Winchester M1917 question

[nylo]

I recently obtained a Winchester M1917, its in great shape...a little dark due to years of oiling and etc. I plan on giving the stock a good cleaning and very light sanding and re-oiling with linspeed oil as I did on my M1A.

However, I noticed that the bolt action doesn't seem to be as smooth as I would think. And even though I gave it a good oiling, it just seems a bit rough instead of smooth like my model 70.
I don't see anything hanging it up, any suggestions or ideas?

thanks
Rob

Information

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[yoopercollector]

It has a cock on closing bolt, can that be the difference? Model 70 cocks when the bolt is opened.

[browningautorifle]

it just seems a bit rough instead of smooth like my model 70.

Could it need a good strip and clean? Hard to determine exactly what you feel is rough though.

[oldfoneguy]

Do the numbers stamped on the bolt handle match the numbers on the receiver? Bill

[Richardwv]

Many possibilities, staring with your model 70 has a polished bolt riding on polished rails. These rifles, particularly the post WWI reworks have a (by comparison) rough finish on the bolt/rails that was never polished to the level of the Model 70 to begin with. Add to that an almost invisible film of oxidized oil and things tend to get a little sticky. While others have their own methods, I find scrubbing the moving/bearing parts in boiling hot water with a good detergent lifts old oils from what folks thought were a clean finish. Scrub the parts, dry, new lube and things might just be a whole lot slicker.

[Ridolpho]

My three P14's all require a fair tug to begin retraction of the bolt after lifting the handle (with or without a fired cartridge). Chambering a cartridge is smooth, by comparison. Is the initial pull on the opened bolt where you're finding it stiff?

Ridolpho

[RC20]

The receiver is a nickel base metal as is the bolt.

That creates a sticking combination.

The may be pure steel replacement bolts and that would help.

I just have gotten used to it.