Brazilian Contract 1917

[Michael Tinker Pearce]

Picked up a nice old S&W this week. Factory grips, a brass pin in the front sight and a Wonder Sight. Everything's tight-and-right, trigger is great, finish is showing it's age but not really bad. No rapid-fire for this gun; the stock grip moves around in my hand too much for that, so I made a set that fits me like a, um, like a handle that was made for me. No plans to modify the gun; if I decide to really go crazy I might polish the serrations off the trigger. I hope to shoot an ASI match or two with this gun next year. Need to make a holster or two.

 

[CoalCrackerAl]

Im the same way. Need grips that fit. Congrats on the Smith too.

 

[gobsauce]

I've never seen a brass pin on the front sight. Seems easy enough, something I'll have to try and do.

 

[Dave T]

I have one that was given to me after it was "customized", and no I didn't ask the work be done. Barrel shortened to 4", S&W adjustable rear sight, and a front ramp and blade that is so high I don't own a holster it will fit in. Oh yea, and then it was parkerized. Close but no cigar.

Dave

 

[Monac]

I like that rear sight. Until other revolvers with adjustable sights became available in 32 Long, I always wanted a rear sight like that for a 4 inch 32 S&W Regulation Police. I didn't try hard enough, and now I don't really need one, but it's still a nice thing. Does anyone still make them?

PS - It looks like you need big hands for those grips in the last picture. They are handsome and must be a great thing if they fit you, though.

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

Very nice, Mike!

I was just playing with my 1917 last night- now, where's my bullwhip and fedora?

 

[Michael Tinker Pearce]

I like that rear sight. Until other revolvers with adjustable sights became available in 32 Long, I always wanted a rear sight like that for a 4 inch 32 S&W Regulation Police. I didn't try hard enough, and now I don't really need one, but it's still a nice thing. Does anyone still make them?

PS - It looks like you need big hands for those grips in the last picture. They are handsome and must be a great thing if they fit you, though.

Yes, my hands are big. The sights are still made, and go for $60 a set. This is the fella:

 

[entropy]

Nice! Love the grain in the grips you made.

 

[jonnyc]

I have found that a Tyler T-Grip works great on the 1917s. They really help the transition from DA to SA.

 

[Roverguy]

Looks great! Far, far better than one I got I the early 90s that looked awful and shot about the same. In my youthful ignorance, I didn’t realize how badly it must have been treated nor did I seek knowledge to try to improve it. Traded it for ammo as I recall. Have always wanted to try another. Hope yours is a treat.

 

[Jonesy814]

Very cool, both gun & grips.

 

[StrawHat]

I prefer the Magnas with a grip adapter but for this 1917, I elected to leave the Service stocks in place. Carried this one quite a bit. Still carry something similar.


Kevin

 

[jar]

I gotta admit to liking the Brazilian Contract 1917s.

 

[ATCDoktor]

I picked up this Brazilian back in 2008 for a little over $300.


It had been parkerized, the front sight lightly filed and was wearing the wrong stocks but it shot just about to the POA with my target loads so I figure I didn’t do too bad.

I don’t shoot it as often as I should.

 

[Raimundo]

Hi Michael how does the Wonder Sight attaches to the frame? No need for drilling or tapping correct?
Thanks regards Raimundo

 

[Michael Tinker Pearce]

Hi Michael how does the Wonder Sight attaches to the frame? No need for drilling or tapping correct?
Thanks regards Raimundo

On five-screw guns it attaches to the screw-hole at the to of the side-plate, replacing the stock screw with a longer one.

 

[doubleh]

Yes, my hands are big.

My hands are medium sized and I have always had trouble hanging on to S&W's dinky little grips. I am down to one Model 19 and have tried the oversized S&W grip which is a bit big, a version which I slimmed down and recheckered. and a plain pair that I cut finger groves in. None satisfied me and I finally went to Pachmyer presentatoion grips and found something I am very satisfied with. Kind of ugly compared to wood but more usable in my case.

That is a nice old revolver and your grips look great.

 

[Riomouse911]

That rear sight looks worlds easier to install and sight in than the King sights that were installed on my old Colt Officers Model Heavy Barrel .38 Spl. back in the 1930’s. Those King sights took some real gunsmithing to cut the topstrap and install, and finding zero isn’t the easiest thing to do.



Stay safe.

 

[RevolvingGarbage]

Why am I tempted now to get one of those sights for my 6” M&P? It shoots great with the fixed sights with all my favorite loads, and it wouldn’t even help the one issue the gun has with the front sight being a little harder to use in some lighting situations, and yet I’m really thinking about it...

It certainly would be cheaper than my trying to get a hold of a 1917 Brazilian which I do really want (because I already use moonclips for my Webley, and to go along with my 1990 Brazilian wife, of course )