Too soon I will have a 1917 Colt . For whatever reason it shoots the 452-255 RNFP Lee way better than either of my Smiths . The untouched August 1918 is pretty impressive with several different 200s and makes up for it's poor performance with the Lee and NOE version of the 454424 .
The 2nd 1917 , April 1918 , was badly abused . I was going to keep this to myself because it has nothing to do with any of the 25 series ....... The barrel was chopped to 3" and the sight chopped down with a rear target sight added , as a result it shoots about 4 ft high at 50 yd even with 200s . I took a liking to the M&P M10 during a stent as an armed guard . I'm not sure what the draw is/was . Anyway based on research N frame parts are N frame parts and M29 parts fit Triple locks etc . I found a 1955 barrel , half lug , rib , pinned front sight and only needs to be set back 1.5 threads and index and the dolls head adjustment for the ejector which is already drilled for the Triple Lock fittings . Basically when done the old girl , Ms April , will look like a super sized M&P M10 . Anyway I'm holding out for cylinder to cut for 45 Colts and clips . It's currently a case mouth headspace 45 S&W (Schofield) . I'm hoping that the 55' barrel will get Ms April on par with the Colts . I've been jonesing for a double action 45 Colts for a long , long time . The RBH 45 Colts , ACP , and a pending S&W ream cylinder just doesn't fully scratch the itch ....
For those lost , 1917 Smith 45 ACP awesome with moon clips and 200-230 sucks with 250-265s . 1917 Colts 45 ACP with clips awesome with 230-265 and 200 gr SWC but not RNFP . Major refit alterations to a 3rd to satisfy a gap ......