A different sort of P-17 ejection problem

So I got a m1917, Winchester mfg., and the darn ejector doesn't work. I've looked around the internet and it seems that broken ejector springs is a common problem with this model, but the thing is mine isn't broken as far as I can tell. When I install the ejector its got some slack to it, i.e. it moves back and forth on the screw a bit, but when I pull the bolt all the way back its taut, but still does not eject. Now I can't figure out if I'm reassembling it wrong, although it seems pretty easy to figure out; and the ejector worked before I disassembled and cleaned the thing out. I'm stumped.

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...66e05548-1.jpg

So looking through the original govt. manual it would appear that I'm missing the "bolt stop spring rest (figs. 40 and 41, on p. 16 of the manual). But I don't see any hole where the stud of this piece would rest...

Skispcs: Model 1917 Ejector Replacement

And then there's mine...

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...1d3acb6b-1.jpg

Its been milled off...

T-train, Wow, I've never seen that done before! Bubba went crazy with a hacksaw (or mill) on that. It lookks like his intentiion was to replace the rest by bending the end of the spring. There has got to be a way to put a little more outward pressure on that spring. I'd really check the rest of the rifle very carefully to see what other "customizing" has been done to possibly affect the safety of this rifle.Salt Flat

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Salt Flat

T-train, Wow, I've never seen that done before! Bubba went crazy with a hacksaw (or mill) on that. It lookks like his intentiion was to replace the rest by bending the end of the spring. There has got to be a way to put a little more outward pressure on that spring. I'd really check the rest of the rifle very carefully to see what other "customizing" has been done to possibly affect the safety of this rifle.Salt Flat

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That makes perfect sense. I was looking at it again yesterday and noticed that the spring had actually snapped at one point and was brazed back together! Good grief. I'll definitely look over this rifle again, although from the disassembly it didn't look too bad, but it won't hurt. I hope this is the only problem; maybe I'll have to solder something in to replace the stop. It does shoot well otherwise, and was hoping (once the ejector issue is fixed) to reblue the externals and get a new stock from boyds for a sweet enfield hunting rifle. The barrel is a handy length, and it has excellent sporterized open peep sights.

Or else the spring didn't crack but was deliberately shortened and then brazed back together.

The rifle's been hugely sporterized though. Like Salt Flat says...

iv delt with this issue a couple times...
the part of the action that holds the post for the spring has been removed...welding a new post hole at the back is the ONLY fix.. sometimes it can be done...sometimes its a high dollar tomato stake.

What if I was to solder or braze the ejector in place so that it doesn't wiggle? I'm thinking of this because I tested the rifle out by holding the ejector down with my thumb while cycling some rounds through the action, and it worked perfectly.

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Or should I just look into seeing what I can get in a trade, knowing I'll have to put some money down as this guy won't get me much.

doubt it would last..once you heat that spring....its no longer a spring..

Gotcha...



I might just try and trade this thing for a little something. Its becoming too much of a problem, and I don't need this particular gun anyway. Any idea what I might get, with its warts and all? $150...? It is a Winchester, and otherwise in good shape apart from a few external rough spots.

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...7e4a35af-1.jpg

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...7af576ef-1.jpg

I'm going to be at the Iola vintage military show this August 9th, if anyone is really interested.

Cute stock idea though. Thing is if it works, it'll kick like a horse...I should think. Would be neat to carry though.

I'll just keep it. I'm not going to get much of anything in a trade anyway. I'll try to solder the piece on first simply because its not hard at all and if it does work I just saved myself a lot of labor (its not the actual spring I'm working on and the spring has already ben cut down and brazed anyway); and if it doesn't work, well I guess my brother can teach me to weld!

I got it fixed, and by accident too! I read all about the problem with the leaf ejector spring breaking on this model, so I thought before I try gluing the piece down I should put a spring in there, so I just popped in a pen spring. I tried it out to make sure it cycled before I glued it, and the darn thing works like a charm! It was tossing loaded cartridges 3-4 feet away, so maybe the spring was just weak. Either way, I got a working rifle now, and just need to sight it in.