S&W Model 317 Kit Gun 22 LR Review

The only 22 revolver that I have from Smith and Wesson is a Model 18 which is a K frame 4 inch barreled revolver, basically a shorter Model 17. This is an accurate revolver, and I have had it for several years. I have not owned a J framed .22 revolver but in time I may own one. The quality of the older revolvers is noticeably better.

Might be an unpopular opinion, but I'd rather have 8 shots of .22 out of a 3" barrel than 5 shots of 38 out of a 1 7/8" barrel.

Good review….👍😊🇺🇸!

Umm… after we just got a $400 RXM, it’s hard to even look at this one.

One of my most valued handguns is a 1953-vintage S&W pre-Model 43, the company's first really lightweight alloy revolver, Only about 5,000 were made before S&W began putting numbers on their handguns in 1957. Very light and very accurate. I also have a 43c DAO .22 with a trigger job that I like very much. I usually shoot only SV ammo in them because HV ammo, such as Mini-Mags tends to stick in alloy cylinders, making extraction a little difficult.

S@w638

That frame may be a j frame but it looks like a k frame

Heritage Barkeep... home of the 150 kit gun

First I love J frames. This is a fav for certain. I've had one several years now. You carry it and you can't tell it's even on you. Great for snakes small game two and four legged. I've taken rabbit groundhog and a few copperheads. I carry four and four, shot shell/solids HP. I also have the 60-15 in 357 with three inch barrel, deluxe, really nice but heavier. A winner. I wanted the 334/22 kit gun for over 60 years and finally got it in the 317. There are some nice wood grips on AMZ from Indonesia that are really well made, great fit and best of all fills the hand for better aiming and control. Yes, heavy trigger but it fires every time. You can put eight out in a couple three seconds. Hurt like hell on the other side. Trigger draw is too heavy for wife and a less weigh spring kit didn't fire consistently same for the 22 magnum J frame. Just so you know. They need to stay as from factory for reliable fire. A revolver is a well made manually operated precision machine. All good.

In some of the CCI shot shells you can get different size shot. Good review. That's how it is.

Far too much $$$$ for an aluminum gun. Aluminum is good for aircraft fuselages and beverage cans but not for a device that might be used to save your life. What is next...? Balsa wood frames? 🤕

The biggest catch on this gun is the sights

Smith & Wessen needs to get rid of the Hillery hole

kinda wanted one of these..but the $$$ forget it..ended up with a P17..perfect amount of investment for a kit gun for me...

You talk the same every video

Great video nice Smith and Wesson 22 gun thanks for sharing sootch00

Do they make it in .22 Mag. ?

Id wrather get the TX 22 from Taurus, more magazine compacity super reliable and much more affordable.

Everyone watching this, just get a Keltec P17

If one is going to carry a .22 for whatever reason i think this is the way to go..

WTF is The point of that thing? 3 1/2 pounds of pfft. Who's the Market?

Interesting but I'd pass.

Sootch i know you have to make a living and S&W is one of your sponsors... however your audience is what keeps your channel going!
Are you allowed to say something to S&W about promoting a 800.00 22 made off a lu minimum 😅!!
It's a starter gun plane and simple!! It should have a starter price!!

I used to own a 317, it was extremely difficult to extract all the spent casings, I traded it for something else.

I like it how powerful is ti

I've had mine over 20 years. Put Pachmayr grips on yours. It will feel much better.

Would be way more interested with fixed iron sights and a snubnose version that doesn’t cost a crazy amount for a .22. Taurus 942 for me until that day.

North American Arms .22 revolvers about $250 now thats a tackle box kit gun.

For $849.00, I'd opt for a revolver with much more stopping power, like the model 69, the model 686, or the model 60. It's nice, beautiful, and well-made, but it's rather pricey for a revolver chambered in .22lr.

You’re better off with the 38 , that’s just way too much , but if it’s .22 lr that you want for a tackle box , probably get a keltec under $150 , especially if you considering to have, BUT shoot very little .

Happy New Year to you

Happy New Year, love your reviews and info! Had a question for ya. Ever shot the Sig p320 in subcompact? Kinda a cult following with those stubby 320’s. Super fun, super reliable, super accurate. Would love a retro review if possible. Thanks and best wishes in 2025.

Why would you not have a Ruger .22 for $200?

For 800 bucks if you want a fine 22LR S&W revolver, browse the online auctions and find yourself a Model 17 or 18 from the 1960's or 1970's. Sure they are heavy (40 ounces), all steel and only 6 shots but they are the finest 22 revolvers ever made. I know I'm comparing apples to oranges here but which one do you think will appreciate in value over the years?

800 retail price NO!!! GIVE US reviews that are joe shmoe

The price of S&W and Ruger .22lr revolvers is ridiculous. Not paying big $$ for a 22.

I had to purchase one despite the high price. Sight screws backed out and the front sight roll pin worked out after a few shots. Sights wont lower enough even when bottomed out. The action is fairly good and its nice and light but its overpriced by $400 in my opinion. This guy gets firearms hes not purchasing so keep that in mind.

A bit pricey, I like my Rugar LCR 327. Well, it was mine till my wife claimed it as another one of hers. Lol, she does that with with most of my sub 38 caliber guns.

Was looking at the air light 22 with Tiger wood grips, and loved its feel, but that price point and tag was too much, but a neat gun.

I have several, all older ,those run great .sad to hear reviews from commenter's, just more of the less for more .sad .

My wife has one. We're not crazy about it. I will say it has 100% reliable ignition. The big downside is we're constantly playing with the sight adjustment trying to get any kind of decent and centered group. We've tried shooting similar guns in the same outing from the same distance and do not have that problem with the others.

My tackle box gun is a Taurus g2😂

Very nice gun . All s&w likeAny top quality gun are expensive. The k-22 mp is a very nice handgun. I love mine, it’s very accurate and will always be in my family. Very collectible! $$$$$

Nice review! Recently saw this model at a shop that I frequent. A no go for me due to the internal lock. S&W really needs to stop incorporating that feature.

I have never had an ammo related malfunction in a revolver. It is always timing or sear or spring related for me. Tackle box gun is like $200. Not $700

.22 LR revolvers are a lot of fun.

My wife has had this gun since 1998, and it's been great. Katie is not a gun person, does not really like to go to the range, BUT, she knows the world is not Mr. Rodgers neighborhood or Pee-wee's play house. We got married in 1995, and she's learned a lot since then. She loves this gun and does't like to shoot any center fire. But she will put a hundred rounds through this gun at the range with no problem at all, and actually does enjoy it and the feeling of security it gives her. She has had some of her fashionable vests fitted with an inside pocket to hold this gun, and carries it because of the very light weight, very low recoil and easy operation. Yes, it is a little expensive, but worth every penny for the quality of the S&W. And a cylinder full of CCI Stingers will do the job of self defense if the shooter does his/her job.

In 2007, while showing a house, the male 'client' tried to assault her, and he ended up with a bullet in the lower abdomen, and dropped to the floor in a tight fetal position, screaming that his guts were on fire. He was still screaming and moaning when they carried him out on a gurney and later to jail. The .22 worked well because it was there. Yes, the ejection can get hard after a while of shooting, but a brush out on the chambers helps that. Like was said, it was meant to be carried a lot, shot a little. GREAT little carry gun!

And a Tanfoglio GT 27 is under $100 with eight rounds of 25 ACP not a bad gun but the question is why?

Since aluminum alloys can be made into revolvers, here's something more to look forward to: the birth of the world's first all-titanium revolver!
Difficulty in fading cases is caused by the fact that aluminum is too soft resulting in a large deformation of the case.