In WW2 my father got back from Dunkirk having left everything in France and was issued with a .45 S&W revolver, the British having received shipments from the USA (thanks!), he carried it until 1946, he was a Royal Artillery dispatch rider. In those days they used 3 round half moon clips as they fitted better in pockets.
I'll stick with the 1917 thank you, my father had one and he allowed me to reload for it. Very fun to shoot with little popper rounds or full pressure loads. Even did a few wax loads with it, I miss that gun.
My Granddad carried a 1917 S&W in WW! and had it as his house gun all of his life. I have it and it shoots well. I had a later version cut down by a great gunsmith from Terrebonne Oregon which I use as a defensive weapon. Great review
The last bad guys view from the night guard, you could see a couple bullets streak by as they came out of the barrel. Pretty cool. Nice guns Mike. I nearly bought a 325 night guard but went with the model 60 pro series in 357. I don't feel I made a mistake there but I do still want a 325 lol.
The .45 Auto Rim is a good cartridge for reloading. As with so many pistols, I regret ever trading off a S&W Model 25-2 in nickel years ago. Sure moon clips make .45 ACP a breeze for rapid recharge of the cylinder; however without a small tool found them to be a bit aggravating to remove the spent casings. Full moon type are easier to use for combat recharge than speed loaders. Still prefered the .45 AR for custom ( heavy ) loads that I would never shoot in a 1911 style auto pistol - Yes, my AMT Hardballer Long Slide would of been a collectors piece today if I still had that big gun. Now if Charter Arms would catalog its .45 ACP Pitbull in an adjustable rear sight, 4+ inch barrel ( will not chamber the .45 AR ) I'd have one on back order.
The 1917 has a lip machined inside the cylinder to prevent 45 ACP from sliding through, by catching the front of the brass, you don’t have to use a moon clip.
you can safely and accurately shoot the smith 1917 without moon clips. the chambers are shouldered to hold the round to the exact head-space. unloading is trouble free, without the moon clips but of course the ejector star doesn't catch the rimless casings and you usually need to pull a couple of empties out with your fingers...
have you experimented with different styles/brands of moon clips? I was wondering if you had possible found a particular moon clip that was stronger or laster longer compared to other moon clips.
You always could get .45 ACP revolvers from 1917 to the present. How the 1917 came to be was when the 1911 was first fielded, there werent enough to go around to the troops. Colt and S&W both made .45 caliber, heavy framed revolvers, The New Service for Colt and the .44 Caliber Triple Lock for S&W. Both companies altered existing designs and the 1917 by Colt and S&W was born. Colt never did make many in .45 ACP for the civilian market, S&W did and the rest was history.
Do you use modern 45 acp rounds in your 1917? I've been sticking to 230 grain roundnose fmj like Federal Remington and s&b but these velocities are rated for 895 fps vs the 835 fps on ww1 and ww2 ammo. I know the n frame is strong and should be able to handle it and mine was recently timed and worked on by a great Smith so it's lockup is strong and true. Should I try to find lower fps ammo or is off the shelf ok? Or should I try lead nose?
Are you familiar with the Smith and Wesson 325-10? More snubbier than the Night Guard, they came with similar grips as your 325. I enjoy my 325NG and those clips make it super easy to clean up the brass.
I really need to get this lottery winning ticket so I can get my surplus pistol collection up and running, oh and move out of NJ. It takes a minimum of 2 months to get a pistol permit approved and 4 to 6 months is the norm and a 15 round maximum magizine.
Was the S&W M1917 the SAME as the S&W Mk II Hand Ejector that we made for the Brits (apart from the former being chambered for .45 ACP and the latter for .455 Webley), or just based on it?
My grandfather had something that looks just like that 1917 Smith and Wesson, although, it is in .38 cal. and he sent it back to the factory and had them nickel it. My Dad has it now and it looks and shoots fantastic. He taught people how to drive Jeeps in WW1 and ironically, his last name was Smith.
harry joe You are correct harry joe! It must have been a truck, although, my grandfather called it a jeep. I don't know why he said that! Unproven vehicles were sometimes called jeeps according to google. I might have said, he just taught soldiers to drive.
northcacalacka545 Jeep stands for GP, General Purpose, as in anything smaller than a full truck that moves and can carry people and/or cargo. Yes, the brand Jeep might not have existed but GPs, "Jeeps" were used when available in WW1 and were anything from local acquisitions, looted enemy vehicles to standard issue military cars.
I wouldn't recommend that any beginner start with a .45 ACP revolver. I would recommend starting with at most, a .38 Spl revolver, better would be a .22LR revolver until you have the fundamentals down. This is not patronizing, I would give the same advice to a male beginner. Learn the basics without the complication of heavy recoil. Then move up to larger calibers, as you master the lighter ones.
+Kenneth Taylor Smith and Wesson makes a few. Ruger makes a version of the RedHawk that shoots 45 Colt and 45 acp with moon clips. A Ruger Super RedHawk or Alaskan in 454 Casull can have the cylinder machined to use moon clips and then they can shoot, 454 Casull, 45 Colt & 45 acp. TK Custom does the cylinder machining and you can find them at moonclips.com. Also there are Ruger BlackHawks that come with a 45 Colt cylinder and another for 45 acp.
At approximately 3:01 in the video you flip the cylinder closed, one handed. Why would you do this? I have always been taught this will damage the gun.
johnnytastetest Virtually every professionally trained armorer and marksman that I know, who has worked on or shot revolvers, would disagree with your statement.
My jaw dropped when I saw Mike do this. :( It's very bad for the gun. No part of the action is made to handle the force of the whole cylinder slamming shut.
You can fire .45 acp, .45 Auto Rim, and .45 Colt in a Ruger Blackhawk Convertible. They come with two cylinders. One is chambered for .45 Colt and the other for .45 acp/.45 Auto Rim. I'm very, very fond of my 5" bbl SS Ruger Bisley Blackhawk Convertible. With safe, hot loaded .45 Colt heavy for caliber, hard cast LBT style bullets, it is capable of taking moose, bison, elk, hogs, and big bear. The Bisley grip frame makes stiff recoil much more manageable. With the .45 acp cylinder, it's much cheaper to practice with and a dandy home defense handgun should two-legged predators come around at night.
I have a Colt 1917, though I much prefer S&W to Colt, (because I think the S&W's are built better, stronger) That thing does shoot really well in double action. I like the idea of the clips, but taking the empties out without the tool is a bitch and a half.
I carried a smith & wesson 325 night guard in my boot during college. I always wanted to be able to protect my friend and myself at all time thankful I never had to use it. It's fucking stupid that students can't carry even though a good few of them are 18 to 23 with conseled carry licenses but it's partially because people are fucking stupid and try and shoot someone over a dumbass dispute, you're supposed to settle thing with your fist not a gun.
Now I have bet my life on the 911 45apc colt, we were issued S&W 38 spc. at the Embassy in Nam, I think some of us were issued the copc trooper mark something ?, anyway I always kept my 45 close by, 45 is no joke,you can keep your 9mm, give me a 45 apc and a 3006 or 308, then you can insert me anywhere, make sure you let me know when I,m going to be extracted................BB
The rubber grips are perfect as they come from the factory. They fit my hand and there is no problems with accuracy. Your opinion is just that. Just like mine. But to say unequivocally that it was a mistake to make them like that is just plain misleading.
im confused, why would someone want this, i love my GP100 and i know for fact it knocks hogs down far better than any 45acp you can load up. so my question is why 45acp in a revolver, im guessing its just to go with the auto you own as well. other than that its not practical in anyway. the cost of ammo is high enough that you could be using a much better cal. in a wheel gun in the same price range i kinda understand the 9mm version of this due to cheap ammo .38 special is so close in price, and performance i can just keep my .357 mag and have a hunting/defence revolver with the option of cheap plinking. this isnt really good for much at all and doesn't out do anything chambered in .45acp..... idk i guess its just one of those "because i wanted it" kinda guns
I have to disagree. .45 ACP is a great defensive round, whether it is in a semi-auto or a revolver. I have five DA revolvers chambered for .45 ACP. They are among my favorites. For home defense it is the best caliber possible...plenty of stopping power, but it doesn't over-penetrate.
Not a bad show, slamming the cylinder closed with a flip of the wrist....doesn't make you chicken sht....period now if you really want to be smart lose 100 pounds, stop gulping your dinner or dogs or whatever you can wrap your fingers around.
Duelist1954 you can bore the ring out of the cylinder on the 1917 smith to handle .45 long colts I shoot cowboy loads in my 1917 in addition to .45 acp with moon clips.
Flicking the cylinder back into the frame like that will bend the crane.
I have a box full of them that I bought almost 20 years ago. I don't think I've ever worn one out.
I sure wish S&W would start making the Night Guard again.
I love it! I wish S&W didnt discontinue it!
The 1917 is a favourite of mine. My great Grandfather was a Lewis gunner with the NZ Expeditionary force in France 1918. Thanks for the video.
In WW2 my father got back from Dunkirk having left everything in France and was issued with a .45 S&W revolver, the British having received shipments from the USA (thanks!), he carried it until 1946, he was a Royal Artillery dispatch rider. In those days they used 3 round half moon clips as they fitted better in pockets.
The British were a civilised people.
Once upon a time.
I just got a 325pd in a trade. It's my new favorite gun right now. So fun
I'll stick with the 1917 thank you, my father had one and he allowed me to reload for it. Very fun to shoot with little popper rounds or full pressure loads. Even did a few wax loads with it, I miss that gun.
Bring back the classic 1917 please!
Duelist another great video! Thanks alot. I REALLY enjoy your articles in GOTOW magazine.
Man i want one of those WW1 revolvers... sweet
My Granddad carried a 1917 S&W in WW! and had it as his house gun all of his life. I have it and it shoots well. I had a later version cut down by a great gunsmith from Terrebonne Oregon which I use as a defensive weapon. Great review
I like this video! 230 grains does a lot of damage, and out of a revolver, lots of fun!
I would absolutely love to get a Model 1917! Just the history behind it makes me want one
That 1917 is a beauty. In a fit of ignorance I sold my pre-lock 625 years ago. A model 22 may be in my future.
This is a great video.
I just found a Colt M1917 which I can't wait to shoot. Great video.
Harry Truman carried one of those in WW1
Like the look of the 1917 the best of those 2 revolvers.
LuV 45 ACP great review TY ;)
@TheLegumMagister you have my heartfelt condolances.
The last bad guys view from the night guard, you could see a couple bullets streak by as they came out of the barrel. Pretty cool. Nice guns Mike. I nearly bought a 325 night guard but went with the model 60 pro series in 357. I don't feel I made a mistake there but I do still want a 325 lol.
Great Video Presentation, Mike
Great vidieo , keep it up.
Thank you Sir, i "love" the S&W 1917.
I only have a M28. Its a long way and difficult to get legaly guns in germany.
The .45 Auto Rim is a good cartridge for reloading. As with so many pistols, I regret ever trading off a S&W Model 25-2 in nickel years ago. Sure moon clips make .45 ACP a breeze for rapid recharge of the cylinder; however without a small tool found them to be a bit aggravating to remove the spent casings. Full moon type are easier to use for combat recharge than speed loaders. Still prefered the .45 AR for custom ( heavy ) loads that I would never shoot in a 1911 style auto pistol - Yes, my AMT Hardballer Long Slide would of been a collectors piece today if I still had that big gun. Now if Charter Arms would catalog its .45 ACP Pitbull in an adjustable rear sight, 4+ inch barrel ( will not chamber the .45 AR ) I'd have one on back order.
The Night Guard 325 is an effing cool little gun. No longer in production, sadly.
The stock grips on my 1917 had quite a bite in the web of the hand,
I replaced them with altamont panel grips. Much more comfortable.
I've read that in World War I most of the MP's were issued the Model 1917 revolvers.
The 1917 has a lip machined inside the cylinder to prevent 45 ACP from sliding through, by catching the front of the brass, you don’t have to use a moon clip.
Cool.i love 45
Someone teach him how to correctly close the cylinder on a revolver. Check video at 3:01
Moonclips remind me of capgun ammo.. I guess that's where the capguns got the idea.
you can safely and accurately shoot the smith 1917 without moon clips. the chambers are shouldered to hold the round to the exact head-space. unloading is trouble free, without the moon clips but of course the ejector star doesn't catch the rimless casings and you usually need to pull a couple of empties out with your fingers...
They are expensive to find but worth it. I have one myself.
"Automatic Colt Pistol"
have you experimented with different styles/brands of moon clips? I was wondering if you had possible found a particular moon clip that was stronger or laster longer compared to other moon clips.
This video is bad ass fun.
I will add my nod of approval for the 1917 I've never met anyone who owned one of these 1917 who didn't.
NEEDING A 2021 VID!!!!!!!
I’ll put it on the list
Great vid! I just got a Ruger Redhawk that shoots 45 Colt as well as 45 acp, and I _really_ like the 255 gr Keiths. Thanx for the load data.
You always could get .45 ACP revolvers from 1917 to the present. How the 1917 came to be was when the 1911 was first fielded, there werent enough to go around to the troops. Colt and S&W both made .45 caliber, heavy framed revolvers, The New Service for Colt and the .44 Caliber Triple Lock for S&W. Both companies altered existing designs and the 1917 by Colt and S&W was born. Colt never did make many in .45 ACP for the civilian market, S&W did and the rest was history.
I have a 1917. Shoots great but it painful to shoot. It has a funky older type frame that seems to be more painful on the hand than modern N frames.
Great bad-guy view !! Don’t see that angle much if ever.
i love revolvers
Owned a colt 1917 military 45 cap, want a smith 1917.
Sweet guns
Do you use modern 45 acp rounds in your 1917? I've been sticking to 230 grain roundnose fmj like Federal Remington and s&b but these velocities are rated for 895 fps vs the 835 fps on ww1 and ww2 ammo. I know the n frame is strong and should be able to handle it and mine was recently timed and worked on by a great Smith so it's lockup is strong and true.
Should I try to find lower fps ammo or is off the shelf ok? Or should I try lead nose?
I use modern hardball in my 1917s
@@duelist1954 thanks for the info!
Pretty cool! I can live without 45. However this is neat and I like 1911s as well, though I prefer 1911s in 10mm!
Are you familiar with the Smith and Wesson 325-10? More snubbier than the Night Guard, they came with similar grips as your 325. I enjoy my 325NG and those clips make it super easy to clean up the brass.
I love auto rim ammunition.
It's discontinued?
I really need to get this lottery winning ticket so I can get my surplus pistol collection up and running, oh and move out of NJ. It takes a minimum of 2 months to get a pistol permit approved and 4 to 6 months is the norm and a 15 round maximum magizine.
Check out David Condon Inc, in Middleburg, VA. He has FOUR of these S&W 1917's in stock right now. Nice gun.
Seems odd to see you shoot 6 rounds out of a revolver!
Seems a little easier to be accurate with the 1917, probably due in part to the longer sight radius. Both excellent guns though.
Was the S&W M1917 the SAME as the S&W Mk II Hand Ejector that we made for the Brits (apart from the former being chambered for .45 ACP and the latter for .455 Webley), or just based on it?
Same gun, different chambering.
My grandfather had something that looks just like that 1917 Smith and Wesson, although, it is in .38 cal. and he sent it back to the factory and had them nickel it. My Dad has it now and it looks and shoots fantastic. He taught people how to drive Jeeps in WW1 and ironically, his last name was Smith.
There where no jeeps in ww1
harry joe You are correct harry joe! It must have been a truck, although, my grandfather called it a jeep. I don't know why he said that! Unproven vehicles were sometimes called jeeps according to google. I might have said, he just taught soldiers to drive.
northcacalacka545
Jeep stands for GP, General Purpose, as in anything smaller than a full truck that moves and can carry people and/or cargo.
Yes, the brand Jeep might not have existed but GPs, "Jeeps" were used when available in WW1 and were anything from local acquisitions, looted enemy vehicles to standard issue military cars.
Which one would you recommend a 1st time woman beginner to use?
I wouldn't recommend that any beginner start with a .45 ACP revolver. I would recommend starting with at most, a .38 Spl revolver, better would be a .22LR revolver until you have the fundamentals down. This is not patronizing, I would give the same advice to a male beginner. Learn the basics without the complication of heavy recoil. Then move up to larger calibers, as you master the lighter ones.
Me
They used guns chambered for the .455 Webley.
Would the snubbie be considered a K-Frame or an L-Frame?
WizardofAhhhs 75 It is an N-Frame
@@duelist1954 Thanks for the reply
are there any 45 acp revolvers still in production .
I've heard Charter Arms makes one that doesn't require moon clips.
Tom Nelson thank you I will look into it much appreciated
+Kenneth Taylor Smith and Wesson makes a few. Ruger makes a version of the RedHawk that shoots 45 Colt and 45 acp with moon clips. A Ruger Super RedHawk or Alaskan in 454 Casull can have the cylinder machined to use moon clips and then they can shoot, 454 Casull, 45 Colt & 45 acp. TK Custom does the cylinder machining and you can find them at moonclips.com. Also there are Ruger BlackHawks that come with a 45 Colt cylinder and another for 45 acp.
K Adams Thank you for the information. Much appreciated.
The Smith and Wesson 625 is still in production, and is an excellent revolver.
At approximately 3:01 in the video you flip the cylinder closed, one handed. Why would you do this? I have always been taught this will damage the gun.
Once or twice, it's okay. More than that though, and you've fucked your crane.
artifact67 Damage the gun? Nonsense.
johnnytastetest Virtually every professionally trained armorer and marksman that I know, who has worked on or shot revolvers, would disagree with your statement.
johnnytastetest
It will damage the gun. Very bad for it!
My jaw dropped when I saw Mike do this. :( It's very bad for the gun. No part of the action is made to handle the force of the whole cylinder slamming shut.
Mike, look up the difference between bullet and cartridge.
What´s the manufacturing year of the 1917 ?
Nice nigh guard
Can you fire 45 auto rim in a 45LC?
No. The rim is too thick. The cylinder won't close
You can fire .45 acp, .45 Auto Rim, and .45 Colt in a Ruger Blackhawk Convertible. They come with two cylinders. One is chambered for .45 Colt and the other for .45 acp/.45 Auto Rim. I'm very, very fond of my 5" bbl SS Ruger Bisley Blackhawk Convertible. With safe, hot loaded .45 Colt heavy for caliber, hard cast LBT style bullets, it is capable of taking moose, bison, elk, hogs, and big bear. The Bisley grip frame makes stiff recoil much more manageable. With the .45 acp cylinder, it's much cheaper to practice with and a dandy home defense handgun should two-legged predators come around at night.
Give the sig elite a whirl
Can anyone tell me where to buy pistol propellant?
Did he snap-shut the snub nose ?!?!!. Boo hiss!! Or were my eyes playing tricks ?
Sorry for being naive, but what exactly does ACP mean? Great video as always btw!
Automatic Colt Pistol.
I have a Colt 1917, though I much prefer S&W to Colt, (because I think the S&W's are built better, stronger) That thing does shoot really well in double action. I like the idea of the clips, but taking the empties out without the tool is a bitch and a half.
As a FYI, those are not original grips on the 1917. The original grips were not checkered, but rather just plain walnut.
Good point !
That is correct for the military grips, but the same gun in its civilian version had checkered walnut grips.
Yes, and they looked a good deal different from those recently-manufactured ones on your 1917. Those are not "vintage" grips.
I thought I heard him say they were Eagle made grips? Or maybe I'm thinking of the previous video I just watched.
Another firearms genius slamming the cylinder shut on his revolver. Not smart.
I carried a smith & wesson 325 night guard in my boot during college. I always wanted to be able to protect my friend and myself at all time thankful I never had to use it. It's fucking stupid that students can't carry even though a good few of them are 18 to 23 with conseled carry licenses but it's partially because people are fucking stupid and try and shoot someone over a dumbass dispute, you're supposed to settle thing with your fist not a gun.
Got a few Smith and wesson 45acp revolvers love um all won't ever own one with a Clinton lock. HATE UM.
try double tap ammo I think they have some
Now I have bet my life on the 911 45apc colt, we were issued S&W 38 spc. at the Embassy in Nam, I think some of us were issued the copc trooper mark something ?, anyway I always kept my 45 close by, 45 is no joke,you can keep your 9mm, give me a 45 apc and a 3006 or 308, then you can insert me anywhere, make sure you let me know when I,m going to be extracted................BB
I stopped watching at 3:03 minutes when like a rookie you flicked by cylinder closed.
AGREED.
The rubber grips are perfect as they come from the factory.
They fit my hand and there is no problems with accuracy.
Your opinion is just that.
Just like mine.
But to say unequivocally that it was a mistake to make them like that is just plain misleading.
You are right. I should have just said that they don’t fit me.
im confused, why would someone want this, i love my GP100 and i know for fact it knocks hogs down far better than any 45acp you can load up.
so my question is why 45acp in a revolver, im guessing its just to go with the auto you own as well. other than that its not practical in anyway. the cost of ammo is high enough that you could be using a much better cal. in a wheel gun in the same price range
i kinda understand the 9mm version of this due to cheap ammo .38 special is so close in price, and performance i can just keep my .357 mag and have a hunting/defence revolver with the option of cheap plinking. this isnt really good for much at all and doesn't out do anything chambered in .45acp..... idk i guess its just one of those "because i wanted it" kinda guns
The .45 ACP won't over-penetrate in doors. Which makes it a better in home self-defense gun. When I'm in the field I carry a .357 mag revolver.
+duelist1954 very good point.
nathan campbell Because this is AMERICA and we can get what we want!
I have to disagree. .45 ACP is a great defensive round, whether it is in a semi-auto or a revolver. I have five DA revolvers chambered for .45 ACP. They are among my favorites. For home defense it is the best caliber possible...plenty of stopping power, but it doesn't over-penetrate.
And there are plenty of .45acp ammo options.
Hope he never trades or sells his guns. Would hate to buy a revolver that has been mistreated by someone slamming the cylinder closed.
Did the british youse it
They would've shot that revolver one handed, officers were trained to shoot pistols the "fencing" style
With their left hand on their hip!😄
Pay attention @ 03:02 in 😏 uh, oh!
well, he won't be trying to rape anyone anytime soon... =) lol
Not a bad show, slamming the cylinder closed with a flip of the wrist....doesn't make you chicken sht....period now if you really want to be smart lose 100 pounds, stop gulping your dinner or dogs or whatever you can wrap your fingers around.
Iwntsel
use both hands...& show target...
You would be off my range for the way you flipped the cylinder closed on that snubby. FAIL. Bad example demonstrated for the people.
Did that trigger you?
automatic cartrige pistol
Automatic Colt Pistol
Duelist1954 you can bore the ring out of the cylinder on the 1917 smith to handle .45 long colts I shoot cowboy loads in my 1917 in addition to .45 acp with moon clips.