IJ,
I suggest 1.) that you look at
www.auctionarms.com . There is a search field and enter in "Smith 1917". Basically you are looking for a Smith & Wesson 1917 that takes a .45 ACP round. However, a Brazilian Contract S&W 1937 that takes a .45 ACP round is just as good. That's what mine is.
2.) Make sure you have the funds to get the gun. Some Smith's are going for $400-500. It's illegal to ship guns and ammo to some cities and states so check locally before you buy.
3.) As Andykev said, find someplace or someone who has an FFL if you are having the gun sent to you. Some states require a waiting period. Others do not. Some FFL holders charge $20 to transfer while others charge a fee plus a percentage of the value of the gun. There is no set limit and will vary from holder to holder so shop around.
4.) When you receive the gun, you have some big decisions to make. Do you modify the gun to look like Indy's? Meaning, the guns were made with a 5 inch barrel and Indy's has a 4 inch barrel. Some guns historical value are not affected if you chop off the barrel and others are. It all depends on their condition. I consulted Lee Keppler, Michaelson and RonC when making these decisions. They are very knowledgeable and give you confidence about what you are doing. For me, the Indy gun means more to me than keeping it stock. You will need to shorten the barrel if you want it to fit in the Keppler holster. And trust me, it's a perfect fit. (Thanks Lee.) And, you'll need a set of grips that look like Indy's.
5.) Find a gunsmith that will work on an old gun. 5.1) Find a gunsmith that will work on an old gun and not give you any lip about it. In searching for a gunsmith, I talked to many who wouldn't touch the gun. Others said I shouldn't shoot it. Fact is, they can be worked on by a smith who know what he is doing. Tip Burns in Texas and Jack Devore in Arizona has done some really good work. These guys are like the Joe Jr. of guns. We have taken pics to them and said, "Make my gun look like this," and they did. And, have them check it out to make sure it's a shooter.
6.) Now you have the gun in your hands, ready to shoot. If you have never shot a gun before, take a gun handling course or at least go with a knowledgeable friend. They will help you with things like grip and stance that will make your time at the range more enjoyable.
7.) Congrats! Now you are a gun owner. There are 5 basic things to remember.
• Always treat a gun as if it were loaded.
• Never put your finger on the trigger until you are ready to shoot.
• Never point the gun at anything you are not willing to destroy.
• Always know your target and what's beyond.
• Always store your gun in a locked place away from children when not in use.
There are some other important rules to read here.
http://www.nrahq.org/education/guide.asp
Probably more information than you were asking for but I am sure others were curious too.
Good luck, shoot safely and keep 'em in the "10" ring,
Pyroxene
Here's a pic of one before (S&W 1917 D.A. .45ACP)
And here's a pic of one after, my S&W 1937 .45ACP
And here's a pic of Indiana's S&W 1917 (Pic has been rotated to match the other guns.)
