317 Smith and Wesson Kit Guns and the Like

k_estela

k_estela

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This thread is dedicated to the venerable Smith and Wesson Model 317 and other similar revolvers. For emergency prep and survival gear, having a lightweight .22 revolver makes you a wealthy woodsbum. I just made a new holster for mine intended for lightweight carry. This revolver has been all over with me and I wouldn't trade it for any other. The only problem with this firearm is it's weight (I am not insane.) Sometimes you forget you have it on you. I kidding about the weight, you really are hard pressed to find anything wrong with it. Here are a few photos of mine. If you guys want to show off yours, how you bring it in the field, great accessories or anything related to small .22 revolvers, this is your thread.

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I have always been fond of 22lr in a rifle for the woods (with a 357 revolver as backup/emergency) However a 22lr revolver like that sure is pretty. How is the accuracy with it?
 
It will do minute of squirrel at about 25'. I really haven't done a lot of shooting past this. Most of the shooting I would need to do isn't going to involve a great deal of marksmanship.
 
I don't know about the new ones but my Dad had a 3" barreled old S&W Kit Gun, blued and 6-shot and he could bust a squirrel or a rabbit with it in the blink of an eye. They were really accurate and obviously incredibly reliable. My Mother sold that one off (and a whole lot more) after he died.
 
Revolver reliable Don. That is the reason why I throw mine in my bag whenever I head out.
 
I can't seem to find the pictures, but the 317 is my trail gun. I carry it in my hiking vest pocket.
 
I've been eyeing a 317 for some time, unfortunately can't find one for the price I want to pay :)
 
Good thread. Been thinking about getting something along those lines in lieu of keeping the Marlin Papoose close by for a .22
 
abo4ster,

I prefer the papoose if I am able to bring it. "A boy with a rifle is almost always able to outshoot a man with a handgun" as I was always told. Both great firearms.
 
This thread is dedicated to the venerable Smith and Wesson Model 317 and other similar revolvers.

Nothing personal, but I reserve the term venerable for guns a little older than the relatively new 317, guns like the model 34 22/32 Kit Gun, a classic.
Otherwise, I agree with you and would love to own a 317. Might have to look into one.
 
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after some searching i found a 63 several years ago. square butt, 4" barrel, stainless.

unfortunately the thing had a nasty trigger and even after a trip to the smith it was still nasty, so it got traded away.

atthe moment i have an Advantage Arms .22 kit for my 19, which would fill the niche of a kit gun, bor the Beretta 21A which is fun, but not as accurate as something slightly larger.

i've been looking at the 617 but it's not in the budget at the moment.
 
I heard the trigger on the 317 is like pulling a truck full of cement! How is the trigger on yours? I'd love a little 22 DA..... just haven't found one I like that much yet.

I carry a Ruger Single Six 4 5/8" now and then. Handy little guns. Better for woods use than say a Glock 9mm really.
 
Whiskey River said:
I heard the trigger on the 317 is like pulling a truck full of cement! How is the trigger on yours?
Click to expand...

I have one and while the DA pull is pretty heavy the SA is on par with my other S&W revolvers. Best attribute of the 317 is fully loaded with 8 rds of 22LR it weighs less than my 642 empty.
 
I can usually be found packing my newer gen S&W 63 8 shot with a 5in barrel. Little gun thinks its a rifle the way it hits :) Othertimes I will drag along my stainless Ruger Bearcat. The Bearcat is an almost tiny 22 but as is the 63, it hits what I point it at :D
 
Kevin I carry a Ruger single six in 22 mag in my pack with 50 rounds of ammo as part of my survival kit.This gun is very accurate.



Mike
 
I've always wanted a S&W .22 revolver, especially a 617 with four inch barrel. They have become really pricey.

My .22 LR trail pistol role is filled by one of my four Ruger Mk II semi-autos. I carry either a 5.5 inch bull barrel model or 4 inch bull barrel model in a belt holster. They are accurate, reliable and just plain fun to shoot. Still want a 617 someday though. :D
 
While not a Smith, I have had this Ruger Bearcat since I was a kid in PA. It has taken countless game and never skipped a beat. Kevin, that 317 is a really nice sidearm. Some day I will join the modern alloy era. :D
 

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The Model 63 shown below, and my blue Model 34, have been constant companions on hundreds of hikes and camping trips.
For woods use, they are all you need. Looking at security regarding two legged woods predators though, I have up gunned.
Model63.jpg
 
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