Colt US Army .45ACP Model of 1917

[varifleman]

Here for your perusal is Colt US Army Model of 1917 .45ACP serial number 119613 1918 production. Came with half and full moon clips so will post range report soon.

[JMB1943]

Hello Varifleman,

I’m amazed at the pristine-looking condition of the grips and the bluing; it looks hardly used.

Can you compare the handling of the revolver to that of the Colt 1911 automatic?

Which would you prefer in a snap-shooting situation?

Regards,

JMB

[varifleman]

I find the Colt 1917 easier for me to shoot since it fits my hand better than the 1911 and is easier for me to keep on target and has better balance at least for me. The 1911 magazine holds 7 rounds and the 1917 6 rounds and the 1911 is a bit quicker to reload although the 1917 using the 3- round half-moon and 6-round full moon clips is also a quick reload. Since I'm 73 and might be a bit forgetful I'd prefer the 1917 in a snap-shooting situation since I wouldn't have to rack the 1911 slide and then shoot or remember if I'd done so and had a live round loaded. Just for comparison is my British Government Contract 1917 .455 Eley Colt Government Model Pistol No. W 92124 which was 1 of 300 shipped to the London Armoury Company on March 30, 1917. Photos show British Military Crossed Pennants and Broad Arrow property and proof marks. Many years ago I obtained several hundred rounds of 1917 and 1918 dated Webley .455 auto ammo and have shot several magazines of this ammo and had only 1-2 duds; not bad for WWI ammo!

[JMB1943]

Mr Rifleman,

Thanks for your comments re balance and the snap-shooting situation.

Although I have a visual preference for the "old-fashioned" vs the newer, stream-lined objects, I must admit that the Model 1911 is a very elegant-looking piece of industrial design; maybe "purposeful-looking" is a better descriptor than "elegant-looking".

The .455 that you show also looks to be in good shape.

I suppose that being holstered enables handguns to avoid the rust that bedevils rifles and bayonets.

Regards,

JMB