Using a 1903 Springfield magazine spring in a Pattern 1914 or M1917

[Kiwi]

Does anyone out there know if a 1903 Springfield mag spring can be substituted for a P14 or M1917 magazine spring?

Information

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[jamie5070]

One of the first things people are told to check if they have feeding issues is the mag spring. So they may be for your rifle, or not.

[Randy A]

It can, but you'll have weak pressure because of the deeper well on the 17. Lot of folks claim that was the cause of feed issues.

[Kiwi]

Thanks Randy A. I am short of a spring for a rebuild and I can get a 1903 spring relatively easily here in NZ, but the P14/M17 springs are a bit harder to come by. Will try source the correct part from the US as its not worth the hassle of feed issues.

[jamie5070]

Try it first and see how it functions. From what I have read on other threads is that it can be a real PITA to export parts from the US.

[ArtPahl]

Per Charles R. Stratton's book, the magazine springs and followers of the US 1903 and 1917 are identical. But the upper arm of the 1903/1917 spring is too long to fit the 1914 follower.

Hope this helps.