Should I care if a 1917 is out of time if it's to be customized?

[Borderboss]

Hello all,

I'm in a search for a decent but far from collector grade 1917 that I can use for a basis for customization into a snub carry gun. Given the level of work the 'smith will put in to create what I have as a vision, should I care if the original gun is in time with each chamber?

I've always wanted to stick with in-time guns only, but I don't know what putting one in time entails. Is it something the 'smith should know how to do?

Thanks for your insight.

 

[JH1951]

IMHO I would start with one that is well timed.
A good gunsmith would be able to time it for you, but finding a good gunsmith seems to become more difficult each year, and further, why add to the cost of the work to be done? I would look for one with good bones but finish challenged as a starting point. That being said, I have not run in to many 1917's that were out of time - perhaps I have been blessed.

 

[Borderboss]

That being said, I have not run in to many 1917's that were out of time - perhaps I have been blessed.

The only 1917 I've run into locally was out of time on all six chambers. I continue to look on the internet.

 

[willy]

The only 1917 I've run into locally was out of time on all six chambers. I continue to look on the internet.

Most times the only thing wrong with s&w revolvers that are out of time is the hand is worn,,A new hand or stretching the old hand most times fixes this.(in my experience)