Looking for a S&W M317

[jgaffney]

I want to buy a Smith & Wesson Model 317. That's the snub nosed revolver in 22LR. It's for my wife's nightstand because she's intimidated by my 38 Spl. Please don't inundate me with posts about why the 38 is better - I've already given up on that.

I went into my friendly local gun store (B2 Enterprises, Cotati) and asked about the availability of the little revolver. The owner told me that the metal-frame guns are getting very hard to come by. He said that S&W only gears up twice a year to produce them, and most of the stock is promised to the big stores, like Cabela's, Dick's, etc. He said I would have to pay for the pistol and wait until it came in, which could be up to a year or more.


So, is this guy full of s**t, or is this true? Does anyone know of a store in the Bay Area that would have the pistol in stock? I live in Sonoma County, but I'll drive as far as San Mateo, Fremont, Sacramento, etc.

Constructive answers only, pls.

[redcliff]

I own a 317, as well as numerous S&W and Colt .22 revolvers and here are my thoughts...

For a nightstand gun the alloy frame 317 really has no advantage over a steel frame .22 revolver which may be easier to find. For all around use I think 4" barrels are ideal (3" are acceptable) as snub nose 1 7/8" barrels aren't the easiest things to shoot well. A J-frame model 63 or K frame 617 or even a blued Model 18 or the earlier pre-18 (C&R therefore roster-exempt) would be good choices.

If you were looking for a ccw revolver I'd feel differently.

I did check Bud's and Grab-a-Gun and both were out of stock on the 317.

[schneiderguy]

My Grandpa has a 317 and the double action trigger is awfully heavy, which combined with how much it weighs (10oz maybe?) produces a gun that is very difficult to shoot accurately.

Like redcliff said, I would also recommend a 63 or 617 if you're looking for a DA .22lr revolver.

[morrcarr67]

What about a Charter Arms in .32 H&R Mag loaded with .32 S&W Long's?



73220 / Stainless Steel Revolver 2" .32 Mag 10/5/2014

I just handled one @ one of my LGS and it is really light. I thought it was an alloy frames gun but it is all SS. The triggers on these are gritty but will smooth out with use or you can open it up and smooth it out. The LGS I saw it at is a little high on his guns and was asking $419 on this; I think you can find them for less than that.

[jgaffney]

Good feedback, you guys. Thank you.

The 4" or 6" barrels are out. They'd be too awkward for my wife to pull out of an already crowded nightstand drawer. Similarly, the .32 Charter is out because finding ammo would be difficult. Plus, it's not a S&W - all my other wheel guns are Smith.

Rather than the Model 63, I'd like a Model 34 - the same pistol in blue instead of stainless. Just my preference. But, try finding one for sale in Calif.

I stopped by a new gun store in Santa Rosa this morning (Rinkor Arms on Mendocino). Brian gave me a whole different picture on the availability of the 317. He said that, because he also supplies police, he's closer to the front of the line. He said he could get a 317 in 2 weeks for $750. He also has a Ruger LCR in 22LR with laser grips on consignment for $500. The laser grips would be a big asset for my wife if she had to shoot inside the house. It's a Ruger, not a Smith, and I hear they have crummy triggers, but it's worth a look. I'll take my wife by there to see how it feels to her.

[raven290]

The Ruger does not have a crummy trigger at all. It's the best DAO revolver I've ever shot. Try it out yourself, I highly recommend it. And get her the .22 Magnum version, it's not intimidating and it's better than the .22lr.

[morrcarr67]

Good feedback, you guys. Thank you.

The 4" or 6" barrels are out. They'd be too awkward for my wife to pull out of an already crowded nightstand drawer. Similarly, the .32 Charter is out because finding ammo would be difficult. Plus, it's not a S&W - all my other wheel guns are Smith.

Rather than the Model 63, I'd like a Model 34 - the same pistol in blue instead of stainless. Just my preference. But, try finding one for sale in Calif.

I stopped by a new gun store in Santa Rosa this morning (Rinkor Arms on Mendocino). Brian gave me a whole different picture on the availability of the 317. He said that, because he also supplies police, he's closer to the front of the line. He said he could get a 317 in 2 weeks for $750. He also has a Ruger LCR in 22LR with laser grips on consignment for $500. The laser grips would be a big asset for my wife if she had to shoot inside the house. It's a Ruger, not a Smith, and I hear they have crummy triggers, but it's worth a look. I'll take my wife by there to see how it feels to her.

You think .32 S&W Long is hard to find?

Have you looked for .22LR lately?

And, if you really want a Smith there are several you can choose from

331-2 SKU 163667 / Alloy, Titanium, Stainless Steel 	Revolver 	1.87" 	.32 H&R Magnum 	3/5/2014
332-1 SKU 163679 / Alloy, Titanium, Stainless Steel 	Revolver 	1.87" 	.32 H&R Magnum 	2/1/2014
431 PD SKU 163664 / Alloy, Steel, Stainless Steel 	Revolver 	1.87" 	.32 H&R Magnum 	6/18/2014
432 PD SKU 163666 / Alloy, Steel, Stainless Steel 	Revolver 	1.87" 	.32 H&R Magnum 	6/18/2014
432 PD Laser Grip SKU 163669 / Alloy, Steel, Stainless Steel 	Revolver 	1.87" 	.32 H&R Magnum 	2/17/2014
632-1 (Matte Black) SKU 170329 / Stainless Steel 	Revolver 	3" 	.327 Magnum 	6/6/2014

And there is plenty of ammo out there too

http://www.gunbot.net/ammo/pistol/32sw/

[cnj]

If you are not hung up on a S&W, a couple options are the Ruger LCR in either 22LR or 22WMR. I had one in 22LR, but could not convince my wife to switch from her LCR in 38, so I sold the 22LR version (there is more to that story, but no need to post it here). The LCR's are good little guns.

If you must have a 317, check the marketplace here. They do pop up once in a great while, but either new or used, be prepared to wait.

[jgaffney]

So, here's the latest. She doesn't want to spend $500-$700 on a new gun. We will instead spend the money on a new gun safe (they're never big enough!) and she'll learn to shoot my Model 36. I want to check out those new Hornaday reduced-pressure hollow points for her.

[Shanghai Dan]

So, here's the latest. She doesn't want to spend $500-$700 on a new gun. We will instead spend the money on a new gun safe (they're never big enough!) and she'll learn to shoot my Model 36. I want to check out those new Hornaday reduced-pressure hollow points for her.

Also consider learning to reload (if you don't already). Some downloaded 38s are a *****cat in that pistol, and still pack a lot more energy than a 22LR. Not to mention less chance of a "through and through" with penetration into other rooms in your place.

For breaking new shooters in, I use my S&W 686+ with some very light load 38s (110 grain bullets, 3 grains of Bullseye). They feel like a 22LR out of most semi-auto 22 pistols - but it's a good bunch more energy and a bigger hole. Move up to normal 38s, then 38 +Ps, then on to the 357s...