I hate to see this thread die out, hope that Model 1917 owners will keep 'em coming!

For the veteran 1917 owners, I have an ammuntion question. My M1917 seems to be shooting quite well; at ten meters with no rest other than a good two hand grip, I am getting 2" or so groups which I think to be pretty decent. There is an occasion wild flier, which I am not sure if "operator" induced or something else, but it actually seems to shoot tighter as it warms up, much like a good old M-1 Garand. However, it shoots high, a good 6" or so at ten meters. I am using 230 gr. FMJ Magtech ammuniton as it was all I had available to me at the time. I am thinking about trying to get some Federal 230 gr. "Personal Defesne" JHP (C45D) as it is really suited to a revolver (it's really a semi jacketed HP and Federal even recommends it for revolvers in .45 ACP). They also make this in 185 gr. I don't really intend on using this as "defensive" ammunition, but actually for finishing shots on game (I live in Germany, this is what "defense" ammunition is used for). My guess is that I should stick with the 230 gr. as I would assume the 185 gr. would shoot even higher. Anyone have experience with the ammunition or shooting high problem? I don't want to do any filing of rear sight on this revolver, and sending to S&W is out of the question since I am in Germany.

Like all you other M1917 owners, I am really happy with this old warhorse. It amazes me how well it shoots and functions at the tender old age of ninety-two. Although I paid about $600 for it, over here in Germany that's a deal and half; nothing is cheap over here anymore. Wish I had found it about ten years ago before the Euro hit, it probably would have been dirt cheap!

Gongratulations M2MikeGolf on it all having finally come through!


The price you mention would have been a good price over here in the States, ( I would have spring for it, had it been at the local Gun Show ) so, all in all I would say you did well, especially for being in Germany where I would expect prices for older high Grade American revolvers, to usually be quite a bit higher.

Very decent indeed..!



I have not shot these enough to know, but, I would imagine they maintained the tradition of Military Revolvers being sighted for quite a bit longer distance than you are Shooting at.

So, just Aim to 6:00 O'Clock, and, if that is not enough, then, of course, Aim a little below 6:00 O'clock...( chuckles )



Do you have any re-Loading experience?


Ligher Bullets, under full standard Charges, might actually shoot lower.


But regardless, if this is a Revolver you will enjoy Shooting, the ideal, would be to be re-Loading for it, thus allowing a variety of Bullet kinds, and, charges for different purposes.

Semi-Wadcutters, light Charges, for Target...etc.



Pardon me for accidentally having been missing this Thread for a while.

You had asked me a few Posts above this, what the Barrel Length of my Long Barreled one is ( which had been Re-Barrelled, of course), and, it is 6-1/2 Inches.

My own opinion about these is that their Bores would prefer to have the ease and virtually indeffinite longevity of shooting Lead Bullets, than the strains and wear of the full Copper Patch or other Jacketed.

One may also find a a slightly higher order of Accuracy, using appropriately sized Lead Bullets, than with Copper Patch or Hard Ball ( at least in theory! ).

Lead is kinder to the Revolver and it's Bore life.


The S&W Model of 1917 is the first Revolver I ever shot.

I was eight, and, my dad ran me through the basic drills and protocols, and, after that, when we'd go Fishing or Rock Hounding, he'd bring it and we'd shoot some rounds through it.

I was immediately a crack shot with it, shooting off Cigarette 'Cherries' and hitting Acorns and all sorts of things, Cans we'd set up, all the usual, and, I really liked it.

No ear protection of course in those days, and, I have no recollection of the report ever bothering me ( though I am sure my Ears must have rung! ). We always shot Gov't issue brown Box WWII Surplus Hardball.

All I know is that I deduced the Sighting the Revolver required, for me to hit what I wanted, where I wanted.

So, it if shot High ( as I am expecting they all did ) I never knew it as such, since I had learned to Aim according to where it hit.

[QUOTE
For the veteran 1917 owners, I have an ammuntion question. My M1917 seems to be shooting quite well; at ten meters with no rest other than a good two hand grip, I am getting 2" or so groups which I think to be pretty decent. There is an occasion wild flier, which I am not sure if "operator" induced or something else, but it actually seems to shoot tighter as it warms up, much like a good old M-1 Garand. However, it shoots high, a good 6" or so at ten meters. I am using 230 gr. FMJ Magtech ammuniton as it was all I had available to me at the time. I am thinking about trying to get some Federal 230 gr. "Personal Defesne" JHP (C45D) as it is really suited to a revolver (it's really a semi jacketed HP and Federal even recommends it for revolvers in .45 ACP). They also make this in 185 gr. I don't really intend on using this as "defensive" ammunition, but actually for finishing shots on game (I live in Germany, this is what "defense" ammunition is used for). My guess is that I should stick with the 230 gr. as I would assume the 185 gr. would shoot even higher. Anyone have experience with the ammunition or shooting high problem? I don't want to do any filing of rear sight on this revolver, and sending to S&W is out of the question since I am in Germany.

[/QUOTE]
Something that you might want to try is commercially loaded or reloaded ammunition with 200 grain lead semi-wadcutter bullets. It will probably shoot a little lower since the lighter bullet will be in the recoiling barrel a little less, and the lead will be easier on the bore. As an added benefit, it cuts a nice clean hole in a paper target. It sounds like it would be a good all around bullet for all of your needs.