Colt 1917 Question

[Prof. A. Wickwire]

I am looking for replacement grips for my Colt 1917 revolver.

I have read that Colt N Frame grips will work on the 1917. Does anyone know if this is true? If not, does anyone know what frame size this pistol would be considered?

Thanks for the help folks.

Sincerely,

Prof. A. Wickwire

 

[Baba Louie]

http://www.e-gunparts.com/productschem.asp?chrMasterModel=0660z1917

Scroll down to items #47-48. It appears that Numrich is sold out of the walnut, both smooth and checkered, but they have hard rubber.
Buy a pair, then see about getting a copy in the wood of your choice using those as the template, maybe?

 

[Jim K]

I don't think there was a Colt "N" frame; the S&W "N" frame was the frame used for the S&W Model 1917 revolver, but the grips won't fit the Colt Model 1917. (It was the Army's idea to call both guns by the same model number, so don't blame me for the confusion.) The Colt gun was a New Service revolver with the cylinder cut down to use .45 ACP with half-moon clips.

Here are a couple of places to try:

www.gunpartscorp.com

www.gungrip.com/item_6.html

The latter takes you right to the page showing the correct wood grip for the Colt Model 1917. Any New service grip will fit, but the Model 1917 used a plain wood grip.

Jim

 

[Z71]

Colt New Service large frame grips should fit. Although my current Colt 1917 has it's original grips, I had one that had "Colt Rock" checkered grips with the horsey medalians from a civilian Colt, and they fit perfectly.

 

[Prof. A. Wickwire]

Folks,

Thanks for the quick replies.

I rescued this 1917 from the gunshop after she had been the victim of a very poor refinishing job. This being the case, I am not concerned with historically accurate grips. She currently wears a pair of what look like Coltwood grips, that bite (my hands that is).

On another site, I was told that the Colt New Service/1917 would take any Colt I Frame grips, does anyone know if this is true? In fact, is there a resource that shows which Colt model is what frame size?

As far as grips are concerned, I am looking for something like a Pachmayr grip just for plinking.

Any thoughts.

Thanks again.

Sincerely,

Prof. A. Wickwire

 

[Old Fuff]

The Colt I-frame was the Army Special/Official Police models as well as the Python, but the stocks from these won't fit a New Service/model 1917. Pachmayr once made stocks for the New Service, but they've been discotinued for many years. Since New Service production for all practical purposes ended in 1940 the lack of grips today is understandable, but keep looking.

 

[Prof. A. Wickwire]

Old Fuff,

Would I Frame grips be larger or smaller that what the 1917 takes? In other words, could I purchase a Pachmayr for an I frame and do some creative carving or would they be too big. In which case could I get I frame wood grips and sand them down to fit?

Or, are the dimensions just different and I am out of luck on using some other grip size.

Thanks.

Sincerely,

Prof. A. Wickwire

 

[Old Fuff]

I think you are out of luck...

The New Service frame and stocks are substantially larger then those used on the I-frame. On a size-wise pecking order, Colt's D-frame (Detective Special) was the smallest, next the I and O frames (both the same size, Official Police, Python) and the New Service was the largest. But bluntly, the New Service is JUST PLAIN BIG!

At one time Numrich (www.e-gunparts.com) had some plain walnut stocks carved up, but I understand they are sold out, and they don't plan to get more because of lack of demand. That leaves us with the black plastic reproductions of the original hard rubber stocks. For what it's worth these have fine checkering that won't abrade your hand, but like the revolver they are large size. They make a N-frame S&W look small.

Pachmayr also made grip adapters, some of which may still be floating around, and if matched with a pair of reproduction stocks might answer your problems.

 

[.455_Hunter]

Try these...

http://www.eaglegrips.com/1917.htm

http://www.gungrip.com/detail_WW15__6.html

I am about ready to order a set for my Colt M1917 as well.

 

[Prof. A. Wickwire]

Old Fuff,

So, this auction (for example) is not listed accurately?

E-Bay Auction

The title mentions the New Service specifically, yet the third photo shows the label "Colt I Frame Large."

This grip would fit the Python but not the New Service?

Finding grips for this pistol is more bothersome than I thought it would be.

Thanks again for your help.


.455_Hunter,

Those grips look beautiful, but the prices, yikes! They are almost half the price I paid for this victim of an amature refinishing.

Sincerely,

Prof. A. Wickwire

(edited for content)

 

[Old Fuff]

I checked (www.e-gunparts.com) and they do have Pachmayr grip adapters for the New Service for between $6.00 and $7.00. Unless you find something better I suggest that you get one because it is relatively inexpensive. At the moment that, along with reproduction black hard-rubber stocks seem to be the best bet.

If the listing says I-frame for the New Service it's wrong.