S&w 317

[Confederate]

I'm looking to buy a S&W 317 and would like a report or review.

They come in a snubbie barrel or a 3-inch and I'd optimally like to end up with the longer barrel. It's just that it's hard to find in my neck of the woods. The shorter barrel looks nice and I just wondered if anyone could let me know how it shoots and whether the gun is likely to hold up well (I don't like aluminum-frame revolvers very well, as I don't trust them.) But bein' it's a .22LR, it should hold up fairly well.

What is a good "used" price on these? I checked some of the auction lists and I almost choked at $500+. I could see this for a stainless steel gun, but an aluminum one????

Let me know your thoughts on this.

Thanx.

 

[Triggernosis]

Confederate,
I HAD a 3" 317 for a year or so. Loved that gun for it's lightness and ergonomics. BUT from day one, it spit powder on about every other cylinder, shot too high even with the sights adjusted as far as they would go and was generally inaccurate. I sent it back to S&W twice with no successful resolution. Finally sold it back at a loss to the dealer I got it from. I wanted to like that gun, but it just had too many issues for me to deal with.
Yes, even used ones are over $500 now.

 

[Onmilo]

No issues with mine.



Don't expect match grade accuracy. It isn't a target revolver it is a "Kit" gun.

I know I can kill squirrels, rabbits, raccoons, and bats with mine out to about 30 meters.
Excellent gun for running a trapline where legal to do so.

 

[Triggernosis]

I was lucky to be able to hit a basketball out to 30 meters with mine....and I'm a competitive shooter.

 

[btaylor73]

Had one for a year but could not hit anything with it. The trigger was the heaviest pull of any gun that I have ever owned. I own a 1/2 dozen revolvers and it is the only one that I have sold. It was a good gun but for quality but just couldn't hit anything with it. I replaced it with a 617 and I am glad that I did.

 

[JFrame]

I'm guessing that the folks who had serious accuracy issues with their 317's had the Hi-Viz front sight. The Hi-Viz sight is probably decent for defensive use to place COM hits, but I find it too gross and large for accurate shooting at any appreciable distance.

Also, you need a really solid rest with the 317...

.

 

[headshok]

i have both the snub and the 3inch, both prelock.

i love 'em. the 3 inch is plenty accurate with the adjustable sights, the snub is decently accurate for fixed sights and shorter barrel. i carry mine in the woods alongside my main carry for plinking. and colibri's are oh so much fun.

keep an eye on GB and forums, prelocks can be found cheaper that post lock, most in like new condition. DA trigger is heavy(i think12lbs?), but all rimfire DA are. I have put a8.5lb main springs in mine, and it lightened it up enough without ANY misfires thru 1000's of rounds.

it will not replace a 617 for accuracy, but i will never get rid of mine.