New to me 1917

[mattgunguy]

My very first 1917 and maybe my new addiction. It just feels right for some reason. September 1918 production with a July 1918 barrel. A mix master, mostly Eddystone parts on the receiver, Remington barrel and upper hand guard, Winchester stock, The bore is very rough but there is still good rifling left. All topped off with seventeen inches of good pointy Remington steel it is a good day.

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[A. F Medic]

Welcome to the Addiction!!

[Col. Colt]

Looks like a great start! You may be pleasantly surprised just how much rifling is still there. The first 1917 that got my interest was a Post WWI rebuild with a Winchester 1919 barrel and the rifling didn't look that great. But I brushed it and filled the barrel with some of the "Wipe Out" Chemical Bore foam, and let it sit for an hour or two. Pushed the patch through and got a LOTof black carbon color on the patch. Foamed the bore again - and waited. Patched it, got a lot of blue copper. Foamed it again. More black patches. Next time blue, then black - you get the idea. The gun had at least five distinct layers of fouling, layered up in the grooves. I do like Wipe Out Foam, and the non-Foam version, Patch Out. Heard about it on a Benchrest board, figured it must be pretty good if those guys liked it.

I've seen the same thing on old sporters - it is obvious the owner never cleaned it, and when the accuracy went away, traded it off, thinking the barrel was shot out. Some bargains may be had this way! Good luck with your M1917 "Piece of History". CC

[mattgunguy]

Thanks for the tip Col. Colt I'll give it a shot. Cheaper than a new barrel.

[browningautorifle]

You'd be surprised how well a harsh looking barrel will shoot. I think you should put a 1907 sling on it though. Even if it's a repro so you can actually use it. Then you can get the brass frog WW1 marked copy...Pacific Canvas www.pacificcanvasandleather.com

[mattgunguy]

Oh yes I totally agree on the sling. This is just the extera one that I had on hand. Thanks for the link. They'll be money from me soon. Here's a quicky family pic from earler.





Keeps on growing

[A square 10]

agree on shooting it as is - you may find it to be a cleansing experience , often they shoot very well , the accoutraments are a must ,

[mattgunguy]

Four days of scrubbing and soaking. Bore is dark, to be expected. But thre's a little shine left to it. Definatly pitted, but One of my yugo's is pitted and stll a good shooter. Rifling is still good and strong though. the bullet in the pic says it all.



I'll get to the range soon I hope. The wife is an enfield addict, but she's liking the action of this one.

[Chuckindenver]

heres the hot trick for your bore,
remove the rifle from the stock, and use hot soapy water in your kitchen sink, and a worn brush, run dish soap right done the bore, from the breach end, and let the muzzle sit under the hot running water, everytime you push the brush into the water, black nasty will run out, do this until no more black comes out, wrinse well with hot water, then oil, and reclean with solvent and a oiled patch, run WD 40 down the bore, let sit for an hour, and then a dry patch, then take a gander...
most of these rifles were used for salute rifles, and black powder blanks were used, only way to clean black powder nasty is with soap and water.