1917 Headspace ?

[Shake Rag]

I just purchased an Eddystone 1917 with a barrel date of 9-17. This matches the serial number, as to date of manufacture. I have forster gages I use in my m-1s. Can anyone fill me in on the proper procedure to check if this rifle is serviceable. Thanks, Shake Rag

Information

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[Dan Wilson]

Completely strip the bolt, even the extractor, reinstall the bolt
insert the gage into the bore
slide the bolt home and pretty much let gravity close the bolt and if it doesn't go all the way closed you pass. I wouldn't even bother with a go or no-go gage as the Field Reject gage is the one you really want.

When closing the bolt, if you use any force at all it can easily override the gage and give you a false reading, this rifle has tremendous camming power on closing the bolt!!

Dan

[cary m2a]

Had the same thing done on my M1917 like you say it dont take much and you can go right past it.Oh be super carefull getting the extractor off the bolt as they can and will break if forced just by a little .I found out years ago on a P14 snapand off to numrich arms. good luck . Cary

[Shake Rag]

Thanks all for the info. I checked it out and it looks like I'll have a shooter. Special thanks to Dan, for his input, as he has helped me with questions on other forums. Let's hope this new forum will be a success.

[Jim K]

FWIW, I do not recommend that the extractor be removed for headspace checking in a M1917 or similar rifles because of the possibility of damaging the extractor, and because extraction of the gauge is easier with the regular extractor. Do not chamber the gauge then close the bolt, just slip the gauge under the extractor and guide it into the chamber. Always remove the firing mechanism and spring, though.

There is also no need to remove the extractor or ejector of an M1 rifle or M1 carbine IF the gauge has a cutout for the ejector.

Jim