Hello all,
I have a 1917 s/n 884xx, the exterior is in good shape but the bore is what I would call rough. all matching s/n and shoots ok, slightly to right of aim but that might be my soft reloads.
My question is would it detract from any value if I clean up the forcing cone with an 11 degree cutter, the plug gauge says there is plenty of material.

Attached Images

	1917.jpg (49.5 KB, 147 views)
	fc1.jpg (84.6 KB, 181 views)

Welcome to the forums from the Wiregrass! S&W didn't implement forcing cones until 1922. If you want to keep your revolver as original as possible for any collector value, don't chamfer the barrel end. Will it detract substantially from present value if you do cut it?...probably not. It is a good looking gun but not something that an avid collector is going to break an arm getting the wallet out to buy, either. Most folks probably won't notice any mods to the barrel end or will discount them as immaterial, IMO. Besides, I would think the crown has more influence on trajectory than the forcing cone. It might behoove you to clean that up as well.

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Guy
SWHF #474 SWCA LM#2629

You can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear. These were never intended to be used as target guns, and if the sight was not bad enough, the 45 ACP ammo only make things worse. Personally, I guess that unless the gun was unfired, I would not even look at the forcing cone. There are probably only a handful of people who know that these revolvers were not manufactured with one.

Usually, if I am shooting only slightly right with these service revolvers, that is plenty good enough for me. Let's see, the handgun correction chart says "Too much trigger finger"???, but I use a different chart that works just as well for me!!!

Attached Images

better-correction-chart.jpg (55.4 KB, 71 views)

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Gary
SWCA 2515

That gun looks pretty shiny for 100+ years old and a bore in that condition... has it been refinished? If the gun has been refinished I don’t think cutting the forcing cone will effect the value much. If the gun is in original condition I’d leave it as is. Either way I doubt it’ll make much of a difference accuracy wise and it’s never going to a match grade gun.

Can't hurt, might help. I would cut the forcing cone and maybe the muzzle crown, too. The ends of the barrel are the most common problem areas.

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protocalldesign.com

Why wouldn’t this “...be a target gun...”? Just because it doesnt have adjustable sight? Most of my shooters have fixed sights and they still make hits out to 100+ yards. Close in, they chew up a 10 ring when I paper them.

Kevin

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Unshared knowledge is wasted.

I'll get some better pics and post them so the Pros can tell if its refinished. the pin heads are still round so I assumed it was not refinished.

thanks

Well, the bore looks all pitted, the cylinder throats are probably oversized, along with the less than ideal sights make it a poor contender for a target grade gun. I’ve shot handguns out to 100 yards many times and a 1917 would not be one of my first choices.

I’ve had S&W 1917’s and none of them were great shooters. I still own a 1937 Brazilian, a Colt 1917 and other 45 ACP revolvers, all better shooters than the S&W 1917’s were.

I'm a shooter not a collector. I would not hesitate to touch up the forcing cone...........

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dd884
JMHO-YMMV

Why modify the breach of the barrel? What is the OP trying to accomplish?

The pitting in the barrel looks to be a problem. J-B Bore Cleaning Compound followed by Kroil. Perhaps repeat. I wouldn't see any reason to cut the forcing cone. It is what it is and will not be a target gun.

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Some collect art; I shoot it!

The bluing looks to be incredible and looks so good that I wonder if this is a refinished piece? With pitting in the bore and the generously sized cylinder throats in the Model 1917, I doubt that an 11* forcing cone is going to be of much, if any, benefit.

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VCDL, GOA, NRA

I guess I just assumed that the gun was a relatively recent refinish, especially given the pitting in the barrel, but there are no images of the exterior of the gun showing close-ups of the stampings and finish, so??

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Gary
SWCA 2515

Nice revolver, considering the fact that it looks nicely refinished I'd go ahead and modify it to your hearts content. When I look at the transition on the crane where the flats meet the inner portion there looks to be chatter marks from something like a Dremel tool, not nice file work. Without any shots of roll marks or other areas its tough to ascertain. Definitely a shooter, they are excellent revolvers and relatively cheap to shoot.