S&W 1917

S

Sea Buck

New member
Just purchased a S&W 1917 Revolver,all matching nos, 90% finish,dinged up grips,dates to 1918. Bore is good/exc.,rebatted cyl so it's .45 ACP.My question(s). What is a good source for 1/2 moon clips, or even 1/4 moon clips? And, where do I go to find replacement grips.I'd like to put some stag grips on if I can find them,immitation would be ok.
 
Ranch Products has been stamping out moon clips since 1975. They have full and 1/3 moon clips. Since the advent of the full moon clips, I haven't used any half moon clips in my 1917 nor my 625. I suppose S&W still makes half moons.

Grips shouldn't be a problem. Mine are 50 year old Jay Scott's. Of course, some types will require you to contend with the lanyard. Have you looked at the Tombstone Gun Grip site?
 
Vintage guns grips makes a nice variety of replacement grips in different colors,might give them a try.Full moon,half,and third moon clips can be found at cheaper than dirt,sportsman's guide,midway,brownells,and on the auction sites.I bought a bag full from a company in the shotgun news years ago,ranch maybe .Beckham Products Design makes some good ones,also Wilson.And if you reload keep your eyes open for some auto rim cases,it's actually nice to shoot without the clips.1917 Colt and S&W has to be one of my all time favorite firearm.
 
If the finish is 90% but the grips are in poor condition, I would consider whether the gun has been refinished. If so, its collector value is reduced so putting on good repro grips would be fine. But if the finish is original, and the grips match (number inside matches the serial number), I would leave the grips alone, or at least keep the originals with the gun.

Jim
 
I've just picked up a Colt M1917. So my question is, will moon clips for S&W also work with the Colt, or are the cylinder dimensions different?
 
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