M-1917

[pmanton]

I'm the proud owner of a M-1917 in original 1918 condition.
The single action trigger pull is very un S&W like. It is very heavy.
Is this normal for this revolver?

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

I'm the proud owner of a M-1917 in original 1918 condition.
The single action trigger pull is very un S&W like. It is very heavy.
Is this normal for this revolver?

Not likely. The build-up of dried oil and dust is probably what is causing your heavy SA trigger pull.

Time to tear it down and detail clean it. You can find a gunsmith to do it for you, but don't let any pinhead/plastic fantastic armorer try his luck on your antique treasure!

Ivan

 

[gmborkovic]

Try this. remove the grips carefully. Do not pop the side plate.
Start soaking or spraying de-greaser in every hole you can find.
And a lot of compressed air. You may be the victim of crud and dry oil.
Dont start turning screws yet. Come back.

 

[StrawHat]

The classic soaking solution is Ed's Red. 50/50 ATF and acetone. Put all metal parts in a sealable container, add the solution, seal it and set it aside. Every so often, give it a good shaking to dislodge some of the gunk.

Kevin

 

[StrawHat]

And, where are the required pictures?

Kevin

 

[handejector]

WWI 1917s do not usually have a SA pull as light as commercial guns of the period in my observation. Never weighed one, but I bet they run a pound heavier, maybe even 1-1/2.
In the trenches, one was likely to be shooting DA, close and quickly!
Advancing across No-Man's-Land, one was not likely to be engaging in much deliberate SA fire either.

 

[JoeJGillham]

The original M-1917 revolver did come with a heavy trigger pull. This was normal at that time. The trigger pull of the original M-1917 was around 10lbs. That is why the revolver was considered unsafe to be carried with a chambered round. It was advised that it can only be carried with an empty chamber. The regulation was later changed to allow the use of a loaded chamber. However, most military service revolver produced after 1950 came with an installed trigger return spring. This modification allowed the new M-1917 revolvers to carry a chambered round safely. Hope this help.

 

[pmanton]

Thanks for the info all.
I was chastised for not posting any pictures.
Here's a shot of the outfit. Everything is era 1918 including ammo.

 

[jlemay69]

I have a 1915 vintage 455 HE 2nd Edition which had a problem with the cylinder to barrel clearance. He couldn't figure out the cause and the gunsmith filed the barrel to give it several thousands of an inch clearance.

 

[MG34/bar]

I've owned a good many 1917 revolvers, both S&W and Colt, and they all seemed to have a rather heavy trigger. I have been told by people more experienced than I that primers from ammo 100 years ago were thicker or harder than modern ones, and therefore required a heavier hammer fall. That seems to have been the case also with older Colt SAA revolvers I have owned, so if after making certain that your revolver is clean and lubricated, if you still find the trigger not to your liking, you can try lighter mainsprings that are available from several sources.

 

[smithra_66]

Military guns usually have a heavy trigger, and on top of that, guns from the early part of the 20th century or earlier usually have HEAVY mainsprings to whack the primers of back then. They were not as soft and supple or as reliable as primers of today.

I would say to pop the sideplate and give it a normal cleaning and lubrication. Whatever results you get after that are likely the way the factory intended in 1918. I'd leave them.

 

[StrawHat]

Thanks for the info all.
I was chastised for not posting any pictures.
Here's a shot of the outfit. Everything is era 1918 including ammo.

Nice!

Be aware, that ammunition has corrosive primers. Modern cleaning solutions are not set up to work on them. There are a few work arounds but the easiest one is to not shoot the stuff.

As for the trigger pull, a normal cleaning will not touch the crud that builds up over 105 years. Try the ATF/acetone soak after removing the grips. Then, a brass brush to get more of the crud. I have used the little sword toothpicks to get into the nooks that resisted other attempts.

But above all else, enjoy that revolver. They are getting harder and harder to find.

Kevin

 

[gmborkovic]

To OP, one more note. If the side plate screws are pristine and the plate seam is perfect, please dont do anything but soak and lube internals.
Its not a match grade gun.

 

[pasound]

I have two from that era - a .44HE from 1924, and a .38HE from 1912-13. Both had terrible triggers, heavy DA, crunchy SA. Thorough cleaning helped, but the biggest help was the Smithmaster tool from Gunsmither Tools - a tool to remove the trigger return spring block and spring easily and safely. No launching the spring across the room to never be seen again. After cleaning that block, and lubing the block and spring (lightly!), both have outstanding trigger pulls.

 

[StrawHat]

The original M-1917 revolver did come with a heavy trigger pull. This was normal at that time. The trigger pull of the original M-1917 was around 10lbs. That is why the revolver was considered unsafe to be carried with a chambered round. It was advised that it can only be carried with an empty chamber. The regulation was later changed to allow the use of a loaded chamber. However, most military service revolver produced after 1950 came with an installed trigger return spring. This modification allowed the new M-1917 revolvers to carry a chambered round safely. Hope this help.

Can you sight that reg for us? First I have heard of it.

Kevin

 

[tndrfttom]

Per the War Department's TM 9-1295, dated November 9, 1942, "ORDNANCE MAINTENANCE PISTOLS and REVOLVERS" the single action trigger pull was supposed to be 5 to 6-1/2 pounds on the S&W M1917 revolver.

 

[StrawHat]

Per the War Department's TM 9-1295, dated November 9, 1942, "ORDNANCE MAINTENANCE PISTOLS and REVOLVERS" the single action trigger pull was supposed to be 5 to 6-1/2 pounds on the S&W M1917 revolver.

I had not seen that publication before. Thank you for posting.

Interesting comment on replacing a barrel, …select one that does not require a lot of fitting…. Obviously directed toward an armorer who would have more than one barrel from which to choose!

Kevin