Stupid Question

[CurtDawson]

I know that everyone likes the 700/110 or custom actions for long range target,varmit,tactical etc...But what are the minus's of using a 1917 Enfield action?

 

[TRECustom]

Curt, I haven't rebarreled a 1917, but I have seen several customs built on these actions. The rear top of the receiver has a really ugly integral sight base that needs to be ground off and then trued in a lathe or mill. I believe that there is still an unsightly oblong recess in the bridge after the sight horns are removed. Also, the floor metal has a dogleg in the front tang that has to be flattened out to make it look good in a sporter stock. The action is cock on closing as I recall, but can be converted to cock on opening.

On the plus side, they are strong and long actions and years ago were used by some fine gunsmiths to build Magnum rifles. The last custom sporter that I handled had all of these modifications done, was in .300 Win Mag in a sporter weight Douglas barrel and a very nice Monte Carlo stock. It repeatedly shot 180 gr Nosler partitions into 5 shot 1/2 moa groups at 100 yds.

Bottom line for me is that if you have a 1917 that has already been "sporterized", it's a lot of work but can yield a fine custom rifle. However, if you have an original full military 1917, don't cut it up. It is much more valuable than a sporter built from it and is also historical. Sell it and get a Remington with money left over, or shop around with the money.

Hope this helps. Good shooting, Tom

 

[BoydAllen]

Trigger availability
Stock Availability
Required amount of gunsmithing to sporterize
lug faces and seats are angled, making difficult to blueprint