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S&W 1917 Army .45

jds56jds56 Member Posts: 22 ✭✭
edited June 2002 in Ask the Experts
I've recently inherited an old S&W 1917 Army reblue that seems in good condition. It locks up tight, the bore is a little rough but not bad and all the SN.'s match. I would like to reload for and shoot this old piece but have several questions:
1. Is it safe to use with current .45 ACP factory ammo. The barrel and cylinder walls seem pretty thin to me but think they are factory spec.
2. If so, are the half moon clips necessay or can regular .45 ACP rounds be used and simply punched out with a dowell if not in a
hurry to reload.
3. Are after market grips available? I have big hands and would like something a little more substantial.
4. Is there a source of parts that you can recommend? Specificly, for a couple of the side plate screws and the cylinder stop. The internals look a lot like my M-27. Are any interchangeable?
5. I'm a experinced reloader but only with rifle and 9 mm and .357 mag. pistol loads. Is there anything in particular to watch out for with the .45 ACP and this pistol in particular?

Thank you in advance. The last time I posted a query the thread was closed before I had a chance to say thanks for the help.
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Comments

  • XracerXracer Member Posts: 1,990 ✭
    edited November -1
    1) Yes, if the gun is in good condition you can use a standard factory load .45 ACP. In an old gun like that, I wouldn't use +Ps or other hot loads, though.

    2) You have to use half-moon clips with .45 ACP. There's no rim to headspace on. As an alternative, if you can find .45 Auto Rim (a rimmed version of .45 ACP), you can use that without clips.

    3) Probably (don't know where, though)....but save the original grips.

    4) Try GunPartsCorp: http://www.e-gunparts.com/

    5) Not really......45 ACP loads very much like 9mm. If you can find some .45 Auto Rim brass, that's the way to go (to eliminate the half-moon clips). Just use normal handloading care, and be sure not to use "hot" loads on an old girl like this.
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  • ServiceGunServiceGun Member Posts: 1 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Hello jds56

    I can answer some of your questions.
    It is safe to use current factory ammo in this gun. I would avoid hot hanloads however.
    Half moon (or the star shaped 6 shot) clips are not neccesary. There is a step in the chambers for the cartridges to space on. You will need to punch them out of the cylinder.
    Any grips for an S&W N frame square butt will work. They may require minor fitting, and most will also require the removal of the lanyard ring.
    Don't know about parts availibility.
    I reload .45ACP, and there are no specific techniques for this cartridge. Avoid hot loads for this gun.

    If you want to sell those grips, I'd be interested.

    Hope this helps. Have fun.
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  • RancheroPaulRancheroPaul Member Posts: 1,459 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    JDS56.....I have 100 pcs. of new never loaded or primed .45 Auto Rim brass made by Remington....E-mail me if interested..padams@aros.net

    If You Can't Buy a Pair, Get a Spare!
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  • l-girll-girl Member Posts: 131 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I have both an original 1917 and a Brazilian contract. Both work well with full moon clips and .45 auto rim. I have fired 45 ACP without full moon clips and ejected them with an unsharpened pencil. I recommend using only factory ammo if you don't use full moon clips because reloads sometimes do not get properly resized and the firing pin (on the hammer) just drives the round deeper into the cylinder causing an occasional misfire. .45 ACP headspaces on the case and the case must be precisely resized for use in revolvers.

    Good full moon clips can be purchased here on Ebay.

    http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1838016706



    Best regards,Rich
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  • rscoleman88rscoleman88 Member Posts: 4,250
    edited November -1
    You should NOT have to use half moon clips. Look into each chamber in the cylinder. Ther should be a ring cast into it that the end of the shell casing stops against. Mine was made like this and I have never had a proble with or without the clips.

    Respect those who protect us now just as you would those who died for us in the past.
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  • rscoleman88rscoleman88 Member Posts: 4,250
    edited November -1
    You should NOT have to use half moon clips. Look into each chamber in the cylinder. Ther should be a ring cast into it that the end of the shell casing stops against. Mine was made like this and I have never had a proble with or without the clips.

    Respect those who protect us now just as you would those who died for us in the past.
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  • S&W ManS&W Man Member Posts: 208 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    You can use standard current manfactured loads. DO NOT USE +P or HOT loads.

    If you no not use some type of moon clips, It is NOT recommended to use reloads. I reload and will not use mine that way. It is a very percise sizing that is required for using without moon clips and it is difficult to do it by hand reloading.

    The 1917 is on the S&W N Frame. The later models will use standard N grips, however the older or true 1917 would have to have them resized to some extent.

    If you want a larger grip, I have N grips in both wood oversized and in Pachmyer and would trade you for originals and pay shipping both ways. email me athighwayp@kconline.com.


    The second admendment GUARANTEES the other nine and the Constitution!

    Edited by - S&W Man on 06/24/2002 23:31:12
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