The right modern ammo for an early 1917?

[DCWilson]

I finally decided to fill the 1917-shaped hole in my collection and found a nice one that I should have in my hands sometime in the next week or so.

Are there modern .45 ACP or AR loadings that I should NOT shoot in this 93-year-old gun? Or if it's easier to look at the question the other way, are there specific lower-power/lower-pressure modern loads that I should restrict myself to?

I doubt I'll be shooting this gun a lot, but I will be shooting it at least a few times, and maybe on a regular/not often basis.

 

[44forever]

Standard 230 grain jacketed (ball) will be most

likely to shoot to the sights. In deference to old springs, the softer primers in Federal loads might be a good idea. I would definitely stay away from +P or similar loadings.

Mine shoots anything lighter than 230 grains quite low.

 

[mgjohn]

Any standard velocity 45 load should be fine. Stay away from the +P loads. I have ran a lot of hardball and reloads thru 2 of them on a regular basis (1S&W & 1 Colt) over the years with no problems. Have seen quit a number of 1917's and other than mistreated barrels, have not seen any broken or out of time ones. My caution on the +P is for accelerted wear only. Some would be ok, but I would not use it as a daily shooting load.

 

[DCWilson]

Thank you both. Just what I needed to know.

 

[ddixie884]

I'd buy some WWB 230 ball, or RP Golden Saber 230 HP.

 

[DGNY]

early 1917

Both my S&W and Colt 1917s like American Eagle 230 gr FMJ. Experimentation with standard pressure ball ammo should be helpful.

Good luck,

Dyson

 

[DWalt]

Ammo for M1917

I have a M1917, but Colt, not S&W. I have fired it quite a bit and use it in IDPA matches. I have never had any problem using .45 ACP ball, as that is what it was designed for. You don't actually have to use full moon, half-moon or third-moon clips with it, but it sure slows down reloading if you don't. If you can find any .45 Auto Rim ammo, it is also good. I've seen it (new) for sale at several recent gun shows, so it's around. I have several boxes of it (reloads), but normally use the regular .45 ACP ball or my equivaqlent 230 grain lead bullet reloads with full moon clips - very quick to reload.

I have read articles about some shooters using very stout handloads in the M1917 successfully, but unless you live in Alaskan bear country and don't have a .44 Magnum, I think it's foolish and unnecessary to do this.

 

[alwslate]

I have both, a 1917 S&W and Colt and don't shoot either very often.
When I do I prefer auto rim brass and cast bullets. They were used with 230 gr hardball originally because that was military issue. S&W
used to include advice with their new revolvers that barrel life would
be enhanced with the use of lead bullets rather than jacketed. Not a
consideration for the military during wartime but something anyone
owning one of these old revolvers might want to think about given
the value and uniqueness of their collectable gun today. Just my
opinion.