Don’t give up if a replacement firing pin is unavailable from your catalog suppliers. Instead, use these tips to solve the problem.

Here are all the items tested in Gun Tests magazine from 2011 back through 1999.

The group Media Matters for America hates NRA. Few organizations have more strongly proclaimed their disdain for our right to keep and bear arms and self-protection, says the NRA-ILA.

Lethal Force Institute’s Massad Ayoob gives a lesson on what to do if you are stopped with firearms in your vehicle. These essential tips will teach you how to safely interact with police when carrying a firearm while driving. (3:47).

S&W M317 Air Lite No. 160222 22 LR

Gun Tests Grade: B. We liked this gun’s fit and finish, accuracy, single-action trigger, and light carry weight. But the heavy double-action pull was too stiff for some of our femaie shooters, and the hammer spur was sharp enough to gouge the thumb.

As the cost of centerfire ammunition continues to ascend, many gun owners will turn to the standby 22 LR round as a way to shoot economically, whether those pursuits include knocking over cans, punching holes in paper, or killing the occasional rodent. Of the many available guns chambered for the rimfire round, perhaps the easiest to load and shoot and enjoy is the revolver.

Gun Tests recently tested a trio of wheelguns chambered for the 22 round, and versions of two of them had previously been tested and graded for their utility. For example, in October 2007, the magazine shot the Taurus Model 94SS4, $406. That stainless-steel gun with a 4-inch barrel got a B-, mainly because it was too heavy to be considered as a trail gun. They also said back then, "But the Taurus is a great deal less costly, so if you don’t mind its weight and if you can do without extreme accuracy, it might be right for you. It looked great, performed quite well, and was easier to load and unload."

They were more enthusiastic about a Taurus Model 94B2UL Ultra-Lite Nine, $375, reviewed in March 2006. They said of that gun, rated a “Best Buy”: "…All in all, the Taurus doesn’t need a lot to make it into one of the finest 22 revolvers we’ve seen. As we found it, it worked well, and the price was modest."

In that same issue, there were two Smith & Wessons reviewed. The 4-inch S&W Model 317-2 HIVIZ No. 160221, $691, earned a Conditional Buy because "…We liked this gun in every respect but for its ‘trick’ sights. We’d throw them as far as we could, as fast as we could, if we owned this gun, and put on a black or red front post and a square-notch rear as fast as you can say ‘HIVIZ.’" Next, the S&W Model 317-2 Air Lite No. 160222, $633, received a Don’t Buy rating, with our staff saying, "There was nothing whatsoever wrong with this gun, and some readers might have a desperate need for it, and they’ll buy it no matter what we say. …We would not buy this gun as long as its adjustable-sighted brother [the HIVIZ unit] was available, unless we had a great need for the smallest, lightest 22 revolver for some special close-range purpose."

With that background in mind, Gun Tests acquired the previously Don’t Buy–rated S&W Model 317-2 Air Lite No. 160222 at Fountain Firearms in Houston (www.FountainFirearms.com) for a retest.

How They Tested

The testers took the test guns to American Shooting Centers in Houston along with an Oehler 35P chronograph, plenty of Caldwell Orange Peel 8-inch Bullseye Targets, and several thousand rounds of 22 ammo from four companies. The test rounds included Remington Golden Bullet 36-gr. roundnose hollowpoints, CCI Green Tag 40-gr. solid-lead roundnoses, Federal Champion #510 40-gr. solid-lead roundnose bullets, Remington Thunderbolt 40-grain lead roundnose No. TB-22A ammo, and Wolf Match Extra 40-grain lead roundnose fodder.

The test team included two men and two women, and at the urging of the women, they shot both accuracy and timed sessions, the latter into a silhouette target. Reason: The women argued that these pistols are legitimate self-defense guns for some people—notably other women—who don’t want to carry a centerfire gun. They pointed out that any gun, even a rimfire, is better than no gun, and that as self-defense choices, rimfires were much easier to train with and carry, and they were more affordable. This lead to an interesting set of evaluation points that considered weight and capacity as important factors.

Both the bullseye session and the silhouette portion were shot at 10 yards. During the accuracy session they fired five-shot groups from a sandbag rest set on a wooden shooting bench. The Orange Peel targets showed bullet impacts instantly, so they had immediate feedback from the shot call to hit location. The accuracy testing took place on a bright, cloudless 80-degree day with variable winds coming mostly from 4 to 6 o’clock.

On a separate day, the timed session had shooters

The center of impact was high. There's no easy way to fix that because the sight blade was integral with the barrel shroud.

Each shooter fired five strings of four shots, or 20 shots, for a total of 80 rounds per gun. They counted any hit in the 8, 9, or 10 rings as a good shot in the silhouette’s body, and any hit in the head as a good shot. They learned that this sequence highlighted flaws in the trigger and sights that weren’t seen in the accuracy portion.

Nothing of note had changed on the S&W Model 317-2 Air Lite No. 160222 over the previous two years. It held eight shots, including short black-rubber Uncle Mike’s Boot Grips, and had very little steel, making it light. It used a bobbed hammer that allowed the shooter to cock it for single-action shooting, and Smith’s smooth Clear Coat finish covered the exterior.

Smith achieves some of the weight savings by cutting deep cylinder flutes, shaving channels into the rear strap and bottom of the trigger guard, and using a stainless steel barrel liner inside an alloy barrel shroud. The cylinder, frame, crane, and barrel shroud were aluminum alloy. The closed gun was tight, due to lockup where the ejector rod fits into the barrel lug at its extreme forward tip and via a central locking pin at the back of the cylinder.

The sights were a serrated, sloped-ramp front post and a square notch cut into the top rear of the frame. These sights gave a good sight picture as long as they were strongly lit from above. In dim light, it was hard to separate them. And, of course, they weren’t adjustable.

As previously noted, the DA pull was too heavy. Some women, who might be the prime customers for this gun as a purse-or-pant carry of last resort, may not be able to squeeze a round off with one hand. For them, this gun would have to be re-sprung.

This gun shot good grips with Remington and Federal ammo. The center of impact was slightly high, and there’s no easy way to fix that because the sight blade was integral with the barrel shroud. In rapid-fire double-action shooting, the shooters who could work the DA trigger scored 100% hits in the silhouette body and 75% hits in the head area of the target. The misses were high because the front sight was hard to see when it was level, and the testers unconsciously tended to raise the muzzle to see more of the top of the gun. The testers also noticed that the trigger tended to pinch the trigger finger pad at the back of the guard when they shot the gun double action.

The testers found that the gun worked perfectly and had decent accuracy. It was well made and had a great SA trigger pull, even if the spur made cocking the gun painful after a while. The DA pull was too heavy. It could be carried anywhere, and would fit nicely in a pocket. At 10 yards, it had reasonable accuracy and shot a little high, which was preferable to a too-low point of impact. The magazine concluded that if the gun had had an adjustable sight or laser grips, it would have been hard to be beat. The magazine rated it a solid “B” gun.

Reader Comments

I love my 3 inch 317 I think the high viz sights are great. A new study at www.buckeyefirearms.org shows 22 handguns have been effective as self defense guns. I love my 317 even more.

Comment by: olafhardtB | August 11, 2011

I don't know why, but I seem to shoot at least as well with fixed sights, as target sights. I seem able to adjust better to targets at varying distances. Maybe fixed sights are one less item to fiddle wit. If the above target was on a T-shirt, we would have one less criminal, in spite of the gun shooting a tad high.

Comment by: Mister E | August 11, 2011

My 317-1 with target sights is a great pistol. Shoots to point of aim out to about 25-30 ft. I don't try to shoot it at greater distances, as I carry it mostly for varmits & snakes, make head shots w/ CCI MiniMag & Federal bulk 36 gr LRHP. Load bird shot for snakes in wife's flower pots on patio. Shoot SA for the close in shots. We live in the country. My 6 in. 617, SS w/ 10 rnd cyl is also great. Seem to be able to hit better shooting DA with it. Prefer its trigger to that of the 317 as I seem to have identified the let off point. Long time subscriber, first time commenter. Keep up the good work.

Comment by: BILL B | August 11, 2011

Wonder what the price might be?

Comment by: Cecil S | August 11, 2011

I picked up a 9 shot High Standard Senetinal with a 2" barrel and fixed sites, Nothing to look at (chrome coming off on one side). It is large but very lite, At 25 feet I had 7 of the 9 in a 2" group centered. I have been wearing it when I'm on the tractor. Just thought I would throw that out there, You cant always judge a gun by it's name.

Comment by: MW3273 | August 11, 2011

While I think high capacity snub revolvers are great little guns to have around, S&W models always seem to be a bit on the pricey side. I have several little rimfire snubs that do very nicely as trail guns and as practice guns for their big brothers in .38 Spl and .357 Mag. I'd guess the first one I got, years ago, was a H&R model 929. It still has a place in my carry around tool box. The High Standard Sentinel and the Hombre have also been good little plinkers, but the ones that I use the most are the Taurus UltraLights in .22LR and .22 Mag. If you put some Hogue grips on them they make nice little packing pieces, and they also provide lots of practice without burning up center fire ammo in the process. I have no problem with the S&W models, as I have several center fire S&W products, both revolvers and auto-pistols. I just can't think of a reason to pay as much as S&W wants for these little .22s

Comment by: canovack | August 11, 2011

I have been trying to find a taurus or high standard 22 mag for couple years now, because they make a nice little trail gun when I am fishing alon the rivers where there is lots of brush and some times step downs where them rattle gritters like to hide and not rattle till last minute, and my hand can get out a small gun fast than I can jump out of striking disstance. But can't find one here in Commiefornia, Rebublic of, for some reason. God Bless America and Our Troops Past Present and Future.

Keeping to My Oath Locked Loaded and Keeping My Powder Dry. Get the US Out of the UN and the UN Out of the US

Comment by: bear1 | August 11, 2011

Retired Gunsmith, try to keep up with new info appreciate your desire to tell the Truth reguardless of who gets PO'ed. Larry

Comment by: lmandrell | August 11, 2011

Hey bear1, old friend, I usually am able to find a couple of High Standards at each gun show I attend. Same is true of the Taurus M94 .22LR and M941 .22Mag. The nice thing about them is that they usually don't go for more than $250.00 for the Taurus and maybe a little less for the High Standards.....depending on their condition. You do have gun shows in the PRC, don't you?

Comment by: canovack | August 11, 2011

I saw the S&W for $575. I need another gun like I need another Obama in the white house.

Comment by: Cecil S | August 11, 2011

Yeah, but Cecil, that's the whole issue with us. We just like to keep on buying guns to add to our collections. So forget about what you need, my friend, and focus on what you want.

Comment by: canovack | August 11, 2011

Yep we got gun shows here in cro,col but the problrm is the distance to wher they are all in big cities and then most sellers are extremly high on price and then you got the problem of have ffl or getting delivered to ffl holder and then you got the unscrewbled bunch, so you may pay for a gun with promise it will be sent to ffl holder to be held for ten day waiting period, but it never gets there and the person skips the area with your bucks and you have no gun and the law won't hunt the bastards down.

Comment by: bear1 | August 11, 2011

Bear. We don't have those problems in Texas cause we will hunt you down and cut off your balls. LOL

You are right Colonel. At our age, we should focus on what we want but I spent about $3000 on having dental work done on 3 of my dogs this year, then I bought a Henry .44, so I need to slow down.

Hot again here today. Come on October. Of course, once it arrives, I will be a year closer to the grim reaper. LOL.

Comment by: Cecil S | August 11, 2011

Bear1, let me make sure I understand what you are saying..... You mean that if you buy a firearm at a gun show in PRC, you can't take it out the door? You have a 10 day wait to actually possess? You have to have the piece sent to a local FFL dealer before you can own it? My God, man..... You gotta get the hell outta there!

Well, Cecil..... I can see where you might have a bit of a problem prioritizing your expenditures. A couple of years ago, I sunk around $4,000 into my own mouth for gold crowns, but I'd really have to think hard about putting that into my dog's mouth. I'd likely just have all her teeth pulled and feed her on soft food.....:-)

Comment by: canovack | August 12, 2011

Why do you think that when you look up guns for sale on the computer, you see all over the place, california need not bother, can't do bussiness in california, will not ship to calif. or words to that affect. As far as I know long guns are different but not sure, because when buying from a gun store all guns have a 10 day waiting period, and have to show proof of home address, no PO Boxes. Inother words a Gas or electic bill with street address with your name on it or vehicle regerstation with street adress on it. And they are trying to make it even harder again by trying to get where we can't buy ammo over the internet, etc. even though it was found unconstitutional, plus they want to tax the hell out of any internet sales of any kind. Then they wander why everyone, businesses and tax payers are trying to get the HELL out of here, or thirteen counties secede and become the 51st state. I say either that or become part of AZ. God Bless America and Our Troops Past Present and Future. Keeping to My Oath Locked Loaded and Keeping My Powder Dry. Get the US Out of the UN and the UN Out of the US

Comment by: bear1 | August 12, 2011

Yes, bear1, I have noticed the warnings online and in catalogs that basically say....."California is off-limits". I am sorry that you must live under such draconian conditions. I know that it is easy for me, and others to simply pass it off as an unfortunate happenstance, but I know that for you, my friend, it is the cost of having residence in such a liberty deprived jurisdiction. California has many lovely places to visit, with mountains, rivers, and beaches, but for me the true beauty lies not only in what nature provides, but how government treats and trusts the people who reside there.

Comment by: canovack | August 12, 2011

I have spent a considerable amount of time in Ca. when I was going to sea. I think the MAJOR problem is that the people who live in the Bay Area have way too much influence on what happens in the state. And of course, we know that no one gets killed in the Bay Area.

Colonel. Please don't think I am totally nuts. The money was spent on 4 dogs. They went in for teeth cleaning, which is not cheap, then after the vet had them under, had to remove several teeth from each one. I know I am nuts but they are my babies and I am responsible for them.

Comment by: Cecil S | August 12, 2011

Cecil, I understand more than you might imagine as concerns what we do for our dogs. Fortunately for my Texas Rose and me, our one little Boston Terrier is in great health, having just passed the ten year mark. I also agree that California suffers the same inequities as does Illinois. Like Chicago has screwed up everything in the Land of Lincoln, so also have San Francisco, Los Angeles, and San Diego destroyed the Golden State.

Comment by: canovack | August 12, 2011

My Vet tells me that some breeds of dogs build more tatar than others, hence the teeth pulling.

It is a shame about Ca. though. One of the nicest places I have visited was Coronado. I was doing a Counter-Isurgency ACDUTRA there back in 74 and the weather was just great. San Diego is about the only naval facility we have left in Ca. Long Beach closed and leased to the Chinese, Mare Island is closed, Alameda is closed, Hunters Point is a nuclear paint chip despository, hence closed. The world is going to hell.

Comment by: Cecil S | August 12, 2011

My oldest son lived in San Marcos for several years, so my wife and I had made a few trips out there. I agree that California is a pleasant setting, but it's government really sucks. About four years ago, that son who lived in San Marcos, got fed up with the whole mess. He divorced his wife and left California, and he now lives in Austin. He says that there are a lot of people who left California living in Austin. I'd guess that's why Austin has become such a left-wing shit hole.

Comment by: canovack | August 13, 2011

Yeah, I think a lot of the computer types move to Austin. You would think that they are smart enough to not want a repeat of what happened to Ca.

But you can rest easy Colonel. Perry just announced his run for the white house. LOL

Comment by: Cecil S | August 13, 2011

Well if this old grizzly bear ever moves to Texas, you can bet that we aren't one of the liberal, tree huging, greenie inviroementalist,global warming, put every gritter on the indangered list, types. But instead you would get a independant, consevitive, that is a conservationalist, I conserve, by hunting and fishing, and beleaving in Our Constitution, and our freedoms.

Comment by: bear1 | August 13, 2011

Yeah.....I've been waiting for Perry to declare his candidacy. While he may have some problem areas with which to deal, I feel like he offers us a fresh set of credentials. If he plays it right, and he doesn't chicken out the way John McCain did, we may have a better than decent chance of unseating the current occupant of the Oval Office. Perry should be able to shake up this whole crop of doldrums Republicans that we are currently seeing on the debates and in the Iowa Straw Poll. I do think that Michele Bachmann could be a strong contender, but I like the idea of a Perry-Bachmann ticket.

Comment by: canovack | August 13, 2011

I don't like any of them, including Obama but what else do the parties throw up (literally). I don't know the answer but then neither do any of them.

Comment by: Cecil S | August 13, 2011

Well, Cecil, my friend, as I was noted to say in this forum back in 2008..... We may not like the offerings, but the two parties are going to be the only games in town for the foreseeable future. So, since we, in this forum, are pretty unanimous in our disdain for Obama, we'd best get used to the idea of voting for whomsoever might turn out to be his opponent.

Comment by: canovack | August 13, 2011

And.....by-the-way, abstention from voting is not an option. Anybody who chooses to abstain out of displeasure with whoever Obama's opponent might be will be essentially voting for Obama.....

Comment by: canovack | August 13, 2011

Yeah Colonel, I know you are correct. We will never have a viable 3rd party in America so we are stuck with the duds they keep shoving down our throats. I always vote and you may rest assured that Obama will once again not get my vote. Just a shame that we can't get the best and brightest.

Comment by: Cecil S | August 13, 2011

I sometimes think that the profession of politics and the quality of being the best and brightest are mutually exclusive entities. There are many examples of the best and brightest having been successful and rising to the pinnacle of their chosen arena of endeavor. On the other hand, though, the political arena often appears to attract narcissists, cheats, crooks, and other odd sorts of miscreants. I know there are some decent, well-meaning politicians out there, but it just seems that they are not very abundant.

Comment by: canovack | August 14, 2011

I have often said that people that choose to be politicians are people that don't really want to do an honest day's work. After all, they just talk and talk and beg money. And your choice of words in describing these people is much classier than the terms I use. Of course, 30 years and sea and 10 years in the PD might have something to do with it.

Hope you aren't out cutting the grass today. It is miserable here and it is only noon. Come on winter.

Respectfully,

Cecil

Comment by: Cecil S | August 14, 2011

Well, Cecil, I'm sorry to disappoint, but YES; I did cut the back lawn.....or what's left of it today. I plan to attack the front lawn tomorrow. I have much more invested in the front than the back. I try to keep the front green, so I have some pretty hefty water bills. I figure the back can do whatever it's going to do.....I drench the soil around the trees so they don't stress, but the back yard is basically gone. That's OK with me, though, because my wife has several (like two dozen) large planters of various rose bushes spotted all over the back yard, and it can be a real pain in the ass to mow around all of them. I love her, so I put up with the plants.....just as she loves me and puts up with all of the guns.

Comment by: canovack | August 14, 2011

Can any of you help me with the current address for Phoenix Arms? They have moved from Ontario CA (I don't blame them a bit)but I need to contact them. Tx for any help. Old Patriot..

Comment by: James B | August 17, 2011

Phoenix Arms is still in Ontario, Ca, at at lease they answer the phone at 909-937-6900. Good luck.

Comment by: Cecil S | August 17, 2011