SW 1917 barrel question

[webradbury]

Were the front sight and lower lug machined into these barrels or welded or soldered on? I've got a pistol that could use a new one. I can turn a barrel blank but if it's all machined out of one piece of stock, I don't have those capabilities. I've found a couple barrels online but they aren't any better than mine.

[Char-Gar]

Don't take me to court over this, but I believe the lower lug was forged with the barrel and the front sight was attached. That said I see no reason why one could not machine the lug and solder or weld it on. With a proper heat sink in the barrel of course.

[Ballistics in Scotland]

The underlug certainly. I don't know about the US M1917, but the very similar British .455 had an integral front sight as well. Both could be installed on a turned barrel with a silver solder sold by Brownells in thin ribbon form. It melts at considerably less than the temperatures of jewellery silver solders, and should be strong enough, but melts at a temperature which would avoid all risk of scaling.

[webradbury]

I think im gonna try it. whats to loses, right!

[Green Frog]

In my experience, both the lug and the front sight were integral to the original forgings on both the M1917 and the Victory Models of the next War.

Froggie

[MtGun44]

Lug is integral for sure, and I believe the front sight is also on those
models.

[webradbury]

Yes, I think it's all one piece. Wonder if s&w would sell me a new one

[StrawHat]

I do not think S&W has any parts for a 1917. Several sources have had them in the past. For some reason, the Israeli's made up a bunch of barrels for the 1917, you might be able to find one NIB!

The lug and sight are forged in one piece with the barrel but neither is under very much stress, so both could be dovetailed or soldered in place. That would actually make it easier for the home gunsmith to fit the barrel.

How bad is the original barrel? I need one for a project.

Kevin

[Outpost75]

The Brasilians also made replacement barrels.

I was lucky enough to find one to replace the shot out one on my Sewer Pipe M1917.

140669140670140671

[webradbury]

Looks like the second photo pitted. I'm ordering a blank to turn down and play with. I'll post it in the special projects when i start. I still have a Krag rifle to build. I might do the pistol first...i don't know. Will

[ddixie884]

Have it relined.

[StrawHat]

Have it relined.

On the 1917, the barrel is rather thin. I do not think it is thick enough to bore out and line. Have you had it done?

If so, by who? The OP is not the only fellow with a shot out 1917.

Kevin

[bouncer50]

If the barrel is pitted up like that how does the cylinder look

[John Allen]

Make me one while you are at it. Mine looks like a smooth bore and yes I cleaned the **** out of it.

[ddixie884]

I have not done it on a 1917 barrel, but in the seventies I had a m-28 4" barrel relined to .45 and built a convertible from it. I shot a lot of .45Colt loads with the 452423 cast of wheel weights at a weighed 252gr on 10gr Unique and .45acp and AR with 454424 at 263gr and 7.5gr Unique. The OD of the 4" HP is about the same as the 1917 at the muzzle. David woodruff of Bear, Delaware. offered the .45colt as a regular conversion on the M-28. He relined the barrels on all of his big bore conversions, even 38/44 HDs. I hope this helps. The M 22-4 barrel might work, too..........

[nicholst55]

You might check GunBroker; new old stock Brazilian barrels turn up fairly often. Not cheap, but... not much is, these days.

[StrawHat]

I have not done it on a 1917 barrel, but in the seventies I had a m-28 4" barrel relined to .45 and built a convertible from it. I shot a lot of .45Colt loads with the 452423 cast of wheel weights at a weighed 252gr on 10gr Unique and .45acp and AR with 454424 at 263gr and 7.5gr Unique. The OD of the 4" HP is about the same as the 1917 at the muzzle. David woodruff of Bear, Delaware. offered the .45colt as a regular conversion on the M-28. He relined the barrels on all of his big bore conversions, even 38/44 HDs. I hope this helps. The M 22-4 barrel might work, too..........

Thank you for that information. I, also had a M28-2 that I converted to 45, mine being ACP. I sent the barrel to a now dead gunsmith. He said there was not enough barrel to install a liner but merely bored and rifled the existing barrel. Good to know someone can line it.

Kevin

[Frank46]

Found a 45acp barrel for the S&W 1917 in 45acp, from all apearances the front sight appears to be part of the barrel and so does the lug where the end of the cylinder pin goes.frank