1917 or M22 for CCW?

[bubbajoe45]

I have become convinced that the frame-mounted firing pin, rather than the older hammer-mounted type is the source of unreliability in these newer guns. The lock bothers many on principal alone, but again it can be dealt with and so doesn't bother me as much. I have a TR 21-4 that I had a few FTFs with; I replaced the firing pin, but shouldn't have had to. I would just as soon trust my life to a 1917, as a post-2001 gun. The whole point of a revolver is simplicity and reliabilty. The workmanship seems to be questionable these days. A valid point about a 1950-60s gun being easier to work on and having better steel than a pre-war gun, but good luck finding one and you'd still have to hack it up for a 4"er! That's why jovinos are in such demand. Mine should have gone out for re-finishing this week. It has taken longer than anticipated.

 

[rhm0351]

That huge lug and trigger stop just kill that one pictured above, for me at least.I just cant stand new guns made to look like old guns that are not done 100% correct.

I'm not a fan of the trigger stop, but can live with the lug. These PC guns have REALLY rough and heavy actions, though. I have this 25/1917 and a 24-5 Heritage model. I don't care for the round butts, either. The 25/1917 is one of the best pointing firearms I have ever held, though. I don't think they made many of the 1917 Heritage models, particularly in the matte blue, but I got it cheaper than what I could get and original 1917 for a few years ago. It used to be that S&W 1917s commanded a premium over the Colt 1917s, but I'm not seeing that as much, anymore, as the Colts seem to have caught up for the most part.

 

[Pontiaker]

I'm not a fan of the trigger stop, but can live with the lug. These PC guns have REALLY rough and heavy actions, though. I have this 25/1917 and a 24-5 Heritage model. I don't care for the round butts, either. The 25/1917 is one of the best pointing firearms I have ever held, though. I don't think they made many of the 1917 Heritage models, particularly in the matte blue, but I got it cheaper than what I could get and original 1917 for a few years ago. It used to be that S&W 1917s commanded a premium over the Colt 1917s, but I'm not seeing that as much, anymore, as the Colts seem to have caught up for the most part.

If you can buy something like your gun pictured at a super price, I would still be tempted. Iam a sucker for a good cheap gun:~)

 

[WC145]

I know it's not a S&W, but here is a Colt 1917 Army that I had customized with some of the same ideas you have.
Link: http://smith-wessonforum.com/lounge/105965-pawn-shop-colt-1917-a.html

After picture:

Good luck with your project, let us know how it turns out.

I absolutely love the finished product, it looks like a Detective Special on steroids. Should you ever consider parting with it please keep me in mind.

 

[james56]

I remember when

I wouldn't intend to give the 1917 a steady diet of +P but would keep it loaded with them when I carry.

I really like the looks of the New Model 22 but can't overcome my distaste for the internal locking feature.

we all didnt like the look's of the air bag's in the new automobles steering wheel's, most of us got over it!!

 

[mrwilmoth]

Awesome revolvers, I recently sent mine into karl skoal at chestnut mountain sports to have my colt 1917 shortened to 2" as well! I will post pictures when I receive it back!

 

[sheriffoconee]

I am very proud of my 22-4 fixed sight 4 inch revolver..I like everything about it (of course, the lock DOESN'T count) Good fixed sights, like a fighting pistol should have, shoots POA at any reasonable fighting distance, trigger pull is very acceptable for a factory gun. What else does someone need from a fighting gun?????
It ain't a lightweight hideout piece, that's for sure...but that isn't what I was lookin' for when I bought it.
accurate, tough, good caliber, reliable....what else do you need in a self defense handgun??

 

[Dave T]

...their not that hard to find in decent shape and a decent price.

What planet do you live on where it's easy to find 1917s that are "in decent shape and a decent price." I'd like to come visit with some money in my pocket.

Dave

 

[Grog]

What planet do you live on where it's easy to find 1917s that are "in decent shape and a decent price." I'd like to come visit with some money in my pocket.

Dave

Some people think $800 for a 1911 is a "decent price" so take every post with a grain of salt

 

[bdb benzino]

I am trading on Satuday to get one of these Brazilian contract revolvers. I will be looking to cut mine to a 3'', and want to know what you guys do for the front sight when you chop the barrel. Does the old one get moved back or do you go with some thing else? A gold bead would look sweet!

 

[riversalmon]

front sight

Your question on front sights is a personal choice. For myself I built a newer configured one from a piece of cold blued mild steel. In addition I added a adjustable rear Wondersight, mounts on the #4 frame screw. In 4" configuration, 200gr.swc autorim cases 900fps, it's a nice package and it's the one I reach for when heading out. Portable, Packable, Potent.

 

[jimmyj]

Hi:
One of my many, many sins is that in the 1960s I had several S&W M1917s barrels cut to 4". Every M1917 would keyhole bullets at 15 &25 yards.
I reloaded with SWC 255gr lead bullets. If I recall GI 45acp 230gr bullets would also keyhole.

 

[wlmccann]

Front sights ARE a matter of choice. The 2 guns of mine shown on page 2 of this thread both have front sights fabricated from either key stock or maybe from scrap steel I had laying around the shop. I also carefully used a needle file to change the U notch to square for a better sight picture. There was a mention of shortening a 1917 barrel to 3" a few posts back. Without cutting down the front of the ejector shroud, 3 1/4" is about as short as you can go. Mine ended up at about 3 3/8" after removing the bulged and split portion.

 

[NavyFrank]

Chopped Brazilian

It had a pitted barrel from sitting in a wet holster. Had it chopped down and the gunsmith used the front sight from the original barrel to make the front sight on it now. Made sure that the front sight is brazed on and not silver sodered. The recoil will remove the front sight. I was lucky and recovered mine. Had gun reparked and springs replaced.

 

[stevenorlando]

shoot?

I've been thinking along the same lines myself. I have this reblued but mechanically perfect 1917.

I may have it shortened to three inches, round butted, and de-spurred. I don't think I'd shoot +Ps in it, but I'm sure it would handle a truck load of .45 ACP ball or its equivalent.

How does that gun shoot?

Steve

 

[44 special Dave]

The comment about shortening the barrel to 3 1/4 in. is right. Any futher you are into the locking lug. I know it's splitting hairs but we want to get it as "small" as possible.

Which brings me to another point. As much as I've wanted a chopped 1917/Brazilian, it's still a steel n frame. Ok a 5 1/2" version weighs around 36 1/2oz with standard woood grips (unloaded).

Let's say you cut the barrel to 3 1/4 and round out the butt to fit n frame round butt grips.You might get the unloaded weight down to 33 oz?

Add in 6 rounds and you are still looking at lugging around a 38-39oz carry piece. I still want one but realize it may not be practical for all the time carry. Besides if you put rubber grips of any size on it the weight will increase slightly.

Still a cool idea.

Dave

 

[bdb benzino]

I want mine to be my bedside, or in-car defense pistol, and 3 1/4 will be prefect. Will I have to worry about keyholing at 3 1/4''?

 

[Catshooter]

I want mine to be my bedside, or in-car defense pistol, and 3 1/4 will be prefect. Will I have to worry about keyholing at 3 1/4''?

Nope. My Brazillian had a dent at the front of the barrel that you could see on the inside. I cut it off to 3 and a quarter and it shoots fine. Better, actually.


Cat

 

[Pisgah]

I had a cut-down 1917 for quite a while, and it was a darned nice gun. To tell the truth, though, with new 1917s and 1922s available (Yeah, I know they are not identical, but they share the major chracteristics) there's a better choice available for defensive carry. These guns are, after all, getting pretty long in the tooth. They are well-built and reliable, but breakage is certainly a possibity and, if something does break, new parts are getting very tough to find.

When the budget allows, I am thinking of getting a new Model 22 and having some bobbing and slicking done on it. Ugly lock hole aside, they are nice wheelguns.