Lately I've become really interested in picking up one of these babies in mint condition. I plan to shoot the he!! out of it, too. Does anyone have any experience with these? Are they just as durable as any of the modern N frames? Am I stupid to shoot it? Are there any certain derivations that are more desirable? How long were they made? Any info would be appreciated. Thanks.
S&W model 1917 .45
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Mike Irwin
Staff
"Mint" condition, and you intend to shoot the "hell" out of it?
Truly NIB 1917s, ones that have not been arsenal reworked during WW II, are bringing upwards of $1,500.
You can, however, pick up a decent WW II rework, in not so mint condition, for perhaps $500 to $600. If you're lucky, you can get it for less.
There's another, and even cheaper, alternative.
Brazilian Contract 1917s. These were made for Brazil in two separate issues, one prior to WW II, and the second batch delivered after the War.
I got mine for $185. Mechanically it is in very good shape, but the exterior is rough as hell.
One in 85 to 90 percent condition will probably set you back about $350.
The issue grips that come with these guns are, quite frankly, abominations before God and man. I replaced mine with Hogue rubber grips. Certainly not period, but makes it a LOT more pleasant to shoot.
Are they as durable as modern N-frames?
No, but that's the case with any older gun. Metalurgical advances have made new guns more durable than ever. That said, however, your 1917 will be as good as you need it to be for as long as you want it to be.
There were a number of variations on this theme, all chambered in .45, but with differing barrel and sight configurations.
The fixed-sight military version as the Model of 1950 Military, and later continued as the Model 22.
There were two adjustable sight target versions: The Model 1950 Target, and the Model 1955 Target, which were continued as the Models 26 and 25 respectively.
The Model 25 was still being made up to a few years ago, and a stainless steel version may still be made as the 625.
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Beware the man with the S&W .357 Mag.
Chances are he knows how to use it.
Truly NIB 1917s, ones that have not been arsenal reworked during WW II, are bringing upwards of $1,500.
You can, however, pick up a decent WW II rework, in not so mint condition, for perhaps $500 to $600. If you're lucky, you can get it for less.
There's another, and even cheaper, alternative.
Brazilian Contract 1917s. These were made for Brazil in two separate issues, one prior to WW II, and the second batch delivered after the War.
I got mine for $185. Mechanically it is in very good shape, but the exterior is rough as hell.
One in 85 to 90 percent condition will probably set you back about $350.
The issue grips that come with these guns are, quite frankly, abominations before God and man. I replaced mine with Hogue rubber grips. Certainly not period, but makes it a LOT more pleasant to shoot.
Are they as durable as modern N-frames?
No, but that's the case with any older gun. Metalurgical advances have made new guns more durable than ever. That said, however, your 1917 will be as good as you need it to be for as long as you want it to be.
There were a number of variations on this theme, all chambered in .45, but with differing barrel and sight configurations.
The fixed-sight military version as the Model of 1950 Military, and later continued as the Model 22.
There were two adjustable sight target versions: The Model 1950 Target, and the Model 1955 Target, which were continued as the Models 26 and 25 respectively.
The Model 25 was still being made up to a few years ago, and a stainless steel version may still be made as the 625.
------------------
Beware the man with the S&W .357 Mag.
Chances are he knows how to use it.
I concur, to shoot the hell out of a primo 1917 is a capital offense. The newer production S&W 45acp revolvers are stronger and have better trigger pulls. The older S&W have a long hammer fall that takes a while to get used to. I have a 1917 that I had hard chromed and use as a boon-docking gun. It is great but I prefer my 625. My 625 is a 4" mountain gun configeration that was made as a Springfield Armory commemorative. I will get jeers but as rare as it is I bought it to shoot and that is what I do. Regards, Richard.
Just a side note. The 5 or 6 inch bbl .45 ACP revolvers have most aesthetically BEAUTIFUL report of any handgun. A mighty booming crash, without the harsh supersonic whip of faster rounds. Dunno if it's the bbl/cyl gap, but it has a much different report than the heavy THUD of a .45ACP pistol. By the way, I bought a ragged-out 1917 at gun shop in the early 80's for $75. Wound up taking $90 for it, a year later.
Mike Irwin
Staff
Richard,
Did you change the barrel length on your 1917? Is it a Brazilian contract?
Mine is in such rough exterior shape (about 20% finish, pitted, dinged, scratched) that I'm considering whacking the barrel back to 3" or so, roundbutting it, and sending it to Scott McDougal for their Gnomecote treatment.
I think it would be a very nice car gun in that configuration.
If I can find another Brazilian contract in better shape, or even better, a military or commercial 1917, it will likely be done. As it is, I don't really want to mess with it right now.
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Beware the man with the S&W .357 Mag.
Chances are he knows how to use it.
Did you change the barrel length on your 1917? Is it a Brazilian contract?
Mine is in such rough exterior shape (about 20% finish, pitted, dinged, scratched) that I'm considering whacking the barrel back to 3" or so, roundbutting it, and sending it to Scott McDougal for their Gnomecote treatment.
I think it would be a very nice car gun in that configuration.
If I can find another Brazilian contract in better shape, or even better, a military or commercial 1917, it will likely be done. As it is, I don't really want to mess with it right now.
------------------
Beware the man with the S&W .357 Mag.
Chances are he knows how to use it.
You can find them and they are really cool.
My Colt 1917 still shoots very well. (Its a US Army Marked DCM Gun re-blued in the 50's) However a word of caution NO +p stuff in these old guns. In fact I'd suggest you load them light and occasionally shoot ball ammo out of them, they will last longer. The heaviest load I'd shoot is a 230 grain hydra shock, no cor-bons please. My standard load is a 200 gr lswc on 5 grains of red dot, very nice target load.
And If you buy one with the finish rubbed off anyway.. refinish the darn thing. No sense shooting an ugly gun.
IMA makes a nice cross draw period holster for these guns at $40, or you can get a cheaper "webly" web style holster.
Too bad most new service colts are too big for IDPA
(the standard military barrel is 5.5 inches)
In colts the parkeredized and charcoal deep blue guns are worth more than those finished in a standard blue/black. I've seen "new service army " models with barrels as short as 2" but that was called a "fitz" special.. a cop gun.
have fun,
Dr.Rob
My Colt 1917 still shoots very well. (Its a US Army Marked DCM Gun re-blued in the 50's) However a word of caution NO +p stuff in these old guns. In fact I'd suggest you load them light and occasionally shoot ball ammo out of them, they will last longer. The heaviest load I'd shoot is a 230 grain hydra shock, no cor-bons please. My standard load is a 200 gr lswc on 5 grains of red dot, very nice target load.
And If you buy one with the finish rubbed off anyway.. refinish the darn thing. No sense shooting an ugly gun.
IMA makes a nice cross draw period holster for these guns at $40, or you can get a cheaper "webly" web style holster.
Too bad most new service colts are too big for IDPA
(the standard military barrel is 5.5 inches)
In colts the parkeredized and charcoal deep blue guns are worth more than those finished in a standard blue/black. I've seen "new service army " models with barrels as short as 2" but that was called a "fitz" special.. a cop gun.
have fun,
Dr.Rob
Mike Irwin
Staff
Hey Dr. Rob...
A was asking about the S&W version, not the Colt version.
He's got taste...
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Beware the man with the S&W .357 Mag.
Chances are he knows how to use it.
A was asking about the S&W version, not the Colt version.
He's got taste...
------------------
Beware the man with the S&W .357 Mag.
Chances are he knows how to use it.
well mike they are very similar guns. Both were put into prooduction in 1917 because the 1911 was expensive to produce and we needed a mountain of pistols for the WW1 effort.
Colt and Smith produced something like 350,000+ .45acp revolvers.
Many stayed in service through WW2, esp. in armored units, and many found there way to Brazil. The best price I've seen on a Brazilian SW1917 was around $250, and that's been a while back. The NO +p loads apply for BOTH makes as metallurgy back then isn't what it is now. If the gun is marked "US Govt Property" or Property US Army is typiclly worth more.
Import stamps lessen its value. A Mint condition SW or Colt 1917 can set you back nearly $2k, up to you as to shooting the hell out of it or not.
Better to get a used one with a bad finish and a shiny bore and re-blue or parkerize it.
Colt and Smith produced something like 350,000+ .45acp revolvers.
Many stayed in service through WW2, esp. in armored units, and many found there way to Brazil. The best price I've seen on a Brazilian SW1917 was around $250, and that's been a while back. The NO +p loads apply for BOTH makes as metallurgy back then isn't what it is now. If the gun is marked "US Govt Property" or Property US Army is typiclly worth more.
Import stamps lessen its value. A Mint condition SW or Colt 1917 can set you back nearly $2k, up to you as to shooting the hell out of it or not.
Better to get a used one with a bad finish and a shiny bore and re-blue or parkerize it.
Mike Irwin
Staff
Yep, I was just busting your chops.
The Brazilian Contract guns are all S&W, and were all newly manufactured for the Brazilians by S&W.
The first batch differes mechanically somewhat from the post WW II batch.
There are a number of things I don't care for in the Colt 1917 and in Colt revolvers in general, including the operation of the latch and the shape of the grip frame.
------------------
Beware the man with the S&W .357 Mag.
Chances are he knows how to use it.
The Brazilian Contract guns are all S&W, and were all newly manufactured for the Brazilians by S&W.
The first batch differes mechanically somewhat from the post WW II batch.
There are a number of things I don't care for in the Colt 1917 and in Colt revolvers in general, including the operation of the latch and the shape of the grip frame.
------------------
Beware the man with the S&W .357 Mag.
Chances are he knows how to use it.
G. Kennedy
New member
If you want a .45ACP revolver to shoot the **** out of I would recommend a Smith 25 or their newer 625, especially the 5-inch full lug barrel version. They are more accurate than you'd think a factory production gun could be.....
Robert Foote
New member
Go new--M625 in some persuasion or other. I have owned a M1917 and shot others. They were ok for their time but the sights are lousy. DA is often poor (long, heavy) and SA only fair. Stock grips were terrible. Really good ones are collectable and pricey; turning an affordable one into a good practical gun could get expensive and original parts are getting harder to come by. I was seriously thinking of getting a S&W .45 ACP Mtn. Gun but their sellout turned me off. Pity. Maybe Ruger would make their GP in .45 ACP...
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Wow. Thanks for all the information guys. I already have a model 25 and model 625. I took my family to Disneyland last week and went on the jungle cruise and, at the risk of sounding corny, came off the ride feeling like Indiana Jones and really had this deep desire for a 17. I've wanted one for a long time but this ride solidified it. Anyway, I've seen some out there in, like, 95-98% condition that go for $750 or thereabouts. This is what I meant when I said mint. Preferably I would like to get an early one and I wouldn't even mind getting a Brazilian contract model as long as it was in really great condition. Are they fairly common from the WWI era? Were all the military 17s parkerized? Were all the Brazilians parkerized? Again, thank you all for all the input.
Mike Irwin
Staff
A,
Most of the military guns up to World War II were blued, but in a lighter blue that was less time consuming to apply.
During arsenal reworks around WW II the guns were normally parkerized. WW I era blued guns are pretty uncommon these days, most having disappeared into collections, but they can still be found.
The Brazilian contract guns (both issues, 1938 shipment and 1946 shipment) are blued to a standard that approaches S&W's commercial bluing.
Most of the military guns up to World War II were blued, but in a lighter blue that was less time consuming to apply.
During arsenal reworks around WW II the guns were normally parkerized. WW I era blued guns are pretty uncommon these days, most having disappeared into collections, but they can still be found.
The Brazilian contract guns (both issues, 1938 shipment and 1946 shipment) are blued to a standard that approaches S&W's commercial bluing.
Mike Irwin, my S&W 1917 is still a 5". It has been hard chromed, given a trigger job, and has smooth S&W target grips on it. I would and do trust my life on it. The work on mine was done by Frank Paris; he was the gunsmith for the Detroit Police shooting team prior to his demise. Frank was a man you only had to meet once to know you liked him. He was a straight shooter. Regards, Richard.