S&W M317 22LR Kit Gun

[Sour Kraut]

Seriously considering one of these guys. I like the size and weight specs but I've not actually fondeled one yet. Anyone out there own one? Thoughts, insights, suggestions, alternatives? (revolvers only please). Thanks!

 

[rcmodel]

I have owned one since 1998. ($327.95 new)

Mine is the 2" version they first came out with.
I like it a lot, after I replaced the impossibly heavy mainspring with a lighter Wolff spring kit for a J-Frame centerfire.

It is impressively accurate, though much harder to shoot accurately then my heavier steel 4" Model 34 Kit gun.

I have Crimson Trace Laser grips on mine, and it a pocket rocket as far as you can see the red laser spot!!



If you want to carry it a lot and shoot it a little?
Its the gun to own!

If better accuracy & enough weight to hold steady is more important, get the blue steel Model 34, or Stainless steel Model 63 Kit Gun.



rc

 

[bannockburn]

Sour Kraut

I'm with rc on this one; while heavier and longer than the Model 317 the 4" Model 34 is very accurate and a delight to shoot. Found this one LNIB at a local gun shop and set it up with a Hogue Monogrip for my wife.

 

[JimPGov]

I have 2" version. Great pocket gun.jp

 

[Taurus 617 CCW]

I used to own the 3" version with the fiber optic front sight. Nice little gun but it didn't suit my needs. J frames don't fit my hand well and the gun was so light that it was difficult to keep it on target. For a backpacker's gun it is perfect. I was looking at more of a target revolver. I ended up purchasing a 617 with a 4" barrel instead and have never looked back.

 

[stoky]

my Model 63

I put a spring kit in it (Wolff?). It's still 8½ lbs. DA
but it's now 2¼ lb. SA
It doesn't like hyper velocity fodder; CCI Mini Mag, Yellowjacket. Fired cases drag on the recoil shield.
It's happy with Eley or CCI Standard Velocity.
It's a lot of fun walking impacts onto targets at "Impossible Shot" ranges, impractical as it is. With ammo availability as sketchy as it is these days, I'm reticent to play that way of late. Maybe just as well.

 

[bannockburn]

stoky

Nice looking Model 63!

 

[Confederate]

My Model 63.... It doesn't like hyper velocity fodder; CCI Mini Mag, Yellowjacket. Fired cases drag on the recoil shield. It's happy with Eley or CCI Standard Velocity.

I had a Model 63 stolen from my apartment (by maintenance staff) just months after getting it. I'd had to wait almost nine months on a list at my local gun store to get it -- then it was gone. Back in the good old days I used to put it in my briefcase, get on the subway, take it to work and shoot at the [NRA] range in the basement. Now you'd get the death penalty for carrying an unloaded gun into Washington, D.C. But back then, it was legal. You just couldn't bring your ammo at the same time as the gun. We left our ammo locked in our desks and just transported the gun. Anyway, I sure miss that gun, and your photo really brought back memories.

Still, the gun ought to shoot the hot stuff. That's part of the whole idea behind having a kit gun. If it drags along the recoil shield, the headspace was screwed up at the factory. (Sometimes if they had too little of a barrel/cylinder gap, they'd move the cylinder back to open up space. Then they'd have the right B/C gap, but not enough space in the rear for free rotation of the cylinder with hot rounds. S&W should repair it for you free if you call them. Your gun was probably made back when S&W was rushing through its guns. I had friends who sent their guns back to have the problem fixed, only to have the idiots move the cylindler forward. When they got their guns back, the headspace was fine, but the cylinder began rubbing against the forcing cone when things heated up!)

Another consideration for the OP, you might go for a second-tier gun like a Rossi or a Taurus. I got one of those S&W AirLite 517 .22LR pistols in a trade several years ago. I wasn't crazy about it at the time, but since then it's become a valuable part of my bug-out bag. I also have a Taurus .22 stainless I'm very fond of. It's not a Smith 63, but it does the job.

My Model 63.... It doesn't like hyper velocity fodder; CCI Mini Mag, Yellowjacket. Fired cases drag on the recoil shield. It's happy with Eley or CCI Standard Velocity.

I had a Model 63 stolen from my apartment (by maintenance staff) just months after getting it. I'd had to wait almost nine months on a list at my local gun store to get it -- then it was gone. Back in the good old days I used to put it in my briefcase, get on the subway, take it to work and shoot at the [NRA] range in the basement. Now you'd get the death penalty for carrying an unloaded gun into Washington, D.C. But back then, it was legal. You just couldn't bring your ammo at the same time as the gun. We left our ammo locked in our desks and just transported the gun. Anyway, I sure miss that gun, and your photo really brought back memories.

Still, the gun ought to shoot the hot stuff. That's part of the whole idea behind having a kit gun. If it drags along the recoil shield, the headspace was screwed up at the factory. (Sometimes if they had too little of a barrel/cylinder gap, they'd move the cylinder back to open up space. Then they'd have the right B/C gap, but not enough space in the rear for free rotation of the cylinder with hot rounds. S&W should repair it for you free if you call them. Your gun was probably made back when S&W was rushing through its guns. I had friends who sent their guns back to have the problem fixed, only to have the idiots move the cylindler forward. When they got their guns back, the headspace .was fine, but the cylinder began rubbing against the forcing cone when things heated up!)





Another consideration for the OP, you might go for a second-tier gun like a Rossi or a Taurus. I got one of those S&W AirLite 517 .22LR pistols in a trade several years ago. I wasn't crazy about it at the time, but since then it's become a valuable part of my bug-out bag. I also have a Rossi .22 stainless I'm very fond of. It's not a Smith 63, but it does the job.



-

 

[rcmodel]

I agree, if any S&W Kit Gun, 34, 63, or 317 won't handle high-speed ammo?

There is something wrong with it!!

I have owned them all over the years, and they just don''t care what ammo you shoot in them.

rc

 

[B_Li_Ber_Tar_Ian]

I have a 317, 63, and a 22/32 kit gun. The 317 is always with me when I'm working around my place. I'm sure you'll find it plenty accurate and enjoyable.

 

[weblance]

I have a 3" 317. I hated the fiber optic / V notch rear combo, so I looked around and found the old style front sight for the 317 / 63, and the correct white outline rear, and now it needs sighted in, but its a great revolver. Mine shoots everything with ease. I will make another recommendation to the OP. I also have a Ruger SP101-22, the new 8 shot. My wife shot the trigger smooth, and I installed Wolff springs, and its an absolute joy. Its a great revolver, and I like it better than my 317, or my 617.

 

[gun_with_a_view]

Nobody in their right mind wants to get shot. You gain a lot of leverage based on that with the lightweight Model 317.

 

[420Stainless]

I bought a 3" (pre fiber optic sight) right after I got married. My wife was struggling with heavier handguns and I got it so she could learn on. She was able to get a lot of practice in with it and moved on to other handguns well. Nice revolver, never had any problems with it, and very useful if you want something very light in weight. I've used it to teach our children as well. I can't shoot it as well as my other handguns due to the weight I think, but it functions great to be so light.

 

[Sour Kraut]

Great information folks, thank you! And thanks for the pictures!

Since I posted this thread, I have been to a local gun show and compared the 317, 63 the Ruger, the Taurus. And some of the blued Smith models (spendy)! (This was before I read all the replies). I can see where the light weight of the 317 might make it more difficult to hold steady thereby affecting accuracy. I prefer the weight and balance of the 63.

I liked the Taurus somewhat, and wanted to like the Ruger, except the indentation on the Ruger grip was bothersome to me. Did not think to look for a Rossi, but will seek one out.

Good to have choices....lots more to consider now!

 

[Sour Kraut]

Weblance, what about the grip on the SP 101?

 

[weblance]

Weblance, what about the grip on the SP 101?

I wanted something "Target" for my SP101-22, and had several grips from jaruwan.p off of Ebay. He is in Thailand. I have found the grips from him to be an excellent value. I waited until I saw a grip that I liked the grain on, and grabbed these. The grips fit perfectly, and fit my hand well. jaruwan.p isnt currently selling any grips. He is dealing with health issues, but the same grip is available from other sellers on Ebay.

 

[rcmodel]

jaruwan.p probably slowly killed himself breathing exotic wood dust with no protection all those years.

Rc

 

[Sour Kraut]

That's a nice looking grip!

Did you find the stock grip with the indent on the left side to be awkward to hold?. I didn't like the indentation.

 

[weblance]

Im apparently in the minority when it comes to the factory SP101 grip. I like them. I dont shoot 100s of 357 rounds through mine when at the range, and I can see how the small grip would beat your fingers up with the trigger guard, but for concealment, I like the factory grip. The indent is there for speedloader clearance.

Its surprising that there arent more options for aftermarket "target" SP101 grips.

 

[Sour Kraut]

Which of your 22 revolvers do you prefer?
Oops! Just re-read your earlier post!

I'll have to take another look at the Ruger.

 

[weblance]

Of my Double Action .22 revolvers, I like the SP101-22 best. The 2 S&W .22 revolvers I have(317 & 617), the DA trigger pulls are very short. Single Action, they are supurb, but I prefer the longer DA pull of the SP101-22. Its predictable, and allows me to stage it easily. The SP101-22 will need some work to make the trigger acceptable(Wolff springs, and polishing), but after its smoothed up, its excellent. The build quality of the SP101 is legendary, and for the money, I think its exceptional. Find the right ammo, and you will have a friend for life.

 

[gwpercle]

I have the 317 Airlite, 3 inch barrel with adjustable sights. Liked the Hi-Viz front but not the shallow "V" rear notch. It's hard for me to use. Going to have to fix that one day but it's a pleasure to carry afield. In a belt holster there is no weight. I forget it's there. Holds 8 rounds and shoots everything from CB caps to CCI Mini-Mags. LOVE IT!
Going to get some Ahrend's grips and make her real pretty.

 

[stoky]

Confederate and rcmodel, you guys were right.
I'd shot so much meat for the smack ramen pot with it that I'd overlooked it.

“The test of the machine is the satisfaction it gives you. There isn't any other test. If the machine produces tranquility it's right. If it disturbs you it’s wrong until either the machine or your mind is changed.”
― Robert M. Pirsig, Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance

So, I took the springs out, put the factory springs in and sent it back to the mother ship. Two months and -$120 later, it came back. At one point, the phone dweebus told me they couldn't locate it, and that I would have to track it with Fed X
This doesn't compare favorably with my Ruger customer service experiences.
Anyways, I put the lawyer not springs back in, and now it loves Stingers and Wildcats and Golden, oh my. Perhaps a fluke, but I actually got a better group out of Stingers than CCI Standard Velocity.
all's swell that ends well, thanks for the paradigm shift, even though there was a bit of grinding