1917 barrel source

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tomahawk223

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is there anywhere to get a new barrel for a 1917. I have a all matching s/n with 88xxx on all parts . it is in real good condition except for the barrel rifling. I would like to make it a 3" but keep all the parts original. is there an aftermarket source or do I have to find an original and cut it down.

also is it ok to cut an 11degree forcing cone on the original or will that affect collector value.
thanks
 
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For many years (also many years ago) I bought many Brazilian M1937 revolvers with shot out barrels. In those days I could get either new real S&W barrels or at least the Brazilian made replacement barrels from Numrich. However, the last revolver of that type I purchased needing a barrel I had a heck of a time finding one. I finally located a new S&W barrel on the web for $100, and considered myself lucky to get it. They seem to have really dried up.
 
There is no new parts supply for the pre-war 1917's. It took me over a year to run a Brazilian replacement barrel down. They are still out there in parts bins but you have to scrounge and ask to find them.
 
About the time that last big batch of Brazilian 1937s was coming in (early ‘90s??) there was also a small flood of Brazilian-made replacement barrels that came here as well. IIRC, they were marked on the left side with the letters INA for something like “Industria Nacionale de Armas” or something similar. If you can find one of these, it will probably be less expensive, but they fit the Model 1917 just as well... personal experience here.

Froggie
 
1917 BARRELS

I HAVE TO ASK :cool: Just what can make one think a barrel is 'shot out?' Are they really shot out, or it is it just neglect??:confused: Thanks. :)
 
The ones I had to replace were bulged rather than worn out inside... although I’ve been told they would sometimes shoot just as well as their undamaged counterparts, I just couldn’t abide the whole “snake swallowed a frog” look (for obvious reasons!) :eek:

I did own a Hartford Arms single shot 22 whose bore was pretty much washed out... it had seen long duty in dusty West Texas and had just about lost its lands completely. More likely bores get damaged long before they get worn out though.

Froggie
 
J. R. WEEMS said:
I HAVE TO ASK :cool: Just what can make one think a barrel is 'shot out?' Are they really shot out, or it is it just neglect??:confused: Thanks. :)
Click to expand...

I have seen some 1917s that the bore was so bad, you could barely tell that the barrel was once rifled. '17s have shallow rifling to begin with, so using corrosive primed ammo with indifferent cleaning rapidly degrades the bore.
 
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If it's still available I'll take it, if it's 45 ACP. Never did this here, don't know the procedure. Thanks
 
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Jumping in here, is anyone else sees a 1917 barrel I'm looking for one.

Related question: will other N-frame barrels work on a 1917 frame, for example one from a 625?
 
Before anyone decides to change the barrel of a 1917 because the bore looks "shot out", they should be aware that compared to many other revolvers the 1917 bore looks shot-out even when brand new. The rifling they selected for those 230 gr. hardball loads is quite shallow and almost faint-looking compared to that in, say, a M&P 38 from the same era. Now, if it's pitted and looks like a 100-year-old cast iron sewer pipe, go right ahead and replace it if you wish...
 
Erik Pakieser said:
Jumping in here, is anyone else sees a 1917 barrel I'm looking for one.

Related question: will other N-frame barrels work on a 1917 frame, for example one from a 625?
Click to expand...

I don't know about a 625 but I have seen a Model 1955 barrel installed on a 1917 frame, and it was ugly as hell. The rib of a post-war barrel will not match the contour of the 1917 frame.
 
I have been unable to find anyone who will work on a pistol/revolver barrel (e.g., re-rifling) at an affordable price. Most of the re-rifling shops have completely stopped doing this work at any price.
 
Bobby Hoyt is the go to gunsmith to reline muzzle loaders. I am not sure if he would tackle a cartridge revolver but it could be worth contacting him.

Kevin
 
Any N frame barrel will screw into any N frame. All used the same .670x 36 to the inch threads. But, some of the profiles don't match up.

One could machine off the top rib of a later barrel and leave the ejector shroud. Or machine the frame for adjustable sights and when doing so silver solder a short piece of grooved material off an old sight or barrel rib in a slot in front of frame so it matched barrel.

Bit of a shadow on this, but it is the junction between a Brazilian frame I added sights to and installed a 1950 45 barrel to and installed a piece of grooved material from the rib of another cut down barrel. Near perfect match. Viewed up close like this it seems I could trim front the sight piece a bit. Good as the new factory standard at least. LOL
5WdZLsS.jpg


5UK44li.jpg


Another option I have thought of is turning down .452 blank (I bought 2 from Green Mountain) to the profile you want. then machine in a small key way type slot in the right spot and use an old lug from a junk barrel machined to fit the slot and silver soldered in.
 
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