Hey guys, I dont ask this very often but I need some help with a decision. I dont need another but I have found a 1917. All matching except grips. Gun is perfect except it has been nickel plated. Its not chrome so I could strip it down and have it refinished. It has not been polished or sanded so I think I could make it look ok. I hesitate doing things like that but I intend on keeping it for a shooter as it is very nice and tight. Its "ruined" already and I dont like the nickel although its a neat piece. For $600 should I get it or let it go. These guns keep soaring in value and not too long ago I wouldnt even ask but these days im not sure $600 is too much. Any help making up my mind is appreciated.
S&W M1917
- Thread starter Nframe29
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JSR III
SWCA Member Absent Comrade
As long as you realize that you are buying it as a shooter and not a collector piece, your decision is: Is a S&W .45 caliber N frame shooter revolver worth $600. Compared to a 1911, that's short money for a .45 and revolvers don't usually jamb.
Would make a great carry gun with excellent knock down power. As a shooter, I wouldn't worry about the finish as long as it didn't affect shootability.
I probably wouldn't invest the $600 and then pay a few hundred more having it stripped and refinished. With the added cost to refinish you are approaching what you might pay for one in good shape with matching stocks.
Would make a great carry gun with excellent knock down power. As a shooter, I wouldn't worry about the finish as long as it didn't affect shootability.
I probably wouldn't invest the $600 and then pay a few hundred more having it stripped and refinished. With the added cost to refinish you are approaching what you might pay for one in good shape with matching stocks.
DWalt
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"These guns keep soaring in value..."
I wouldn't count on the price of that one soaring. The ones that soar are those in excellent original condition.
I wouldn't count on the price of that one soaring. The ones that soar are those in excellent original condition.
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Muley Gil
US Veteran
If you want a blue shooter, pass on the nickel 1917 and hunt down a blue one.
How bad is the nickel? Hammer, trigger and star? Copper sub plate?
Mike 2796
Mike 2796
TenTea
Member
Well, if you don't need another... 
The line between need and want is often blurred, in my experience.
Six bills is a pretty decent price for a M1917 shooter if left *as is* - especially if the nickel plate is well executed and clean.
The line between need and want is often blurred, in my experience.
Six bills is a pretty decent price for a M1917 shooter if left *as is* - especially if the nickel plate is well executed and clean.
Pass and wait for a better,original gun.You're already willing to spend more,so spend it more wisely.Blanket statements about rising prices(please forget that "investment thing" too-buy it because you like it-period.There are no sure things on condition compromised guns.) don't hold true,as others have noted.
You'd be into this one for $800+,with no real assurance of what the final product would look like....Not this brown eyed boy.
You'd be into this one for $800+,with no real assurance of what the final product would look like....Not this brown eyed boy.
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Not advice, just my opinion. $600 is too rich for my blood. Especially if having to spend a couple hundred more to get it how you want.
I use the term "shooter" too loosely. I will probably pass on the gun. I have a blue shooter and a real nice one i keep put up. I catch myself buying things as a good shooter and still carry my nice guns. This gun is nice but i couldnt get past the nickel even thougb its nice. I like all my guns in original configuration. Thanks for helping me decide but i think ill let someone else have it. Its just hard for me to leave an "N" frame on the shelf sometimes. Thanks again guys!
Jack Flash
Member
Are you absolutely sure that it is not a commercial M1917? Are you sure the nickel finish is not factory original?
IE, does it have the usual inspector marks, etc., of a military M1917?
From your post, it sounds like it is a given that it is a refinish. I'm not disputing you, but just asking if you're sure.
S&W did make some, but not many, nickel plated commercial M1917s, making them a high dollar item.
IE, does it have the usual inspector marks, etc., of a military M1917?
From your post, it sounds like it is a given that it is a refinish. I'm not disputing you, but just asking if you're sure.
S&W did make some, but not many, nickel plated commercial M1917s, making them a high dollar item.
