Detail Strip

[flyrod40]

I would like to take my M1917 apart to understand it a little better and possibly refinish the stock. Could someone please point me to a link that explains how to dis-assemble the M1917.
Thanks in advance,
George

Information

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[TRICKSTER]

This covers the bolt. Collecting and Shooting the United States Rifle, Caliber .30, M1917
and this covers the rest. Collecting and Shooting the United States Rifle, Caliber .30, M1917

[flyrod40]

This covers the bolt. Collecting and Shooting the United States Rifle, Caliber .30, M1917
and this covers the rest. Collecting and Shooting the United States Rifle, Caliber .30, M1917

This is exactly what I was looking for. Thank you very much!
George

[bearhunter]

Those are excellent sites. There is one tiny little detail that they don't mention. It is seldom seen in exploded diagrams either.

There are two metal spacers. One for the front trigger guard screw and one for the rear trigger guard screw. These were the fore runners of pillar bedding. Truth be known, it is pillar bedding. These were used in many different military rifles. They work well and shouldn't be discarded, or even removed from the stock. Some times, these spacers are loose. Not a good thing, they should have an interference fit and not fall out. If you have a loose set, they can and usually will effect accuracy to some degree. Most of the time, a quick wrap with masking tape will clear up the problem. Not always though. Then, you have three options. 1 - clean up the hole and fill it with matching color epoxy, mixed with walnut sandings. 2 - clean up the hole by drilling it out and glue in a proper walnut plug. 3 - replace the stock. For numbers 1 and 2, the holes must be drilled out for an interference fit for the spacers and of course, trimmed for length.

This is much more important than most people realise. Most of the posters on this board, that are familiar with these pillars, know how important they are. The only other method that is as effective as pillar bedding, is glass bedding and pillars even make that method better. Glass bedding, of course, isn't a mil spec option.

[JBS]

Option 4 if the guard screw bushings are not tight in the stock is to turn new bushings oversized just enough to be pressed in with a little pressure. Chuck in Denver probably already has a drawer full of various over size bushings that just need to be trimmed to length.