Cabin fever and S&W 1917 .45 revo...

B

Brian D.

New member
I ended up at Olde English Guns near Vandalia Oh yesterday, ended up leaving with one of those Brazilian crest S&W 1917 .45 acp revolvers. Hadn't seen em around lately, got it for a smidge over $200 out the door. Not what I went in looking for, but it seemed like a decent deal for the good shape it's in. Anybody got one, care to chime in with any pertinent info? I'll try it out tomorrow, give a quick update. Now, gotta find a useful holster to put it in--would wrapping one of these with kydex be heresy? May have some kinda N-frame leather belt slide, gotta look deeper on this shelf... Curse you guy sajer, and your very nice store, glad it's 60 miles away!;)
 
Brian D.

"Now, gotta find a useful holster to put it in--would wrapping one of these with kydex be heresy?"

Yes.

Why not look in surplus stores and ads for either an original or reproduction military style holster? I think it be an interesting way to go for a touch of authenticity.
 
I picked one up several years ago for a bit less than $200. Added a Evans Wonder Sight to it which made it a semiadjustable sighted gun. Put on some rubber Pach grips too because the originals were so oily they were hard to hold on to. Thought about having it cut down into a BIG snubby, but liked it too much as it was.

The barrel looked bad at first, some was oil, some was from corrosive ammo. It still shot pretty well with 230 grain lead bullets and showed higher velocities than my old Colt 1911 when chronographed. I used it to shoot some bowling pins and as a small game and house gun for a while.

It has been too long since I shot it, I'll have to take it to the range next time.
 
Holster it in whatever you want.

I use mine at bowling pin shoots. Lots of fun.

If I find one in better condition, it's going to become a project gun -- shorten the barrel, double action only, round butt it, maybe send it off for hard tefloning.

Original holsters for the 1917s are surprisingly expensive. I've seen ones in good condition for well over $200 in my neck of the woods.
 
El Paso Saddlery makes reproduction US military holsters of all eras, of unusually fine quality. They also have the Tom Threepersons holster. Personally, I'd get one of each for an S&W M1917 in good condition. I'd order the Threepersons rig with their exceptional basketweave stamping.

I'd probably rely on Federal's Hydra-Shok 230 grain JHP ammo for defense. Wouldn't handload one of these older guns much beyond factory standard specs.

Lone Star
 
Brian D.,

I have owned three S&W Model 1917s and I like them. No, I would not monkey with it other than a trigger job and grips if it needs them.

The first one I owned the prior owner had it converted to 45 Colt. Not a great idea in my opinion. I had to watch the length of the 45 Colt cartridges. Although I could still shoot 45acps in it there was a wizzing sound and I didn't trust it.

My second was a Brazilian and it was a great shooter and looked good until you removed the grips. There was a lot of rust there but damn this one shot and shot well. I lost it in a trade with a friend that really wanted it. He still has it.

My present one I made into a boon docking gun. I am sorry I did it. I had a trigger job done, put wood, uncheckered target grips on it, and i had it hard chromed. This is a weapon that is suited to it purpose but I prefered the factory look.

Regards,

Richard:D
 
I picked this one up last week off www.gunbroker.com

1917_l.jpg


1933'ish vintage, comercial model 1917. I've got just under $300 in it.

Joe
 
60 miles isn't that far . We'll leave the light on for ya .

I'll second the "Three Persons" holster . It's a classic and does a great job .

Thanks for the plug Brian . Just out of curiosity , what were you originally looking for ? Maybe I can "draw" you back in .:cool:

Mitch English

www.oldeenglishoutfitters.com
 
1917s are great old revolvers. I've had mine for over 30 yrs and wouldn't part with it. It doesn't get out of the safe much anymore, but there was a time when it was my only centerfire handgun.

It's been modified along the lines of Archie's with the exception of the hammer bob, a serrated ramp front sight, Armalloy finish, and Pachmayr "Compac" grips.

Repro 1917 holsters of very nice quality in right or left-hand (!) can be had inexpensively from an outfit called "Pacific Canvas and Leather Co., Inc" out in the PRK. Price is $39.90 + S&H. Their ad is in the current "Shotgun News". They don't list a website, but the contact info is:

TEL: (562) 695-0297 FAX: [562] 695-0397
e-mail: pacificcanvas.leather@verizon.net

I bought one of their repro LH 1912 holsters for a GM, and it's very nicely done.

Wish that I could run across another one in nice shape for the kind of price you found.
 
The Brazilain contracts are one of the best deals out there right now. They really are fun to shoot. Here's one of mine with a Buscadero rig.



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C.R. Sam, I tips me hat to ya!

Your adage about "have patience, carry green" should be written in stone somewhere, with spotlights on it at night! When I post about a new acquisition, it's done not to brag but encourage others , deals ARE out there. I'm lucky enough to not be on a traditional 9to5 schedule, better brush beating in the gun shops during the week oft times. If there's a mountain in Dewey, Az., you must be the guru who lives atop it! Thanx to all for their interest.
 
Those IMA holsters are cool. Nice repro, thick leather and can be had in butt-back or butt forward flavors. I chose the butt-back one and wear it cross draw, sometimes with a lanyard. Fits my 1917 Colt nicely.

Now if only I could find repro canvas or leather full moon clip pouches for said rig.

I'll see if I can take a pic for you.
 
What's the stamping on the Brazilian guns look like?


We've got a 1917 in the family and it's either a lend/lease gun or it's a Brazilian gun, it's got a stamping at the top of the frame on it's left side just above the recoil shield. Can't remember what it looks like for sure but I want to say it is kinda pineapple shaped.


Don't know what the gun's condition is at present moment because I'm not sure how my uncle has been keeping care of it, I pray that he hasn't just had it stored in it's old leather holster for all this time. Eventually I'm gonna ask him to transfer it over to me because I know he isn't using it where as I could definitely stand to get ahold of another N-frame.
 
Heres a shot of my mildly altered 1917 brazialian

Its a real sweet shooter and one of my neatest 45 caliber revolvers.
 

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