S&W 317 Kit (or AirLite) vs. Taurus 94 Ultra-Lite .22 lr

PaladinX13 · October 26, 2002, 11:47 PM

Okay so I'm trying to decide between the two, any impressions, testimonials, or comparisons? Of the two (or four, counting Air Lite and regular 94s) models which would you pick? Thanks in advance!

sox · October 27, 2002, 09:48 AM

Paladin, I had the 317. It would bind cases in the cylinder,especially with the hotter rounds. Also, as it would heat up, the cylinder would bind. Called SW and they offered to fix it, but decided to trade instead. I had rented a 94 in .22LR, and it too would bind cases on ejection. I think the 94UL is better value with the adj. sights. My favorite taurus was a 941 3" .22WMR I picked up used for 175.00! It was sweet and the .22mag is a hoot.

labgrade · October 29, 2002, 12:16 AM

I've had very good experiences with 3 different 317s (adj sight model) - all original owners & all kept. Great l'il shooteres all-round &'ve never run across the binding that sox mentioned.

I did have to send mine back to have a rifled barrel put on though - darned thing key-holed without rifling.

**4V50 Gary** · October 29, 2002, 12:26 AM

I bought my 317 too soon. Should have waited until the 3" bbl w/adjustable sights are out. That's what I really wanted. I'll live with my decision.

MilesTeg · October 30, 2002, 09:34 PM

Just sent my 317 back to S&W for the binding cylinder problem.

Kentucky Rifle · October 31, 2002, 09:27 AM

I haven't done anything but hold a 317 in my hand to experience how light it is. Do they have an "ejector star and rod" to remove the spent cases?

KR

whiskey · October 31, 2002, 10:17 AM

I was just wondering why someone would want a UL .22 small frame gun? I know "cause I ain't got one." but I have the steel model 94 and it is a great shooter and not too heavy for anything. What am I missing by not having an ultra light?

IMHO, The 317 is FUGLY. Atleast the model I saw.

labgrade · October 31, 2002, 10:31 AM

317's got an ejector system just like any other S&W DA revolver.

I quit carrying a handgun when rifle hunting several years ago just to save weight. The 317 gives a way lightweight addition for plinkin' grouse, etc. For 12 oz (or so, loaded) I get 8 shots & don't have to carry a couple extra cast bullet .308s to do the trick.

FUGLY is in the eye, whiskey. My 317s look to be brushed SST & just l'il - just a mini K-frame.

M1911 · October 31, 2002, 01:58 PM

I've had no problems with cylinder binding on my 317. I've put 100 rounds of high-velocity .22lr through it on one visit to the range. Like most new revolvers these days, it did come with a lawyer-inspired DA trigger pull. A spring kit and polishing the rebound slide improved that dramatically.

M1911

charleym3 · November 1, 2002, 01:17 AM

Keep those cards and letters coming.
I've been thinking about the same choice. I live in the county so I can shoot in the back yard. My next door neighbot on one side is strongly anti-gun. Well handguns anyway. The .357 and .45 really disturb him, but he doesn't gripe about me shooting a .22.
I really like the revolver because it requires nothing but ammo. No magazines to forget. Since we're talking .22 here, the lighter the better.
The Taurus has a significant price advantage. I've got a stainless 94 4 inch. I'd like a 3 inch for proportions. Getting the weight down under 25 ounces would make me real happy.

biere · November 1, 2002, 01:31 PM

I got a 317 airweight because I got a decent price on it and it fit my wants.

I only have shot it once so far, about 100 rounds or so. But will work on that today.

It is expensive. But I handled the 9 shot taurus and some other 22 revolvers and just did not like them. Either the finish, the trigger, the lock, or something.

The smith has a lock on it, but oh well. I wanted a double action 22lr and the scandium was very interesting. I think I am really going to like the light weight stuff and this lets me play with one and see what I think before getting the 357 versions.

Accuracy is decent but the high viz sight covers a lot of the target and I need to mess with the adjustments on a mini target and see how good this can be.

The trigger sucks, but already my trigger control is better since the scandium moves off target real easy if you don't work the trigger properly.

Overall I wound up deciding between the ruger sp101 in 22lr or this. The ruger has a 4 inch barrel only for new ones right now so the 3 inch and adjustable sight smith won it.

M1911 · November 1, 2002, 04:24 PM

biere:

Any good gunsmith can improve that trigger quite a bit for small dollars.

M1911

biere · November 1, 2002, 09:54 PM

Yeah I know it can be improved, still glad you mentioned it.

The improvement possability is why I did not mind getting it. Everything else is great and the trigger can be worked on.

For now it is making me a better shooter.

October 26, 2002, 11:47 PM	#1
PaladinX13 Senior Member Join Date: September 7, 2000 Posts: 519	S&W 317 Kit (or AirLite) vs. Taurus 94 Ultra-Lite .22 lr Okay so I'm trying to decide between the two, any impressions, testimonials, or comparisons? Of the two (or four, counting Air Lite and regular 94s) models which would you pick? Thanks in advance!

October 29, 2002, 12:26 AM	#4
4V50 Gary Staff Join Date: November 2, 1998 Location: Colorado Posts: 15,424	I bought my 317 too soon. Should have waited until the 3" bbl w/adjustable sights are out. That's what I really wanted. I'll live with my decision. __________________ Vigilantibus et non dormientibus jura subveniunt. *Molon Labe!*

October 31, 2002, 09:27 AM	#6
Kentucky Rifle Senior Member Join Date: July 6, 1999 Location: Louisville, Kentucky Posts: 2,687	Sox & Miles... I haven't done anything but hold a 317 in my hand to experience how light it is. Do they have an "ejector star and rod" to remove the spent cases? KR

October 31, 2002, 10:17 AM	#7
whiskey Senior Member Join Date: January 19, 2000 Location: Clarksville, TN Posts: 431	I was just wondering why someone would want a UL .22 small frame gun? I know "cause I ain't got one." but I have the steel model 94 and it is a great shooter and not too heavy for anything. What am I missing by not having an ultra light? IMHO, The 317 is FUGLY. Atleast the model I saw. __________________ "So he cocked both his pistols, spit in the dirt and walked out in to the street."

November 1, 2002, 01:17 AM	#10
charleym3 Senior Member Join Date: December 14, 2001 Location: Central NC Posts: 531	Keep those cards and letters coming. I've been thinking about the same choice. I live in the county so I can shoot in the back yard. My next door neighbot on one side is strongly anti-gun. Well handguns anyway. The .357 and .45 really disturb him, but he doesn't gripe about me shooting a .22. I really like the revolver because it requires nothing but ammo. No magazines to forget. Since we're talking .22 here, the lighter the better. The Taurus has a significant price advantage. I've got a stainless 94 4 inch. I'd like a 3 inch for proportions. Getting the weight down under 25 ounces would make me real happy. __________________ -When the need is great enough, limitations are meaningless. -Small helpings of experience become wisdom, while large servings become bitterness and despair. -I was once described as self-righteous and patronizing! I pointed out that I am actually arrogant & condescending.

October 27, 2002, 09:48 AM	#2
sox Senior Member Join Date: February 19, 1999 Location: Atlanta Georgia Posts: 591	Paladin, I had the 317. It would bind cases in the cylinder,especially with the hotter rounds. Also, as it would heat up, the cylinder would bind. Called SW and they offered to fix it, but decided to trade instead. I had rented a 94 in .22LR, and it too would bind cases on ejection. I think the 94UL is better value with the adj. sights. My favorite taurus was a 941 3" .22WMR I picked up used for 175.00! It was sweet and the .22mag is a hoot.

October 29, 2002, 12:16 AM	#3
labgrade Member In Memoriam Join Date: November 29, 1999 Location: west of a small town, CO Posts: 4,346	I've had very good experiences with 3 different 317s (adj sight model) - all original owners & all kept. Great l'il shooteres all-round &'ve never run across the binding that sox mentioned. I did have to send mine back to have a rifled barrel put on though - darned thing key-holed without rifling.

October 30, 2002, 09:34 PM	#5
MilesTeg Senior Member Join Date: December 7, 2000 Location: Oregon Posts: 227	Just sent my 317 back to S&W for the binding cylinder problem.

October 31, 2002, 10:31 AM	#8
labgrade Member In Memoriam Join Date: November 29, 1999 Location: west of a small town, CO Posts: 4,346	317's got an ejector system just like any other S&W DA revolver. I quit carrying a handgun when rifle hunting several years ago just to save weight. The 317 gives a way lightweight addition for plinkin' grouse, etc. For 12 oz (or so, loaded) I get 8 shots & don't have to carry a couple extra cast bullet .308s to do the trick. FUGLY is in the eye, whiskey. My 317s look to be brushed SST & just l'il - just a mini K-frame.

October 31, 2002, 01:58 PM	#9
M1911 Senior Member Join Date: March 28, 2000 Posts: 4,062	I've had no problems with cylinder binding on my 317. I've put 100 rounds of high-velocity .22lr through it on one visit to the range. Like most new revolvers these days, it did come with a lawyer-inspired DA trigger pull. A spring kit and polishing the rebound slide improved that dramatically. M1911

November 1, 2002, 01:31 PM	#11
biere Senior Member Join Date: December 15, 2001 Location: tn Posts: 502	I got a 317 airweight because I got a decent price on it and it fit my wants. I only have shot it once so far, about 100 rounds or so. But will work on that today. It is expensive. But I handled the 9 shot taurus and some other 22 revolvers and just did not like them. Either the finish, the trigger, the lock, or something. The smith has a lock on it, but oh well. I wanted a double action 22lr and the scandium was very interesting. I think I am really going to like the light weight stuff and this lets me play with one and see what I think before getting the 357 versions. Accuracy is decent but the high viz sight covers a lot of the target and I need to mess with the adjustments on a mini target and see how good this can be. The trigger sucks, but already my trigger control is better since the scandium moves off target real easy if you don't work the trigger properly. Overall I wound up deciding between the ruger sp101 in 22lr or this. The ruger has a 4 inch barrel only for new ones right now so the 3 inch and adjustable sight smith won it.

November 1, 2002, 04:24 PM	#12
M1911 Senior Member Join Date: March 28, 2000 Posts: 4,062	biere: Any good gunsmith can improve that trigger quite a bit for small dollars. M1911

November 1, 2002, 09:54 PM	#13
biere Senior Member Join Date: December 15, 2001 Location: tn Posts: 502	Yeah I know it can be improved, still glad you mentioned it. The improvement possability is why I did not mind getting it. Everything else is great and the trigger can be worked on. For now it is making me a better shooter.