M1917 Revolver: America's Forgotten Handgun

Published on June 2, 2016
Duration: 6:28

The M1917 revolver, a .45 ACP double-action/single-action handgun, served as a crucial stopgap for the US military during WWI due to M1911 production shortages. While Colt and Smith & Wesson produced versions, the S&W model offered unique headspace capabilities for rimless cartridges. Historical shooting techniques emphasized one-handed firing, but modern two-handed grips significantly improve handling and recoil control, mitigating muzzle flip.

Quick Summary

The M1917 revolver, chambered in .45 ACP, was adopted by the US Army during WWI to supplement M1911 production. Both Colt and Smith & Wesson made versions, with the S&W model offering unique headspace capabilities for rimless cartridges. Modern two-handed grips significantly improve handling and recoil control over historical one-handed techniques.

Chapters

  1. 00:17Historical Context: WWI Need
  2. 00:39Design: .45 ACP & Clips
  3. 01:41Manual of Arms: Extraction
  4. 02:45Historical Shooting Techniques
  5. 03:57Handling and Recoil Analysis

Frequently Asked Questions

Why was the M1917 revolver adopted by the US military?

The M1917 revolver was adopted by the US Army during World War I because the production capacity for the M1911 semi-automatic pistol could not meet the military's demand for sidearms.

What caliber is the M1917 revolver chambered in?

The M1917 revolver is chambered in the powerful .45 ACP (Automatic Colt Pistol) cartridge, the same caliber used by the M1911 pistol.

How did the Smith & Wesson M1917 differ from the Colt M1917 regarding .45 ACP cartridges?

The Smith & Wesson M1917 featured a shoulder machined into the cylinder, allowing rimless .45 ACP cartridges to headspace correctly without clips, though manual extraction was still necessary.

Does the M1917 revolver handle recoil well with historical shooting techniques?

No, the M1917 exhibits significant muzzle flip, and historical one-handed shooting techniques, combined with smooth grips, make recoil control difficult. Modern two-handed grips greatly improve handling.

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