Winchester Model P17 Advice

[Singer B]

Even at $300 it's a good deal. A brand new stock, hand fit with love from you is ~$250
https://www.shop.macongunstocks.com/...y-Stock-Ex.htm
https://www.libertytreecollectors.co...idproduct=9092
Worst case scenario you need a new barrel to make it a good shooter...brand new criterion is $200 and in stock at CMP...but they take 2 months to ship right now they are so far behind.
Your front sight is $20 at SS. https://www.ssfirearms.com/proddetail.asp?prod=17en6
Sounds like all the other miscellany parts that would be expensive are already on the rifle.
$40 for a reamer rental and you have a shooter for for under $1k? Most serviceable examples are going for $1200 - parts queen or not. Right now I wouldn't let an extra $150 stop me if I was ready to work on it now. Even as a parts queen, you'll make up that value easily as things escalate over the next 4 or(hopefully not) 8 years. Heck. If I had pictures and the name of your shop I might even buy it out from under you at $300 (mostly kidding ).

Your advice makes sense, but I'm holding out until he gets to $200! By the way, the shop is located in Madagascar next to the McDonalds!

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[ssgross]

the shop is located in Madagascar next to the McDonalds!

and I bet the seller is King Julian?

I'm rooting for you Singer! Mostly because I feel sorry for people from California...you deserve some good luck once in a while. Just don't let it walk away.

[Singer B]

If things go well on Sunday, I will add one of or a combination of the following - AC44 P-38, No 5 Mk 1 carbine and American Eagle 1906 Luger. And if I strike out completely (which has been known to happen....regularly), then I may have to swallow my milsurp "I ain't gonna overpay" pride and buy that wreck of a P-17 so it can be saved......

[72 usmc]

If you are into expensive redo projects where you get 1/2 out of what you invest into it, kind of like old car restoration. A labor of love.

It is best to buy a great condition M 1917- 30-06 for safe queen if you want a WW I rifle. What do you want it for? I'd buy a nice Remington 700 for a shooter or deer rifle. Instead of say $600-700 you will have $900- 1000 into something better, but be better off on either decision. A nice scope will run at least $1000.

[M1 C FAN]

It`s very rewarding restoring a treasure. I found a Winchester leaning up in the corner of a pawn shop stuck in a chopped stock with a nearly perfect bore. And after about $650-$750 in parts and accessories I have my favorite shooter. Hope you can bring back another veteran.

[Singer B]

It`s very rewarding restoring a treasure. I found a Winchester leaning up in the corner of a pawn shop stuck in a chopped stock with a nearly perfect bore. And after about $650-$750 in parts and accessories I have my favorite shooter. Hope you can bring back another veteran.

Well, I think that photo just convinced me.....

[M1 C FAN]

I love my Winchester. I had a friend who had a ???? stock minus the hand guard he wanted $100 for and said I might want to look at... I threw the money at him when i saw it. I don`t care that it is a Remington stock it is a great piece of wood. The rest of the parts came over a period of 6 months finding just the right handguards and barrel bands. She is truly my favorite 30-06.

[fjruple]

I would jump on that rifle in a heart beat at that price as long as the receiver was not messed with (Missing the rear sight ears). Barrels are easy to replace if it is shot out.

[ssgross]

My Winchester came with a stock stamped R on the tip of the forend. Metal and bore great. stock fits perfect. shoots lights out!...but the stock had been roughly handled and lots of scratches and dings showing bright wood under the patina. Light and careful wiping with lacquer thinner or acetone lifts the oil dirt and grime out of the wood, and "moves" the color around so the dings now look original. Feels and looks like a dough-boy in the armorer's trench slapped a used stock on a rifle whose stock became unserviceable, and sent it back into action. Parts queen or no, it's a real pleasure doing the work, feeling the results in your hand, and seeing them on the target. I'm at the stage now where I need to "pick my top 2 restored shooters" of each model and sell the others in order to keep buying project rifles. Sure, I may take some losses here and there...but compared to other normal hobbies like golf, or taking the Mrs. purse shopping, or league/rink fees for playing hockey, I'd say my restoration/refurbishing hobby is pretty cheap!

[Singer B]

It's still sitting in the shop at $300. I'm stopping by there today to pick up some AR parts but I will remind the owner of my $200 offer. He also has a NPM M1 carbine that is pending placement on the shelf and that is my #1 priority. That 1917 is still calling to me though......