Headspace gauges for P17?

[72 usmc]

Bummer, maybe when at the range or have access to a friend's rifle, bring the gauge and try another bolt in the rifle. But those complete Us 1917 enfield spare bolts are going over $100. Or see if the primers back out when shooting, or go to reloading by fire forming brass and neck sizing for that rifle. No hot loads.
Libertytreecollectors has complete spare bolts, I just wonder how many you got to try to see if one may change the headspace. I'd try a few of your friend's bolts in your rifle and see if it might improve the situation prior to buying an expensive complete bolt. Most of the old guys got at least one of each maker when it comes to those nice US 1917 enfield

Or buy a $30 bolt body as a spare that matches the rifle maker and see if by some luck it passes a test. Lots of bolt bodies & bolts on flee bay.

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.

[1903Collector]

Attachment 121545Oh, you can find them with good chamber, muzzle and throat erosion values, BUT, even those may turn out to have an issue! Read on...

I bought an M1917 a few years back and just now got around to checking it out and WHAM...it was unscrupulously modified. All my firearms are shooters, but Im a collector and have slings, bayonets, and accessories for each of my 87 long gun collection (WWI, WWII, & Cold War, so I had to have the proper bayonet mounted on it for my display. So I recently acquired an M1917 bayonet, tried to mount it on the rifle, and the muzzle ring would not go over the muzzle. When the handle was placed on fully the bottom of the bayonet muzzle ring was EXCACTLY in line with the top of the muzzle!

After some help with the guys here on this forum I sussed out that the barrel had been shortened by 3/8" (two turns) at the chamber end, the barrel turned down and rechambered. My guess is that it was a NOS barrel that someone tried to cut the headspace, cut too much, and ruined the barrel (Ive done it myself to a total of 4 '03 and A3 NOS barrels...I cringed each time thinking that I knew better!) Anyway, the owner at the time then put the modified barrel back on, found a unknown handguard ring that was too small, and would only fit to the seam between receiver and barrel. Then bubba-scam-artist cut the lower hand guard so that everything "fit" and to the casual observer looked like a normal M1917. The new headspace was good and the ME and TE were both under 1.5!

OK, so that resulted in a good shooter with lots of life left, albeit NOT to spec let alone "as-issued". To some, that might not have mattered, BUT the GB listing never mentioned ANYTHING about the modification! Now I confess that if I had done my homework and paid more attention I should have noticed that the rivets were missing on the far end of the lower handguard, but otherwise, it was a fake...a good fake, but a fake! I was devastated (last week was when I discovered all this.)

Well, this story ends well as I just finished restoring it to spec (still not as-issued as it has an Eddystone lower handguard, but at least the handguard is not modified!) I acquired thru EB a used by nearly pristine Remington barrel that was even closer to the date of manufacture base upon the serial number (the guy even turned out to be "local" and I was able to fully check out the barrel before purchasing). I got a proper handguard ring and a nice looking used handguard (it even had similar wear characteristics as the rest of the wood!) and it all went together effortlessly (even the barrel change went well!)

So it is possible to acquire a decent M1917 these days...but it may take some effort and just a little additional cost! And as always...CAVEAT EMPTOR!

[Rockandroll]

I have plenty of others to shoot. I’ve collected M1’s and others for years. Got more ammo than I’ll ever shoot. So, no big deal. I’m a reloader so I might be able to get around this. Thanks for the help guys.

[Wineman]

Here is the best information on the site for Headspace for a M/P 1917 (and Remington Model 30's).

https://www.milsurps.com/showthread.php?t=34474

Unless you have stripped the bolt and used finger pressure only, these rifles can easily close on a No-Go or Field gauge like a round of ammo.

Dave

[72 usmc]

Wineman this was so good I had to repost the link with credit to you for pointing the reference out on SRF. Thanks

[Wineman]

You are welcome. Maybe my Giants and your Brewers can meet in the playoffs?

Dave