviously a 22 LR isn't exactly going to need to be the most sturdy gun, but in general I just don't like the idea of something that might not last.

 

[slzy]

if you can afford it get it lifes short guns hold value pretty well.

 

[Run&Shoot]

Well then, don't fly in an aluminum tube (airliner)!

There us still plenty of steel in the barrel, cylinder, and inner mechanisms. S&W put a lot of analysis into their design when they create an aluminum framed handgun. It is not very common to hear of frame failures of the AirLites or similar. In fact, I have never heard of a frame failure but like most anything mechanical ther must be at least a few that have.

Aluminum does not corrode as steel does, so that would help for longevity. Alright it corrodes, but oxidizes so fast it develops a protective layer on the surface. Plus frearm manufacturers typically hard anodize their frames to add more protection.

Steel frames probably will last longer but you are talking about maybe 5 generations instead of four generations. If you are going to shoot a thousand rounds through it every week then go with steel. if you are going to use it for carry and only shoot a couple of hundred rounds per month or less, then the AirLite ought to be fine.

 

[Onmilo]

I have owned this one for about 11 years, have put many, many, many cartons of ammunition through it and so far it shows no signs whatsoever of wearing out anytime soon.

My recommendation is dump the hi-viz front sight and have a Partridge or Baughman ramp blade installed.
I am finding hi-viz sights create more problems than they solve and the pipes are not as durable as they should or could be. HTH

 

[JNewell]

The most practical issue I've seen with the 317s is that the finish itself is subject to pretty rapid wear. If you carry it around in the field, it's going to look it pretty quickly. In terms of real world mechanical durability, though, the .22LR just doesn't put much wear and tear on a gun.

One possible concern that maybe a current owner can answer: does the 317 have a steel bushing in the recoil shield where the center pin fits? I have seen high-miles steel guns where that hole has been worn by zillions of cycles of opening and closing the cylinder. If the 317 doesn't have such a bushing, I guess you could be concerned about accuracy problems resulting from early wear at that point. I'm pretty sure there's a bushing, though, so that wouldn't be an issue. I don't have one in the house to inspect right now.

 

[Onmilo]

You picked my curiosity so I went and looked at mine and yes it does have a press fit stainless steel cylinder pin bushing.

 

[JNewell]

There ya go. All the centerfire one's I've seen do, too, so I assumed the 317s would. You will get a prominent drag line on the cylinder from the bolt, and on the recoil shield from the center pin. C'est la vie. You should see what a 342 (more or less the same aluminum frame as the 317, although an unfinished Ti cylinder) looks like after it's been carried 16x7x365 for almost 10 years...but it's just a tool.

 

[treeprof]

I've shot my 2" 317 a ton. Other than the clear finish coming off in a few places it has worn just fine.

 

[cochise]

I bought 3. A little 2 1/2" Lady Smith for the wife, 2 4" 317's for my boy and I. Personally I like the #63 I gave my grandson better.

I carry my light .22 in my back pack and shot it allot! I had to file the frame under the "sight" to hit POA. Some say not to mess with the frame but it is mine and it is dead on 25 yds or closer. That's about all my eyes are good for now.