Author Topic: 1917 COLT GOVERNMENT (Read 973 times)

WD45 · « **on:** June 16, 2004, 01:06:43 AM »

While trolling around at the gun shop yesterday someone brought in a 1917 colt revolver with the ring bob on the bottom of it ( ring was missing )marked only colt 45 DA on the side and 1917 gov with s/n on the bottom of the grip. It would not chamber a regular 45 long colt round and the book showed that s/n chambered for 45 ACP. The cylinder would take the 45 ACP round but would not eject it due to no rim. I am not familiar with all the old colts and military modles and wondered if someone could give a little info on this. Is it missing a piece or what ? The ejector was useless.

Mux · « **Reply #1 on:** June 16, 2004, 02:11:18 AM »

The 1917 Colt was chambered for the 45 ACP but it was intended to be used with half-moon or full-moon clips. These clips hold 3 to 6 rounds all at one time and the ejector pushes against these clips to eject. I believe I ordered some of the clips from Midway a couple of months ago. They are very inexpensive and I believe if memory does not fail me that I got 10 for about $7. Hopefully this will shed some light on your ejection problems.

Mikey · « **Reply #2 on:** June 16, 2004, 03:39:29 AM »

WD45 - Mux is right, the half moon clips will resolve the ejection problems for that 1917. Now, for a real treat, see if you can locate a 45 colt cylinder for that 1917 and not worry about ejection problems with the acp round. Mikey.

wiley · « **Reply #3 on:** June 16, 2004, 04:01:25 AM »

also shoot .45 Auto Rim. Midway/Graff sells the brass. It's a 45ACP case with a thick rim on it.

michbob · « **Reply #4 on:** June 16, 2004, 12:29:24 PM »

GAAAH! Recylinder a nice old piece like a 1917? Fer shame. WD, if you can pick it up, do so; they don't make 'em like that, anymore. (Never mind that new S&W.)

Michbob.

WD45 · « **Reply #5 on:** June 17, 2004, 12:57:05 AM »

Couldnt get them to sell it. It was apparently carried by his father in WW1 who was in a cavalry unit. :-)
Thanks for the info gentlemen. on a side note... When did they stop issuing revolvers ?

michbob · « **Reply #6 on:** June 18, 2004, 01:28:40 PM »

I believe the M1917's, both Colt and S&W, were still issued as a substitute standard in WW2. The various services issued .38 Sp. revolvers to aircrew and others from WW2 on up.

The Air Force issued S&W .38s pilots, security, etc. even beyond the adoption of the M9. They might even have some on hand now. I understand that the Army and/or Marines also had Smith's and some Ruger Speed Sixes, in .38 Sp.

People debate 9mm-vs-.45, but the loads the military used in .38 weren't very Special. The 'latest' load issued was a 130 gr. FMJ at ~900 fps.

Michbob.

DPRinks · « **Reply #7 on:** October 04, 2004, 03:22:03 PM »

I have a 1917 S&W, marked with Brazil, 1936 crest, good bore, a nice shooter, 200gr cast swc do 900 fps with 6gr Universal , good accuracy, for me, and very moderate recoil.
I also use it with home made brass shotshells loaded with 7 1/2 shot at 1000fps , does well up to 40-50 feet .
Don Rinks