|
|
09-08-2009, 11:52 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 32
Likes: 3
Liked 6 Times in 4 Posts
|
|
1917 Brazilian
Hi, I have a 1917 Brazilian contract, one of three from my dad's collection, with a barrel bulge behind the front site. the barrel has been taken off the frame. I believe my dad was going to replace the barrel at some point when before he past away. Are there any barrel left, and if not what can I do?
Thanks
|
The Following User Likes This Post:
|
|
09-09-2009, 12:47 AM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: west coast
Posts: 1,486
Likes: 0
Liked 55 Times in 34 Posts
|
|
You have three options:
1. Cut off the bulged part of the barrel, recrown, and reinstall the front sight or a replacement. This will involve some skillful silver soldering. This is the least expensive option.
2. Install a surplus M1917 barrel. They are still occasionally found, but will be pricey. Try the usual surplus gun parts sources: Jack First in Rapid City, SD, Gun Parts Corp (formerly Numrich Arms) in NYC, NY.
3. Install a custom-fitted barrel made from a rifled blank, and fit with sights. You could go for a PPC style gun with full-length heavy barrel and sighting rib with integral front and adjustable rear sights. This will be the most expensive option.
|
09-09-2009, 05:22 AM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: East TN
Posts: 940
Likes: 173
Liked 343 Times in 85 Posts
|
|
option 1 will not only be the least expensive, it will also be the most useful.
|
09-09-2009, 05:38 AM
|
SWCA Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Oklahoma
Posts: 4,896
Likes: 3,295
Liked 4,962 Times in 1,950 Posts
|
|
Option 4:
Sell it to me. just kidding.
I agree, option 1 is what I would do.
bubbajoe45, nice revolver. Wanna sell it to me? I've been wanting a chopped and bobbed 1917/1937
|
09-09-2009, 08:30 AM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Michigan
Posts: 9,289
Likes: 33,744
Liked 10,944 Times in 3,944 Posts
|
|
Having the barrel proffessionally shortened and re-installed is the best option, as all others so far have said. The only question is should you have only the absolute minimum cut off the barrel or should you have it cut to a minimum length? In your shoes, I would have as little as possible removed. That way, the finished product would have a 3.5" to 4.5" barrel, which I would greatly prefer. Other folks will probably tell you 3" or shorter is the way to go. Whatever you decide, you will have a great handgun!
The beauty of this option is that it does not preclude "restoring" the revolver if a proper barrel does fall into your lap, and you have a very useful handgun in the interim.
__________________
They lack our altruism.
|
09-09-2009, 12:58 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 32
Likes: 3
Liked 6 Times in 4 Posts
|
|
Great advise. I will be going with option 1. I like the chopped and bobed. the other two are in great working order. Once I get it done I will post the finished product.
Thanks again!!!
|
09-09-2009, 07:17 PM
|
US Veteran
|
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Texas Panhandle
Posts: 541
Likes: 240
Liked 380 Times in 103 Posts
|
|
I like your decision & bubbajoe's revolver.
I hope you enjoy your dad's revolvers for a long time.
rayb
|
09-09-2009, 09:05 PM
|
SWCA Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Westville Grove, NJ
Posts: 238
Likes: 57
Liked 173 Times in 60 Posts
|
|
Brazilian M1937
Dad's S&W here is my M1937 Brazilian that I had to crop to 3 inches because of barrel damage. Front sight must be brazed on. The smith that did mine with silver solder and the front sight came off after 16 rounds. How I found the front sight on the range is another story.
|
09-09-2009, 10:32 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 32
Likes: 3
Liked 6 Times in 4 Posts
|
|
Thanks guys for the support. I am meeting with a gunsmith (Frank Glenn) in Phoenix tomorrow to start the process.
NavyFrank& BubbaJoe, how well does the pistol shoot with a cropped barrel distance wise?
I will get some pics of my dad's collection soon and post them.
|
09-09-2009, 11:47 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 32
Likes: 3
Liked 6 Times in 4 Posts
|
|
Ok, in looking at the 17 again, I found that I need the plunger spring assembly located on the barrel that helps keep the cylinder closed.
Also I found the cylinder will come out of the frame? Does the missing screw located just below the cylinder have anything to do with it?
Sorry with all the questions, but this is cool!!!
|
09-10-2009, 12:12 AM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: west coast
Posts: 1,486
Likes: 0
Liked 55 Times in 34 Posts
|
|
Yes, the missing screw on the right side below the cylinder is what retains the crane.
A shortened barrel is mechanically as accurate as a full-length barrel. It is (or can be) more challenging to the shooter to hit well.
The missing extractor rod and spring are readily replaced. Keep in mind that the older S&W extractor rods are right-hand threaded.
|
09-10-2009, 12:23 AM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: East TN
Posts: 940
Likes: 173
Liked 343 Times in 85 Posts
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by jack the toad
Option 4:
Sell it to me. just kidding.
I agree, option 1 is what I would do.
bubbajoe45, nice revolver. Wanna sell it to me? I've been wanting a chopped and bobbed 1917/1937
|
Sorry, I should've mentioned this - it is cowtowncop's gun (old thread). I just copied a picture of it because I was in the same boat. Mine is at a gunsmiths shop being built currently. Same deal as yours and Navy Frank's - had barrel damage. I went with 3 1/2" and the semi-bobbed hammer. Should be finished by October; I'll post pics.
|
09-10-2009, 03:04 AM
|
SWCA Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Westville Grove, NJ
Posts: 238
Likes: 57
Liked 173 Times in 60 Posts
|
|
Chopped Brazilian
Mine shoots as good as a 5 1/2 inch barrel. I had the front sight made a little higher than the norm to cover center of mass at 15 yards or closer for a quick shot. I have no problem working the plate rack at 25 yards with it. I understand the famous lawman "Bat" Masterson had his SAA sighted the same way at the Colt factory. It's a shame Colt or S&W doesn't do that kind of work any more. Frank Jr.
|
09-10-2009, 01:45 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Michigan
Posts: 9,289
Likes: 33,744
Liked 10,944 Times in 3,944 Posts
|
|
Nice picture, NavyFrank.
I wondered how short the barrel could be cut without interfering with or needing to modify the barrel lug / extractor rod. I was too lazy to get my Brazilian out of the safe to measure.
Now I know the answer is about 3".
__________________
They lack our altruism.
|
09-11-2009, 06:11 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 32
Likes: 3
Liked 6 Times in 4 Posts
|
|
update
The smith said that the barrel was not from revlover, so he needed to machine the shoulder a little. also when he checked the timing, he notice the cylinder would hang up when cocking the hammer back. He is going take it a part and look a the "hand". Not sure what that means. Should have it back next week.
|
09-12-2009, 11:57 AM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Michigan
Posts: 9,289
Likes: 33,744
Liked 10,944 Times in 3,944 Posts
|
|
The hand is the part of the internal mechanism responsible for rotating the cylinder. Sometimes, a good cleaning is all that is required to get the internals working smoothly again. Old grease may have hardened inside, or there may be some accumulated crud messing things up in there.
Many Brazilians saw hard use and precious little maintenance, so it's possible that the gunsmith will find corrosion or other damage inside.
I am amazed you could find a gunsmith who can turn this around in a week! Please post pictures of the finished product!
__________________
They lack our altruism.
|
09-12-2009, 09:48 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 32
Likes: 3
Liked 6 Times in 4 Posts
|
|
1917
I will post pics as soon as I get it back.
Navyfrank, what model hogue grips do you have on your 1917? they look comfortable.
|
09-15-2009, 10:43 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
Liked 4 Times in 1 Post
|
|
I have a 1917 that has no finish left,but is in excellent condition other than that.The old guy that had it for the past seven or eight decades had passed away,and his relatives found ''dad's old service revolver'' out in the garage,wrapped in an oily or kerosene soaked rag.Whatever it was took off the finish,leaving a dull grey patina.this has a four digit even serial number,and is collectible,so no refinishing or bobbing for me,but what you've got is actually sort of liberating.You can take yours wherever you want to go with it.Grips,sights,finish....whatever!
|
09-15-2009, 10:58 PM
|
SWCA Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Westville Grove, NJ
Posts: 238
Likes: 57
Liked 173 Times in 60 Posts
|
|
M1937 Brazilian
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dad's S&W
I will post pics as soon as I get it back.
Navyfrank, what model hogue grips do you have on your 1917? they look comfortable.
|
They are Hogue Monogrips for squarebutt N frame S&W's.
|
09-21-2009, 05:47 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 32
Likes: 3
Liked 6 Times in 4 Posts
|
|
Range report
Well, I got the 17 back on friday. The Smith did not cut down the barrel like I thought he was going to. He said to shoot in like it is and if the accuracy was bad we would cut the barrel down. I took it out today and the acurracy was great!! small groups at 3 yds, pie plate and 15. So the barrel seems fine with the small bulge in it.
But we have another issue, the time is off, when I shoot the pistol in DA I start to get little shaving. My hands were getting gritty. I was warned by the smith that the hand was worn. So before I took it out, I cleaned the hand and the area around it as best I could (thanks Jackflash).
But other than that I had a great time!
Any sugestions to fix the hand?
Will post pics tonight.
|
09-21-2009, 10:24 PM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 32
Likes: 3
Liked 6 Times in 4 Posts
|
|
pics of 1917
here are some pics as promised
|
09-23-2009, 01:08 AM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: East TN
Posts: 940
Likes: 173
Liked 343 Times in 85 Posts
|
|
Nice Revolver! The finish is in good shape. I'd whatever you can to get it working properly. Either way, enjoy it!
|
09-23-2009, 09:26 PM
|
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Michigan
Posts: 9,289
Likes: 33,744
Liked 10,944 Times in 3,944 Posts
|
|
Thanks for posting the pictures. The bulge is hardly noticable. Mike Venturino once commented that whenever he encountered a revolver with a bulged barrel, he would test it for accuracy before making any changes. Often, bulged barrel and all, the revolver would be just as accurate as any other. Or so said Mike at any rate.
Before replacing the hand, I would continue to clean and lube the revolver and dry-fire it double action a lot. (Get some snap caps if you think you might damage the firing pin.) It may work out the crud and begin to function better. Even if the gunsmith took off the sideplate and did a thorough cleaning, dry firing still may do some good.
{Anyone else getting the ads at the bottom of the page about picking up a "Brazilian" of a different sort?}
__________________
They lack our altruism.
Last edited by Jack Flash; 09-23-2009 at 09:30 PM.
|
09-25-2009, 12:22 AM
|
Member
|
|
|
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 32
Likes: 3
Liked 6 Times in 4 Posts
|
|
Thanks Jack Flash I will continue to work the action by dry firing. I have a few dummy rounds I can use. Will keep you posted.
And no I have not seen any ads for picking up a brazilian of a diffrent sort.
|
12-08-2013, 01:39 PM
|
US Veteran
|
|
|
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Washington State
Posts: 53
Likes: 11
Liked 21 Times in 10 Posts
|
|
If you are unfamiliar with the disassembly of a S&W revolver to clean it properly you can always dunk it in a bucket of "Ed's red" for a few hours. (remove the grips first)
|
|
Thread Tools |
|
Display Modes |
Linear Mode
|
Posting Rules
|
|
|
|
Similar Threads
|
Thread |
Thread Starter |
Forum |
Replies |
Last Post |
Another 1917 Brazilian
|
smokin54 |
S&W Hand Ejectors: 1896 to 1961 |
0 |
03-22-2010 10:27 PM |
1917 Brazilian
|
freightdog |
S&W Hand Ejectors: 1896 to 1961 |
2 |
09-12-2009 05:00 PM |
1917 Brazilian
|
m-1911 |
S&W Hand Ejectors: 1896 to 1961 |
5 |
06-16-2009 07:57 PM |
Brazilian 1917.
|
mulehide9 |
S&W Hand Ejectors: 1896 to 1961 |
5 |
10-04-2008 03:25 AM |
Brazilian 1917
|
AkRay |
S&W Hand Ejectors: 1896 to 1961 |
4 |
05-14-2008 08:03 AM |
|