I own a S&W Heritage Series .45 ACP Model 1917. It is parkerized with the plain wood grips, fixed sights and round butt. The only thing I've added is a Tyler T Grip, a reproduction lanyard (What Price Glory) and a reproduction 1917 holster (Pacific Canvas and Leather). I know some people made fun of this series (for example the 1917 was never originally produced with a round butt). However, this has turned into one of my most favorite sidearms. It is accurate, fast to unload and load with full moon clips and is reliable. Certainly not good for concealed carry (I use an old Detective special for that). Does anybody else have experience with this series? If so, what are your observations.

I have one of the 200 all blue ones, don't use it, but quite like it.
Well made, no lock.
I should get going on the action job it needs, now that you remind me.
Denis

What, no pictures?

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Miss My Buddy crsides!!

Silent Service,

No experience, here, but this old "airedale" would certainly like to see a pic (or two) of your 1917.

Mike

I don't know why this series wasn't more popular and isn't more desireable today. They were well made, used forged parts and no locks. They were made in small quantity. I have the 29-9 and gave my father the 24-5 from the series. Very nicely made revolvers.

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Lynnie, Professional Pest

I just acquired the 25-12 that is missing the original grips and lanyard ring; but I got a total of 5 sets of grips for it; 2 wood and 3 rubber:




I just picked this up Friday afternoon and haven't had a chance to shoot it yet nor set up the light tent and lights and take some good photos of it...

Welcome to the Forum.

I would like to hear of some of your Submarine stories.

I have been on a WWII Submarine... I was impressed with the "Machine" and with the men that would volunteer to serve on such a Machine...
And I thank you for your service.

CWO4, you have a great handgun, and the makings of a great test.

I would recommend you do a shooting test with all of the different grips you have, using the dame ammo, shooting single action and double action, and give us a report on what you think about them.

Welcome to the forum. I don't have the Heritage but I do have a 1917 Classic series. I know it might sound nuts but, my old eyes are able to pick up the fixed sights better than the adjustable rear sight of my other models.

I served 7 years on SSN 571, the "First and Finest" and SSBN 619. What was your boat?

Welcome to the forum! I have no experience with the series, but now that you've piqued my interest hope to find one.

Thanks for sharing from a "Tin Can" sailor.

I have a Heritage Series 17-8 and it's everything I'd expect from a Performance Center K22. It has a great trigger, it's accurate and the finish is first rate. My only complaint is the factory stocks. While the do show off the frame colors, they're way too small for me to shoot well.

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"I also cook."

My case-hardened example with Roy Fishpaw stag grips:







I really liked these when they came out, but I was definitely in the minority back then. I paid full retail for a 24, and then bought the above 1917 and 2 model 15's shortly thereafter when they failed in the marketplace and were sold at a discount.

I ordered my Heritage model the first time I saw an ad for one. It is one of my favorite carry guns. I sent it to Cylinder and Slide and had the barrel shortened to 4" and an action job. It took me awhile to settle on grips. I shoot a lot of .45AR plus use the full moon clips. Picture attached, I had just came in from outside and the blue looks cloudy because it hadn't had a chance to warm up to room temperature yet. I also included a shot of it with "old ugly" my Brazilian come back, looks bad - shoots good, and my post WWII 1917 variation that letters from the factory in June, 1946. I got the 1946 cheap, some idiot had it reblued...........

I carry all three on occasion and shoot them all. Keep shootin'

Attached Images

	1917s 001.jpg (72.8 KB, 118 views)
	1917s 002.jpg (77.5 KB, 117 views)

I have a model 25 Heritage in 45 Colt. It is a beautiful gun and shoots as good as is looks.

I have a 4" 15-8. I agree that the grip is too small, but it gets a lot of use.

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and what his trumpet saith

nice pics everyone, keep em coming

Case color frame and real elephant ivory. Unquestionably the handsomest gun I own.



















Allen Frame

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NRA cert.instructor&R.S.O.

Wow! Just joined the forum and did not expect all the responses. I'll get some photos posted as soon as my wife gets back from visiting the Grandkids and returns my camera. She broke hers. My boat was the SSN 685, a Fast Attack. It was in Dev. Group 2 out of New London. I was also on the AS-32, USS Holland, a Submarine Tender out of Holy Loch, Scotland. I have fond memories of the Pubs there, especially one in Fort William. Not actually the pub itself, but the redhead that tendered bar there. Somehow, when she drew that pint of lager it tasted much better.

I'll have to agree that for old eyes the fixed sights are a little easier than the adjustable variety. Anyway, I'm getting older and I go out and shoot the thing. It is what it was made for. Never understood keeping a gun in the safe and never shooting it. I like to get to know it and for it to know me. It's the steel, wood and leather I guess. I am unable to warm up to plastic guns. There's no romance about them. I always remember the line from the movie Red River. There's nothing like a good gun, a swiss watch and a woman from anywhere.

Have the 44 special blued with adj sights. It is the most accurate revolver owned, so i bought another. One has millet rear site and houge rubbers, the other is unfired. They are also several of the best fitted together S&W's owned.

I don't know what I was buying when these came out but I feel like a loser for not even knowing about them until they were gone. I would have bought one for sure.

There is a very nice six inch Heritage 44 special posted in the forum FS that has crossed my mind lately,

I know they went for the classic look but find myself wondering why no 4" barrel length versions were made.

Here's the 24-5 I gave my father dressed in Herrett's.

.............and the 29-9 I adopted for myself also dressed the same.

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Lynnie, Professional Pest

I like my Heritage K22. Still haven't had a chance to shoot it yet, but I'll get around to it eventually.
Bob

Bob,

Please tell me about the custom magnas on that gun. Beautiful!

Jerry

Back in "the day", 4" revolvers were for toddlers. Real men carried revolvers with substantial length.

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NRA Benefactor

Hi Jerry
Those stocks are by Don Collins; google "Collinscraft" and you'll get his website. Very nice stuff and usually what you want is in stock. And he's a nice guy, too. I have several of his stocks on my guns; I particularly like his magnas for both N and Ks. Here's another set on an N-frame:

My last few years were on the 619 Andrew Jackson out of Holy Loch. The pub I remember best was Paul Jones. But that was back when you could get fish and chips 50 p.

As I age I tend to agree with the "shoot em if you got em."

I bought a 6.5" Heritage 24 some years ago from CDNN - for a great price. I had a new 20yr safe-queen 6.5" 24-3 - yuck! The Heritage had a deep blue finish - and a far better trigger - didn't care for the teeny grips, however. The 'new' 24-3 (1983) was in the safe for a reason - it had more QC issues than all of my other S&W's combined. I had to get rid of my blued guns - I got tired of watching them gain 'patina'. I replaced the pair of 6.5" .44 Specials with my all-time-favorite 6" .44 Special... a new 6" 629-6! Gotta admit - the 6.5" Heritage 24 was the prettiest revolver I've ever owned.

Old Navy Submariner,

I was an ETn2 on USS Fulton, AS-11, in New London, CT from '69-'72, the last five months at La Madelina, Italy. I was the Reactor Instrument Shop supervisor/cal tech. We serviced fast attacks - Submarine Sqdrn 10 - included Nautilus and Seawolf - and the two 'still on patrol', which were lost before my time. Never went to sea on a 'boat'.... I like to leave ports and hatches open... somewhat of a no-no there, I suppose.

Stainz