S&W M1917: A US Army revolver in .45 ACP

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26 күн бұрын

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When the United States entered World War One, it had a significant shortfall in military handguns. The M1911 pistol production was expanded as much as possible, but more guns were needed. Both Colt and Smith & Wesson adapted revolver designs to Army standard .45 ACP ammunition, and both were accepted into service as the M1917, despite being different guns with no interchangeable parts.
The most interesting mechanical element of the M1917 is the development of half-moon clips to allow easy extraction of the rimless .45 cartridge. The clips were designed by S&W, but also licensed to Colt for use in their M1917 revolvers as well.
The S&W M1917 began as Smith & Wesson's Triple Lock design, which was simplified a bit (by removing the cylinder crane lock and the barrel lug) and rechambered for .455 Webley to sell to British and Canadian forces before the US entered the war. About 75,000 were sold like this, and it was then rechamberewd again for .45 ACP for US military sales. The first US deliveries were made in October 1917, and about 163,000 were produced by the time production ended in 1919. Only about half of them actually got to the front lines by the end of the war, and many of the guns went into storage. They were actually brought back out and used in significant use in World War Two as well.
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Пікірлер: 702

@gregcampwriter 24 күн бұрын

And this model proved effective against swordsmen in an Egyptian market.

@guaporeturns9472 24 күн бұрын

Indeed it did

@Stillmaineiac88 24 күн бұрын

Thank God for diarrhea! One of the greatest sight gags in movie history. IMHO anyway.

@xXx_T0M_xXx 24 күн бұрын

I'm just jonesing to have one now!

@monarchist1838 24 күн бұрын

Especially if you are suffering from food poisoning.

@guaporeturns9472 24 күн бұрын

@@xXx_T0M_xXx I see what you did

@denisurodoma7623 23 күн бұрын

I'm Japanese. After World War II, security in my country deteriorated because the police were unarmed. For this reason, the US Government loaned surplus M1917 revolvers along with M1911 and other pistols. The M1917 was therefore at one time considered the typical handgun of Japanese police officers; the M1917 has since been replaced by domestic pistols, but they were still in use in the '90s! (Excuse me, I used a machine translation.)

@paulo5501 23 күн бұрын

My uncle was an officer in the Brazilian army and used one of those revolvers from the first Brazilian contract. Today, this gun is with me, along with the original box.

@user-kt4fo5zb4c 20 күн бұрын

Awesome weapon I’ve got a returned one I bought it in the 80s it’s my house gun no muzzle blast little flash it more of a thumper in recoil my wife is a fan of it over a semiautomatic

@johno1544 24 күн бұрын

Back when Connecticut and Massachusetts were the heart of the gun industry in the US.

@lancerevell5979 24 күн бұрын

Before politics and taxes drove the gun companies away.

@moosemaimer 24 күн бұрын

Living in NH means I picked up an M17 at the factory outlet. They had an M250 out on a table, and that thing is a beast.

@mcinteer19 24 күн бұрын

Before the communists took over.

@JACOBTHASECOND 24 күн бұрын

as an MA man who loves guns. it is a damn shame Springfield armory is what it is today. playing ww2 games and not even realizing until present day that like half of those American guns came from my state. not to mention the only 30 minute drive away was pretty cool. considering how anti gun MA is in reality, compared to the likes of like New Hampshire.

@johno1544 24 күн бұрын

@@JACOBTHASECOND same from a CT man many of the guns that "won the west" were built here. We had Colt, S&W , Winchester Ruger, Mossberg etc.. Almost all production has left now. My 10/22 was built in NH for example instead of CT

@johnlowe37 24 күн бұрын

Ian, the next time you get the urge to run a revolver in a match designed for semi-autos, try one these with full moon clips.

@stangerr0267 24 күн бұрын

This is one of my favorite historical revolvers

@scottclark7559 24 күн бұрын

Same...I still have one of the Brazilian contract guns I got back in the 90s. Prewar Smiths are finely made and pretty undervalued today.

@aaronleverton4221 24 күн бұрын

Never owned a revolver, but all of my reading tells me that if I can't get a Webley Mk VI then I want this in .455. I may have no clue what I'm talking about, but my list of desirable revolvers is very short. Also it disregards contemporary ammunition prices.

@rogerjohnson8707 24 күн бұрын

When Hermann Goring was captured this was the personal sidearm he surrendered. There is film/video of it.

@russbilzing5348 24 күн бұрын

"Hope you guys enjoyed the video". How does one answer such understated excellence? How could we not?

@donwyoming1936 24 күн бұрын

When Desert Shield was ramping up, we shipped all our M9s to the desert. All we had left for SP's were a handful of various 38 Special revolvers (M15s). But we also came across several M1917 revolvers that were in the base museum (not on display). No, we didn't issue them. But depot requested we ship them back. I would assume for museum use.

@jacobackley502 24 күн бұрын

When the USS FORT MCHENRY decommissioned in 2021 the armory was emptied and sent off to Crane. Inside we found an M15 38 special as well, very poorly maintained. Who knows how long it had been there, probably since the 80s

@PassivePortfolios 22 күн бұрын

My brother was issued a WW2 Victory Model 38 Special at his request because it was lighter and everyone who worked outside the theater of operations wanted a 1911. They ended up using their sidearms because the entire country of Iraq was the theater of operations.

@poip202 21 күн бұрын

@PassivePortfolios my uncle was there as an MP and it was common for them to be issued to women because of the lower recoil supposedly.

@PassivePortfolios 21 күн бұрын

@@poip202 that's understandable. Some people hated the 1911 and the Beretta which felt like holding a brick.

@poip202 21 күн бұрын

@@PassivePortfolios also forgot to add that he was a national guard guy so it was either a smooth bore 1911 or a model 38 hahaha

@OptimusSledge 24 күн бұрын

Wanting to equip all troops with handguns made sense for WWI. I'd certainly rather have a double action revolver than try to wrestle a three and a half foot bolt action rifle around in a trench.

@PassivePortfolios 22 күн бұрын

In WW1 type trench warfare, a powerful revolver was essential since there were not enough 1911's to arm the troops.

@georgetazberik6834 21 күн бұрын

"Wanting to equip all troops with handguns made sense for WWI." As much as people rightfully talk shit on WW1's generals for wasting their soldier's lives "fighting the last war", Pershing was right on the money on that one.

@gerardmichaelburnsjr. 18 күн бұрын

Specifically, it would have advantages if you got into the enemy's trench, or they got into yours and the fighting was all at close range.

@_wanted_outlaw3007 17 күн бұрын

I have to agree the rifles weren't bad by any means but they weren't the best for trenches.

@xkavarsmith9322 14 күн бұрын

@@georgetazberik6834 If it wasn't tanks, machine guns or mustard gas, every troop switching to their secondary becasue it was faster than reloading would have changed the face of global warfare anyway. Pershing was cash money on this.

@badape3620 20 күн бұрын

My dad had one of these. Finding the half moon clips was hard, but looking for them was a great bonding experience

@stephenlarson9422 24 күн бұрын

fun fact these were popular enough that the .45 auto rim cartridge was developed for them, and yes it is just a .45acp w/ a rim- exactly as it says on the tin.

@donwyoming1936 24 күн бұрын

I remember when it was common to find 45 Auto-Rim ammo in gun shops. Slowly disappeared in the 90s.

@hurricane567 24 күн бұрын

@@donwyoming1936I think Double tap still makes 45 auto rim

@workingguy6666 23 күн бұрын

Holy heck, I did not know about that cartridge. And I see that Buffalo Bore is still making it! Wow.

@paleoph6168 24 күн бұрын

The revolver that made it on the top spot of C&Rsenal's "The Best and the Worst Great War Revolvers" video. Love the classic S&W N-Frame. Also Ian, to add more info on its use: 1. The M1917 revolver was popular with US civilians and police during the interwar period. Not just surplus, many were newly-produced for the market. 2. The M1917 revolver was used by tunnel rats during the Vietnam War.

@lavrentivs9891 24 күн бұрын

I thought the tunnel rats prefered silenced weapons due to the nature of firing small arms in enclosed spaces. How come they used these revolvers?

@G-Mastah-Fash 24 күн бұрын

@@lavrentivs9891 The revolvers were still much less loud than M1911s. I suspect its because of the cylinder gap.

@jacobackley502 24 күн бұрын

@@lavrentivs9891 silencers were few and far between. Revolvers were preferred over autos in the tunnels since it wasn’t uncommon that you would have to fire the weapon pressed against you or the walls around you. The slide of an auto would slam into you, your face, dirt, etc that would cause a malfunction and take it out of the fight

@lavrentivs9891 24 күн бұрын

@@jacobackley502 Thanks for the reply, you learn something every day =)

@41tl 24 күн бұрын

Eugene Sledge used one in combat as a Marine in World War II. Not issued, but sent to him in the mail from home. More M1917 revolvers were used in WWII than just the official issued- some guys brought their personal guns.

@hughbondurant2730 24 күн бұрын

I read once they were issued to United States Postal Clerks to guard the Mails.

@jimyeats 24 күн бұрын

Still do to this day. There is a secret compartment in the Grumman LLV’s that stores a decrepit female mail clerk armed with this gun waiting to spring out.

@badwolf7367 22 күн бұрын

Gives the phrase "Gone postal" a different meaning.

@rogu3four 10 күн бұрын

Yes, they were. You can still find the US Postal Service marked holsters for them occasionally. Ian doesn't mention the production differences on the early SW pistols that had a grooved hammer and also the three letter inspectors marks on the early pistols as well.

@seanmcgovern7044 24 күн бұрын

My grandfather got one of these off of a British paratrooper in Korea. It was made in 1917 for the British Army (in .455), but re-chambered to .45 ACP by England. I would assume it fought with Britain in WW2, and made its way to Korea before being traded to my grandfather (he had a 1911, but always loved revolvers). I still have it to this day, thanks for the cool video explaining some of the history - I would love to see a video on the British or Canadian contracts one day!

@AlexP-hl4wn 24 күн бұрын

That’s a very cool story! This is less of a forgotten weapon and more of an unknown weapon for me, so it was interesting to learn about the, and then to hear from someone who has one with a real back story!

@GilbertdeClare0704 24 күн бұрын

Please hold onto it my friend. They ARE lovely revolvers. Before UK laws changed, I had one for many years in .455, and single OR double action, it shot a DREAM, with lovely smooth pull but crisp break. Superb piece of craftsmanship

@liammeech3702 24 күн бұрын

Why did they revert it back to .45? Britain was moving to 9mm, so that seems like a waste of resources.

@seanmcgovern7044 24 күн бұрын

@@liammeech3702 I have no idea!

@seanherrmann6301 24 күн бұрын

@@liammeech3702 The U.K. imported large quantities of .45 ACP during World War 2, as the British were using several weapons chambered for that caliber (Thompson, 1911, etc.). Converting a .455 revolver to 9mm would have been costly, time consuming, unnecessary. However, converting that same revolver to .45 ACP would not only be simpler and cheaper, but would also be able to take advantage of the surplus stores that the U.K. still had on hand. Sidenote: it's also important to remember that while some Hi-Powers were in British service during the Korean War, it wouldn't be adopted as the British standard service sidearm until 1954.

@xXGatekeeper49Xx 24 күн бұрын

I can't believe they made a whole Brazilian of them.!

@JohnSmith-pl2bk 24 күн бұрын

They made holes in Brazilians???

@Menaceblue3 24 күн бұрын

@@JohnSmith-pl2bk We call then "fun holes" in English.... idk how to say it in Portuguese

@pars5027 24 күн бұрын

No, Brazil bought 25,000 in 1937.

@NVEMBER 24 күн бұрын

Bush, sweating nervously, "how many is a Brazilian?"

@user-vg3yc6gk5f 24 күн бұрын

@@pars5027yes, and I own two of them

@robbylock1741 24 күн бұрын

I own a S&W M1917 that was parkerized and re-issued in World War 2. It's one of my favorites.

@ab5olut3zero95 24 күн бұрын

Long story, bear with me. I inherited one of these from my grandfather, who bought it at an estate sale years back. I always thought it was a true M1917- has all the military markings, US hand grips, etc. when I tried to run .45ACP with half-moon clips, I couldn’t close the cylinder. Tried different brands of clips, still no-go. Did some research on the serial number, and it is actually a 1955-era reproduction of a USGI M1917 chambered only for .45LC, not an authentic WW1 revolver. Still a really cool gun, even if she’s not of WW1 vintage.

@beargillium2369 24 күн бұрын

That's really interesting ! Wonder if they didn't find a huge crate of LC cylinders and made a "tribute replica" or whatever to clear stock? 🤔

@badnewsBH 24 күн бұрын

Interesting, and really not that long. 😁

@brabhamfreaman166 24 күн бұрын

@@badnewsBHSeconded! Thanks for sharing

@andywindes4968 24 күн бұрын

The Long Colt N-frames comes out in the 70’s. Everything before that was .45 ACP.

@LokiOdinson-fz8ps 24 күн бұрын

@@andywindes4968 ok zero.

@edwardloomis887 24 күн бұрын

John Pershing was a veteran of service on the frontier, the Spanish-American War, and the Mexican Punitive Expedition. Some combination of those experiences probably drove his desire that every Soldier have a back-up weapon to their bolt action rifles. Alvin York pulled out an M1911 when he was rushed by multiple Germans and he didn't have time to reload.

@Lomi311 24 күн бұрын

Mae and Othais approved. Best wheel gat of the Great War

@robertbenson9797 24 күн бұрын

Really interesting episode about a somewhat overlooked US firearm. I had an interesting encounter with this very firearm as a 10 year old boy. At the end of the war, S&W and Colt were still producing the revolvers. The US military didn’t need as many revolvers since the 1911 automatic was being produced, also. There were other government agencies that ended up with the 1917 revolvers and one of the largest was the US Post Office. The idea was to arm the Post Office to prevent any robberies of mail or stamps. The vast majority of these revolvers ended up stored inside a vault, most, never to see the light of day. My dad had been appointed postmaster in my hometown in late 1961 (the postmaster job was a political appointment, at that time). I loved to go with him and visit his office. I was sitting at his desk a few weeks after he had started the job. I was opening and checking out each drawer on his antique desk. When I opened the lower right drawer, there was a large box marked, “US Post Office”. I took the top part of the box off and there, in the original shipping box, was a Smith and Wesson Model 1917! I was impressed! Dad had come back in and I ask him what this revolver was for. He said that it had been issued to the office but that it wasn’t on any inventory listing. I said, “Let’s take it home!” Of course, he said “No” and that he was shipping it back to the head Postal Inspector in St. Louis. I never saw that revolver again. I always wondered if someone else thought, “Let’s take it home”.

@A.G.798 24 күн бұрын

Oh yes !

@liammeech3702 24 күн бұрын

Why did the armed postmen policy change?

@M8Military 24 күн бұрын

@@liammeech3702added cost to train postmen on carrying/using guns mostly

@Gearparadummies 24 күн бұрын

I've seen m1917 revolvers serving in Vietnam. Pilots used them, Tunnel Rats used them and even some MACV-SOG operators like "Mad Dog" Shriver used them.

@HellbirdIV 24 күн бұрын

I think Pershing's idea of giving every infantryman a sidearm makes some sense in the context of the war on the Western front. It had been long-established by the warring powers that the long rifle - even a relatively short long rifle like the 1903 - loses most of its effectiveness in the cramped conditions of an enemy trench. If every Doughboy had a 1911 at their hip, or at least a 1917 Revolver, the American infantryman would be well-equipped for trench combat without having to resort to shovels and knives.

@kawaiiarchive357 24 күн бұрын

The US during World Wars is that one friend that carries so many guns in his truck that he has enough to lend out to his friends and still have left over guns.

@BeingFireRetardant 24 күн бұрын

This comment brought joy to my heart. Be that friend.

@brittakriep2938 24 күн бұрын

USA was the country, which claimed to be neutral.

@davidmalvern3142 24 күн бұрын

Lend/lease we (the UK) didn't finish paying for WW2 supplies from the US until the early 2000's - that means some of my tax money went to US manufacturers for a war that ended long before I was even born. Not complaining just saying.

@jb8086 24 күн бұрын

Now that is interesting, I had no idea it took anywhere near that long.

@davidmalvern3142 24 күн бұрын

@@jb8086 According to Wiki - The last payment was made on 29 December 2006 for the sum of about $83m USD (£45.5m) to the United States, and about $23.6m USD (£12m) to Canada.

@edwardloomis887 24 күн бұрын

5:50 The half-moon clip Ian explains is one of the coolest workarounds I've seen in a while. Yankee ingenuity at work.

@sergecashman4822 23 күн бұрын

Problem is - what do you do without those half-moon clips... :) You have to make sure to keep them after reloading or trust the army to always supply them. I guess you can also use a flathead screwdriver to get the cases out... Kind of what I used to carry a flathead screwdriver for back in the 90s, for a machine gun...

@JansenX12 24 күн бұрын

"Mr Smith, Mr Wesson. Glad you could make it." Sam Stone 2011

@l0rf 23 күн бұрын

You can't be Serious. I think I'm going Mental over here.

@Jimmie2429 24 күн бұрын

Shorten the barrel and Indiana Jones approves.

@slade9372 24 күн бұрын

Indiana also carried a Webley on occasion.

@devinflint5554 24 күн бұрын

@@slade9372 He's known for revolvers, but he prominently uses a Hi-Power in the original movie.

@Hibernicus1968 24 күн бұрын

There were two N frame Smith & Wessons used in Raiders of the Lost Ark. One was indeed a S&W M1917 with a 4 inch barrel, and was provided by Stembridge Gun Rentals, in California. As much of the film was shot in England and Egypt, the other one was supplied by the British prop company Bapty & Co., and was a Mark II Hand Ejector chambered in .455 Webley, also with a 4 inch barrel, and a different front sight.

@P_RO_ 24 күн бұрын

Actually I've seen pics of a few that were shortened without front sights meant for very close range combat with concealed carry, which is paradoxical given the very large frame and cylinder size. One had the rear of the butt rounded off too.

@tylerwilliams6022 24 күн бұрын

@@P_RO_N Frame "Fitz" snubby revolvers were a somewhat popular custom conversion for early big bore concealed carry.

@jackmoorehead2036 24 күн бұрын

A friend of mines Dad, was a Mule Skinner for Merrils Marauders in The CBI had the one he carried for the entire war. He gave it to his son who had it cleaned up and we shot it many times. The DA/SA trigger was one of the smoothest I have ever used.

@Rocketsong 24 күн бұрын

I seem to remember reading an article by Jeff Cooper many years ago where he was talking about still carrying an M1917 in Korea.

@weareallbloodydoomed2772 21 күн бұрын

Just reading wikipedia and it says they were used by the tunnel rats and other specialty troops 50 years of service pretty cool .

@Ashcrash82 24 күн бұрын

I surprised myself with how I fell in love with the big frame revolvers after I picked up a Colt M1917. They just shoot so comfortably. Been looking to add the S&W to complete the pair, but they seem to be harder to find and/or more highly cherished by their owners....

@martyfrazer5312 24 күн бұрын

Had a Brazilian contract back in the 80s. Unbelievably accurate with my handloads. Benched at 25 yards made one ragged whole in the bull.

@aussiviking604 24 күн бұрын

My grandfather carried his in 2 world wars and one revolution. We, the family, still have it in our collection. It's been around. I bought one at a gun show 30 years ago. Nice!

@dbmail545 24 күн бұрын

I had a Colt and a S&W models of 1917 revolvers. I still have a S&W model 25 in .45acp. Half-moon clips, because they grasp the cartridges from the outside of the cylinder will catch on the boss cast into the left side of the frame to retain the cylinder as the ejector rod is pushed to the rear. Star clips that grasp 6 cartridges from the inside never foul this boss and eject with no drama.

@tylerwilliams6022 24 күн бұрын

I've never realized this when thinking about considerations of half vs full moons. But it does make sense. I have never owned or operated a moonclip revolver myself, but they are on my "Aquire List". And I believe a S&W 1917 is the only one I want that utilizes moon clips. Possibly a 1917 Colt or S&W Model 25 if the price is right.

@rangerlongshot 24 күн бұрын

@@tylerwilliams6022 I have an M1917 I bought for $79 in 1973 and a stainless 625 'Model of 1989' with the short cylinder and the full lug 5" barrel I bought in 1992. The 625 is, well, heavy but because of that recoil is almost nothing. It's an absolute treat to shoot!

@tylerwilliams6022 23 күн бұрын

@@rangerlongshot I will be 40 this year, and I kick myself for not getting certain milsurps when I should have. I could have atleast picked up a Mosin or SKS, or Makarov when they were still somewhat decently priced. I'm beyond jealous of the deals you must have seen in your lifetime. I'm not really into plastic or striker fired guns. Moreso WWII and Vietnam era milsurps and am also getting into western themed arms. Once I hit early adulthood I found that I am more of a 1911 guy than anything. Which is odd because as a kid I thought they were rather pedestrian and had no interest in them. But then again at age 16 I foolishly thought I had the world figured out. I've also come to love and appreciate Hi Powers too!

@PassivePortfolios 22 күн бұрын

My former boss was a warrant officer med-evac chopper pilot during the Vietnam war. He was issued a S&W 1917 new in the box. That revolver apparently "fell" out off the chopper and ended up at his home in Florida after he was discharged. A S&W Victory Model was issued to him as a replacement for the S&W 1917. When he requested a bit more firepower, they gave him two M3 Grease Guns.

@rustyshacklfort9508 24 күн бұрын

My grandfather had one of these in ww2 and my dad has it now . I’ve told him there are very few things I want after him and mom pass but this is one of them.

@davefellhoelter1343 23 күн бұрын

"I lost out" on Dad's generational family 1897 from 1897 used every day for 50 plus years feeding our Ks family farms, I learned shotgunning.When pop's passed as I had kids, and a gun safe, told dad it was the only thing "I really" wanted for the family future to an older brother who could care less, no safe, and his kid slam fired it through a wall at 12 or 13? in the 80's! Ya just never know? Dads' chioces? no matter how well you thought you know your pops? My first gun per dad's permission was a kit 1858 in 1976 age 11, I paid for and built 100% she still shoots, and shines like a Diamond!

@TacoTownUSA 24 күн бұрын

My great-grandad carried one of these in WWI, we still have it with the original holster.

@bertrandleleu1010 24 күн бұрын

Veinard!🤠

@nicholasrossano7340 24 күн бұрын

My great grandfather carried the Colt version in WWI and we still have it in its original holster.

@kenibnanak5554 24 күн бұрын

I had one, sold it. I liked the trigger pull of the Colt 1917 more. An old Gun Digest Annual I have has an article on modifying the S&W 1917 to also use .45 Colt. I was going to do that, but then S&W came out with their M25-5 and just buying one of those was easier. 😊 S&W like Colt kept on making these right up till WW2 began. As stated here there was a bunch of them made for Brazil in 1937 with a Brazil crest on the side plate. Many of those came back into the US in the 80s and were sold relatively cheaply in Shotgun News. I once had one of those too. I believe I paid $109.95 (used Colt versions were about $420 in that era). Gosh I miss the prices in Shotgun News back in the 80s. :) The US Army MP Command (no longer exists) used to prefer the 1917s for use inside CONUS and used them till the mid 1960s when spare parts started to run out.

@Auto-Fiver_73Pointers 24 күн бұрын

Yay, I finally own a gun in one of your excellent videos. Mine is in excellent condition considering it’s over 100 years old. My gun has a story. My uncle and cousins ran a dry cleaners. They specialized in smoke damage remediation with insurance companies. The 1917 S&W I was given came in to their facility in a coat pocket after a house fire. The house was in a notorious area known for old time mafia and gangsters. For a year they tried to return the gun and the owner refused to accept it or have any knowledge of it. It sat in a safe for over 40 years. When they closed the business they gave it to me. The revolver shoots nice and has one of the smoothest double actions of any of my handguns. I only wish that gun could talk. But knowing it’s history it probably wouldn’t talk even if it could.

@johnlowe37 24 күн бұрын

It could talk, but then it would have to kill you.

@Auto-Fiver_73Pointers 24 күн бұрын

LOL.

@alanrogs3990 24 күн бұрын

It probably murdered someone and that's why they don't want it back. Some stories are better not being talked about online.

@Auto-Fiver_73Pointers 22 күн бұрын

Whatever possible event it may have been in would have occurred 80-100 years ago.

@edbecka233 6 күн бұрын

It knows if it were to talk, it'd end up in a pair of concrete galoshes.

@YaBoiZackbannedmefordissent 24 күн бұрын

8:47 I'm glad you explained that that mark is supposed to be, because to me it looks like a vase with some bananas stuck in it.

@gunman11 24 күн бұрын

I think all in all, the Enfield 1917, the S&W / Colt 1917 and the Colt 1911 were the best small arms of World War one. Not perfect, just the best. Thanks Ian. Great job as always 👏.

@highjump81a 24 күн бұрын

I have one of the .455 British contract ones. Best .455 ever made. It is great to shoot, especially for a 'log chop' shoot. Perfect combination of that 265gn stopping power and a well made handgun. The firing pin is central which makes the LP primer friendly to the firearm. I also shoot a MkVI Webley 1918 model which is a bit roughly made (most of the skilled makers having volunteered for the front), however the pin gets damage by the shoulders of the LP primer. The original .455 was made for the larger diameter soft copper primer used in British firearms like .303 and .455. A note for reloading .455 projectiles with the hollow base - always wad the powder to keep it close to the primer. Wool wads work but I use card cut from the side of a cereal box. Not using a wad gives generally lower and inconsistent velocity, plus lures the ignorant into using more powder than you should. A .455 cast projectile weighing 275gn and travelling 955fps may seem cool but the cost of microwelding the cylinder retaining ring back on and finding replacement grips for the spalled ones from the recoil is not worth the excitement.

@go13ok 18 күн бұрын

My late grandfather gave me an m1917 one Thanksgiving while i was in town. He had purchased it years ago from a truck driver down on his luck out on the road. He had never fired it, but it stayed in his sock drawer for years. I fired it once with my brother using some corbon 45 auto rim. Great pistol with interesting history. It is one of my most prized possessions.

@jameszywicki5814 18 күн бұрын

My great uncle was a WWII Coast Guard officer and this was his sidearm. His sister ( my grandmother) ended up with it, including the leather holster. Legend has it my grandfather allegedly bulged the barrel and cut the barrel down just forward of the ejector rod. I was able to procure a surplus Brazilian contract barrel and replace the barrel. It’s an occasional shooter now and its DA/SA trigger is still buttery smooth and lives in my safe next to my S&W Model 28 Highway Patrolman (progressive cousins [ S frame which eventually became the current N frame]). GREAT VIDEO!

@maybeblakemclemore 24 күн бұрын

my grand dad has my great grandad's M1917 revolver that's nickle plated, engraved, and has a 1st calvary division emblem on the ivory grips. it's awesome

@charlesburke5925 19 күн бұрын

During the Second World War, US General Mark Clark carried a Smith & Wesson Model 1917.

@upperroomtoo 24 күн бұрын

How can you not love a big revolver in .45 ACP?

@CyborgZeta 24 күн бұрын

The N-Frame is my favorite S&W frame, and .45 ACP makes a pretty good revolver round.

@P_RO_ 24 күн бұрын

As reloading became more common in the 60's and 70's, there was some experimenting with these done to create a 'poor man's big-bore magnum' of sorts using standard cases, as the guns were relatively cheap and common back then which the 41 and 44 magnums weren't. It wasn't a good idea since the rounds might get used in something else with catastrophic results.

@Alexplainshow 24 күн бұрын

Moon clips are beautiful bridge of rimless cartridges and revolvers

@roberthonan3492 24 күн бұрын

The S&W M1917 revolver makes an appearance in the movie Fury, Brad Pitt's "Wardaddy" carries and uses one with plexiglass "sweetheart" grips holding a picture of his girl back home.

@jelicoe 20 күн бұрын

Mine has the S&W logo on the right side, the Lanyard loop, and crossed flag stamps, but no US 1917 marks, bomb stamps, nor "property of the United States" under the barrel (the barrel has been shortened to 4"). The cylinder was originally .455 Eley, but has been reamed to 45LC. I also picked up a 45 ACP cylinder. I don't have half moon clips, but I do have full moon clips. It has black plastic grips rather than wood.

@patrickclawson9622 24 күн бұрын

Because the ACP is less-aggressive than a Long Colt, the weight of the gun tames recoil even more. This was a grail piece, for me, and worthy of the quest. Five-digit serial number, too, which only makes it more special, to me.

@guitarzan2626 24 күн бұрын

I have a 5 digit serial number gun to. Mine has the serrated hammer. Great pistol for sure.

@Malpaise_Legate 24 күн бұрын

I don't think I have fired a more enjoyable revolver than this model, and I suspect that it will not be surpassed any time soon.

@corvetteguy1980 23 күн бұрын

My dad carried a S&W 1917 in Vietnam on Tunnel Rat Duty.

@mikei8547 24 күн бұрын

The Brazilian contract guns were broken into two series -- about half delivered before World War II, with the earlier hammer safety mechanism, and about half delivered after World War II with the later hammer safety mechanism. I have one of the early series... Damned fun gun to shoot, but I gave up on clips and bought a couple hundred Auto Rim cases from Star Line.

@samiam619 24 күн бұрын

I just checked Starline… out of stock for the foreseeable future.

@mikei8547 22 күн бұрын

@@samiam619 Bummer!

@andrewmcgibbon9785 24 күн бұрын

In the early 1960s these revolvers were selling for $24.95 at Klein's sporting goods in Chicago.

@harrystephens1658 24 күн бұрын

I have the Colt 1917 45 acp U S Army. Always thought the Smith was better looking. One just never came my way. Love my Colt anyway.

@TheMosinCrate 24 күн бұрын

This is one of those revolvers that I love looking at and fondling but never have enjoyed shooting. I think seeing War Daddy carry one in Fury made me finally jump on the band wagon. Such neat revolvers.

@Ben_not_10 23 күн бұрын

Colt after the war ended sold off spare 1917s on the commercial market and offered the 45acp chambering in their new service line as a special order. Smith would continue to produce 1917s post WWI, selling around 2,000 on the commercial market from 1920-1946.

@jimrobinson4786 24 күн бұрын

Ahh! You didn't bring up .45 auto rim! A cartridge developed for the revolvers.

@darylmorning 23 күн бұрын

Finally! A "forgotten weapon" I can say I've got experience with! I use one round to defend myself and my dog from a bear. It was charging us, but one shot of .45 auto rim made his northbound charge an east bound retreat at speed. My favorite memory of both the dog who wanted to advance and put himself between me and the bear, and the Revolver that made it so all three of us had more time.

@Procket12 23 күн бұрын

These revolvers were very popular with tanker crews since if they had to fire a pistol in the confines of a tank, a revolver was preferred because it wouldn't send spent casings bouncing around the interior. Italian tankers preferred the older Bodeo revolvers in WWII for the same reason.

@uzi75020 23 күн бұрын

I've got one of these that I bought at auction. It's got a factory letter stating that it was made in 1919. A cool thing besides the authenticity is the fact that in the 1950's someone sent it back to S&W and had it fitted for an extra cylinder in .45 Long Colt. It just takes a minute to swap cylinders to a different caliber. Somewhere along the line, it also got a nice trigger job and shoots great. And, yeah, I bought it because that's what Indiana Jones used and I bought it to expand my movie gun collection.

@bobskool 24 күн бұрын

Both historically and engineeringally interesting, thank you Ian

@SS-tr5ru 24 күн бұрын

Smith needs to make these again

@guitarzan2626 24 күн бұрын

they did just recently.

@rogerhudson9732 22 күн бұрын

My father was British Royal artillery mororcycle dispatch rider in WW2 1939-46 and always carried a .45 ACP revolver of American manufacture.

@charlesmiller6826 23 күн бұрын

Saw some of these at a gun show in the early 90s with my dad, he told me he carried the Colt 1917 whenbhe was in the 2nd Armored division, but when he served as an MP drring the Army of Occupation he had the S&W version. He said he was just as accurate (or lack there of) with both of them.

@stumpythedwarf8712 24 күн бұрын

Thank you Ian, as always.

@bishopsteiner7134 24 күн бұрын

my favorite revolver of all time

@Sam-iw6te 24 күн бұрын

I own one, and it is my favorite camp/adventuring/apocalypse revolver lol The only thing I don't actually like about the gun is the feel of the grip. I wrapped mine with athletic tape, both to protect the stocks and to pad agaisnt the harsh recoil. Though I would not recommend this - at all - I've shot modern defensive loads through it, without any issues, and it makes it a good outdoors companion. It'll also shoot all the cheap, crappy 45 ACP that doesn't feed well in other guns. It really is a fantastic handgun, even today, and if I could only have one it would probably be that one.

@bradleyhughes6853 24 күн бұрын

By the way, as I understand it, Smith was the first one to add the step to catch the case mouth, Colt relied entirely on the half-moon until they were in production.

@Rocketsong 24 күн бұрын

Smith had a case mouth step on all of their 1917 revolvers. Colts were bored through only for the first 5000 as I recall.

@therabbitcanada 24 күн бұрын

we had about 40 of them when I worked at Century in Montreal. Most in decent firing condition. The half moon clips though... didn't have as many lol

@jayztoob 22 күн бұрын

In the late 1960s bought one of these from a former WWI US Cavalry officer's aide. Still have it, still shoot it. I was at the range a few months back when a local police dept. was having a range day, and everybody had a great time firing this 100 year + old firearm. Of course, most of the guys had Glocks, and to a man were surprised at the unique recoil of the 1917, in that the entire firearm seems to rise instead of snapping back. Makes for quickly getting back on target, and except for the excessive double action trigger pull, could make a viable competition gun. Ian, thanks for this interesting and informative report. I would have liked seeing you fire it.

@rocksandoil2241 24 күн бұрын

Thanks!

@jugularSignal 24 күн бұрын

Such a cool revolver. Collection bucket list material.

@TylerHulan 24 күн бұрын

I love the 1917 revolvers. I prefer the smith over the colt. I think it's the best revolver issued in WW1 which is hilarious because it was our backup pick.

@Anon_1003 24 күн бұрын

One of my favorite looking revolvers.

@Weapons.Of.Victory 22 күн бұрын

Thanks for this overview!

@The_austinhull 23 күн бұрын

I’ve got one, was issued and carried by my GG grandfather through WW1 and then by my grandpa through WW2.

@Rocketsong 24 күн бұрын

I have one of the latter Brazilian contract ones. Improved rear sight, but otherwise identical (other than markings of course). The Braz. contract guns had a square notch rear sight instead of semi-circle, and the initial order used commercial diamond grips rather than smooth military style ones.

@grimreaperkim9433 24 күн бұрын

my favorite revolver

@chapiit08 3 күн бұрын

I own a 4" triple lock in .44 Special, a superb weapon you couldn't fit a hair between the interlocking parts of the closure system.

@bobbressi5414 24 күн бұрын

I have always wanted one of these.

@masontrupe9047 24 күн бұрын

Absolute favorite sidearm in Hunt: Showdown.

@BrianBybee 19 күн бұрын

This video answered so many questions for me, very well done!

@Eleolius 21 күн бұрын

I have a Ruger 9mm j frame with a full moon clip. Love the lineage of autoloading cartridges in revolvers. It's nice for personal logistics.

@fredford7642 23 күн бұрын

Ian, once again, you nailed it with a great review on a very princely old war horse. I have had one for over fifty years now, and never an issue. Many years ago, I converted mine from .455, to .45 long Colt, which also uses .45 acp., and shortened the barrel to 4" Out to fifty yards and farther it will stop any hostility, and give the wearer peace of mind in any weather. Today it sees time at the local shooting range, intriguing onlookers. Thank you for the very pleasant video

@BrutishYetDelightful 24 күн бұрын

Isn't this the revolver that Indy shot the Arab swordsman with? I have NEVER, before or since, heard such a cheer erupt in a movie theater. It was LOUD.

@Immoralsalvage 23 күн бұрын

I remember the first time I ever saw this gun was in Rising Strom 2 vietnam. I used it a lot as a tunnel rat. The fact you could make your first shoot single action saved me so many times. Because in game the pistol because much more accurate in single action, and landing the first shot is vital in tunnel fighting.

@Tunechi_Lee 24 күн бұрын

That beautiful little flaming bomb.

@MrJerrycampbell 24 күн бұрын

Very nice. One of my favorite revolvers. I believe S&W introduced their large frame 'hand ejector' with the extra lock in the brand new .44 special cartridge in 1907 or 1908 (just a lengthened .44 Russian). I heard the Smiths were more accurate than 1911's in the National Pistol Matches of the 1920's. The gap started to close when Colt introduced the pre-war National Match in the early 30's (that would make for a lovely FW episode). By the way, the Colt 1917, based in the New Service, was larger than the Smith. Thanks! Another awesome video!

@Yuzral 24 күн бұрын

At the risk of asking a stupid question, the 1911 had been around for 6 years or so at this point - what was stopping ramping up production of the 1911 instead of ordering these?

@WALTERBROADDUS 24 күн бұрын

Production lines were not able to be rapidly expanded. They still had other production contracts for other models to do.

@tonymatt5710 24 күн бұрын

Ian you never disappoint thanks for what you do

@Tammy-un3ql 24 күн бұрын

Great video, thanks

@Dstev98141 24 күн бұрын

Great content! Love your channel, I swear this is better than any smithing course! Thanks!

@chucknabox1164 22 күн бұрын

The comments on your new sten gun video are off in case you didn't see it yet. KZfaq at it again

@2104dogface 24 күн бұрын

Was at Springfield Armory a few weeks back doing a WW2 Display they have a few M1917 Revolvers on display most likely a few rare 1's up in the attic lol

@madgun2134 24 күн бұрын

Yessir, I love this thing. From the Evil Within all the way to the WW2 Movie Fury❤ on my bucket list for sure.

@josemoreno3334 24 күн бұрын

When I was in the USAF. My roommate had one. He said it belong to his grandfather who fought in WW1. It was in good shape. His grand dad was with the Rainbow Div. Good video