Not Sure Why I Decided I need a 1917....

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35 Whelen

35 Whelen

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….but I'm glad I did!

Just a couple of weeks ago those voices started whispering in my ear that I needed a DA revolver in 45 ACP. I'm a dyed-in-the-wool single action guy, so I fought the voices for a minute, maybe even two, but finally relented. I found one, an old Brazilian export, on an auction site, won the bid and it came in today.

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She's a nice, classy ol' girl!. I'd read that these revolvers typically have oversized cylinder throats, so I didn't expect much in the area of accuracy. I was wrong. I had an old box of 45 Auto Rim I tried first. It took a couple of cylinder's full to get used to the grip, but once I did, 25 yd. offhand groups fell into place-

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I had a bunch of handloads consisting of a cast 230 gr. RN over 4.3 grs. of Clays. Shot good too!!

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Looking forward to more shooting!!

35W
 
I'm a fan of the 45 ACP revolvers based on the 1917 design. While I do not have a revolver from the era, I do have an S&W M625 that I enjoy shooting. Maybe someday I'll find a good 1917 or so vintage revolver.

I do like moon clip fed revolvers in general. Besides the M625, I have a couple 9x19 and 38 Special revolvers that accept moon clip ammunition.

Enjoy your new acquisition.
 
My Dad's had a Brazilian 1917 as his nightstand gun for decades, nothing wrong with the way that one shoots, either. Tin cans at 30yds were in serious danger!

Nice score, bro!

BTW, I believe all of the S&W '17s (but not all the Colts) were counterbored so that they could headspace .45 ACP on the mouth if a moon clip was unavailable- though of course ejection required a rod or stick at that point.:)
 
OP, yours looks to be in pretty nice shape. I've been looking for an affordable one for … like, forever, since I've been trying to collect every service handgun the U.S. military has ever issued. And I'd prefer the S&W, as I'm kinda a S&W revolver guy. Plus, .45 ACP … 'nuff said.

Nice shooting at 25 yards, btw.
 
Sweet baby Jesus! That's a good looking piece! I want one one day... Heresy to say almost but the .45 ACP makes a better revolver round than a semi auto round (that includes the 1911) you can really make those things pop in a revolver even those old ones (not telling you to overload, just saying they can handle more than the typical ball round )
 
AlexanderA said:
It's unfortunate to use the word "need." This plays right into the hands of the antigunners.

"Need" should have nothing to do with getting a gun. Get it because you want it. No other justification is necessary.
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Unfortunate? Not at all. I am not a collector and don't like to needlessly throw money around, so any firearm I purchase needs to fill a role, even if a small one. Since the largest DA I own is a .357, this was an easy decision, actually. I enjoy late afternoon walks in the woods and it's not uncommon at all to come across a chicken eating coyote and on rare occassions, when the wind is right, I've walked up on hogs. It'll fill the bill perfectly for that role.

35W
 
Hi...
I have had a Brazilian 1917 for quite a few years.
I removed the lanyard ring and the factory grips and installed a one piece wooden Hogue finger groove grips.
I bought a bunch of the full moon clips and used them for a while but eventually bought .45AutoRim brass and now use that exclusively in my 1917.

I carry it sometimes when hiking but it hasn't been out of the house for some time. I need to rectify that situation.
 
AlexanderA said:
It's unfortunate to use the word "need." This plays right into the hands of the antigunners.
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Let's please not be the semantics police here. Are the anti-gunners constantly perusing this revolver forum and just how does it play into their hands?

Ilgac, another nice specimen. Guess I'm gonna have to start checking the on-line dealers and auctions, 'cause I haven't found this gun in such good condition anywhere in person or at the gun shows.
 
Old Dog said:
Ilgac, another nice specimen. Guess I'm gonna have to start checking the on-line dealers and auctions, 'cause I haven't found this gun in such good condition anywhere in person or at the gun shows.
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I’ve had this one for quite a while. Back when CAI (Century Arms International?) was importing them, sometime between ‘88 and ‘90 I think. I do still have the original grips that came on it but the lanyard ring was already missing. I like the feel of the factory target grips and have them on all but 2 of my Smith revolvers.

I’ve only seen a few in the last 20+ years. I would like to have a second one just because.
 
I have had over the years several M1917 revolvers, all of mine being Colts. The last .45 ACP revolver I had was a S&W 625. Though I do have two Ruger Blackhawks with ACP cylinders.

As to ejecting .45 ACP without having clips, I've found that GI ammunition and some commercial will drop out from gravity alone. And punching and letting the ejector sort of slap back will often let cases drop free.

Other times I've used a red Coca-Cola wooden pencil, unsharpened, to do the ejecting.

Bob Wright
 
35W,

Nice revolver. Be careful, if you don’t watch out you will find the ACP revolver will edge out the rest of them.

By the way, you can load 6 in these. I see you load 5, probably carry over from you SA revolvers.

Ranch Products will be more than happy to sell you moon clips. I believe they were the original provider of the new style clips and supply them to others who merely rebrand them.

A tool for removing the empties can be made from a piece of thin wall conduit or golf club shaft. Another option is use the corner of a GI ammo can, put the empty in the corner and pull straight away. Brass drops into the can. Rotate and repeat. Moon loaders can be built or bought.

Polymer clips are available but I have no experience with them.

But, just enjoy it and plan for the next one!

(Some of my ACP revolvers)

Kevin
 

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Everyone needs a 1917! Many here have seen my us army colt. Its a worn old relic that still shoots straight as an arrow, even though the lockup is slightly worn. It has a 9 digit number scratched into the left side of the gun, presumably a SSN. It's my favorite revolver in the collection.
 
I have the modern "classic" re-issue of the 1917. Not the same of course, but it's great fun. I didn't know 45 AR ammo was made that long ago. It is a nice find...
 
Rodentman said:
I have the modern "classic" re-issue of the 1917. Not the same of course, but it's great fun. I didn't know 45 AR ammo was made that long ago. It is a nice find...
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As a matter of information, the .45 Auto Rim cartridge was introduced by Peters Cartridge Co. in 1920. Just three years after the M1917 revolver.


Bob Wright
 
Rodentman said:
I have the modern "classic" re-issue of the 1917. Not the same of course, but it's great fun. I didn't know 45 AR ammo was made that long ago. It is a nice find...
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Am I correct and you are talking about the 5 1:2” barrel 22-4?

Just got my hands on one. I intend to compare it to the closest relative to it I have, a 1917 Commercial. I like the ACP revolver a lot, to the exclusion of other cartridges in the N frame.

Kevin
 
StrawHat said:
I like the ACP revolver a lot, to the exclusion of other cartridges in the N frame.

Kevin
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Can't say I disagree with you. Im on the hunt for a 5" 625. After I find one I'll find a new home for my 629. I rarely shoot any kind of loads I couldn't duplicate in the 625.
 
@StrawHat: Yes it is the 22-4 as you describe. I admit the 625 gets more range time, but every so often I get the 22-4 out. I shoot some 45 Super in the 625 but I don't in the 22-4.
 
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