pattern 1917, should I build or?

[hartman23foscari]

So I purchased a 1917 sporterized a bit ago. Its a barrelled reciever and not much more to it. Im thinking of selling it rather then building it. Thought I would be able to find a non-milsurp stock for it to not destroy heritage, also dont want boyds due to looks, And parts seem harder to find. Also was thinking of rebuilding with a creedmore or some other high power modern round, but didnt realize how much of a project it would be. So thoughts? Would you still rebuild it? Resell it? Store it?

 

[hso]

Is the barrel cut or original? Which P17 manufacturer is it?

 

[hartman23foscari]

Is the barrel cut or original? Which P17 manufacturer is it?

iirc its a rem or winchester, rec has been taken down and given holes for mounting a scope mount. Barrel seems to be a brand new sporter barrel.

 

[hso]

If the receiver is tapped for a scope and the barrel is a replacement sporter then I wouldn't worry about what happens to it as long as it is safe.

 

[Pat Riot]

I had a sporterized 1917 Springfield years ago. It was rebarreled to .270 but had iron sights. I couldn’t bring myself to drill and tap the receiver for scope rings so I sold it to a friend that loved it just the way it was.

If I had a 1917 receiver already drilled and tapped I would proceed with the build, but it doesn’t sound like your heart is in it. Finding parts may be a chore but I am sure it’s doable.

 

[hartman23foscari]

If the receiver is tapped for a scope and the barrel is a replacement sporter then I wouldn't worry about what happens to it as long as it is safe.

its moreso finding a stock and parts.

 

[GBExpat]

Would you still rebuild it? Resell it? Store it?

Is the barrel cut or original? Which P17 manufacturer is it?

iirc its a rem or winchester, rec has been taken down and given holes for mounting a scope mount. Barrel seems to be a brand new sporter barrel.

I am a Milsurp Guy ...

IMO, that is no longer a Model of 1917 and not a candidate for being built-up into one ... not even close.

That said ... 1917 receivers have been used over the years as a strong foundation for many a custom rifle, though, just in case you decide to go that route.

 

[GBExpat]

BTW, hartman23foscari, I have actually done what I think that you are considering.

Years ago (~15?) I came across a nice fellow online who told me that in his pile, somewhere, he had an old, barreled action w/bolt for a Wz29 rifle (between wars Polish MBR designed around a Mauser 98 action). That information probably popped up from me mentioning the scrubbed Spanish Civil War Wz29 that I had.

He sold me the barreled action for $50, delivered and what I received was an item that sported almost all of its bluing and only a mild patina of rust ... none of Fe2O3 pitting that I had feared ... and the bore was mirror-bright and the muzzle was tight.

That is probably where I would have been stuck if not for Russell at Springfield Sporters. I took a chance that he might have some Wz29 bits lying about that were not enough to list in his posted inventory. What he came up with was everything else that I needed. It looked like someone had simply removed the original barrelled action w/bolt.

... and he only wanted $62, delivered.

Unfortunately, Springfield Sporters is no more. For decades it was the GoTo source for this kind of thing.

 

[Pat Riot]

its moreso finding a stock and parts.

Check out Sarco for parts. They list 1917 parts under “P17”. “P” stands for “Pattern”.

https://www.sarcoinc.com/rifle-parts/p14-p17/

 

[Jimfern]

BTW, hartman23foscari, I have actually done what I think that you are considering.

Years ago (~15?) I came across a nice fellow online who told me that in his pile, somewhere, he had an old, barreled action w/bolt for a Wz29 rifle (between wars Polish MBR designed around a Mauser 98 action). That information probably popped up from me mentioning the scrubbed Spanish Civil War Wz29 that I had.

He sold me the barreled action for $50, delivered and what I received was an item that sported almost all of its bluing and only a mild patina of rust ... none of Fe3O2 pitting that I had feared ... and the bore was mirror-bright and the muzzle was tight.

That is probably where I would have been stuck if not for Russell at Springfield Sporters. I took a chance that he might have some Wz29 bits lying about that were not enough to list in his posted inventory. What he came up with was everything else that I needed. It looked like someone had simply removed the original barrelled action w/bolt.

I'd love to see a picture of the rifle you built.

 

[ApacheCoTodd]

Sounds like - as described - a PERFECT opportunity to build a gun for you.

A marvelous chance to build my favored pattern hunter. A *safari* gun with a mannlicher stock and express sights behind an optional quick-detach fixed power scope.

Now, drive on with your bad-self!

Todd.

 

[Dave DeLaurant]

The barrel change and receiver mods certainly defeat the re-mil option. You can plug holes cosmetically to a point, but as you've discovered the number of components you'd need to source plus gunsmithing charges to fit and headspace a replacement military barrel would cost far more than another rifle in decent unaltered condition. FWIW, the CMP Custom Shop offers some services for the M1917:

https://thecmp.org/sales-and-service/services-for-the-1917-enfield-30-06-only/

For the benefit of anyone who just needs a replacement military stock, I am quite pleased with the Italian-made walnut job I purchased from Numrich/GPC a couple years back. It was over $200, but I was very happy with the workmanship and drop-in fit on my P14 (note: they have a separate action cut for the P14 and M1917, and they sell both new handguards separately):

https://www.gunpartscorp.com/products/1571830A
https://www.gunpartscorp.com/products/1571830B

 

[hartman23foscari]

Check out Sarco for parts. They list 1917 parts under “P17”. “P” stands for “Pattern”.

https://www.sarcoinc.com/rifle-parts/p14-p17/

Ill have to look into that.

Sounds like - as described - a PERFECT opportunity to build a gun for you.

A marvelous chance to build my favored pattern hunter. A *safari* gun with a mannlicher stock and express sights behind an optional quick-detach fixed power scope.

Now, drive on with your bad-self!

Todd.

lol thanks. I am tempted by it. Maybe I should keep it 30-06? I already have a hunting gun however. For shotgun my 1897 (which is a beautiful work of art) and for rifle I got my xcr-L in 6.5 grendel (semi auto is allowed)

 

[Dave DeLaurant]

If you want to see some possiblities for a sporterized M1917, do a Google image search on the A-Square Hannibal:





Not a cheap route, but this semi-custom rifle provides ideas for can be done with a M1917 action that has already been altered.

 

[doubleh]

If the receiver is tapped for a scope and the barrel is a replacement sporter then I wouldn't worry about what happens to it as long as it is safe.

My opinion also. They make darn nice sporters if the maker knows what they are doing.

 

[adcoch1]

1917 supporters can be very cool. Build without guilt if so inclined, but if you want a military configuration just buy a complete rifle. I am actually looking for another sporter since the action I have sitting here still has the rear sight and I don't have the heart to mill the ears off... Ah, gun projects....

 

[Random 8]

They make a fun rifle to shoot around the range, and a very solid...albeit heavy...hunting rifle in 30-06. I have one that was done likely in the 1950's, and it wears a goofy walnut stock with a cheek rest and palm swell. There's also a shadow from a non-standard receiver sight and some sort of clamp on front match sight, a very well done early glass bed, and a better than you'd expect trigger pull, so I'm guessing it was someone's poor man's NRA match rifle before it was drilled and tapped for hunting. The mass and geometry of the rifle make them very comfortable shooters. Cock on close takes some getting used to, but I actually prefer it once I got over it being "weird." I picked it up for a song from the local pawn and gun with the intention of building on the action, then I shot the donor. Accuracy is superb.

If you don't like the look of Boyds stocks, Richard's Microfit make several styles from racy to classic in grades from 2x4 to ex$pensive!. Their lead time is long, but IMHO they put out a good product. The other parts you need should be available with some searching. If it were me, I'd probably leave it in '06 and make up an inexpensive sporter for rainey days or just casual range shooting.

 

[Archie]

Already removed from original condition, absent finding and refitting an original barrel and masking the holes for the scope mount, it's gone in that respect.

On the other hand, it's a great action. The cock on closing feature is a matter of opinion; some like it, some don't, it doesn't matter to me.

Check with Richard's Microfit Gunstocks (on line under that name). They do make stocks for a number of older actions, and out of real wood, not flashy paint jobs. They have prices listed. Probably not the cheapest, certainly affordable.

That action is a monster. Don't waste it on some tiny caliber.

Just to satisfy my pedantic personality: The P14 rifle was a British rifle in caliber .303 British. The same basic design was barreled and chambered, the bolt face was appropriately machined for .30-06 Springfield and adopted by the U. S. as the Rifle, Model 1917 (M1917). No such thing as a Pattern 17, but it can be confusing. Read the long version sometime, it is both interesting and curious.

 

[rbernie]

If the rear sight ears have been ground off, as it sounds like happened here, then the rifle is never gonna be a candidate for restoration. Best in that case to use it as a practical sporter.