tolerances on a M17

[trooper554877]

Fellas,
I have a very nice, near new or mint M17 it is a eddystone.
Everything is there and correctly marked etc. I have one concern being new to these rifles. the bolt when closed an dcocked seemd to have a very amount of sideways and even slighter rear movement. We are talking less than probably 5-8 thou. worse when uncocked. Is this within tolerances for these rifles? I am only used to lee enfields and swedes.
Thanks in anticipation on any forthcoming info.
Cheers
NED

Information

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[Ken T]

Sounds normal enough.Have you fired it?If you check headspace using regular headspace gages a very light touch is required.It is possible on these rifles to close the bolt on a no go gage even when the headspace is good.The locking lugs and locking lug seats in the receiver function as closing cams.

[Jim K]

That is one rifle you just about must disassemble the bolt before checking headspace. Otherwise the spring will give false readings. Don't remove the extractor collar, and you may not have to remove the extractor, but definitely remove the bolt sleeve and firing pin.

Jim

[irishsteve]

Checked my 17, and 03a3.They both have lots of side to side play if I hold the cocking piece,and shake .A bit of fore,and aft play too.Ive checked headspace on each,and fired many rounds.Check a k98 mauser sometime.Talk about play.Guess they counted on lots of dirt during combat.

[Timmer]

I purchased a "sporterized" P17 from a friend of mine several years ago. He purchased it from an old retired rancher who had purchased it originally. Anyway, the P17's headspace is equal to my Ruger M77 Mk2 also a 30-06. And after swapping bolts my M1 Garand also has the same headspace. Sure makes it easy to reload as I shoot the same reload in all 3 rifles. And yes I have the same movement in the P17.