M1917 S&W vs COLT ?

[Oyeboteb]

Colts stink!!! Just look at the photo above. The Colt front sight looks like a shark fin, the extractor is hanging out in space like Will Robinson, the cylinder looks plain and dumpy, the trigger guard looks like a pretzel, the hammer looks fat and clumsy, the hump behind the trigger looks like a camels back, the stocks (grips on a Colt) look long and fat like someone stepped on them and the thumb latch looks like it was recycled off of a British Webley.

Other than that I have no opinion...

You may wish to consider getting an S & W then.

 

[Oyeboteb]

This is the revolver in question. From all reports it's very tight in the action & I'm having a Forum member here to have a look at it for me next week as it's in another State

the dealer that has it is one of the biggest here in Australia & I have not heard any bad reports about the guns he gets in but I am still not sure what I will do. When it gets looked at & I hear the report. That may make my mind up

I can not tell from the image if the Blue is original or not.

If it is, then this Colt is of course in very well preserved condition.

The Ivory Stocks themselves appear old and are likely quite valuable in themselves.

The Colt 'New Service' or in this instance, the Model of 1917, is a larger Grip and Finger reach to the Trigger, than the N-Frame S & W, so, depending on Hand size, it may be a little too big, or it may be just fine.

I presonally am very fond of both the S & W and the Colt Models of 1917, and, if one likes the older Big Frame Revolvers, certainly one of each would be the ideal.

 

[M2MikeGolf]

I'd jump on that in a minute, especially since it has those ivory grips. You can always get a S&W later, but I wouldn't let that one pass by.

 

[JSR III]

Oyeboteb- see post number 15. (I kinda all ready did) But now I'm gonna tell my wife that it was your idea...boy are you gonna be in trouble...

 

[bmcgilvray]

I've long been in the "own-'em-both" camp and have had '17 Colt and Smith & Wesson revolvers since I was young.

I do like the Colt New Service revolver in all its variations and have fired my 1917 Colt quite a lot down through the years. It's never given a minute's trouble and is reasonably accurate with most loads and useful out to about 25 yards or so. It seems to really like lead semi-wadcutter bullets 250-255 grains in weight that are designed for the .45 Colt. Load them up in .45 Auto Rim cases behind a moderate charge of Unique and you'll have a sweet shooting and still practical revolver.

I have large hands with long fingers but still can't say I can manage the double action trigger pull of the Colt New Service to any great advantage. I could still clear a trench with it.

 

[J.D.]

I've long been in the "own-'em-both" camp and have had '17 Colt and Smith & Wesson revolvers since I was young.

I do like the Colt New Service revolver in all its variations and have fired my 1917 Colt quite a lot down through the years. It's never given a minute's trouble and is reasonably accurate with most loads and useful out to about 25 yards or so. It seems to really like lead semi-wadcutter bullets 250-255 grains in weight that are designed for the .45 Colt. Load them up in .45 Auto Rim cases behind a moderate charge of Unique and you'll have a sweet shooting and still practical revolver.

I have large hands with long fingers but still can't say I can manage the double action trigger pull of the Colt New Service to any great advantage. I could still clear a trench with it.

Thanks for the info Does the S&W & the Colt use the same moon clips ? Just can't find any information on that.
Thanks again.

JD

 

[Muley Gil]

"Does the S&W & the Colt use the same moon clips ?"

Yup.

Try Brownells or Ranch Products for clips.

 

[J.D.]

"Does the S&W & the Colt use the same moon clips ?"

Yup.

Try Brownells or Ranch Products for clips.

Thanks for that

 

[Timber Wolf]

I too have one of each and would not want to choose between them. I also own several commerical New Services as well and have found that a grip adaptor made by Tyler, Mershon (I think that is spelled correctly), or Pachmayer is a must for me to comfortably shoot them. I found the Pahmayer Presentation grip far to large for me.

 

[BearBio]

I have both and, while I have several (well, one or two, lol) nice Smiths, I am a Colt man. That being said, I definitely like the Smith over the New Service. I would, however, stay away from the newer guns with locks.

My favorite is a 25-2, but I like the Model of 1989 also.

 

[J.D.]

Thanks Guys,

Well I now own that Colt M1917 It will be about two weeks before I can get it due to licensing requirements here so as soon as I get her home I'll get more info & pics & share with you Guys. Thanks for the help

Now I just have to find a S&W M1917 which here in Australia may take some time but now I have my Colt to keep me going till I find a Smith

 

[Hondo44]

What's the story on getting a 1917 into Australia?

 

[10/22]

Shooting the Colt 1917

I used to holster carry the 1917 Colt into the California Desert back in the days. From holster it is the best natural pointing revolver I've ever owned.

Mine had been arsenal refinished for the USPO and looked brand new in it's gray Parker coat. I bought a pair of genuine stag grips for it and I could kill a can from a hip shot faster than Wild Bill. Sold it...miss it and yes I am an idiot!
10/22.

 

[J.D.]

What's the story on getting a 1917 into Australia?

From what I understand Hondo it can be done with a lot of paperwork but from what I have been told is the expense can come from the dealers shipping it from the US & the dealer that has to take posession of it when it arrives. Can be done I have only had a quick look at the regulation. My wife & I want to come to the US for a visit so when that happens I will be looking at bringing one back Some day soon I hope

 

[J.D.]

OK Guys, got this Colt M1917 for inspection today & let me tell you this gun does not look as good as it does in the photo but I am more than happy with it as it shows honest wear & locks up tighter then a bank vault The grips are real ivory Now I need some help. The number on the grip frame is 15459 & the number on the frame & crane are 164651 with what looks like a H above that number & a h below it (on the frame that is) then above the cylinder latch it looks like a HS3 ? in a circle. On the backstrap to me it looks like something was sanded off or is that just the finish, rough ? I must say I am very happy with this gun & I'll be keeping it. Now just have to find me a reproduction web belt M1917 holster a a half moon clip pouch which is not easy here in Australia. Now the hunt for a S&W M1917 Here are some more pictures for you let me know what you Guys think.

 

[Hondo44]

It looks like a fine original Colt. The Colts were numbered different from the Smiths. They had a separate service # which is what's on the butt. The other is the factory serial #. The Smiths used their factory serial # for the service #.

The sanding marks are original factory and are the tell-tale signs one looks for to confirm it has not been refinished. You usually see them by the front sight as well. That is one of the nicest war production 1917 Colt finishes I've seen and blue as well. I've seen some that were so rough they look like they were finished with 50 grit sandpaper and then parkerized.

You ought to be able to find your web gear here in the states and have that shipped w/o problems.

 

[10/22]

Finish

What's with that flat finish, squared off area around the front sight? Nice blue except for that.
merwin2.

 

[DCWilson]

What's with that flat finish, squared off area around the front sight? Nice blue except for that.
merwin2.

That's a standard feature of the coarse wartime finish -- part of the effect you get when you don't use finer polishing to remove evidence of the direction or "grain" of coarser polishing

 

[Hondo44]

What's with that flat finish, squared off area around the front sight? Nice blue except for that.
merwin2.

Colt collector's call it 'feathering' and it's very common on military Colts including the 19th century SAAs. Again a sure sign of original factory finish.

 

[Muley Gil]

This company offers a repo half moon pouch:

Military Antiques, Military Collectibles and Militaria Search results for: 'half moon clip pouch' IMA-USA.COM