How do I know if I need a new barrel?

[BGvanS]

Hi all. I am a new member. I bought my first M1917 from the CMP north store in March. It is a salvage grade Eddystone made in Sept 1918. It looks much nicer than I had expected based upon the CMP's description for salvage grade. The local gunsmith that I took it too also thought that it looked to be a lot better than salvage grade. The barrel bore is dark. I did not see any piting and I do see rifling. The CMP muzzle gauge dropped well into the bore, probably close to a 3. An HXP bullet fits tight in the muzzle end. I have read that sometimes on an old barrel, mlling a few 16's off the muzzle and re-crowning can improve the accuracy of an old barrel. I have not asked my gunsmith to headspace it yet. If the headspace is OK, should that tell me it is safe to shoot? If the headspace is not OK, does that mean I have to replace the barrel? I am not a serious shooter but I would like my rifle to be reasonably accurate and not shoot key holes at 100 yrd. I am looking for opinions on how I should proceed. Thanks for your input.

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[Homer2]

I'd get it headspaced first. If it passes, clean the barrel as best as you can and see how it shoots. In addition, shooting it will help clean it. Shoot 5-10 rounds and fun a cleaning rod or better yet bore snake down the barrel. Should clean a lot out. If you can't group after about 50-100 or so rounds, or if you notice that you are getting key-holes (bullets hitting sidways on the paper), then you may want to consider a rebarrel.

The problem with a rebarrel is that the replacements are expensive (up to $200) and Eddystones have been known to develop a cracked receiver during rebarreling. They are 90 years old. It's almost better to save for a better rifle than rebarrel one.

***edit: If it fails headspace, try another bolt body (or several) before rebarrel. My P14 that was sold to me as a non shooter because of bad headspace became just fine with the investment of $35 and a new bolt body. You may need to buy several bolt bodies to try and get a match, then resell the rest. If you can't get it to headspace then, rebarrel.

[BGvanS]

Homer2,

Thanks a lot for your post. A new bolt body, if it fails headspace, sounds like a good idea that I would never have thought of myself. I have been too focused on trying to find a new or newer, replacement barrel.

[Dan Wilson]

Yes, a counter bore could get you much better performance if your muzzle is worn excessively or off center.
As to the headspace check, you will want to go for broke and start with the field reject gage because it will probably be close.

Dan

[Chuckindenver]

these rifles were used by Honor Guards, and shot with black powder blanks,
use hot soapy water to clean the bore, and follow up with regular bore solvent.
DONT SHOOT IT CLEAN...!!!.
if hot soapy water wont clean it, swap the barrel.

[BGvanS]

Thanks Dan and chuckindenver.

I checked with my gunsmith and he had done a headspace check. He said that it headspaced OK, although I did not ask what gauge he used. So, in his opinion it was safe to shoot. I am going to go with a counter bore and see how it shoots. The new criterion barrels for an M1917 that just showed up in the CMP estore are tempting however.

Before I took it to my gunsmith, I did swab the barrel with perhaps 100 patches, a bore brush and bore cleaner. The patcheswere finally coming out with some gray on them but pretty much clean. I will try hot soapy water when I get it back.

[Fick_2141]

Shooting at least 100 rds through it before you decide on a new barrel is good advice.
These haven't been shot in decades. All of the cleaning and refiring reconditions the barrel. Shoot it at 200 yrds if you can, and give it a chance to get on stream. If it just looks dark, it's ok. Mine is dark and the zero is still walking, but shooting ten ring groups. I have a new barrel, but I am waiting to see if this one continues to improve before yanking it.
If it will shoot 3 MOA at 200 leave it alone.

[John Sukey (Deceased)]

I would seriously doubt there would ever be headspace problems with any P14 or M1917.

[Homer2]

My P14 had too much headspace. It closed on a field gauge (0.074). The result is that most of the time, the primers dented, but did not ignite. I swapped bolt bodies, and now it's a sure-shot.

[irishsteve]

Dont wait too long to decide if you need that new barrel.Last time they had them they sold out in about a week.They get them about once a year so they move quick.