which 1917 to chop - before pics

[HARDWARE]

I wouldn't chop any of those. I'd wait for a basket case.

 

[deyomatic]

I stand by my original thoughts... SWAP and CHOP. Those are all much nicer than I thought...nicer than my full sized 1917 that never saw service in WWI.

 

[Golddollar]

Now that the pictures how been produced I have to agree that none of them should be used for a project. I think with a little searching you can come up with the previous project gun that has no collector value. That's how I came across the gun in the pictures. The only work I did was to add the Tyler T-grip, otherwise it is just as I bought it. I like it just as it is, but something similar might be what you are looking for to work on.

 

[rgm36]

Chop ALL 3!

Have a 2-1/2", 3" & 3-1/2"

Accessorize them all differently and have one blue - one nickel and one pinto.

 

[29-1]

Here's one shipped to the Navy in 1943 that wound up being chopped and butt rounded by an FBI agent who worked at the Las Vegas office during the late 40's-1950's. She ain't much to look at but is a tack driver at close "business" range
Chuck

 

[jimmyj]

If you must, Chop #2

 

[Tom K]

There are plenty of 1917s out there that have already been chopped. Wait and find one of those.

 

[Kinman]

I'm with Jimmy, although I don't have the advantage of gun in hand. But from I can see in pics I'd mess with #2 before I'd take #3 any further. I just lucked into the Brazilian which was very nicely refinished but had suffered some serious rustification and had serious pitting under the stocks. I considered it a prime candidate for messing around with. I talked with a gunsmith friend of mine about what I'd like done and actually paid him more to shorten the barrel to 4", install a Baughman style front sight, open up the forcing cone and square away any wobble in the yoke, adjust end play and reblue the barrel

 

[cgt4570]

Here's a .45 I built on a .455 frame and modern barrel/cylinder. I've got one on the bench now in .44 Special with modern 3" barrel.

 

[Dave T]

There are plenty of 1917s out there that have already been chopped. Wait and find one of those.

I'd sure like to know where all these "chopped" 1917s are hiding. I've seen one in over a year of looking and it had a .455" barrel which would have .451" Ball rounds bounce around (or more likely skew one way or the other) on their way to the muzzle. I passed since I'm not set up (right dies & expanders) to load .454" cast bullets.

Dave

 

[Wiregrassguy]

I've been trying to find a 1917 barrel for a year or so.

 

[younggun22]

I've been trying to find a 1917 barrel for a year or so.

One just sold on eBay. They come up fairly frequently for $150 or so.

 

[gdogs]

I like those catalin grips!

 

[deyomatic]

One just sold on eBay. They come up fairly frequently for $150 or so.

Tell us how we find them, especially at that price.

 

[alwslate]

The Brazilian would never be chopped in my opinion. If you just have to
chop make it #3.

 

[Tyrod]

Maybe it's just me, but the further down I go in this thread the uglier the guns get.

 

[Eddie Southgate]

I'd do #3. If that Brazilian is nicer than most, that's worth saving, and add to that the fact that it has military pedigree. If #2 is original, with that number it probably saw duty during WWI. To me, that carries value.
If #3 is already refinished, then you won't be hurting it much- might even get away with a chop job and cold blue the muzzle?

I definitely vote for Wiregrassguy's idea.

How short are you going with the barrel?

+1 across the board