Pre WWII Revolver Favorites

C

Chesster

New member
So many to choose, but I really like the massive Colt New Service/1917. The NS .45 Colt with a 5.5" tube makes a great shooter and HD revolver. This 1917 with moonclips provides a major caliber with the bonus of speedloading.

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As a youngster, the New Service was my first revovler, and was the basis for my first custom revovler. Always held a special place for me.

Bob Wright
 
That Colt New Service is a very nice, very large, revolver. Mine is a similar 45ACP, 1917 (1937 Brazilian Contract) Smith & Wesson.

Later grips, I know, but the originals are too small for me.
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Just don't fire standard factory .45 ACP loads in that Webley; they are way too high pressure for the old gun.

Jim
 
I gotta go with the .357 Magnum. These are two Registered Magnums. 1935 and 1936. First one refinished at the factory in the 50's and changed from a 6" to a 4".

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This one in all its natural "patina". Originally shipped to the Louisiana SP and then carried an entire career by a Dallas Officer who retired as a Deputy Chief.

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The 1917's, both Colt and S&W, are marvelous. I only had one opportunity to shoot the S&W 1917, but it was unforgettable. At the time I was doing competitive shooting on a Navy team, and was wedded to the 1911. I noticed that S&W is making a new version of the 1917; if I had a spare $1,000 I wouold own one.
 
I like my two Colt Army Specials (one in .38 Special, the other in .41 Long Colt). They both remain fairly spry at ages 91 and 97, respectively, and I don't feel inadequately armed with either.
 
interesting thread... my collection is pretty void of revolvers between the top break era ( of which I have about 3 dozen examples ) & the 357 magnum era... I do own 1 well used Colt 1917... trying to think... don't think I have anything 20's or 30's vintage, except for Czech autos... any revolvers of significance in those 2 decades that is worth seeking out ??? looking forward to pics ;) BTW... I just bought a couple 1000 NOS R P 45 auto rim cases, so the 1917 will get a little excercise this summer, probably just enough to develope a load for it, as I just built a custom Blackhawk primary chambered in 45 auto rim, that will take loads I'm labeling +P, so those won't find their way into the 1917 :)

tryed to find a pic of my 1917, but I think I only have it in a group photo

( bottom revolver in this pic )

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Chesster....Good lookin' New Service, my friend...how's it shoot. Hard to find fault with those big Colts if you savor the history and feel of 'em, as I do. A Pachmeyer grip saver might help make a consistent grip easier...or it might not depending on your style and hand size. Too, Smiths seem to need the 'help' more than Colts...the S&W frame being a little higher with respect to the trigger position.

One of my earliest handgun memories was watching as a New York State Trooper showed his New Service .45 LC to my dad after he'd finished checking hunting licenses in our deer camp. I couldn't have been more than 6 or 7 as I recall...and was thrilled to see that huge gun....and the thick hulls that fed it, stuck in his Sam Brown slide on as they were. Had to be an intimidating sight for evil doers back in the day. All long gone now...alas.

My #1 son has a New Service in .455 Eley, as I recall; tough to load for due to the unusual case and odd shaped bullet...but we solved that with some creative bullet casting and he get's 2-3" gps at 25 yds from a rest now.

Here's one of mine...one of the several variations of Smith's much loved Hand-Ejector. This one sporting a grip adjuster by Pachmeyer...and in .32-20, too, a favorite of mine.

Best regards, and thanks for posting...I do love the gun pics of these old stalwarts of revolver fame! Rod

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This particular Colt 1917 pictured above is a safe queen. I have a couple of others for shooters as well as a .455 Eley to Colt convert, and a NYST .45 also a great shooter.

This is a Smith Brazilian import in .45 ACP with the grips replaced. A good shooter but not as robust IMHO as the Colt.

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38/44 Outdoorsman (also available with fixed sights as the 38/44 Heavy duty)
This example is wearing a post war set of cokes. A great combo:

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So many to choose, but I really like the massive Colt New Service/1917. The NS .45 Colt with a 5.5" tube makes a great shooter and HD revolver. This 1917 with moonclips provides a major caliber with the bonus of speedloading.
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The 1917 you posted would have been the same one I would have posted. I was impressed mightily with it back in 1957 with my uncles gun and it still impresses me today. It just looks like a gun should look for serious shooting.
 
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