origional 1917 for carry revolver?

[dogngun]

Anyone use an old 1917 for a carry gun? The one I have my eye on has been refinished, so it is not a loss to the collectors.I have always wanted a .45ACP DA revolver, but should I wait for the new ones from S&W or buy an old one that has been refinished or is just a shooter rather than a collector?

Thanks.

Mark

 

[dogngun]

Anyone use an old 1917 for a carry gun? The one I have my eye on has been refinished, so it is not a loss to the collectors.I have always wanted a .45ACP DA revolver, but should I wait for the new ones from S&W or buy an old one that has been refinished or is just a shooter rather than a collector?

Thanks.

Mark

 

[lonewolf]

Mark; you could do a helluva lot WORSE, than carrying a "vintage" S&W 1917, IMO!

Biggest "problem" will be what type of holster,if you wanna carry the 1917 "concealed".

Shoulder holster will probably be your best bet,and get a good quality one. I carry a "first run" M-610 w/5" bbl., and I am far from a tall or heavyset guy.

If the 1917 has the old style rounded rear sight, I would square it off(and the notch) as S&W did with the frames produced anew in the 1920's.

Lanyard should be removed, and hole plugged(e-z to make a plug from a flathead screw, with shank cut to same length as lanyard loop, and a notch filed for the retaining pin.)

You have a wide array of grips to select from,although post 1953 grips tend to run a 1/16th shorter than the pre war frames,is NBD.
Non magna "service stocks", with a grip adapter, will aid in concealment, and be fine, unless you plan an extended shooting session with leavy loads.

There is a huge variety of "self defense ammo", as far as factory loads, although I'd stay away from some of the "exotic" high velocity for regular use from the older gun. Moon type clips great for speedloading. Most 1917's shoot best with 230 gr.,although one I carried when working in a brickyard summers of 81' and 82', killed large feral "coydogs" instantly with Speers' 200 gr "flying ashtrays" factory loads.

Bud

 

[Muley Gil]

I used to carry as my police duty weapon a S&W 1917 cutdown to 4", with a ramp front sight, an adjustible rear sight added, and the grip frame round butted.

It was a good 'un!

 

[bmcgilvray]

I'd feel well-armed myself. I've toted a Colt M1917 beneath my suit coat before. It was livable all day and NO ONE KNEW.

 

[Cocked & Locked]

I carry this one around IWB Mexican Style when I'm feeling like Retro BBQ Man.

 

[feralmerril]

I took this one off my at the time, 88 year old dad 6 years ago. They didnt appriciate him haveing it under his mattress in the rest home!

 

[Airedale]

Get a CABO IWB holster. CABO=Carry a Big One.

I use it for the 38 44 that's on my hip now, my model 22, 27,etc. It's comfortable and conceals well. I wear an untucked polo shirt over it.
www.caboholsters.com

Dave

 

[dogngun]

Thank you ;
I have been waiting for Smith to make some new ones, like the Thunder Ranch model, whatever the number is, but if I can find a solid tight old one, I'd happily go with it.
Merrill: It would be for a combination of my retirement and my 60th birthday-another old guy with a beeg gun. (I already have an 11" switchblade to go with it. I bet the rest home would have fits about that.)

Mark

 

[Pisgah]

Several years back, I had the opportunity to buy a 1917 that had had its barrel professionally bobbed to 3.5" and the grip frame round-butted, the whole thing refinished in a very nice bead-blasted blue. The price was $225, and for life of me I can't remember why I decided not to buy it. I feel like taking a mallet to my own head every time I think about it!

 

[PZ93C]

Yeah, kinda.

It's a 3" Colt 1917.

[/QUOTE]

 

[recycler]

Cocked & Locked,
That's a real beauty. The stags really set it off.
I like it a bunch.
Pete

 

[DHENRY]

C&L
That nickel M 1917 of yours is a stunner!
Thanks for sharing a great photo.

 

[Frank from jersey]

How about an old Brazilian 1937-

 

[dogngun]

You guys are the best. Thanks for the pics and information.

Do you think there would be any advantage in using the 1937 Brazilian over the 1917...newer steel, etc? Sorry, I'm ignorant about these revolvers...about several other things too.

Thanks.

Mark

 

[tjpopkin]

you asked about a NEW one.....
S&W did make a Heritage Series 1917 in blue & case color. Nice gun from the Performance Center. Shoots great and directly to POA. It will take all the modern loads, and has no lock, if that makes a difference.
I have one, and like it.....
Look on gunBroker under Performance Center...I see them occasionally.....
Really nice gun..

Terry

 

[tjpopkin]

Another thought......
If you are going to modify a new or old 1917, you can probably buy a new or used Thunder Ranch for less than the cost of the mods.....
Nice gun also.....rally a new Model 1917 with 4" barrel and no lanyard ring....

Terry

 

[dogngun]

The 22-4 I saw on S&W's site is what got me thinking about this. Great idea, great looking gun, even available in nickel plate.

I am feeling a NEED for a .45 ACP revolver, and I ain't gettin any younger.

Thanks again for the great pics. I hope you guys know how lucky you are to have such fine revolvers.
ADDED: I just called a local dealer. He will order me a NEW Model 22 4" Blue for $639.
I think this is the way to go, don't have to chop an old vet revolver.
Thanks again, everyone!
Mark

 

[Frank from jersey]

DnG you'll like the Model 22.Out of the box with 230gr FMJ mine shoots point of aim at 25yds.Dead on and a lot of fun to shoot. For CCW you dont have the adjustable rear sight blade digging you in the side. Frank Jr.

 

[Buford57]

I had a 1917 that I used as my car gun and carried under a coat in a shoulder rig or a Roy's Pancake when the mood hit me. I don't know doodly about the changes in metallurgy over time, but I fed it a steady diet of the same 200 gr. SWC handloads I used in my Combat Commander and it loved them.

I have always believed that a bore that size is the best deterrent to crime you can carry on your person. I'm seriously considering a 25-2 Jovino special myself right now.