MY new 5 screw hint it has a lanyard

[jamestx]

My gun/pawn shop find, I have wanted a 45acp/ar Smith, but can't swing the cost for a 3 or 4" 625 or a 25-2. So.....a nice 1917 will do. Never owned one, not sure if the proof marks are US or Canadian. The barrel is the only non matching number part that I can see, but I see this often on GB guns, the all number seem to be expensive. This has solid lock up, should be a good shooter. Don't know if Ineed full or half moon clips or if it doesn't matter, but I have 2 boxes of factory Rem 45AR.

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[Andy Lowry]

That's right nice! My father has one that I shot this year, it was a laser. That serial looks like 1940 to me, but I'm sure someone more expert than I will be along to provide a solid date. I'm on the lookout for one of those myself, but every time I see one it's in the same price range as a 625 or 25.

 

[murphydog]

It's a 1917 Army with US Ordnance stamp ("flaming bomb"). Should make a good shooter. Either .45 ACP in clips or .45 AR will work fine and extract. You can even use un-clipped .45 ACP and push out the empties with a wood dowel or metal rod. Enjoy!

 

[Targets Guy]

Looks very nice. Next up is the range report.

 

[DWalt]

U. S. Military S&W M1917s are in the range SN 1 thru SN 169959, virtually all of which were completed in 1918. I am unaware the Canadians ever used the S&W M1917. If you have .45 ARs, shoot them. I have always felt that the AR case is the best to use in any 1917, even though it did not come into existence until a few years after WWI. If you plan to reload .45 AR cases, you can use .45 ACP dies and data, but it does require a special case holder as the rim is so thick. Firing .45 ACP ammunition without moon clips will work OK in a S&W M1917 and most Colt M1917s, and if you load a little on the light side, empties will usually fall out without much help. Heavier loads might stick. Look around, and you will find some very well made leather WWI-style military flap holster replicas which are usually priced at $50 or less. I guarantee you will be happy with one. I am not sure what kind of grips are on yours, but I suspect from their appearance that they may be modern replicas. Original grips were always smooth wood.

 

[jamestx]

Thank ya guys. I will start with AR's til I get some clips to try out. I may throw different N frame grips on it, not sure yet. Can't wait to shoot it tomorrow, got home a little late today and had stuff to do. On GB there were some with British proof marks and a couple notated as Canadian? Most were US. My serial number falls within the range. But the barrel is different and and doesn't say "US Property" underneath it. The front sight is pinned and different from an original half dime looking one. Hopefully it shoots POA.

 

[Penmon]

No thank you!

 

[H Richard]

Are my eye's deceiving me or does this appear to have a target style front sight? You must assume it was modified, but this doesn't look like any modified sight I have seen.

 

[quinn]

First, welcome to the 45 Wheelie club. Second, I wonder if your barrhasn't been changed . Go make some holes in paper!

 

[ImprovedModel56Fan]

That is one REALLY nice gun. The grips are, I believe, from sometime between WWI & WWII. They seem to fit pretty well. I would rather have them than originals, especially since the barrel isn't original, anyway. Your barrel corrects the main 1917 shortcoming, rotten front sights.

Each to his own. I would much rather have your gun than a fully correct 1917, especially since the non-original parts of your 1917 are classy in their own right. Notice how your front sight is slightly undercut? Nice.

Hope it shoots to POA.

 

[jamestx]

That is one REALLY nice gun. The grips are, I believe, from sometime between WWI & WWII. They seem to fit pretty well. I would rather have them than originals, especially since the barrel isn't original, anyway. Your barrel corrects the main 1917 shortcoming, rotten front sights.

Each to his own. I would much rather have your gun than a fully correct 1917, especially since the non-original parts of your 1917 are classy in their own right. Notice how your front sight is slightly undercut? Nice.

Hope it shoots to POA.

Thank you, I agree, part of the reason why I bought it. I like the front sight much better than an original, it is also pinned so I can change it, not sure what type sight blades it uses since I'm new to these guns, but always loved that partridge w/brass bead like on the new 625 PC & JM's. This sight ooks like it was modified for POA but with 230, 200, 185??? Only shooting time will tell.

 

[red9]

Beautiful stocks and I like the front sight. Enjoy.

Bob

 

[Kinman]

Many calibers are fun to shoot but 45AR/45ACP is the one to grow old with, I find myself spending more time and money shooting my 45's that my K-22's. K-22's are fun and of course economical to practice shooting technique, etc. but that pop, pop, pop just doesn't take the place of boom, boom boom. I go from shooting muzzleloading rifle to pistols with pistols getting a workout about once a week maybe. I find that after having flintlocks blow up in my face all week its pretty tough to go back to a .22, I don't find it nearly as attractive as I did earlier. Now I like my pistols to have some heft and the bigger the bore the better, no magnums thank you, just a nice big slug moving at moderate speeds.
Have fun with your new piece, I switched over to 45AR a couple of years ago and never looked back. If a quick reload is something you might be interested you can get speed strips built for .45AR, they are a sort of stripper clip and actually far less cumbersome than half moon clips in your jacket pocket.

 

[Hondo44]

Nice old war horse.

The barrel is clearly a WWI produced surplus barrel replacement with the eagle inspector stamp but finished up as a commercial barrel. Hence no US PROPERTY roll mark and with upgraded patridge sight blade.

I would imagine the rear sight U nothch is has been opened up to a square to fit with the front blade. The stocks mat be restored '30s era or more likely nice repros.

Great catch!

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

I enjoy shooting my 625, but I always carry my Brazilian 1917 in the woods! It is my long nosed "Mountain Gun". My normal ammo is my standard target load for my 1911's in full moon clips. A light 45 ACP is still a lot more power than a heavy 38!

Ivan

 

[Anothergrumpyoldman]

Nice find. Looks to be in the same condition as my 1917. Mine is all matching except the front sight was filed. It turned out to be a great shooter. I don't have any 45AR cases , so I use light loaded 45ACP and most cases fall out without using moon clips. Loading and unloading moon clips with arthritis is a pain, literally and figuratively.

 

[jamestx]

I was trying some different grips on it last night I had laying around, one pair of short Pacs fit and a lousy fitting set of grippers, a one piece set of hogues' that are nice walnut almost fit.

 

[Wiregrassguy]

Pre-WWII N frame grip frames are slightly longer than post war. I wouldn't put any money in new grips unless you have someone make them to fit your gun. The rubber grips should work pretty well since they stretch.

 

[Kinman]

I have found that any number of later day N-framed targets work well if you are looking for something substantial to wrap your hands around while figuring out what works well for this piece. I used a modern set of targets that were in a dark rosewood that had cut-outs, they worked real well.
After I got it cut down to 4" with the red ramp Baughman style front sight and Wondersight installed I decided to re-install the lanyard loop, which led to an issue with what type of grips to install, I settled on a nice pair of diamond center magnas, they don't quite fit my hand as well as targets, but work better for carry and with a revolver that doesn't recoil seriously are not a problem with regard to comfort.

 

[jamestx]

I like them, it looks good, were did ya get the "wondersight"