Brazilian and Colt 1917 DA accuracy

[NB4EST2]

After reading a recent post that kinda poor-mouthed the accuracy potential of one of my favorite Smiths (1917 DA), I wondered if I was mis-remembering how well my Brazilian shot.

I dug it and a WWI-era Colt out of the safe. Unsupported at 15 yards, cast 200 grain SWCs and 200 grain RNFPs loaded in front of a manual-minimum charge of WST and a middle-of-the road-charge of Trail Boss restored my faith in these old war hosses.

A friend also shot a golf-ball size group with the Brazilian at 15 yards with SWCs and a charge of WSF (don't recall his powder charge).

 

[torizus]

The Brazilians were essentially produced in two basic lots. Pre-war and post. It's been said that the pre-war models,having been made in peacetime (1937) and also when S&W was experiencing a financial glut, were given full attention and care hoping that a larger contract could be gained later.

 

[gregintenn]

My Brazilian shoots as well as any other revolver I own.

 

[riversalmon]

Ditto

Owned a '17 with the ' Brazos 'tatoo and recall one shooting match years ago. My Ol' buddy was hammering a 16 in piece of steel about 80 paces with his 44 Smith and I happened along. He jokingly asked if I wanted to give it a try with my old horse. I handed it to him and said "you try". After a sighter he commenced to clang out two cylinders full. Handed it back and said " I believe that will do "

 

[NB4EST2]

My Brazilian is a flat top/square notch for a rear sight model. From what I can learn here, its serial # indicates it was one of those guns included in the first shipment to Brazil. I'm very pleased with it in both SA and DA.....The old Colt is very accurate when fired SA. My hands are not small, but the Colt has such a long grip and a clunky DA pull, I reserve it for SA dot shoots.

 

[sodacan]

I don't have the later 1917, but one of WWI vintage, along with a Colt of the same era. I generally check accuracy using some sort of support and both are pretty accurate at 15 to 25 yards, but certainly far from bullseye shooters. The S&W has a pretty smooth D/A trigger, though long and fairly heavy. I use a tractor to pull the Colt's trigger. It's really cool to shoot a piece of history.

 

[VaTom]

I own a S&W 1917 (Commercial - made in 1929). It is an accurate revolver, recoil less than expected due to heaviness of pistol, and a lot of fun to shoot. At a local auction last year (I was there for another revolver but didn't get it) so I bid on the 1917 on a whim as the bidding had stalled at a low number and I picked it up for $325 !! It was refinished at some point by a former owner. The only downside is the smaller grips for such a big caliber revolver which I have to adjust my hold when shooting.

It is now one of the prized revolvers in my collection.

 

[Muley Gil]

Tom, I use smooth Magnas, made by kurac, on my commercial 1917. Much better recoil control.

sodacan, I had a Colt 1917 that was issued to me by my police department. I tuned it up and while it did have a heavy DA pull, it was very smooth and I scored a 59/60 on a state qualification course one year.

 

[NB4EST2]

My Lyman trigger pull gauge shows the Brazilian single action trigger breaking on the average at just under 3 pounds and as crisply as a cheap window pane.

The recently-slicked-up Colt's single action trigger averages about 5 pounds 11 ounces.

The Lyman device only measures up to 12 pounds. Both revolvers are off the scale when the trigger is pulled double action.