S&W Model 1917 question

[Mexican Kerry]

As this revolver is chambered for .45 acp, I have a couple options. Moon clips with standard .45 acp, or I could get myself some .45 autorim brass. The moon clips are a pain but not the end of the world. Apparently the round will headspace itself without the clips (or so I'm told) but then ejecting becomes a matter of shaking/poking the empties out. As an alternate solution to getting autorim brass, could I turn down .45 colt brass and use it? Just musing about my options as I have several thousand pieces of brass already, and it is a case that can be modified for several other chamberings (like my .455 Government Model).

[Frailer]

Interesting idea. My first thought was this wouldn't work, as the geometry of the cartridges is different, but looking at the cartridge dimensions we're only talking a few thousandths here and there. Perhaps they *could* be re-sized and made to work. I don't own a 1917, so I don't know if headspace issues would cause you to have to thin the rim as well.

My apologizes for the rambling "I don't know," but I find this project interesting. Please let us know if you give this a try.

[Mexican Kerry]

Was wondering about the rim thickness myself, its a mod that's necessary to make the .45 colt brass work in the Government Model. This is something that I'd be interested in more for curiosity's sake than anything, as autorim brass is already available. Might just end up sticking with the .45 acp, that was actually one of the things that drew me to this revolver in the first place.

Random Sunday thoughts lead to all sorts of dumb ideas!

[kyswede]

MK, I have a box of 45 auto rim brass in the basement. I will check the rim thickness tomorrow and let you know what it measures. Writing myself a note now so I won't forget.

[Mexican Kerry]

Thank you sir any help is appreciated.

[kyswede]

MK, I checked my 45 auto rim brass today. Rim measures .070" thick (1.78mm).

[Mike]

too long, didn't read!

[Mexican Kerry]

Old thread, just thought I'd throw another question out there. Checking all my .45 Colt brass, there is varying rim thickness between manufacturers. Loading from a mixed bag of brass, if a person went with oal, you'd get varying results with headspace/rim bearing. Is this a real issue, or are we splitting hairs here? Given the variation, should oal maybe be measured from front of rim (less rim thickness) to ensure consistency when using different brass?

I use this in two revolvers and one lever gun. Should I not worry about it, as long as the cartridge clears the action during cycling/rotation?

[guncrank1]

The headspace is the rim thickness
Too short could cause light hammer strikes as pin can't hit primer.

As long as OAL is less than cylinder length , then a few mm difference makes no issue.