Colt M1917
Colt's Manufacturing Company · Pistol · Discontinued · 1917
Also known as: Colt Model 1917, M1917 Revolver, Colt New Service M1917, United States Revolver, Caliber .45, M1917
Overview
The Colt M1917 is an American six-shot, .45 ACP double-action revolver adopted by the U.S. Army in 1917 to supplement the M1911 pistol during World War I. Built on Colt's New Service frame with a swing-out cylinder, it chambered the rimless .45 ACP cartridge using three-round half-moon clips, which held the rounds for extraction and allowed rapid reloading. It served U.S. forces through both World Wars and remained in secondary service into the 1950s.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 1100 g (38.8 oz) |
| Overall Length | 270 mm (10.63") |
| Barrel Length | 140 mm (5.51") |
| Action Type | Revolving |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Double Action |
| Magazine Capacity | 6 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Rotary |
| Muzzle Velocity | 232 m/s (761 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 477 J (352 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 50 m (55 yd) |
| Rate of Fire | 15 rpm |
| Barrel Rifling | Left Hand |
| Number of Grooves | 6 |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Walnut |
| Finish | Blued |
Calibers
- .45 ACP · primary — also known as .45 Auto, 45 ACP, 11.43x23mm
Features
- Firing modes: Repeating
- Feed systems: Swing Out Cylinder, Three Round Half Moon Clip
- Safety mechanisms: Rebounding Hammer
- Features: Swing Out Cylinder, Moon Clip Compatible, Double Action Single Action, Lanyard Ring
Service history
Operators
- United States Army · adopted 1917 · as M1917
- Brazilian Armed Forces
- Army of the Republic of Vietnam
Conflicts
- World War I (1917-1918)
- World War II (1939-1945)
- Korean War (1950-1953)
- Vietnam War (1955-1975)
Production
Estimated total produced: 150,000 · Production years: 1917-1920
Approximately 150,000 Colt M1917 revolvers were procured during World War I; combined Colt and Smith & Wesson Model 1917 production reached roughly 300,000 units.
Origin
Country of origin: United States
Designer: Colt's Manufacturing Company
Discontinued: 1920
Notes
The half-moon clip, developed by Joseph Wesson, allowed the rimless .45 ACP automatic-pistol cartridge to be used and extracted in a revolver; the later .45 Auto Rim cartridge added a thick rim so the revolver could be fired without clips. Smith & Wesson produced a parallel Model 1917 on its own frame.
Background
When the United States entered World War I, M1911 pistol production could not keep pace with demand, so Colt and Smith & Wesson adapted their large-frame revolvers to fire the standard .45 ACP cartridge via half-moon clips, putting a rimless automatic round into a wheelgun.