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S&W 317 Airlite Ti

vega75vega75 Member Posts: 132 ✭✭
edited March 2013 in Ask the Experts
Can't seem to find any info on this .22 pistol. Not in Standard catalog of S&W, not in any of the price guides either. I think they were only made a year or 2 around 1999 but can't find out for sure. Would also like to know what it is worth. Gun is 99%, serial # LGT49xx, factory rubber grips, titanium cylinder, grey finish. deep groove on bottom of trigger guard and on back of grip to save even more weight. 8 shot, black trigger and hammer. Any info would be greatly appreciated! Thanks! Harry

Comments

  • charliemeyer007charliemeyer007 Member Posts: 6,572 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    http://www.gundigest.com/gun-collecting-firearm-collecting/gun-review-sw-317-airlite

    Seems like a rare unit in Ti. Perhaps S&W could help you out with info.
  • dcs shootersdcs shooters Member Posts: 10,870 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I got the first one that came around. It was a good shooter. Just got very dirty from the ammo [xx(] Was hard to clean.
    Never seen or heard of a TI. As light as they are I don't see the need to add titanium to it.
  • Laredo LeftyLaredo Lefty Member Posts: 13,451 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Are these what your referring to?

    I bought this consecutively numbered pair back in the mid 90's. They are so light, you could almost wear one around your neck on a cord.

    [img][/img]50cal-smiths-randall-M60006.jpg
  • JudgeColtJudgeColt Member Posts: 1,790 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    The Model 317 is one of my favorites, and I have one I bought new in 1997.

    There would be no reason to use titanium on a rimfire, since the strength of titanium is not needed. Titanium is also heavier than aluminum, so that is another reason, along with cost, why it would not have been used on the Model 317, which was intended to be as light as possible (hence the reason for the hollowed-out back on the trigger, trigger guard and butt frame.)

    Titanium has never been used on the Model 317. The linked article is in error in that regard. Smith & Wesson puts a "Ti" symbol on its models with titanium cylinders, and the Model 317 does not have such a symbol.

    What the original poster assumes is a titanium cylinder is an anodized aluminum alloy cylinder. Other than the two extra shots, the idea of an alloy cylinder on a .22 Kit Gun is not new, having been introduced in 1955 on the Model of 1955 .22/.32 Airweight Kit Gun ("Pre-Model 43").
  • rufe-snowrufe-snow Member Posts: 18,650 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Did a bunch of digging, could only find one reference. In "Pistols of the World", by Hogg & Walter. They note a Model 317,(Airlite Ti), with a Titanium Cylinder. They give date(s) of original manufacturer as being 1997/98. As the standard 317 went into production prior to these dates, it's definitely a distinctly different variation. Other then that NADA. I would contact S & W customer service directly, to get it from the horses mouth, so to speak.

    EDIT #1, If S & W can't help with verification and production figures, likely it's not common and was only made for a short period of time.

    If you still have the original factory box it came in, there will be a 4 digit number on it giving actual year and julian date of manufacture.

    Potentially it might have substantial value to a S & W collector? Earlier low production .22 revolvers, like the Models 35 & 45 are really big buck collectors items nowadays. Your Ti might fall into the same category?
  • vega75vega75 Member Posts: 132 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    I did contact S&W and they told me to put question on S&W forum, which I did and also put on this forum. My 317 says on side of gun Airlite Ti so, please don't tell me that they did not make one! Hope someone out there knows about this revolver. Thanks again, I usually get good results from this site! Harry
  • nmyersnmyers Member Posts: 16,891 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Well, it looks like we may disappoint you this time.

    But, had you posted a photo of your gun initially, that would have made this easier for us, because we would have known that it was marked "Ti". Even at this point, it would be helpful; unlike the light gray color of Lefty's guns, a titanium cylinder will be dark gray.

    It would also be interesting if you could post the weight of your gun, so that we can compare it to the 9.9 oz of the standard 317.

    Neal
  • JudgeColtJudgeColt Member Posts: 1,790 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    The "Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson" (Third Edition) does not mention a Model 317 with a titanium cylinder. Smith & Wesson catalogs from that era do not mention a titanium cylinder.

    Please post pictures of the subject Model 317, and of the box end label. I am very anxious to see a picture of this gun, since it seems so illogical to build a .22 rimfire with a titanium cylinder when the strength is not needed, and such a cylinder would add weight and cost.

    One possible explanation would be a mis-marked frame. Mis-marked Smiths & Wesson guns are fairly common. There is a mis-marked Model 617 (I think it is) that has been up on the auction side for ages with no one interested in paying the premium the owner attaches to the mistake.

    As Mr. Myers says, a true titanium cylinder on a Smith & Wesson is dark gray in color. The pictures we hope you will post should reveal the color of the cylinder.

    As far as the weight, that should be weighed on a good digital scale without the stocks on the gun, since they can vary in weight. I have always taken the 9.9 ounce weight to be a nominal figure, perhaps fudged to get the advertised weight under 10 ounces.

    I look forward to seeing this Model 317 with the Ti markings. No matter what the photos show, a factory letter is warranted. I urge you to get one.
  • mango tangomango tango Member Posts: 3,833 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    I saw one sell a while ago for $600, i think that one was a 22 magnum!

    I have the 337 Ti, that's in 38 spl +P, great gun to shoot, even with the +P's! Weighs in at a whopping 10.8oz, and 12.5oz loaded with 5 rounds of Blazer aluminum shell 38 +P's 125gr!
  • vega75vega75 Member Posts: 132 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    I tried to post photo but was unsucessful. I can send pic to anyone who would like to see it via email thru GunBroker. I guess you have to contact me thru my listings on GB. The photo shows the atomic symbol and just below that the Airlite Ti. It weighs 9.1 oz without the grips. The cylinder is the same color as the rest of the gun, not dark grey like the centerfires. Is it any wonder I am confused? Thanks! Harry
  • rufe-snowrufe-snow Member Posts: 18,650 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by vega75
    I tried to post photo but was unsucessful. I can send pic to anyone who would like to see it via email thru GunBroker. I guess you have to contact me thru my listings on GB. The photo shows the atomic symbol and just below that the Airlite Ti. It weighs 9.1 oz without the grips. The cylinder is the same color as the rest of the gun, not dark grey like the centerfires. Is it any wonder I am confused? Thanks! Harry



    Doesn't seem correct to me. As Neal noted Titanium is different, color wise from aluminum. If your cylinder is the same color as the frame, doubtful that it is Titanium. No mater the markings.
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