Smith and Wesson Model 1917

Published on September 7, 2021
Duration: 26:02

This review delves into the Smith & Wesson Model 1917 revolver, a crucial firearm for U.S. military service during WWI and WWII. It highlights the practical advantages of moon clips for the .45 ACP cartridge and contrasts S&W's counter-clockwise cylinder rotation with Colt's clockwise rotation. The discussion also touches upon the firearm's lineage within S&W's N-frame designs and its historical significance as a supplement to the M1911 pistol.

Quick Summary

The Smith & Wesson Model 1917 is a historic .45 ACP revolver used by the U.S. military, notable for its use of moon clips for faster loading of rimless cartridges. Key features include counter-clockwise cylinder rotation and chambers designed for headspacing on the case mouth, allowing firing without clips.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction & Loading the 1917
  2. 01:16S&W vs. Colt Cylinder Rotation
  3. 02:13Moon Clip History & Military Use
  4. 04:43Evolution of S&W Revolvers
  5. 06:45WWI Contracts & Caliber Adaptation
  6. 08:41Chamber Design & Headspacing
  7. 10:31Service History & Markings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the significance of the Smith & Wesson Model 1917?

The Smith & Wesson Model 1917 is a .45 ACP revolver that served extensively with the U.S. military during WWI and WWII, acting as a vital supplement to the M1911 semi-automatic pistol when supply was limited.

How do moon clips work with the S&W Model 1917?

Moon clips hold rimless .45 ACP cartridges together, allowing for significantly faster loading and unloading of the revolver's cylinder compared to loading rounds individually.

What is a key mechanical difference between Smith & Wesson and Colt revolvers?

A notable difference is cylinder rotation direction: Smith & Wesson revolvers typically rotate counter-clockwise, while Colt revolvers rotate clockwise. This impacts how shooters index partial cylinders.

Can the S&W Model 1917 fire .45 ACP without moon clips?

Yes, the Model 1917's chambers are designed with a shoulder allowing .45 ACP cartridges to headspace on the case mouth. However, spent cases must be manually ejected as the extractor won't catch the rims.

Related News

All News →

More Reviews Videos You Might Like

More from hickok45

View all →