M1917 Rifle - Cannot Get Bolt Apart

Hi guys,

I'm brand new here but I inherited my grandpa's "sporterized" M1917 rifle. It's a beautiful rifle and I really like it... Got the stock looking really nice again by treating it with some linseed oil and all the surface rust came off with some gun oil and minimal elbow grease. Looks to be a great gun and the rifling looks pretty good too. Can't wait to shoot it.

Only one problem: Haven't been able to get the bolt apart. Every manual and place I've looked up has said to pull the bolt open, put the safety all the way back and then close the bolt. However, when I do that, it requires a VERY large amount of force to push it forward (like I'm putting my entire body weight into it practically, and I weigh 210 lbs) and it still won't go. In fact, after I push hard enough, it forces the safety off and the bolt almost closes entirely minus the rotation.

Any thoughts? How can I get this thing apart and inspect the firing pin, spring, etc. and make sure it's all ok? Anyway to do it without having to use the above method?

I did some research: There may be a problem with the safety or the trigger. I'm not sure how to diagnose the issue. Anyone seen this before or understand the inner workings of the M1917 series or Enfield rifles? They may be similar enough to be the same problem.

The gun does NOT fire when the safety is engaged. Nor does it fire when disengaging the safety (without pulling the trigger). It only fires after the safety is disengaged and the trigger is pulled. So it seems to pass a basic function test.

Is there another test I can try to verify proper workings of the safety and trigger?

Safety is #1 and I want to make sure this gun is operating 100% properly before I take it to the range.

Thanks much in advance.

im going to post a how too later today..it will help.

Thanks for the guide, Chuck. I'll use that method instead. Question though: Does the fact that my safety "gives" under the pressure of the bolt when trying to do it in that method imply any kind of safety or trigger malfunction in the rifle? Just want to be 100% safe.

Thanks!

the safety lever pushes a pin, that matches with a hole in the back of the bolt handle, so that it cant be lifted when the safety is engaged, remove the parts i have shown, has nothing to do with the safety, to remove the safety, you can search the gunsmith section, i have a how to with pictures as well.

---------- Post added at 01:16 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:13 PM ----------

M1917 Safety installation

The safety seems to function properly when I test it. IE will not fire when the safety is on. So I'm probably ok. Thank you! I'll try that alternate method to taking the bolt apart. :)

not aware of any other way of getting it appart..

Quote:

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Originally Posted by chuckindenver

not aware of any other way of getting it appart..

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I posted about it previously.

http://wetlands.simplyaquatics.com/d...1917bolths.pdf

That is the method I was using previously and it made my safety go from safe to fire while putting pressure on the bolt. This made me think I may have an issue with my safety. I'm going to use your method to disassemble the bolt and assume all is fine as the safety does not allow the weapon to fire while on safe, nor does toggling it to fire cause it to fire.

go figure...part of what i was looking for!

i found an m1917 in our families toolshed. (go figure) i'm curious in anyone has ever restored one from the ground up, and, if so, where can i find specs for this old rifle? (such as headspacing,etc.)

the stock is rock solid, the action still functions rather nicely, the bore doesn't look to horrific, and i figure, i always wanted to re blue something, so why not?

mechanically, the only not sure i can find, is the extractor looks a little worn, but, i live 40 minutes from sarco, so parts are do able.

thanks in advance for any info. it'll be nice to have an american milsurp for a change.

i restore them daily..from the fround up