Auction find. Colt Model 1917

[Jcordell]

Originally Posted by Nyles

Sometimes you get lucky. I've noticed up here at auctions handguns tend to go cheap and rifles way too expensive but I think that's our laws at work.

There was a Winchester 1885 Hi-Wall takedown in the collection. It dated from the twenties and was in 303 Savage. There were two barrels with it. One was a heavy "varmit' barrel and the other one was a light weight job. Beautiful condition. No doubt it had been 'customized' sometime in the past, but it was very good work. It went for $2,500.

[Jcordell]

Took it to the range yesterday. Put eighteen rounds of Blazer 230 grain hardball through it. Shot the center out of the target from 12 yards. The 41 ounces made for a very soft shooting revolver. Akin to a 38 Special. The double action trigger is heavy, but smooth. Not grit and even the infamous Colt stacking wasn't bad. I know some will not agree with me actually firing some rounds through it, but it's a revolver. It should be fired if only now and again. I do have a couple safe queens, but this warhorse needs to get out now and again I think. Sorry. No photos.

[StanTheMan]

You'll get no argument from me, sir. Certainly should be given some trigger time, though indeed maybe only here and there.

Beautiful wheelgun and nice score!

[Nyles]

I'm surprised about your comment about the recoil... I actually find my M1917 is the heaviest recoilling handgun I own. Now granted I don't have any magnums or sunnies but I find those smooth grips allow it to slide a little in my hand. My 1911s or New Service in .455 (granted a less powerful round) kick noticeably less.

[Jcordell]

Originally Posted by Nyles

I'm surprised about your comment about the recoil... I actually find my M1917 is the heaviest recoilling handgun I own. Now granted I don't have any magnums or sunnies but I find those smooth grips allow it to slide a little in my hand. My 1911s or New Service in .455 (granted a less powerful round) kick noticeably less.

The hardest kicking revolver I've ever owned/fired was (believe it or not) a S&W Model 586 with the 6" barrel. I actually cut one of my fingers while firing magnums through it one time. Don't get me wrong there was recoil, but it didn't seem all that bad - perhaps because I was shooting Blazer through it?

Now what was funny was after I finished playing with the Colt I went ahead and qualified with my Glock 19. I shot forty rounds of Federal 9mm 124 grain +P HST hollow-points through it and after the Colt it felt like I was shooting a 22 LR pistol and those +P HST loads have some zing to them (approximately 1200 fps out of a 4" barrel). I shot a Possible score (in other words I maxed it) which I haven't done in a few years. I think I discovered a secret. Warm up with a large caliber revolver and then go ahead and shoot the small caliber pistol. Makes things much easier.

[SPEMack618]

Awesome piece Cordell.

Grandpa Eli lugged an M-1917A1 water cooled across New Guinea with the Americal Division.

He wore an M1917 Victory very similar to that on his belt. He was discharged to run the farm in late '43.

Great gun.

[Jcordell]

My grandfather flew bombers. He started with a brand-new S&W M&P with a 5" barrel. That was issued to him in April 1941 shortly after he was activated (about a million men were called up in 1940-41 - before Pearl Harbor). In 1944 shortly after he arrived in the Pacific he traded a Marine Corp captain his M&P for the Marine's 1911A1. The Marine hated the 1911 and had been trying for awhile to get a 38 Special revolver from the Corp with no successes. So grandpa traded him. It was a different time. When he was out-processing in March of 46 he was asked if he wanted to buy the 1911A1. Even though there was no record of it being issued to him. Grandpa was a Major by then. He said sure. He paid $15.00 for it. He never fired it, but being an engineer he took care of it. He passed on July 1, 2013 and the Colt went to me and my dad. Is it wrong for me to have wished that he had held onto the S&W instead? Sorry grandpa.