Plinkmeister
Member
- Joined
- Jul 17, 2009
- Messages
- 5
- Reaction score
- 0
Greetings fellow Smith & Wesson Aficionados!
In response to continued prompts from the administrators I have decided I’d better introduce myself. (I’ve been a member for a couple of months, and have learned a lot from the forums, but have not yet contributed.)
My association with Smith & Wesson handguns goes back to 1972.
After college, when I received my first real paycheck, I moseyed down to the local gun emporium and bought a nice looking Model 1917 - my first handgun - for $60. On the way home with my prize I stopped at Godfrey Reloading Supply. The nice folks there were running a special: I got an RCBS JR press, a Du-O-Measure, a 10-10 scale, reloading dies (they were out of the standard 45 ACP dies so the gentleman substituted carbide dies at no extra charge), a shell holder, 100 cases, 100 hundred primers, a box of bullets, and a pound of Unique - all for the princely sum of $100.
The Model 1917 and I became good friends. I learned to shoot a handgun with it, I learned to reload for it, and I learned some rudimentary gunsmithing skills with it. Relying on George Nonte’s advice, I lightened and smoothed the action. I ordered a set of Goncalo Alves target stocks from Smith & Wesson. I shot literally thousands of rounds through it. Like I said, we were great friends.
Alas, my roving eye spotted a basket case Colt Model 1917. The Colt moved in and the Smith & Wesson moved out.
Next I bought a Model 39. I never got to shoot it, because I ran into a guy with a lot of money who wanted it worse than I did. This has been my only foray into Smith & Wesson automatics to date.
The next acquisition was a Model 79G. I still have it, but have never shot it much - it doesn’t make enough noise!
My fourth Smith & Wesson is a demilitarized Victory. I’ll add this one to the Victory database shortly. Said Victory now sports the original grips and lanyard ring from the above mentioned Model 1917.
My last Smith & Wesson acquisition is a Model 10 that my dad bought. Dad had a collection of representative firearms that he’d used in the Air Force (and Army Air Corps and Army Air Force). His collection included everything form the Model 1917 Enfield that he started with in 1941 to the Model 10 he used in Viet Nam in 1968. The only item that eluded him was the survival rifle in 22 Hornet. I digress. Getting old I guess.
Not many handguns for a person who likes Smith & Wessons, I admit.
The fly in the ointment is that about 1978 I discovered the Colt Government Model. Here was the perfect handgun for me: acceptable weight, light recoil, outstanding accuracy, and that most important of all attributes - it shoots where I look. No thinking or fussing, no unnecessary fiddling with sight picture; just point and shoot.
Why am I here on a Smith & Wesson forum?
That’s an easy one. The large frame, fixed-sight, pre-war revolvers (and I include the Colt New Service) have a certain grace, a purity of line, and, dare I say it, sex appeal. Nothing superfluous, nothing fancy. Just an honest working gun. What more can we ask for?
Some day soon I plan to make friends with another Model 1917.
In response to continued prompts from the administrators I have decided I’d better introduce myself. (I’ve been a member for a couple of months, and have learned a lot from the forums, but have not yet contributed.)
My association with Smith & Wesson handguns goes back to 1972.
After college, when I received my first real paycheck, I moseyed down to the local gun emporium and bought a nice looking Model 1917 - my first handgun - for $60. On the way home with my prize I stopped at Godfrey Reloading Supply. The nice folks there were running a special: I got an RCBS JR press, a Du-O-Measure, a 10-10 scale, reloading dies (they were out of the standard 45 ACP dies so the gentleman substituted carbide dies at no extra charge), a shell holder, 100 cases, 100 hundred primers, a box of bullets, and a pound of Unique - all for the princely sum of $100.
The Model 1917 and I became good friends. I learned to shoot a handgun with it, I learned to reload for it, and I learned some rudimentary gunsmithing skills with it. Relying on George Nonte’s advice, I lightened and smoothed the action. I ordered a set of Goncalo Alves target stocks from Smith & Wesson. I shot literally thousands of rounds through it. Like I said, we were great friends.
Alas, my roving eye spotted a basket case Colt Model 1917. The Colt moved in and the Smith & Wesson moved out.
Next I bought a Model 39. I never got to shoot it, because I ran into a guy with a lot of money who wanted it worse than I did. This has been my only foray into Smith & Wesson automatics to date.
The next acquisition was a Model 79G. I still have it, but have never shot it much - it doesn’t make enough noise!
My fourth Smith & Wesson is a demilitarized Victory. I’ll add this one to the Victory database shortly. Said Victory now sports the original grips and lanyard ring from the above mentioned Model 1917.
My last Smith & Wesson acquisition is a Model 10 that my dad bought. Dad had a collection of representative firearms that he’d used in the Air Force (and Army Air Corps and Army Air Force). His collection included everything form the Model 1917 Enfield that he started with in 1941 to the Model 10 he used in Viet Nam in 1968. The only item that eluded him was the survival rifle in 22 Hornet. I digress. Getting old I guess.
Not many handguns for a person who likes Smith & Wessons, I admit.
The fly in the ointment is that about 1978 I discovered the Colt Government Model. Here was the perfect handgun for me: acceptable weight, light recoil, outstanding accuracy, and that most important of all attributes - it shoots where I look. No thinking or fussing, no unnecessary fiddling with sight picture; just point and shoot.
Why am I here on a Smith & Wesson forum?
That’s an easy one. The large frame, fixed-sight, pre-war revolvers (and I include the Colt New Service) have a certain grace, a purity of line, and, dare I say it, sex appeal. Nothing superfluous, nothing fancy. Just an honest working gun. What more can we ask for?
Some day soon I plan to make friends with another Model 1917.