Les Jones: Quickie Range Report: a Pair of Smith &Wesson .22s

July 09, 2004

Guns > Quickie Range Report: a Pair of Smith &Wesson .22s

First up, the 10-shot 22A semi-automatic. The 22A has an unusual magazine release that's located in the middle of the front grip strap. Once I found it, it worked well, and is ambidextrious and easy to reach. I thought it would be easy to accidentally hit it, but even when I tried shifting my grip I couldn't get it to release without deliberately aiming my fingertip straight down on the recessed button.

The 22A has a built-in scope rail. In 50 rounds of Winchester Super-X I had two failures to feed, in which the bolt failed to strip a round from the magazine. Accuracy was very good, with consistent groups. If that feeding problem isn't endemic, this would be a good gun, though personally I wouldn't trade my Browning Buckmark for it. The Buckmark has a better trigger, and better grips.

The eight-shot 317 revolver is part of S&W's Airweight line of aluminum alloy-framed guns. Most Airweights, like my 642, use alloy for the frame, and stainless steel for the cylinder and barrel. The 317 goes a step further and uses aluminum for the cylinder and barrel shroud; only the barrel liner is made from stainless steel. The result is a gun that weighs just 10.5 ounces.

That light weight is good for carrying purposes, but doesn't help accuracy. Neither does the short barrel, short sight radius, and tiny J-frame sights. The accuracy is fine for defensive purposes across the room, but not very impressive at the range. If you want more accuracy, Smith &Wesson sells the 317 in a 3 inch version with adjustable sights. GunBlast has a review of that gun.

A fair question would be, "just what is this gun for?" It's basically a concealabledefensive gun for the recoil-shy. There's a market for that, but I'd recommend the .38 caliber 642 instead. A recoil-sensitive shooter can load the 642 with light .38 loads that have moderate kick, but are still more effective than any .22. Recoil is mostly mental, anyway. It can be overcome with practice and the right attitude, which mostly consists of willfully ignoring recoil.

Despite minute-of-barn accuracy, the little 317 was a blast to shoot. As is typical for a revolver, it was faster to reload than the semi-automatic's magazine. HKS also makes a speedloader for it if you're so inclined. Also typical for a revolver the gun functioned flawlessly. I'd love to have a .22 revolver for fun, but because of its poor accuracy, this won't be the one. I'm holding out for one of the discontinued S&Ws, like the J-frame 63 or the K-frame K22.

Index of all range reports

Posted by lesjones

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Comments

My wife has the 22S and she loves it. The weight and grip fit nicely. It replaced the S&W 622 that she was never happy with.

Posted by: Gunner at July 10, 2004

I bought the 317 airweight for my Wife and Young Son to shoot and a possibly a defensive handgun,it' an early one as it has no internal lock,Probobly made in 1998 as far as I can tell , I got it for $319 and it had never been shot, Like New in the Box!
It came with the Uncle Mikes Boot grips and feels pretty good in the hand.The gun was supplied with a shot lock manual and a niffty lanyard attachment with metal clip.
The gun can actually shoot, I can hit a coffee can @ 35-40 feet, with it's 1.9" barrel and 10.9oz weight that's not too shabby, I tried CCI Stingers, Federal HPs & Aquilla Super Maxs and found that the Stingers were best overall for a defensive round.
All were 100%,Typical S&W Revolver!
Though not a tack driver the 317 airlite has it's place, Wifes Purse, But for more of defensive cartridge try the 642 Airweight in .38 Spl.
I have Revolvers made by Colt, Taurus, Ruger ,Dan Wesson , & S&W..I've got a few.
I plan on getting a Wolff Spring kit for the 317 @ $9.99 to lighten the DA/SA pull a Bit too.
And I may take the Wife to find a set of pretty Wooden grips, The airlite takes standard J Frame Smith & Wesson round butt grips..
My other snubbies are a Colt Detective Special & Ruger SP101 both in 38 Special the Ruger can handle hot +P+ rounds..
I have many other defensive handguns Beretta92FS ,SIG Sauer P229 ,HK P7M8 ,HK USP Tactical 45 etc.etc. & feel I have a fair sense about handguns,I Own too many too count, & the 317 has it's place, A great little pocket gun , That weighs less than a few holsters I have for the J frame Smiths & Wesson..
Smith & Wesson 317 AirLite .22 Long Rifle 8 Shot Weighs Just 9.9-10.9 oz, 9.9 with the Diamondwood grips & 10.9 oz with the Uncle Mikes Boot Grips

Posted by: Beretta92 at November 06, 2004

Les Jones,

You mentioned that HKS makes a speedloader for the S&W 317, yet I cannot find it anywhere.

My wife normally carries a 342PD with light .38s (as you suggest), but her wrist reconstruction surgery results in a weakness that won't allow that punishment all weekend long (1000 rnds. over a w/e of training), so she uses the 317 because it is so similar to her 640 and 342PD.

She can defend herself with the real thing but has to do the extended training with a lighter recoiling (and weight) piece.

I'm looking for speedloaders for her because we feel the you will react in a real situation the way you train, and so it must be as close to the same as possible.

If you happen to have a HKS part number or any lead I would be very grateful!

Best, Steve

Posted by: Steve at January 13, 2005

After doing a Google search, I stand corrected. I can't find speedloaders for the 317 at all. I don't know where I got the idea they made them.

Posted by: Les Jones at January 13, 2005

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Posted by: Jersey at October 22, 2007

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Posted by: Ralph at February 26, 2008