S&W m1917 vs S&W m1917 Brazilian Order

Which revolver should I buy

  • Total voters
    17
  • Poll closed .
M

moach57

Inactive
I am currently trying to decide which model m1917 to save up for and buy. The S&W m1917 came around when the U.S joined WW1. The government realized that they would not be able to produce enough 1911 for the war effort. So they turned to the two top civilian revolver makers: S&W and Colt. Some of the requirements were that the guns had to be in 45 acp and that they had to have 5.5 inch barrels. S&W and colt simply modified existing models to meet these requirements. The S&W version of the m1917 is a very sturdy and well liked gun. Over 150,000 were made by S&W for WW1. In 1937 the Brazilian government ordered 25,000 of these weapons to use for their military and police. Another order was placed around 1946. On the market today the Brazilian gun is cheaper than the original WW1 gun. Please voice your opinion because I need help deciding which to get!:confused:
 
Between Tweedledum and Tweedledee? Many, if not all, of the first order Brazilian guns were made using M1917 frames and other parts S&W bought back from the Army. The Brazilian contract guns use the checkered grips put on S&W commercial N frames of the 1937 period. The only functional difference is that the Brazilian guns have a hammer block safety (the second S&W type, not the latest), where the U.S. Model 1917 does not.

Jim
 
For a shooter, my preference would be for the Brazilian. I recall reading that the heat treatment on the 37's was better than on the earlier guns.
 
Basically the same pistol. The US Govt. models are usually in better condition and will be a better financial investment, but the Brazilian-contract guns are usually cheaper and have proven to be great shooters.
Your choice.
 
Are you speaking of a US marked M1917, or a commercial model? If you are looking for a M1950 you've got the best of all. The Model 1950 Army was the latest .45 ACP and has the short action.

Bob Wright
 
I voted for a US 1917. They will do better going up in value. For shooting purposes, both would be the same, but since you cannot predict the future, I suggest buying the more marketable, more sought after 1917 aka the US marked one, so that if you ever had to sell, someone would actually want it. There are a ton of those Brazilian guns around, and their history is not near as interesting as a S&W 1917. Now of course, many S&W 1917s never made it to WWI, and went to the post office (believe it or not) who then released them years later. If you shop around enough, the price difference will not be all that much either.
 
Just to clarify, my references to the Model 1917 were to those revolvers made under contract to the Army in the 1917-1918 time frame. S&W continued to make the Model 1917 long after WWI and in a modified verson after WWII. They made a target version, the Model 50, that was used by a lot of folks who wanted a revolver to use in the .45 matches. In fact, S&W still makes a "classic" version of the Model 22, which they also call the Model of 1917.

Jim
 
They made a target version, the Model 50, that was used by a lot of folks who wanted a revolver to use in the .45 matches.
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The model 50 was actually a target sight J frame chiefs special 38 special. You probably mean the model 25, which was a N frame target revolver available in 45 acp or 45 colt. There were some earlier versions of the model 25 and 26, notably the model 1955 45 acp (heavy barrel, later the model 25), the model 1950 45 acp (light weight barrel, later the model 26 - model 26 marked guns are rare), and of course, you could have ordered a 45 acp target revolver before WWII, but those would be very scarce.
 
As I recall, S&W made the Model 1950 Army, the Model 1950 Target, and the Model 1955 Target. Again, straining my memory, I believe the Model 1955 Target had a "U"-shaped mainspring.

I cannot remember there ever being a M1926 .45 ACP

All of these were .45 ACP revovlers.

Bob Wright
 
I cannot remember there ever being a M1926 .45 ACP
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I was saying the model 26, aka N frame 45 cal lightweight barrel target. This is known as the 1950 target as well. The model 1926 aka wolf and klar 3rd model hand ejector perhaps could have been ordered in 45 acp, it was just not a standard caliber. Most 44 hand ejector 3rd models were of course 44 special, but if you had the money, S&W would make the gun.
 
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The Brazilian is a much better buy for shooting. I'd be reluctant to shoot most of the WWI guns because of collector's value.


Pic053.jpg
 
Of the two...

As a shooter, I'd go with the Brazillian for no other reason than the hammer block.

For a collector piece, a United States marked 1917.
 
Where's 'Both' or 'All'? For a long time, I thought the Brazilian guns would be the only ones I could afford, though a 'US Army' marked M1917 is a 'grail gun'. I wound up coming across what looks like a civilian production Hand Ejector that I snapped up.

For gobs of M1917 information, go to the Smith & Wesson forum,
http://smith-wessonforum.com/forum.php
 
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