The M17 and M17 (M1917)

Handguns have come a long way in 100 years. Both were the pinnacle of the technology of the time. One an adapted American large frame Smith Wesson revolver for auto moonclips and the other a modern doublestack wonder 9 polymer pistol from Germany.

 

I have 2 model 17 wheelguns- one in each flavor! I thing the S&W looks nicer, but I prefer the handling on the Colt.

 

I am a Smith revolver fan myself. Easy to work on lockwork and common parts.

 

I like the Smith and Colt 1917. I don't like the grips though. Too slim for shooting.

 

I have a colt 1917 army, as well as a civilian new service model in 38-40. I love the 1917 army, and shoot it nearly every chance I get.

I had a g17 for a while, if that counts lol.

I like the comment about keeping new guns out of the collection. I'm 30 and already feel that way. I have a few new pistols, but most of my collection is 1882-1982. For instance, in 45 minutes I'll be sitting with a 1976 rem700 waiting for deer to walk in. I also enjoy shooting wheel guns more than semi-auto.

 

The real irony in the original photo is the M1917 was a backstop for the M1911. The .45 ACP was originally developed to put more kinetic energy downrange than the .38 revolvers of the period. .45 ACP was supposed to mimic the .45 LC of the 1870s.

The US armed forces went back to a “.38” class of cartridge with the 9mm in 1985. Now we are on the second generation of the double-stack wonder 9.

Will there be another swing back to a .40 or .45 class of cartridge? I doubt it, militaries love good logistics, high round counts for a given weight, etc. This is not a revolver or cartridge debate thread, just a slightly nostalgic look back.

 

It’s all about what a person likes... I don’t like polymer, so my wife’s g42 is the only plastic fantastic in the safe. Only 1 of my guns has plastic grips... I just got a nice belt sander set up with the thought of remedying that problem high on the list of things to do.

I have seen collections based on age, material, brand, type, country of origin, and many other things. The most interesting was probably the assasination collection which included a specimen from all of the major assasinations in “modern” history starting with Lincoln and running through The Civil Rights era. Each person likes what they like... if it’s guns before the wondernine movement then that’s fine (I agree in large part). Why be bothered to buy something you don’t like and don’t want just because somebody thinks you should?

 

I like Smith and Colt revolvers

 

Sorry to ruffle feathers, but I would take a S&W M1917 or a Colt M1917 (like my Grandfather carried in WWI) into combat today over that M17 Sig abomination.

 

Have you shot the 9mm M17? I was skeptical too but it really shoots well.

 

I have my grandfathers S&W 1917 which he carried in France during WW1. He bought it as surplus after the armistice. I have 2 original half moon clips with vintage ball in them as well.

I shoot this one several times a year just because. It is fed a diet of Auto Rim with cast bullets and TrailBoss powder. I want to be easy on the old girl.

As to semi-automatic pistols my taste runs to the 1911 and the KAHR K9. I just can’t really get into the plastic pistols.