1917 WWI junk?

[Taj]

[
So I was wondering if S&W produced ( good enough) guns during war time production,,,or if all 1917 guns have these over size chamber mouths,,Also was wondering if the 1937 Brazilian guns were any better.
I would appreciate any info others have on the 1917.[/QUOTE]

I have a Brazilian 1917 that is absolutely gorgeous. It shoots to the sights with ball ammo or my favorite H&G 68 loaded over W231. A few years back at an antique revolver shoot, the targets were clay birds held in place on a stretch of chicken wire with wooden cloths pins, at 15 yards. When everyone finished shooting the claybirds, I shot most of the cloths pins off the wire with that old 1917. It will shoot tiny little groups.

 

[sandspur6]

Early in my LE career, (early 70's), I carried a S&W 1917. It was so accurate with ball ammo that I actually won several local pistol matches. It felt really good to outshoot guys who shot Gold Cup .45's and K38 revolvers with my old 1917 and GI ball. The only mod to my '17 was to remove the lanyard loop and install a pair of old factory target grips. Those were the days (back when I could actually see those tiny little sights.)

 

[StrawHat]

Yes ,,I'll be doing the work,,I have converted 4 model 28 from 357 to 44 mag and One to 45 colt,, also rebarreled a bunch of Uberti revolvers with colt SAA barrels..I'm no gunsmith,,,more of a parts replacer,,only had to work on the timing on one conversion,and that wasn't hard,

You will also need to alter the frame lug. It will be set up for the ACP cylinder and the new cylinder will be too long to work with it. It can be replaced or filed.

Kevin

 

[willy]

You will also need to alter the frame lug. It will be set up for the ACP cylinder and the new cylinder will be too long to work with it. It can be replaced or filed.

Kevin

You are exactly right on the mark with this info,But a day late!!! This is the first time I had to work the lug on any of the guns I have converted,,Even switching from the short cylinders on the 28 to the 44 mag never called for any lug work,, Sort of stumped me at first when the cylinder hung up at first,,I just finished the file work on the lug today,,,Tomorrow I fit the barrel..which always takes hours upon hours to get the sight and cylinder gap where they should be.

 

[StrawHat]

You are exactly right on the mark with this info,But a day late!!! This is the first time I had to work the lug on any of the guns I have converted,,Even switching from the short cylinders on the 28 to the 44 mag never called for any lug work,, Sort of stumped me at first when the cylinder hung up at first,,I just finished the file work on the lug today,,,Tomorrow I fit the barrel..which always takes hours upon hours to get the sight and cylinder gap where they should be.

I converted a Model 28-2 from 357 S&W Magnum to 45 ACP. I had the barrel bored and rifled and fitted an ACP cylinder. That frame lug was removed and replaced to function properly. All the work (except the boring and rifling) was done by myself with hand files and other simple tools. I did use an arbor press to push the old lug out and the new one in place.

Kevin

 

[willy]

I converted a Model 28-2 from 357 S&W Magnum to 45 ACP. I had the barrel bored and rifled and fitted an ACP cylinder. That frame lug was removed and replaced to function properly. All the work (except the boring and rifling) was done by myself with hand files and other simple tools. I did use an arbor press to push the old lug out and the new one in place.

Kevin

Who did your barrel? , I have a 45 colt cylinder I would like to pair with a 6" model 28 barrel,if I could get someone to reborn it to 45 cal.

 

[StrawHat]

Who did your barrel? , I have a 45 colt cylinder I would like to pair with a 6" model 28 barrel,if I could get someone to reborn it to 45 cal.

Mine was done in the 80s by Dick Nickel. He has since passed away. You might check with Jesse Ocumpaugh, (JES Rebore). He does rifles but may also do short barrels.

Another option would be to source a Model 1950 barrel.

Kevin

 

[willy]

Mine was done in the 80s by Dick Nickel. He has since passed away. You might check with Jesse Ocumpaugh, (JES Rebore). He does rifles but may also do short barrels.

Another option would be to source a Model 1950 barrel.

Kevin

Thanks for the info,,Trying to find a 1950 barrel is probably as hard as trying to find the 44 special cylinder..I just happened to luck out and found the cylinder with the barrel from the same gun at gunbroker,,amd it cost me a mint! What really bummed me out is I seen a 44 special 5" hand ejector barrel on e bay about a month ago and thought it would go for a mint amd when I checked back it sold for $50 !!!!!!! ,,You win some and you lose some I guess.

 

[StrawHat]

Thanks for the info,,Trying to find a 1950 barrel is probably as hard as trying to find the 44 special cylinder..I just happened to luck out and found the cylinder with the barrel from the same gun at gunbroker,,amd it cost me a mint! What really bummed me out is I seen a 44 special 5" hand ejector barrel on e bay about a month ago and thought it would go for a mint amd when I checked back it sold for $50 !!!!!!! ,,You win some and you lose some I guess.

Actually, they turn up from time to time on this forum. Several members have them and periodically one will come up for sale. You might consider a WTB in the appropriate section.

Just noticed you are from Ohio. Andy Horvath made his reputation converting the 36 caliber revolvers to 44 Special and the 45s. You might contact him to see if he knows anyone who bores and rifles handgun barrels.

Where in Ohio are you?

Kevin

 

[steelslaver]

I was told that this guy made some K22 barrels into 32 barrels so you may want to try him to see if he would make your 357 a 45. I have found and used 2 1950 barrels 1 of which was chopped

Al Siegrist
8752 Turtle Road
Whittemore, MI
48770

 

[willy]

Actually, they turn up from time to time on this forum. Several members have them and periodically one will come up for sale. You might consider a WTB in the appropriate section.

Just noticed you are from Ohio. Andy Horvath made his reputation converting the 36 caliber revolvers to 44 Special and the 45s. You might contact him to see if he knows anyone who bores and rifles handgun barrels.

Where in Ohio are you?

Kevin

Im in Canton,,the Hall of Fame City

 

[StrawHat]

Willy,

Just saw you WTB. The cylinders are the same for the Model 1950, Model 1955, Model 26 and Model 25-2.

Kevin

 

[bulletslap]

I have an old 1917 that gave spotty accuracy with 45 Ball ammo and hand loaded equivalents, cast bullets were worse. Then one day I found about 30 left over Speer 200 grain hollow points over a moderate charge of Unique. I was shocked at how much more accurate this load was. Strangely even shot very close to point of aim at 25 yards.

 

[CMudrock]

I recently acquired a 1937 Brazilian contract Smith .45acp. It was delivered to Brazil in December of 1946, one of the last ones. aside from some cosmetic storage wear it's like new mechanically. I would say that it is much better than an older 1937 model I once owned.
I was taught to shoot bullseye style like pre-war II soldiers - by my Dad. Usually my first few shots are my best (I'm 75) & after a while my steel, fully loaded pistols get Heavy. Small sights are also a handicap. But all told - I'm very satisfied & delighted with my good fortune to find my S&W late model Brazilian. Mine shoots better than I am able.
* Then - there is my well worn 1903 made 38spl. Its action is smooth & buttery, barrel has some pits - but a tack driver. I much prefer smith quailty to colts DA revolvers.

 

[LostintheOzone]

My 1917s are not target guns, but they both show a clear preference for the ammo they were designed to use -- standard 230 gr. hardball .45 ACP. I've tried numerous lead bullet reloads -- some acceptable, some lousy, none beating the hardball.

My rule of thumb. Load and shoot what the gun was designed for.