WT>The M-1917 was the great-granddaddy of the Model 25.  It was a
WT>substitute for the Colt M-1911 which couldn't be made fast enough to
WT>equip the troops going "Over There"...
GG>I read that twenty years after WWI, Brazil also adopted the firearm, and a
  >few years back in the US many surplus weapons of this sort were made
  >available. Even in basic configuration (un-sporterized or customized)it
  >still looks pretty good.
In 1938 the Brazilian Navy bought ~20,000 (I think) of them.  I have 
one that was brought back into the country in the early 1990s.  I 
haven't shot it all that much, but it was *well* used before I got it.  
I had to have the timing redone on it.  It could really use a trigger 
job -- d/a is heavy, and the s/a is way too light to be safe, IMO.  
Based on my experience with mine, and my dad's US-issue S&W M1917, the 
old "long action" Smiths can't compare with the post WW2 short actions 
for d/a pull.
Regards,
Dave
 * 1st 2.00 ~ Apostolic order of the St. Johns (Browning and Garand).
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