Found my M1917 had been modified...THE HORROR!

[1903Collector]

After all that work, I would test fire some rounds through it and see what the case look like. Even take a mic to them so you have before and after measurements. Even if it's out of spec, you could reload for it, neck sizing only, and keep those rounds for that rifle only.

Good advice! Ive never done that, but perhaps its time. Ive got the dies and a Dillon press, but Ive only reloaded pistol rounds to date.
This experience made me wonder about all my other rifles of foreign calibre that I have. First, the barrel has nearly no erosion, so how is it the headspace fails? Was it cut too long!??! Or is it actually OK? As to the other rifles, most with barrels not near as pristine, how do I even know what the headspace status is? Ive shot my type 97 sniper, G43, VZ52, WWI Enfield No1Mk3, FInnish M39, Moson Nagant 91/30, k98 Mauser, Mause 33/40, etc. many times and no issues!!!

Am I being to cautious or conservative?

---------- Post added at 10:08 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:04 AM ----------

Ive seen A LOT of M1917 bayos for sale lately, and at reasonable prices! A few years back they seemed very scarce!?!? Mine has a UK scabbard at the moment, but Ive got a proper M1917 scabbard coming soon. Ita seems the WWI scabbards are almost rarer than the bayo.

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[browningautorifle]

Ive got the dies and a Dillon press, but Ive only reloaded pistol rounds to date.

Don't try to load those in a dillon, too much of a problem. You have to size, trim, chamfer, tumble before you can load so you can only do one step...sizing. Use a single stage.

Am I being to cautious or conservative?

Perhaps have the headspace checked but I suspect it was when the barrel was changed. If so go out and have fun, stop worrying.

[1903Collector]

Jim, I have the gages and checked it myself! ;-( I also changed the barrel myself. (Is that analogous to a defendant representing himself having a fool for a client!?!? ;-] )

The removal of the old barrel and installation of the new one went extremely well and took little time. I was thrilled with the results and flying high after it all assembled so well amd the bayo finally fit and felt so smug while I checked the bore erosion, but crashed and burned when the bolt closed easily on each of the gages.

Today I will try to verify if the rifle had been chambered to a different 30 cal. cartridge, but it is academic because if it is not correct and headspace unsafe, I will need another barrel (and call the guy who sold me the "new" barrel and ask for my money back!)

One step forward...two steps back!

Now for the bitter sweat ending, so yesterday I visiting Lee's Gun Parts in Irving, TX to pick up some Enfield mags and '03 and Garand parts (Jeff has EVERYTHING and somehow knows where to find the most obscure part in the small ramshackle store front store that has ben a fixture in the Dallas area for decades) we discussed my M1917. Both Jeff and his "tech" (old crony) suggested I bring the rifle in (mostly, I expect, to get a good laugh at my expense, as Jeff is wont to do) to check the headspace and chamber cartridge type, but advised that I was more than likely "screwed" (that was not the exact word they used!)

After Jeff scrounged for my parts (and showed me a pristine M84 scope, and more tantalizingly, a serialized Griffin & Howe M1C mount that I cant afford) I noticed a pristine example of a Eddystone M1917 with Kerr sling and frogged bayo hanging on the wall tagged at a pretty damn good price (this is typical of Jeff at Lee's Guns, parts and guns for exceptionally low prices (as well as advice and deserved ridicule) are always available as well as many obscure parts and firearms. So...without thinking it thru, but despairing of finding another barrel with good bore and verified chamber sizing, I bought the damn thing while mentally justifying an expense I cant really afford, by thinking I can at least change it back to the shortened barrel and sell it, and sell the Kerr sling and M1917 bayo separately (with the modification clearly explained in the description, of course!) in order to offset the purchase of the Eddystone.

Surely someone out there will be looking for a good M1917 shooter and will not be too bothered by it being 3/8" too short and unable to fit the correct bayo!?!?!?

So next week, Ill take heed your advice and take the Eddystone out and murderlize a lot of hanging paper at 200 meters! :-)

[browningautorifle]

I also changed the barrel myself.

I can do mine as well, even things like Lee Enfield and Mauser so I'm not surprised. Just so many can't.

Keep the Kerr sling for the new one as it's right and yes convert the other back. You can return the "New" barrel and recoup some of the cash for the sale of the shooter M17. That way the white elephant is gone.