Winchester Model P17 Advice

[Singer B]

I am thinking about a possible restoration project project involving a Winchester P17. The rifle is for sale at a local gun store and price negotiation is in progress. I'm thinking I can pick it up for 100-150. The metal is rough but no rust. Bolt is a little sticky, but it is pretty obvious this gun hasn't seen a service in a very long time. The bore is dark but no signs of pitting and the rifling looks good. The front and rear sights are there with the front sight missing the protective ears. The butt plate and rear swivel are there. "Bubba" had his way with the stock. It has been carved and shaved down to just about nothing. It will definitely need new wood (all three pieces), lower band, upper band, handguard ring and front sight protectors. The metal, while rust free, looks a little rough and may need to be re-finished (bluing or parkerized?).

I know it will not be a true collectors piece, but will it be the worth the the approximately $600 it will take to bring it back to its original form? Anything I should look for prior to purchase that would scream "I cant be fixed!"? Should I completely take it back to original with new wood and the metal parts refinished or keep it in original condition and try to match that condition with parts that match its original condition? thank you for your advice.

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[martin08]

The Model 1917 has gone up in value along with everything else. If you have $7-800 in the end, you will be right in the ballpark of a low end example.

[Singer B]

The Model 1917 has gone up in value along with everything else. If you have $7-800 in the end, you will be right in the ballpark of a low end example.

Would that be with leaving the metal as is and dropping it into a new set of wood or refurbishing it to like-new? Thanks!

[martin08]

For myself, guns with refinished metal drop in value drastically.

[MAC702]

If it has brand new wood, I'd already have given it full "refinished" docking, so I'd rather have it look beautiful all over, assuming it shoots well first. I wouldn't put much into making it beautiful if it doesn't shoot well.

[ssgross]

can you share some pictures?
deciding to refinish or re-parkerize a parts queen after bringing it back to it's original glory is always the very last decision for me. I like my parts queens to shoot well, and I love caressing them on the firing line knowing that my own hands did the work. I don't really care what others would be willing to pay for it (to a point) - that will be my kids' problem. If they shoot well, I'm willing to spend the extra money for a trip to the "rifle spa", knowing I won't be selling it for a better one.
On the other hand, you don't want to get swindled out of the gate and flush cash in a money-pit project. If you can pick up a broken or neglected sporter right now at the price you gave, with parts still readily available to bring it back, and total cost < $1000 or so when you're done, I'd say you're in the right ballpark. You'll enjoy the work, and enjoy the satisfaction shooting it for years to come...unless your plan is to turn a quick profit.

[Singer B]

can you share some pictures?
deciding to refinish or re-parkerize a parts queen after bringing it back to it's original glory is always the very last decision for me. I like my parts queens to shoot well, and I love caressing them on the firing line knowing that my own hands did the work. I don't really care what others would be willing to pay for it (to a point) - that will be my kids' problem. If they shoot well, I'm willing to spend the extra money for a trip to the "rifle spa", knowing I won't be selling it for a better one.
On the other hand, you don't want to get swindled out of the gate and flush cash in a money-pit project. If you can pick up a broken or neglected sporter right now at the price you gave, with parts still readily available to bring it back, and total cost < $1000 or so when you're done, I'd say you're in the right ballpark. You'll enjoy the work, and enjoy the satisfaction shooting it for years to come...unless your plan is to turn a quick profit.

I wish I could but it is for sale in a shop with no photos allowed. Since this rifle will be purchased on my C&R, it won't be for a quick profit. Your point reference this "being my kid's problem" is extremely true. If this were an all-matching Kar98k, Type 99, 91/30 or SHTLE/SMLE, there would be no question. I guess my issue is that with American guns, since there is no "numbers matching" process, I have a very hard time gauging their value, both historically and monetarily. Fortunately, I'm not in this to make money (my kids are going to get it all!), but as you say, I don't want to go too deep into a "money pit." I'm thinking this may be one of those projects where I just bring it back to its full glory and as you say, enjoy the work and the final results. Thanks!

[jamie5070]

For $150, I'd take a chance on that all day long. If it shoots well, just about anything you do to it, will be worth it.

[Singer B]

The owner finally set a price of $300. I told him to call me back when he got down to $150.

[ssgross]

Even at $300 it's a good deal. A brand new stock, hand fit with love from you is ~$250
https://www.shop.macongunstocks.com/...y-Stock-Ex.htm
https://www.libertytreecollectors.co...idproduct=9092
Worst case scenario you need a new barrel to make it a good shooter...brand new criterion is $200 and in stock at CMP...but they take 2 months to ship right now they are so far behind.
Your front sight is $20 at SS. https://www.ssfirearms.com/proddetail.asp?prod=17en6
Sounds like all the other miscellany parts that would be expensive are already on the rifle.
$40 for a reamer rental and you have a shooter for for under $1k? Most serviceable examples are going for $1200 - parts queen or not. Right now I wouldn't let an extra $150 stop me if I was ready to work on it now. Even as a parts queen, you'll make up that value easily as things escalate over the next 4 or(hopefully not) 8 years. Heck. If I had pictures and the name of your shop I might even buy it out from under you at $300 (mostly kidding ).