1917 for CCW / Defense?

J

JLM

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Hi All,
Does anyone use a 1917 for carry or home defense? I've got a Brazilian 1937 that I've shot a lot (500+) moderate cast lead loads through, and I've been wondering if it's considered strong enough for self defense factory ammo? Not the +P stuff though. I've also come into quite a bunch of 230 gr. Gold Dot bullets that I was thinking I could also load-up and use in it.

Thanks
 
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I find nothing wrong with that choise. Being me, and because I could I would shorten the barrel to just ahead of the ejector rod.

Gold Dots would be a good one to go with. I feel no need for a +P in the 45.


Cat
 
I wouldn't shorten the barrel. The .45 ACP is slow and needs all the help it can get. That's why I don't like short barrel .45s. The hardest paret of an N frame to hide is the cylinder, not the barrel excepting, perhaps, OWB carry.

Regarding handloads, I would tend toward lighter bullets as long as there are no POA/POI issues. Lighter bullets ought to be able to yield higher velocity at the same, or even lower, presure levels.
 
It may not be the easiest gun to conceal, but in terms of fire power and caliber there aint nothing wrong with that choice.

Out
West
 
I carry this 1917 Colt concealed at times. As long as everything mechanically is good I would have no concerns with the Brazilian.

330374854.jpg


cross draw...

330374837.jpg
 
Thanks all,
I'll get a box of the "good stuff" and see how it shoots. It does shoot low with the 200 gr. lead loads, but pretty close to POA at 15 yards with 230 gr. RN lead.

I keep salivating over the Mdl. 22-4, but can't swing the cash for it right now.
 
Beautiful Colt, love the holster also. I had a Trooper four inch as my first gun, bought it at a pawn shop for around $160.00. I sold it because I shot it behind a lodged bullet in the barrel and it left a shadow, wish I had kept it.
 
I have hunted rabbits with my 1917 a few times. (No shots, unfortunately.) It is pretty heavy on the belt but a better holster might help.
Also used it as a house gun for a while.

I've shot it mostly with reloads with either 230 grain LRN bullets or 230 grain FMJs. They were fairly stout loads but the old gun handled them fine.
 
I used to have one when I was in the Army back in the '80s. I can't imagine carrying it concealed, except in a shoulder holster in the winter. Mine was a great gun, very accurate, even with what looked like a strike from a rifle bullet in the side of the barrel. I traded it, to get my 4" Model 29-2, I think. The Model 29-2 is more useful to me, but I wish I still had the M1917 as well.

I've got a Colt New Service that keyholes on every shot. It was taken off of a Mexican criminal by a Chicago cop in the '60s who thought it was an M1917. All evidence points to it having been converted from a .45 Colt by a shade tree gunsmith in Mexico who found .45acp easier and cheaper to come by. So far, I haven't been able to find a .45 Colt cylinder for a reasonable price. I've been meaning to try some .454 diameter bullets in it to see if it works better with those.
 
Cocked & Locked said:
The 1917 Colt and S&W's are fun shooters...even they have been abused by being sawed on or refinished.

166278259.jpg
Click to expand...

Your's is the one I keep coming back to as an example of what mine will be someday. I think I might reblue it though, but I have definitely got to get some stag grips!
 
Why would a Model 1917 keyhole with a shortened barrel? My 3" 625 is the most consistently accurate revolver I own, and it shoots all bullet weights equally well. These are all .45 ACP revolvers. Unless the 1917s have heavily worn barrels or were shortened by incompetent gunsmiths I do not understand why you'd have a problem. A 5" barrel is fine for home defense, but a 4" barrel would be better for concealed carry. If you decide to shorten it, you might want to consider a refinish and the roll marks will also be off center, though that can be addressed too if your wallet can handle it. Done right, you'll have a very unique and effective revolver.

Dave Sinko
 
I've got one of the first issue Heritage Series (no lock) "1917's" in case hardened. I put a set of Herrett's Jordon Troopers on it and keep it in a Sam Andrews "carjacker" holster when I'm taking a trip just in case of...carjackers. I keep it loaded with Silvertips- I know that that loading might label me as "retro," but they've worked good on other animals that are about man sized. Also, a cylinder full of them is more intimidating from the business end. ;)

It's the one in the bottom right corner, and the carjacker holster is on the gun to the left:

DSC00789.jpg


As Gomer Pyle would say: "Suprise suprise!"
That'd get a perp's attention. :D

As for a real vintage 1917, I do have one in .45 Colt that I have carried on occasion. It's nothing to look it, as it has a bit of smoke damage, but it works just fine- and it too gets a dose of Winchester Silvertips. The upper gun in the picture is a Canadian .455 that was converted to .45 Colt, but I keep the loads in it fairly light.
 
Last edited:
I'm actually half-thinking of using my Brazilian 1917 if I get a job that allows it :D


Wonder what my choices are for a duty holster?
 
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