Have recently found a 1917 Brazil and plan to make a "belly gun". How is the front sight attached? Is it machined or a seperate piece that is silver solder to barrel? Are modern loads safe for this gun?

A 1917 "Brazilian" model front sight in integral, one piece with the barrel.

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H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

If you feel the need of a front sight on a 1917 belly gun, you will have to solder one onto the shortened barrel.

These are safe for modern ammo, but you hear it said that the shallow rifling means you should stick to lead bullets and forgo the jacketed stuff. I wouldn't use +P ammo with either type of bullet, but that's just me. Others will tell you it is safe to do so.

If you are going to make a belly gun, why not remove and save the current barrel unless it is bulged or damaged? Buy a replacement 1917 barrel from a salvage gun and play with that piece. Then you will have both a belly gun and the ability to restore an original Brazilian, a model that used to be cheap but which is getting pricier by the month.

In any event, don't cut the barrel so short that you lose the front locking lug for the ejector rod.

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David Wilson

Don't cut it up....Not that many are left but it's your decision..I'd say, restore it, if at all possible.....Just my 2 cents....TIN..

I think I will keep the old dog the way it is. May add some Grashorn stags. What do you guys think about that? It seems to shoot 230 gr. lead to POA.

I'm a bit surprised at DCWilson's admonition to stay away from jacketed bullets because of the shallow rifling. Weren't these designed to use Cartridge, Ball, Caliber .45, M1911 with its 230 gr. FMJ ?

Jacketed bullets work better than lead does with shallow rifling.

I am surprised at my admonition too. I have no idea what I was thinking. The fact is I have shot jacketed ammo out of 1917s with good results.

Momentary lapse of reason, I guess. Sorry.

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David Wilson