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S&W Hand Ejectors: 1896 to 1961 All 5-Screw & Vintage 4-Screw SWING-OUT Cylinder REVOLVERS, and the 35 Autos and 32 Autos


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  #1  
Old 12-16-2008, 03:41 PM
canoeguy canoeguy is offline
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Picked up a commercial 1917 today (pic), UPDATE: Range Report! Picked up a commercial 1917 today (pic), UPDATE: Range Report! Picked up a commercial 1917 today (pic), UPDATE: Range Report! Picked up a commercial 1917 today (pic), UPDATE: Range Report! Picked up a commercial 1917 today (pic), UPDATE: Range Report!  
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I have been keeping my eye on a commercial 1917 at a local shop, made a move on it today with some trade goods. It doesn't have the original grips, has some Magna's from the 70's, but otherwise it is in good shape. It has some holster wear, and an odd bit of pitting underneath the muzzle, but as I will be using it as a shooter, those issues won't bother me. I think the larger magna's should make it easier to shoot, I once had a military 1917 and found in challenging to shoot with the small issue grips. Here's a pic:



The serial number is 181398, anyone have an idea as to how old this revolver is?

I think I will try handloading some .45 Auto Rim for this revolver, anyone have a pet load they want to share?

Thanks,

Canoeguy
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  #2  
Old 12-16-2008, 03:41 PM
canoeguy canoeguy is offline
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Picked up a commercial 1917 today (pic), UPDATE: Range Report! Picked up a commercial 1917 today (pic), UPDATE: Range Report! Picked up a commercial 1917 today (pic), UPDATE: Range Report! Picked up a commercial 1917 today (pic), UPDATE: Range Report! Picked up a commercial 1917 today (pic), UPDATE: Range Report!  
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I have been keeping my eye on a commercial 1917 at a local shop, made a move on it today with some trade goods. It doesn't have the original grips, has some Magna's from the 70's, but otherwise it is in good shape. It has some holster wear, and an odd bit of pitting underneath the muzzle, but as I will be using it as a shooter, those issues won't bother me. I think the larger magna's should make it easier to shoot, I once had a military 1917 and found in challenging to shoot with the small issue grips. Here's a pic:



The serial number is 181398, anyone have an idea as to how old this revolver is?

I think I will try handloading some .45 Auto Rim for this revolver, anyone have a pet load they want to share?

Thanks,

Canoeguy
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  #3  
Old 12-16-2008, 04:03 PM
Joni_Lynn Joni_Lynn is offline
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Picked up a commercial 1917 today (pic), UPDATE: Range Report! Picked up a commercial 1917 today (pic), UPDATE: Range Report! Picked up a commercial 1917 today (pic), UPDATE: Range Report! Picked up a commercial 1917 today (pic), UPDATE: Range Report! Picked up a commercial 1917 today (pic), UPDATE: Range Report!  
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Congrats on the commercial model.
I don't have a 1917 but I have a 625 that likes 5.0 grains of ww231 and a 200 lead swc. It's a light load, not very fast and more than reasonably accurate.
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Old 12-16-2008, 05:31 PM
Nicksterdemus Nicksterdemus is offline
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What's not to love about a 45? Can't help ya w/date. Enjoy...
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  #5  
Old 12-16-2008, 07:00 PM
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Picked up a commercial 1917 today (pic), UPDATE: Range Report! Picked up a commercial 1917 today (pic), UPDATE: Range Report! Picked up a commercial 1917 today (pic), UPDATE: Range Report! Picked up a commercial 1917 today (pic), UPDATE: Range Report! Picked up a commercial 1917 today (pic), UPDATE: Range Report!  
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Canoeguy,

VERY nice!! You got a good one there. Sorry I had to run out so quickly today, would have loved to hang around to chat.

Your model 1917 was shipped May of 1930.

Linda
SWCA #1965

Here's a pic of mine:

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Old 12-16-2008, 08:06 PM
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Picked up a commercial 1917 today (pic), UPDATE: Range Report! Picked up a commercial 1917 today (pic), UPDATE: Range Report! Picked up a commercial 1917 today (pic), UPDATE: Range Report! Picked up a commercial 1917 today (pic), UPDATE: Range Report! Picked up a commercial 1917 today (pic), UPDATE: Range Report!  
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Quote:
Your model 1917 was shipped May of 1930.
Hi Linda,
How do you know, please?
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Old 12-16-2008, 08:14 PM
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Picked up a commercial 1917 today (pic), UPDATE: Range Report! Picked up a commercial 1917 today (pic), UPDATE: Range Report! Picked up a commercial 1917 today (pic), UPDATE: Range Report! Picked up a commercial 1917 today (pic), UPDATE: Range Report! Picked up a commercial 1917 today (pic), UPDATE: Range Report!  
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Lee,

I had seen that same 1917 awhile back and had asked Roy about it. I was holding out for a military WWI one.

Linda
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  #8  
Old 12-16-2008, 08:16 PM
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Picked up a commercial 1917 today (pic), UPDATE: Range Report! Picked up a commercial 1917 today (pic), UPDATE: Range Report! Picked up a commercial 1917 today (pic), UPDATE: Range Report! Picked up a commercial 1917 today (pic), UPDATE: Range Report! Picked up a commercial 1917 today (pic), UPDATE: Range Report!  
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Thanks, Linda. I am surprised at how late it shipped.
I think they became real turkeys- selling poorly.
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  #9  
Old 12-17-2008, 02:19 AM
canoeguy canoeguy is offline
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Picked up a commercial 1917 today (pic), UPDATE: Range Report! Picked up a commercial 1917 today (pic), UPDATE: Range Report! Picked up a commercial 1917 today (pic), UPDATE: Range Report! Picked up a commercial 1917 today (pic), UPDATE: Range Report! Picked up a commercial 1917 today (pic), UPDATE: Range Report!  
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Linda,

Thanks for the info!

I am hoping to get it to the range today, and will order some .45 Auto-Rim cases today as well. Should be a fun revolver....
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  #10  
Old 12-17-2008, 08:04 AM
canoeguy canoeguy is offline
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Picked up a commercial 1917 today (pic), UPDATE: Range Report! Picked up a commercial 1917 today (pic), UPDATE: Range Report! Picked up a commercial 1917 today (pic), UPDATE: Range Report! Picked up a commercial 1917 today (pic), UPDATE: Range Report! Picked up a commercial 1917 today (pic), UPDATE: Range Report!  
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Took the commercial 1917 to the range this morning, what a blast to shoot! Shot some Federal 230 grain FMJ through it at 25 yards, two hand hold. 12 out of 12 hits in the black! No warm ups, just step to the line and slay the black...




It amazes me how well regulated the fixed sights are on Smith and Wesson revolvers. The above target was fired using a center hold.

The trigger was nicer than anything I have shot in recent memory. Probably about 3 pound trigger pull (single action), very smooth. I have not shot a lot of pre-war revolvers, now I know what they are talking about when they say these are some of the best quality S&W ever produced.

The Magna grips made for a firm hold on the revolver, as I anticipated. It would be nice to have some original grips, but I think I will keep these for shooting.

Now I need to find a nice leather holster for it, maybe something from El Paso Saddlery....
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  #11  
Old 12-17-2008, 10:38 AM
Nicksterdemus Nicksterdemus is offline
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Dayum, that ole gal still knows how to put the hurtin' for certain on would be assailants.
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Old 12-17-2008, 11:10 PM
mulehide9 mulehide9 is offline
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keep your eye out on "EBAY" for grips and holsters. I found both at great prices.
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  #13  
Old 12-21-2008, 10:48 PM
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Picked up a commercial 1917 today (pic), UPDATE: Range Report! Picked up a commercial 1917 today (pic), UPDATE: Range Report! Picked up a commercial 1917 today (pic), UPDATE: Range Report! Picked up a commercial 1917 today (pic), UPDATE: Range Report! Picked up a commercial 1917 today (pic), UPDATE: Range Report!  
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very very nice i hope you enjoy it for many years to come.
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Old 12-23-2008, 05:02 PM
MikeyL MikeyL is offline
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Nice! It's also good that it shoots to point of aim with hardball. I have one of these Commercials, shipped in 1926. It shoots 10" groups at 10 yards with hardball! I went down to 185 gr. Silvertips, and it shoots to point of aim, and decent grouping. Each one is different, it seems. Enjoy that nice gun!

MikeyL
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  #15  
Old 12-23-2008, 05:29 PM
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Picked up a commercial 1917 today (pic), UPDATE: Range Report! Picked up a commercial 1917 today (pic), UPDATE: Range Report!  
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If that group isn't too impressive, recall that GI - issued M-1911 Colts also weren't especially accurate.

Another ammo brand (try several)and some practice will probably improve those groups.
I'm sure that the Magna grips are a major help. Colt had a better grip on their version of the M-1917, although Smiths were better finished and generally shot more to the sights. And S&W's hold cylinder timing far better than do Colts.

Either M-1917 will hold groups that were "minute of German." I know that many were also used in WW II and would hit a (smaller) Jap with lethal effect.

The late Bill Jordan told me that he carried a M-1917 S&W while leading Marines on missions against Jap pillboxes on Pacific islands. He relied mainly on a 12 ga. shotgun, but he trusted the revolver more than the .45 auto.

T-Star
P.S. Check Elmer Keith's classic, "Sixguns" for some useful accuracy tips with M-1917 guns. Especially if you want to use lead bullets...but keep in mind the age of these guns, and don't load on the warm side. I think one classic load with Unique is marginal in these old guns.
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  #16  
Old 06-11-2014, 03:42 PM
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ajellydonut ajellydonut is offline
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Picked up a commercial 1917 today (pic), UPDATE: Range Report! Picked up a commercial 1917 today (pic), UPDATE: Range Report! Picked up a commercial 1917 today (pic), UPDATE: Range Report! Picked up a commercial 1917 today (pic), UPDATE: Range Report! Picked up a commercial 1917 today (pic), UPDATE: Range Report!  
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With a commercial load , auto or rim, what would be the "safest" plinking brand/load to shoot for these older revolvers?
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  #17  
Old 06-11-2014, 05:09 PM
JDBoardman JDBoardman is offline
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Picked up a commercial 1917 today (pic), UPDATE: Range Report! Picked up a commercial 1917 today (pic), UPDATE: Range Report! Picked up a commercial 1917 today (pic), UPDATE: Range Report! Picked up a commercial 1917 today (pic), UPDATE: Range Report! Picked up a commercial 1917 today (pic), UPDATE: Range Report!  
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For what it's worth, I use 4.5 grains of Hodgdon Clays behind a Berry's plated 230 gr. round nose in my 1917. It has been with 3 generations in 3 wars - WW1 with my Grandfather, WW2 with my Dad, and Vietnam with me. The barrel is somewhat pitted, but it still shoots well, and the sights are regulated for the 230 gr. ball load.
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1911, commercial, jordan, leather, military, model 1917, model 625, silvertips, smith and wesson, wwi

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