45 Caliber Revolver – M1917

Am Shooting Journal ^ | 10/10/2018 | J Dickson

[w1n1]

The M1917 represents the perfection of the American double-action revolver as a military weapon. While the day of the revolver was done, as it could not match the Model 1911’s firepower or ability to continue functioning once sand had gotten into the mechanism, there was an insufficient number of those automatics to equip the vast new army being raised for World War I.
Army Ordnance did not want to deal with two different cartridges in the logistics system, so any revolvers chosen as a substitute standard would have to fire the rimless .45 ACP cartridge.
Smith & Wesson patented a half moon clip enabling the rimless .45 ACP cartridges to be snapped into a spring steel retainer.

Their dreams of monopoly were quashed when the Army ordered them to make the half moon clips available to Colt for free. Both the Colt New Service M1917 and S&W New Century .45 revolvers could now be used with the .45 automatic's round by the simple expedient of machining off the rear of the revolver’s cylinder enough to make room for the half-moon clip loaded with ammo.

Revolvers that have the cylinder chambered for the .45 ACP can also be single loaded but there is nothing for the extractor to grab onto, so the cartridges must be picked out with the fingernails or punched out with a stick if they don't fall out with gravity when time comes for reloading.
Since the half-moon clips adopted by the Army and the later commercial fullmoon clips constitute speed loaders, in addition to providing a surface for the revolver’s star extractor to work on, the revolver can now be loaded at the maximum possible speed.

Since both Colt and S&W guns were suitable and available and speed of procurement was the driving force, both companies got contracts. The issue of which was better was settled back in 1907 when the Report of Board on Tests of Revolvers and Automatic Pistols was submitted by Army Ordnance. Both Colt and S&W .45 Colt caliber revolvers were tested.... Read the rest of 45 caliber revolver.

[Vaquero]

Been looking for a reasonably priced “property of US” m-1917 S&W for some time. From WW1 in originally, as issued condition. Not the remakes.

[MCF]

I have a S&W 1917. You can use both Full and halfmoon clips to hold the ACP round. You can also use the 45 Auto Rim which negates the need for the clip. For any reloaders out there the throat diameter, at least on the S&Ws is .454, the same as the Long Colt. If you shoot lead bullets and are having leading issues try using .454 diamiter bullets.

[LumberJack53213]

I’ve wanted one of these for a long time, noticed that Brad Pitt used one in Fury recently.

[karbine]

I have both the Colt and S&W. The Colt is my favorite revolver, after my 1878 S&W No. 3 44 Russian. I use both 45acp with moon clips and 45ar. The action of the Colt is butter smooth, but the grip huge and requires a very large hand. The S&W 1917, by comparison, is much easier to handle but not as smooth. Balance with Colt is superior also. Not committed to one brand over the other. Gotta say tho, my Colt Anaconda 44mag shoots much better than my Dirty Harry Model 29. Really, it’s like trying choose between blondes,
Brunettes, and redheads—I like them all!

[butlerweave]

Indiana Jones favorite pistol is a cut down M1917,LOL

[Ruy Dias de Bivar]

I saw one of those in like new condition in a pawn shop about forty years ago for $199.00 Did not have the money to buy it. They also had a 1898 Krag in perfect condition.

Three years later, I picked a S&W 1917 up for $145.00 but it was made for the British .455, with British proof marks, and converted to .45 Long Colt. Sights were so far off years later I bought a Wondersight for it. Now it shoots good and I put about 50 rds through it last week.

I also picked up a rough .38 British S&W, British proof marks, that had been converted in Britain to a .22 Long Rifle cartridge. Great shooter.

[sarge83]

I picked up a S&W version about 15 years ago. She was in rough condition. I had a choice, leave as is and never shoot it or do some restoration. I had it refinished blue. The smith said the barrel was not in the greatest of condition and I only shoot light loads in it at this point.

The local gun/pawn shop has had the Colt 1917 in their case for nearly three years with a $1500 price tag on it. I bought the S&W at this same shot and they are the only ones who have shown up in twenty years at this particular shop.

[USS Alaska]

Really, it’s like trying choose between blondes, Brunettes, and redheads—I like them all!

Sexiss, raciss and gun lover. I'll bet you are an old, white missoginissst.

My pick is redheads for fun, and brunettes for stability.

Too many dumb blonde jokes, but like a fine cognac excellent choice in moderation {when heated}.