Question about 1917

[Georgepat1]

Boy, this is really a novice question. Glad we're doing these questions over the net. I'm looking at a military 1917 S&W and wondering what the DA stands for?

 

[blushirt23]

I was always under the assumption that it stood for double action. That being said, I could be wrong.
Chris

 

[Jack Flash]

I'm with Chris. I always just assumed that it meant Double Action, but never questioned that assumption.

I can't think of anything else it could mean.... "Damned Accurate" ?

 

[scott625b]

It is my understanding that all the previous 45Cal revolvers were single action army. The DA was added to both the Colt and S&W so that the soldiers would not get confused.

 

[Col Defender]

It's pretty easy to confuse soldiers - I know - I was one for 27 yearshttp://smith-wessonforum.com/images/icons/icon12.gif

 

[Jack Flash]

Not to split hairs ( but I always do ) but the Schofield was not a SAA although it was a single action that the Army issued.

But I think your basic point has merit. However, I doubt the soldier in the field got confused by which revolver was SA and which was DA. More likely, it was useful to supply personel in keeping their inventories straight. so that they would know that they had so many crates of "45 D.A.s" so many crates of M1911s, and that these were not SAs of any type. The fact that they were all .45s could lead to confusion, one would think.

 

[Dave T]

I have a vague memory of reading something years ago and it made me think the DA 45 designation on the 1917 was more to distinguish it from the semiautomatic 45 than in reference to the ammo or the no longer in service SAA Colt. YMMV!

Dave

 

[k22fan]

splitting that same hair even finer...

The Colt New Service Model 1909 .45 Colt was in service before the 1917.
I also always presumed DA = double action. It does every place else as far as I know.

 

[Muley Gil]

Don't forget the 1878 and 1902 Colt DA .45s.

 

[guzzi]

Dang, you folks are sure polite!

 

[brian45auto]

damn awesome.

 

[Jack Flash]

Don't forget the 1878 and 1902 Colt DA .45s.

Those weren't military issue though, right?

I misspoke earlier when I said something about differenciating the M1911 from single action .45s. The M1911 is of course a single action autoloader. Anyways, it's not a revolver, so ...

 

[shawn mccarver]

Double Action.

 

[Jack Flash]

"Don't Argue"

 

[Jack Flash]

Did the Colt M1917 say "Colt D.A. 45" on the barrel?

A question came up in another thread about confusing a Colt M1917 for a S&W M1917. I know from Supica's book that the S&W has "S&W D.A. 45" stamped on the barrel, so assuming all markings are intact, that would easily identify a S&W to the most novice observer, right?

 

[Buddy G]

I found one for sale on Guns America. I guess they don't use moon clips like the 25s huh? Educate me. If you can.
I am looking for a revolver to shoot up some 45 ACPs. I kept my hardball gun from competition but would rather not chase brass. (I'm getting too old for that) I shoot indoors and it sure is nice to just dump the cylinder empties in a bag for reloading. I'm spoiled from 357 and 44 mags.
I am looking for a good shooter (25, 625, etc) but I wonder how the 1917 would stand up. Light target loads only. I also wonder about the investment. The 1917 is cheap, and I am sure I will get just what I pay for. I don't want a clunker.

 

[cgt4570]

All the Smiths chambered for .45 ACP (1917s, Model 25s and all the rest) can be used with or without moon clips. If you don't use clips, you will need a pencil or something similar to push the empties out with.

 

[Jack Flash]

I think you can find a good shooter-quality M1917 that will stand up to all the target or standard pressure .45 ACP you care to shoot. Brazil Contract M1917s are still relatively reasonably priced.

Of course, if you want to do much target shooting, you may prefer an one with adjustable sights (M25 or M625). As cgt4570 said, they all use moon clips. I like third-moon clips myself.

 

[Buddy G]

Thanks Chris and Jack! that answered my questions. The cylinders are cut for moon clips. I've never seen one.
I bought a model 25 years ago, never got to shoot it, my buddy bought it back before I could take it out. I guess I kinda just loaned him some money.
I have couple thousand 45 ACPs loaded, with 4 gns Bullseye, Jim Clark"s old load for competition and like I said, I ain't gonna pull them and I ain't gonna chase the brass. I shoot a variaty of revolvers every week and I would love to shoot the ACPs.
I shoot a different gun every time I go, and by the time I get back to the first one, it's like getting a new gun. Next year maybe I can hide my own easter eggs. If I don't forget it.
Thanks, you guys are great!
Buddy

 

[Muley Gil]

"Those weren't military issue though, right?"

I should have listed this one as the 1878/1902.

The one shown in the (closed) auction was US issue:

Colt 1878 DA Alaskan/Phillipines 45 LC - C&R : Curios and Relics at GunBroker.com