S & W m1917 Revolver

[esmith]

My father has an old army Smith and Wesson 1917 service pistol and i had several questions about it. First, just for safetys sake, is this gun safe to shoot? Theres very little rust and everything is in good condition.
Secondly, where can I get moon clips for this pistol that are cheap and plentiful? I also hear theres a rimmed .45 that was made so moon clips would not be needed but i haven't seen such yet.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

First of all, go to the sticky at the head of this forum for information on how to check the gun out. If it checks out, it is safe to shoot -- these were very high quality revolvers.

Secondly, you can shoot .45 ACP without moon clips -- if your chambers are smooth and free of rust. I used to have a Colt M1917 that I shot that way all the time. Just open the cylinder, point the gun up, and the cases would fall out.

Finally, you can get clips from Gun Parts, Inc. http://www.e-gunparts.com

 

[Cocked & Locked]

Good shooters...I've got a couple and usually shoot without the clips.

 

[mavracer]

the clips for a S&W625 will work.ranch products makes some good ones.ck www.midwayusa.com

 

[robert garner]

Lucky,green headed envy monster here!
robert

 

[MCgunner]

I had one, was in not so good shape, wore out old war horse. I sold it. It wasn't accurate with cast bullets. The rifling seemed awful shallow, not sure if it was designed that way or not, but I think lead bullets stripped in the rifling. Ball seemed okay accurate, or some hollow points with a jacket. Don't be shooting +P in that old thing. Metallurgy wasn't what it is today back when that thing was made.

 

[Cocked & Locked]

It wasn't accurate with cast bullets. The rifling seemed awful shallow, not sure if it was designed that way or not...

It was designed that way...for jacketed 230 grain "ball" ammo. Most of them seem to shoot hardball better than cast lead. I shoot both factory jacketed and cast lead reloads.

I vary more from shot-to-shot than the different ammo does at plinking range.