How many m1917 lovers out there?

[MountainBear]

I never abuse originals. I either restore or fix already sporterized guns. This one came to me in that stock, but covered in a wine colored stain and spar varnish.

 

[bsa1917hunter]

Alright, so I worked on one of my m1917's (Actually a BSA model E). This one is chambered in the grand ol 30-06 cartridge. I hogged out the glass bedding, so the BSA model E would fit in like a glove. Later on, I'll glass bed it to this action. I also added a red pachmayr decelerator recoil pad to the stock. It's a great combination for a wood stocked rifle and helps soak up recoil. Here's just the beginnings of the work I started. The stock still needs some re-contouring. The forend is still a little fat for my liking. Here's what I got done today though. 4 hours of work into it:



I also shortened the LOP as well, as it was long. Now it's cut off to a better angle and with a LOP right around 13 3/4". Here's what the recoil pad looked like before fitting:



I shimmed up (with epoxy) the front scope base the other day. Can't hardly tell (just the way I like it):


My 2 left hand stocked m1917's:

I still have some trimming up, glass bedding and refinishing, to do with the one on top... I had the lower one out deer hunting this morning. I love these m1917's...

 

[Phantom Man]

The 1917 can be modified to cock on opening. But it would not
fit the "as issued" criteria of Vintage rifle matches. I try and follow
the rules. In my opinion, as a shooter the US service rifles 1917, O3, O3A3, M1
are superior to the Mausers, Mosins, K-31. Do to the aperture rear sight
with windage adjustment. Much easier to see the front post. One of the rifles
that I struggle with is the M98 Mauser with the stupid barleycorn front sight.

The Mauser may not have good sights but are great shooters. My Model 88' Comission and Kar 98 rifles shoot as well as any of my two dozen milsurp bolt actions save the Swedish Mausers. The 1903 Springfield feels like a Kar 98 with a heavy barrel.

 

[bsa1917hunter]

The Mauser may not have good sights but are great shooters. My Model 88' Comission and Kar 98 rifles shoot as well as any of my two dozen milsurp bolt actions save the Swedish Mausers. The 1903 Springfield feel like a Kar 98 with a heavy barrel.

I like the old mausers too. My dad has a VZ24 8x57 that is a sweet shooter. Even though it is in rough condition. It still shoots and functions just fine and is very accurate. The sights are good enough for a battle rifle...

 

[Phantom Man]

I like the old mausers too. My dad has a VZ24 8x57 that is a sweet shooter. Even though it is in rough condition. It still shoots and functions just fine and is very accurate. The sights are good enough for a battle rifle...

If I had to go to war with my 1890 made Model 88' I wouldn't complain.

 

[bsa1917hunter]

If I had to go to war with my 1890 made Model 88' I wouldn't complain.

If we were only limited to old military rifles, pass the m96 6.5x55 please...:


Good "wall hanger":

 

[Phantom Man]

If we were only limited to old military rifles, pass the m96 6.5x55 please...:
View attachment 506028
View attachment 506029
Good "wall hanger":
View attachment 506030

The 6.5 Swede is almost the perfect round. The Enfields are wonderful shooters too and very underrated in USA. Thier only drawback is rimmed 303 cartridge. They must be loaded very preciecly and adds stress in battle conditions.

 

[bsa1917hunter]

The 6.5 Swede is almost the perfect round. The Enfields are wonderful shooters too and very underrated in USA. Thier only drawback is rimmed 303 cartridge. They must be loaded very preciecly and adds stress in battle conditions.

The m1917 enfields were chambered in 30-06. The patern 14 (P14) were 303 British...

 

[Phantom Man]

The m1917 enfields were chambered in 30-06. The patern 14 (P14) were 303 British...

The 1917 is one of the holes in my collection...
One of the other Mauser's that don't get discussed as Mauser's are the Arisaka's. The Type 38 is a budget M96 knockoff.

 

[ron]

Today's Vintage Rifle Match at TCGC. Theme is 100 years or older.
I can bring my O3 or 1917 US Enfield. I shoot the Springfield O3 better. From a
practical shooting standpoint I hate the Barley Corn front sight on the Mauser.
Vintage Military Rifle and Pistol Competition

 

[Phantom Man]

Today's Vintage Rifle Match at TCGC. Theme is 100 years or older.
I can bring my O3 or 1917 US Enfield. I shoot the Springfield O3 better. From a
practical shooting standpoint I hate the Barley Corn front sight on the Mauser.
Vintage Military Rifle and Pistol Competition
View attachment 506060

Nice rifle, Ron..!

 

[MountainBear]

@bsa1917hunter, what are you dressing your red pads with to get them to shine up? I've used vasoline and a few others, but really haven't had good luck getting the finish on the pad that I want.

 

[bsa1917hunter]

@bsa1917hunter, what are you dressing your red pads with to get them to shine up? I've used vasoline and a few others, but really haven't had good luck getting the finish on the pad that I want.

I just clean them with rem oil after grinding. It really cleans them pretty good.

 

[notazombie]

This thread is really making me want one. You guys are the worst. Instigators, all of you.

 

[Ura-Ki]

I keep passing these 1917's over, never sticking to one, and never really finding one that would be a keeper. I do have two Brit Lend Lease returns sitting in the back of the safe, but haven't even cleaned them out to see how the bores look! I just thought it would be fun to have a few Lend Lease Arms!

 

[notazombie]

Decent small town local gun show tomorrow. I'll be looking for one.

 

[Phantom Man]

Today's Vintage Rifle Match at TCGC. Theme is 100 years or older.
I can bring my O3 or 1917 US Enfield. I shoot the Springfield O3 better. From a
practical shooting standpoint I hate the Barley Corn front sight on the Mauser.
Vintage Military Rifle and Pistol Competition
View attachment 506060

Ron, Here is my Springfield 1903 made in late 1918. I have shot American Eagle 150 grain boattail (AE3006N) through it but it seems a bit hot. What off the shelf ammo would you recommend?

 

[ron]

No idea about factory ammo. I shoot nothing but reloads in my O3, M1s and ARs.
I am working on a +1100 rounds of LC71 Match 308 brass.

 

[Phantom Man]

No idea about factory ammo. I shoot nothing but reloads in my O3, M1s and ARs.
I am working on a +1100 rounds of LC71 Match 308 brass.
View attachment 506428

Nice setup.. That is bit too advanced for me now but I'm moving in that direction.

 

[User 1234]

1917s are great, as I learned yesterday!