Show us your 1917 modifications

[The Gila Bender]

Looking for examples and suggestions to fit a modified, 1920's era commercial 1917 with new shoes. Barrel cut to 3-1/4", hammer bobbed, grip frame narrowed and rounded. Weight is 2.0 lbs, naked and empty. Photos show standard wood panel from a 1925 44HE 2nd.

 

[opoefc]

Tom, FYI. I've had several of these modified N frame 1917s over the years, and they are shooters, of course. Trying to modify wood stocks is frustrating and I found that for comfortable and accurate hold when shooting, a good pair of finger groove rubber Pachmayr's was the answer, plus using two round clips, vs. moon clips made it much easier to reload and extract empties, and if you want icing on your cake, get an extra cylinder in .45 Colt. Ed.

 

[44 special Dave]

before I drool too much over your project, I will try and offer an answer.

Have you tried to match up any of the current n frame rd butt grip offerings? Depending on when the conversion was done, they might match up to something currently available.

I know you are looking for period grips, but don't know how much modification would be necessary. I know there were some "retro" models that had rd butt "new" grips. I think the 1917 classic and heritage to name a few. Maybe the first group of 21-4s as well.

I know I'm asking a lot, but if you have a postal scale , I would really like to know how much the gun weighs, unloaded, no grips.

Cool project!

Dave

 

[The Gila Bender]

Tom, FYI. I've had several of these modified N frame 1917s over the years, and they are shooters, of course. Trying to modify wood stocks is frustrating and I found that for comfortable and accurate hold when shooting, a good pair of finger groove rubber Pachmayr's was the answer, plus using two round clips, vs. moon clips made it much easier to reload and extract empties, and if you want icing on your cake, get an extra cylinder in .45 Colt. Ed.

I'm about to give up on modifying wood but am open to options. Right now it's wearing round to square Hogue's which are OK, but, IMO, not what was intended when the grip frame was rounded. I'd like to see other examples of chopped and rounded 1917's. I have a couple full moon clips and like the thought of a .45 Colt cylinder.

Note to moderator: How about we drop the WTB part of this thread and move it to the 1896 forum, retitled "Show us your 1917 modifications".

 

[The Gila Bender]

before I drool too much over your project, I will try and offer an answer.

Have you tried to match up any of the current n frame rd butt grip offerings? Depending on when the conversion was done, they might match up to something currently available.

I know you are looking for period grips, but don't know how much modification would be necessary. I know there were some "retro" models that had rd butt "new" grips. I think the 1917 classic and heritage to name a few. Maybe the first group of 21-4s as well.

I know I'm asking a lot, but if you have a postal scale , I would really like to know how much the gun weighs, unloaded, no grips.

Cool project!

Dave

K/L stocks and grips don't fit, and I have test-fit a set of Ahrends N round to square and round butt tactical stocks. The contour isn't spot-on but could work, so that's an option. I have not tried any other factory or aftermarket stocks yet and will do so at the next gun show, where dealers have boxes filled with old stocks and grips. Right now it is wearing Hogue round to square rubber.

Naked and empty it weighs exactly 2.0 lbs. The rubber adds 2.5 ounces. It is surprisingly easy to carry. - T.

 

[Dave T]

I wish this one was a round butt like the OP's.



I didn't do the work, rather bought the gun as is. It now has Grashorn Sheep Horn Magna style stocks but other wise it is still as I got it.

Dave

 

[usnrigger]

Seeing these, I can wait to start hacking up my 1917. Hacking it in the nicest way of course.

USNRigger

 

[amazingflapjack]

suggest you chamfer cylinder bores.

 

[Oyeboteb]

I'm about to give up on modifying wood but am open to options. Right now it's wearing round to square Hogue's which are OK, but, IMO, not what was intended when the grip frame was rounded. I'd like to see other examples of chopped and rounded 1917's. I have a couple full moon clips and like the thought of a .45 Colt cylinder.

I like your project.

Did you do these modifications, or, were some of thenm done already, or?


Anyway, on the Stocks - what is your goal?


I would think, just get a pair of WWI Plain Walnut ones, re-shape them to your Frame Grip, and, then, either leave them just as that, or, checker them in some nice way.

Or, get a chunk of Stag Antler, and, make a pair from scratch.

 

[Oyeboteb]

Here is an S&W Model 10-6, which had been a four inch, square butt, which I modified some years ago into the form you see here.

I used some old beater WWII Victory Stocks, and, shaped them to the new Grip profile.


http://public.fotki.com/PhilBphil/s--w-model-10-proje/mvc-008s-2.html

 

[spad124]

How about experimenting with some of the Taiwanese stocks that are being imported? Better to use those to make a pattern for the round butt and to shape the grip to suit you before you modify better stocks. Maybe start with some RBs and work from there? Once you have what you want transfer to quality stocks.

Used Taiwanese stocks are pretty cheap if you look around. I was looking for inexpensive wood stocks for a M10-8 field/barn gun and found a pair by asking at several LGSs. $10, a little time to sand off someone's initials from the bottom and relieve for speedloaders and I had what I wanted. I also found a $10 pair of N frame Sile target stocks that I modified so i could mount them on a M1917 without removing the lanyard.

 

[The Gila Bender]

I like your project.

Did you do these modifications, or, were some of thenm done already, or?


Anyway, on the Stocks - what is your goal?


I would think, just get a pair of WWI Plain Walnut ones, re-shape them to your Frame Grip, and, then, either leave them just as that, or, checker them in some nice way.

Or, get a chunk of Stag Antler, and, make a pair from scratch.

No, this came as-is. My original thought was to re-shape a
set of service stocks or magnas for a pre-war look. Now I'm thinking about rummaging through bins at a gunshow.

 

[Muley Gil]

Back in the '90s, I took a nickel 1917 Smith, cut the barrel to 4", and roundbutted it, using a set of RB K Magnas as a pattern. I added a Ruger Blackhawk ramp front sight and an N frame adjustable rear sight. I put Pachmyer Compac grips on it, the kind that cover the backstrap.

Used it as a duty gun for awhile. Never took any pictures though.

 

[arjay]

Sounds like an opportunity to make some custom grips.

 

[NavyFrank]

Cropped 1937 Brazilian

 

[haris1]

1917 mod to snubby and then nickeled

I want to play too!!!I dont know whether this is an ugly duckling but its grown on me.Its a 1917 and It shoots nicely,carries well and sends out those half ounce pills!!!Look at it next to a 2007 Lew Horton snub with the (ugh) lock.








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[Zipdog]

1937 Brizilian contract with currantly available stocks from S&W. 3 3/8" cut down.

 

[Green Frog]

Wht do you mean by "grip frame narrowed?" If there was much metal removed, grips may be a custom only proposition. Otherwise you could just take a doggy set of WW I vintage smooth grips and cut them down as needed.

Froggie

 

[Retired W4]

Last week my partner picked up a Colt 1917 Fritz Special with very short barrel, nickel plated. Even though it's a Colt I'll post picks next week. Strange looking gun. I know this is not the point of the OP but interesting.

 

[gaucho1]

Last week my partner picked up a Colt 1917 FITZ Special with very short barrel, nickel plated. Even though it's a Colt I'll post picks next week. Strange looking gun. I know this is not the point of the OP but interesting.

I really enjoy these well done choppers.

Not often do I see embriodery motifs on a shiny pitbull like haris1s.

Sort of whimsical ..........I like it..........

 

[dobypilgrim]

Does this count? When I got it the grips were made of plywood and fitted with wood putty. Really. Butt has been shortened 3/4 of an inch. It feels a lot like one of my K Frames now. I carved down an old set of Jay Scott walnut grips that I got from Ebay for about $10.

This one is my night stand gun.

Hope I don't get banned for showing pics of the other 1917 here, lol.

 

[Hondo44]

Hi Tom,

I've had this question before and researched the answer.

My assumption: Your modified grip frame appears to have material removed in the correct areas and in the correct amount to accept factory 'true' N frame round butt Magna stocks.

However there are two N frame size round butt grip frames:

1. The earliest RB N frames have 'true' N size grip frames and are the stocks you need. They will correctly fit the 1917 N frame knuckle behind the hammer and are the correct width across the medallion area. This grip frame shape was used on the Model 24-3 3" and the Model 624 3" as well as a few other RB N frames.

However, not all of the 'true' N frame RB models came with Magna stocks. The 3" Models 24-3 and 624, for example, came with N frame size finger groove RB combat stocks. They will fit on your 1917 even if your RB modification is not the exact right size, because of their generous cutout area. They may be just what you will like on your project gun. The limited production "Heritage" Model 44 Spl (with rib-less barrel) did come with Magna grips of true N frame size. If your 1917 grip frame does not match these Magnas, than you should fit your grip frame to them so that you achieve a standard factory N size RB grip frame. Then you can be confident when ordering custom RB stocks, they will fit your 1917.

2. The later N frame RB guns, after the RB became standard on N frames 1995-96, have different size grip frames. For example, my Model 329 air-weight 44 Mag stocks are the K/L and X frame (500 Mag) RB size across the medallion area and at the knuckle. K/L frame RB Combat stocks fit my 500 Mag perfectly. You do not want stocks from these guns because they will come up short of the 1917 'true' N frame size knuckle. But if there's too much material removed already to match #1 above, then modify them to match this size and you'll have tons of factory choices for stocks including pre war RB K frame stocks.

If not already, you need to get the grip frame to the #1 standard N frame size or the #2 size.

Hope that helps,

 

[45Wheelgun]

I got mine custom made by Jeff Flannery while he was engraving the gun. Maybe Keith Brown could do a set for you?

 

[old&slow]

A brazilian m1917 that was worked on some. Wish I had got more than one when they came back to the USA.

 

[damienph]

The only modifications that I made to mine (a 1937 Brazilian) was to touch up the bluing and add a pair of N- frame stocks. The lanyard ring and original stocks were already gone, and the Pachmyer's just didn't do it justice.

 

[S.B.]

Tom, FYI. I've had several of these modified N frame 1917s over the years, and they are shooters, of course. Trying to modify wood stocks is frustrating and I found that for comfortable and accurate hold when shooting, a good pair of finger groove rubber Pachmayr's was the answer, plus using two round clips, vs. moon clips made it much easier to reload and extract empties, and if you want icing on your cake, get an extra cylinder in .45 Colt. Ed.

Will a ,45 Colt cylinder fit? What with the cylinder stop and the barrel sticking through the frame more than a .45 Colt? Wouldn't you have to shorten it quite a bit?
Steve

 

[Michael J. Spangler]

NavyFrank

i'm in love with that shortened 1937 Brazilian
i'm saving a picture of that on my computer so i can have one make just like that some day. thats beautiful

 

[S.B.]

NavyFrank

i'm in love with that shortened 1937 Brazilian
i'm saving a picture of that on my computer so i can have one make just like that some day. thats beautiful

I considered this for mine and had the gun down to Dave Clements and backed out at the last minute.
Steve

 

[Mossyrock]

My Crown Jewel. A Bowen-custom 1917 with a rebored and remarked Heavy Duty barrel. I didn't commission it, but it is exactly what I would have ordered.

 

[crsides]

My Crown Jewel. A Bowen-custom 1917 with a rebored and remarked Heavy Duty barrel. I didn't commission it, but it is exactly what I would have ordered.

WOW. That looks great ... and expensive.



Charlie