S&W M1917 Accuracy Testing

Testing the accuracy of the Smith & Wesson M1917. This particular piece was made in 1918. There is a lot of misinformation about the accuracy of these WW1 workhorses.
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[@loganpollock1689]

The S&W 1917 is the one handgun that I definitely regret selling. Mine was one of the 1937 Brazilian imports and it had a pristine bore. The cheaper unjacketed rounds were more accurate at 25yards. It's not a target pistol by any means but a fun gun to shoot and suited for home defense.

[@mtslyh]

Nice shooting. Thanks for sharing this old beauty with us.

[@murphysmuskets]

Thanks for your support!

[@sharpone40]

I had one I purchased from a man in Wichita,KS many years ago. It had a 3" barrel with a nice ramp blade and a rear sight that was adjustable for wind-age and a nice round but like a S&W kit gun. It was my everyday carry when I owned a gas station in Haysville,KS.. Bore was pretty smooth but I did plan on shooting it over 10'. Swapped it for a Colt 22 target pistol at Rosenberg pawn shop in Wichita. Wish I still had it as someone had done some fancy work on it at one time,never seen anther like it.

[@clintpuddister7257]

I have an early model still in 455 webley that will not work with 45 acp or moon clips . 45 round slide into the chamber and on clips wont close the wheel . but with fiocce .455 ammo hits 1 inch groups at 15 meters. A little low and left but thats my trigger finger

[@user-ho4nw5sf3w]

The U.S. Army issued these to soldiers and said "see you after the war". I have both. colt and Smith. Love them both. Shoot them regularly.For what they were design to do they do very well, always have. That's why the army said see you after the war. This video is very good. The one suggestion I will add. Change the springs in these guns. The ones in the gun are a 100 years old. Also back in the day, primer caps were made of thicker metal. Took a heavier hammer stroke. There are good springs available. This one change will lighten up the trigger pull A LOT.. Both 1917s and the 1911 those first world war ones really work best with hardball ammo. I've tried everything and even hand load and the hard ball works better. Anyway this is the gun I chose when I open carry. Just a great revolver.

[@johnsaia9739]

The corrosive ammo did play a part in their bores deteriorating, but so did the copper jackets and the softer steel of the revolver barrels. You are very fortunate to have one with a good new bore, but I would still recommend shooting it with lead bullets to extend its life. 5000 rounds did make them a smooth bore back in yesteryear as Elmer Keith took NIB examples and shot them smooth with 5000 rounds of GI ball.

[@murphysmuskets]

John Saia I guess its possible. There are just so many variables. Copper jackets these days are usually quite thin and our ammo burns much cleaner.

[@johnsaia9739]

I guess if you plan on shooting it for years to come, the lead loads will still be gentler on the rifling. Barrels for these are getting harder and harder to find. I own many Colt and S&W 1917s and that is all I shoot in them now. The mercuric/potassium perchlorate primers only did their damage if not cleaned properly after shooting.

[@craig3357]

John Saia I just inherited a M1917. Where do you source replacement barrels and parts? Thanks

[@murphysmuskets]

Try Numrich.

[@greggwoods7173]

They are fantastic guns!

[@edge4006]

That is a awesome Revolver!

[@pauldelong6094]

Excellent group for such long range. Was that 10 or 15 feet?

[@jeffreyelliott622]

Beautiful old Smithy you got there but I believe I would just shoot regular LRN ammo out of her for longevity purposes !!!

[@huntinwmitch8218]

My S&W M-17 has the original barrel and it is still accurate, even though it is not in pristine condition. Groups almost as tight as yours!

[@trey2099]

Is it cut for half or full moon clips? Also if its cut for half can it still accept full moon clips?

[@murphysmuskets]

trey2099 It was originally employed with half moon clips, however it accepts both no problem. I use the Wilson Combat clips from Midway.

[@Jrhoney]

The cut is the same for either.. The cylinder is the same profile on the rear.