S&W 1917 vs. Colt 1917

[growr]

How many, if any at all, parts are interchangeable other than both using .45 acp ammo and moon clips?

What are the major differences between the two?

Do the cylinders turn opposite of each other? Does the Colt cylinder open by pulling back and the Smith going forward? Are the internal actions the same? etc.

Randy

 

[sceva]

Totally different guns and mechanisms. Only the half moon clips are interchangeable.

The S&W 1917 is an N-Frame Second Model Hand Ejector model

The Colt 1917 is the Colt New Service model

Colt Cylinders turn in opposite direction from S&W

 

[opoefc]

Lots of questions! Best get yourself an example of each revolver and do the research. You will learn a lot more than if I write a lengthy tome here. What you learn will stay with you longer than reading a lot of words here. Good luck. Ed.

 

[tipoc]

They are completely different guns.

"How many, if any at all, parts are interchangeable other than both using .45 acp ammo and moon clips?"

Only the moon clips and ammo.

They are as different as a Ruger GP100 and a S&W 686.

The Colt M1917 was based on the New Service frame and line of guns. The S&W on the 44 Frame and their N frames.

Most of the standard reference works on handguns in the 20th century (Ezell, Smith, Boothroyd, and others) describe in detail both guns for the particulars. Particularly those that cover military revolvers. There are many versions of the M1917 on this forum.

tipoc

 

[daddio202]

I read a good explanation in laymens terms. Smith and wessons internals operate straight forward and make sense. Colt on the other hand has internals that work completely backwards in the mechanical thought process, as the opposite way one would think makes sense. Maybe the reason it is so hard to find anybody to work on Colts now days. The cylinders turn in on Colts and was once thier selling points in the strength of the lock up. Smith & Wesson cylinders turn counter clockwise. They are just two completely different animals.

 

[Kurusu]

In common:
The caliber
Both double action revolvers.

Different:
Everything else.

 

[growr]

Pretty much what I thought......
Thanks everyone!

Randy

 

[Muley Gil]

The military issued the same holster for both revolvers.

 

[BLACKHAWKNJ]

My S&W M1917 has a much smoother double action pull than my Colt M1917.

 

[VaTom]

The military contracts for 1911A1 in WWII is quite different. They required the parts be interchangeable between all. So Ithaca, Colt, Remington Rand, USS&S and Singer parts had to fit each other. Parts made by sub contractors also such as barrels.

Just a side note not related to the 1917!

 

[DWalt]

There was little time in WWI to quibble over revolver parts interchangeability. Guns were needed in a hurry, and both Colt and S&W had the capability to supply satisfactory revolvers which were already in production.

BTW, in the 1906-07 Army pistol trials, the Colt New Service and the S&W triple-lock were entered. For various reasons, the Colt revolver won out, which resulted in the later adoption of the Colt New Service revolver (as the Colt Model 1909, in .45 M1909) as a stopgap measure for use during the Philippine campaign, as the Model of 1911 autopistol had not yet been adopted. Aside from its chambering, the Colt Model 1909 and the WWI Colt Model 1917 are much the same gun.

 

[Kurusu]

There was little time in WWI to quibble over revolver parts interchangeability. Guns were needed in a hurry, and both Colt and S&W had the capability to supply satisfactory revolvers which were already in production.

BTW, in the 1906-07 Army pistol trials, the Colt New Service and the S&W triple-lock were entered. For various reasons, the Colt revolver won out, which resulted in the later adoption of the Colt New Service revolver (as the Colt Model 1909, in .45 M1909) as a stopgap measure for use during the Philippine campaign, as the Model of 1911 autopistol had not yet been adopted. Aside from its chambering, the Colt Model 1909 and the WWI Colt Model 1917 are much the same gun.

Yes they are. The 1917 only has the rear of the cylinder shaved to allow the half moon clips.

 

[DWalt]

Yes they are. The 1917 only has the rear of the cylinder shaved to allow the half moon clips.

There is one other minor difference. The Model 1909 has a different design (and longer) extractor rod knob to limit the throw of the rod. Most would not notice it unless the two are seen side-by-side.

 

[Kinman]

Since this thread mentions a few items of interest, one that I've always had a degree of curiosity about is whether or not S&W ever built a Model of 1917 with adjustable sights, like the TL or 2nd Model H.E.

 

[Kurusu]

Since this thread mentions a few items of interest, one that I've always had a degree of curiosity about is whether or not S&W ever built a Model of 1917 with adjustable sights, like the TL or 2nd Model H.E.

Not as a 1917. But there is the model 25

Edit. So I got it wrong.

My thanks to Tom K

 

[Tom K]

Since this thread mentions a few items of interest, one that I've always had a degree of curiosity about is whether or not S&W ever built a Model of 1917 with adjustable sights, like the TL or 2nd Model H.E.

Yes they did, but in very limited numbers and were essentially special order items, not cataloged. A quantity of somewhere between five (per the SCSW) and ten (per speculation by Jim Fisher in this thread): Commercial 1917 Target - letter confirmed, post #13 - SWHF docs, post #15

 

[44wheelman]

Machining and finish of the Colts leaves much to be desired; machine marks all over it, and a much inferior “bluing”, which seems to wear thin in a hurry.

 

[ParadiseRoad]

...the two revolvers side by side...

 

[Muley Gil]

Machining and finish of the Colts leaves much to be desired; machine marks all over it, and a much inferior “bluing”, which seems to wear thin in a hurry.

That is true. However, they still go "BANG". S&W, on the other hand, finished theirs to pre war standards and got themselves taken over by the government.

 

[growr]

take over?

That is true. However, they still go "BANG". S&W, on the other hand, finished theirs to pre war standards and got themselves taken over by the government.

Got themselves taken over by the government? I didn't know this....please elaborate......
Randy