S&W 1917 .45 Colt

[pacecars]

Would a S&W 1917 .455 Eley rechambered to .45 Colt be safe to use Model 25 loads?

[owen67]

I can’t speak with authority, but I don’t know that I would. I’d probably stop at 18k or so IF IT IS GOOD AND TIGHT.
Remember there were “expediencies” taken during war time with many firearms produced. To be truly safe I’d keep it at the standard limits for old SAA.

[starmetal]

I'd stick to the standard loading like 30 streader mentioned. I own a Model 25 Smith as you mentioned loads for it, or better put load especially for it. Because that revolver is on a N frame doesn't make it a 44 magnum. The cylinders are especially thin at the bolt index notches. It was meant for standard Colt loads. A lot of people have loaded it hotter and gotten away with doesn't mean it's rated for hotter loads. Why beat it, the 45 Colt is pretty decent at the standard loading. Same goes for the 1917. Better safe then sorry. Enjoy your 1917 in the caliber it was made in.

[pacecars]

I am looking at one that has been converted was the reason for asking. No intention of hot ridding it. When I said Model 25 loads I guess I could have said SAA loads

[jeffh]

Aug 4, 2022 15:09:19 GMT -5 pacecars said:

I am looking at one that has been converted was the reason for asking. No intention of hot ridding it. When I said Model 25 loads I guess I could have said SAA loads

Maybe you've seen this, and maybe it's what you meant (or not), but there was an article, I think by John Linebaugh, in which stouter-than-factory loads were listed for the 25.  When someone references "loads for the 25," my mind goes to that article as a benchmark, thinking that's what they mean.  They weren't exactly "stiff" loads, but plenty more punch than factory 45 Colt loads.

[pacecars]

Yep. I read that one many times.

[Deleted]

I would stick to low pressure only loads in that gun if I were to buy it. Plenty of modern strong 45s around that can take stiffer loads to mess around and hurt that old gun.

[470evans]

A Smith originally chambered for a 455 Eley would be a Triplelock or Mark II Hand Ejector not a Model 1917 which would have been originally chambered in 45 ACP. As others stated earlier, the Model 25 is generally considered safe for Tier 2 45 Colt Loads up to 23k in pressure. I would definitely stick with lower end Tier 1 loads considered safe in a Colt SAA under 14k in pressure.

[taffin]

Aug 5, 2022 3:52:31 GMT -5 470evans said:

A Smith originally chambered for a 455 Eley would be a Triplelock or Mark II Hand Ejector not a Model 1917 which would have been originally chambered in 45 ACP. As others stated earlier, the Model 25 is generally considered safe for Tier 2 45 Colt Loads up to 23k in pressure. I would definitely stick with lower end Tier 1 loads considered safe in a Colt SAA under 14k in pressure.

DEFINITELY! TO RE-CHAMBER A 1917 .45 ACP TO.45 COLT WOULD REQUIRE A NEW CYLINDER BECAUSE OF HEADSPACING. A FEW 1917s WERE MADE IN .45 COLT BUT RARE AND VALUABLE. MANY .455 HEs WERE RE-CHAMBERED TO.45 COLT BACK IN THE 1950s.

[smirker]

I have run into a couple over the years that had the rear of the cylinter and extractor star milled down and were set up to shoot .45 Auto Rim. Cylinder throats and bore sizes all over the place, not to mention the notorious shallow rifling in the bbl.

[leeenfield]

Aug 3, 2022 21:25:12 GMT -5 pacecars said:

Would a S&W 1917 .455 Eley rechambered to .45 Colt be safe to use Model 25 loads?

A few issues:

1. A Second Model Hand Ejector rechambered to .45 Colt is safe for BP equivalent velocities (800fps ish) - do not push the envelope, S&W cylinders were not heat treated until the M.1917 (or perhaps later).

2. Chamber must be countersunk for the thicker .45 Colt rim. Do NOT relieve the breech face.

3. The S&W cylinder is short, you will not be seating bullets out. Some factory (from the '90s when I used to shoot that stuff - and well before "cowboy action" loads) was scraping the end of the cylinder).

I have several Colt New Services and S&W 2nd Models which have been converted from .455 to .45 Colt.