1917 Colt, oir 1917 S&W: Which Do You Prefer?
- Thread starter SharpsDressedMan
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Cocked & Locked
Member
Yep I keep showing these two but the opportunities to do so keep coming up! Plus I'm bragging.
Thanks! I like to carry that Colt sometimes. It's short but still heavy.
Thanks! That S&W is pretty slick looking. I don't know who nickel plated it but I like the way they did it...no dished out screw holes from over buffing. Also, I've seen several after the factory nickel jobs that had the trigger, hammer, and ejector star nickled. These were not...makes me happy happy.
Driftwood Johnson
Member
Howdy
I prefer Smiths.
Nothing wrong with the Brazilian Contract.
However this one shipped in January of 1918, and it came with an almost full box of ammo.
I prefer Smiths.
Nothing wrong with the Brazilian Contract.
However this one shipped in January of 1918, and it came with an almost full box of ammo.
Bikewer
Member
I had several of the S&W models; used to be that you could pick them up at gun shows in the late 60s for about 50.00.
I looked at a couple of the Colts, which were available as well, but as I recall (that being a while ago....) I didn't like the grips.
Nice shooters, though; I used to load the Auto Rim cases with hard-cast SWC bullets over a moderate charge of Unique.
I looked at a couple of the Colts, which were available as well, but as I recall (that being a while ago....) I didn't like the grips.
Nice shooters, though; I used to load the Auto Rim cases with hard-cast SWC bullets over a moderate charge of Unique.
At a couple of gun shows in the last four months, I found three or four Brazilian contract models, but all of them looked like they'd been rode hard and put away wet and beat up.
I'd take a decent Brazilian in a heartbeat, if it were decent.
Cocked & Locked
Member
Yes those are a new addition to the New Service. These are stabilized aged elk antler made Ken Driskill In Colorado Springs. He sells on GunBroker under the name bigmtnman.
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rcmodel
Member in memoriam
My hand isn't big enough to reach the trigger on the Colt.
So make it a S&W 1917 N-Frame for me.
I also believe them to be a more advanced design, and a more durable gun.
rc
So make it a S&W 1917 N-Frame for me.
I also believe them to be a more advanced design, and a more durable gun.
rc
Vern Humphrey
Member
One fair criticism of the Colt is that it takes slightly larger than normal hands to fire it.
Fortunately, Colts fit my hands -- in the hands and feet department, I was not short-changed. As my Dad used to say when someone asked his shoe size, "I'm a size 8. But 10s feel so good I buy 12s."
Fortunately, Colts fit my hands -- in the hands and feet department, I was not short-changed. As my Dad used to say when someone asked his shoe size, "I'm a size 8. But 10s feel so good I buy 12s."
rcmodel
Member in memoriam
Vern, Lets hope this doesn't go any further then it has already!!
rc
Vern Humphrey
Member
You have a dirty mind, RC.
Colt with notes.
I have a small hand and use a pachmayr grip adapter that makes a world of difference. I can now actually fire the big beast double action but am very accurate with single and its still a brute force to fire double action. Also I am a Colt collector for what that's worth. The Smith really fits my hand better. I also just pick out the empties with the rim of another empty cartridge and don't bother with the clips.
I have a small hand and use a pachmayr grip adapter that makes a world of difference. I can now actually fire the big beast double action but am very accurate with single and its still a brute force to fire double action. Also I am a Colt collector for what that's worth. The Smith really fits my hand better. I also just pick out the empties with the rim of another empty cartridge and don't bother with the clips.
ApacheCoTodd
member
Looking at both of mine sitting here and regardless of the fact that I like to shoot the Colt more, I have to give the nod to the Smith.
Prettier hammer
Additional cylinder lock
Easier to manipulate cylinder release
A more user friendly rear sight notch
A touch lighter
Stronger front sight
Frame side cover opposite the cylinder release
And I guess the largest of nods goes to S&W for re starting production on a brand new one.
Prettier hammer
Additional cylinder lock
Easier to manipulate cylinder release
A more user friendly rear sight notch
A touch lighter
Stronger front sight
Frame side cover opposite the cylinder release
And I guess the largest of nods goes to S&W for re starting production on a brand new one.
Vern Humphrey
Member
Welll . . . actually, the Colt also has an additional cylinder lock -- the hand. The S&W cylinder rotates in the opposite direction, so the hand tends to push the cylinder unlocked, which is why it needs a lock on the ejector rod.
Lj1941
Member
Both
I would be perfectly happy with either or!They are both good old "War-horses!"
I would be perfectly happy with either or!They are both good old "War-horses!"
gjamison
Member
The S&W 1917 has a better fit and finish than the colt. S&W!!
As you can see this is serial number 13. The only number I've seen lower is number 4 and that was at a OGCA show several years ago. Feel very honored to own this piece of history...
As you can see this is serial number 13. The only number I've seen lower is number 4 and that was at a OGCA show several years ago. Feel very honored to own this piece of history...
As mentioned by others, my hand doesn't fit the Colt grip and I've never liked the stacking DA trigger that comes standard on older Colts.
My only S&W right now was highly modified by a previous owner, and I'm enjoying his efforts:
Also like several others, I'd like to find a M-1917 I could afford to turn into a 4" carry gun, with a Brazilian being the most likely candidate.
Dave
My only S&W right now was highly modified by a previous owner, and I'm enjoying his efforts:
Also like several others, I'd like to find a M-1917 I could afford to turn into a 4" carry gun, with a Brazilian being the most likely candidate.
Dave
Dframe
Member
I'd be happy with either but if I had to pick ONE, I'd take that prancing pony EVERY time.
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