Model 1917

[RCS]

The Model 1917 is a very strong action and was used for many years with large caliber
cartridges and wildcats. During the post WW2 period and into the 70's Maynard Buehler
manufactured custom parts for Mausers and 1903/1917 rifles. Buehler was well known
for having the best scope mounts. In different ads mostly for the American Rifleman,
Buehler would show how he tested his different scope mounts and that despite the very
heavy recoil, his mounts always held their zero. One of his favorite test rifles was a custom
1917 in 505 Gibbs with an 18 inch barrel. Photo shows a 30-06 next to a 505 Gibbs

[RCS]

I should point out that large bore rifles were not really available in the USA unless you bought an
expensive English or German magnum Mauser. By the late 1930's Winchester chambered their
M70 for the 375 H&H magnum. The gunsmiths and wildcat reloaders only had the Model 1917
or Remington model 30 to test their large bore wildcats. Some guys in AZ even built their own
magnum Mauser actions while others just used two standard M98 actions that were cut in half
and then welded into a long action. The Model 1917 was inexpensive to use

[Phil McGrath]

I have somewhere in my collection of Precession Shooting Magazine's a write up on the machining and fitting of a 1918 BAR rear sight for its windage adjustability onto a M1917. Both sights are very close looking in there fit, function and appearance so I doubt today many would notice the difference as it doesn't alter the rifle appearance but for a few extra machine cuts inside the sight pocket that are protected from being seen by those huge ears on the rear of the receiver. The writer had very few issues holding the black at 1000yds with hand loaded ammo with a otherwise stock rifle. That long barrel and really long sight radius plus that added extra pound of weight over the 03 Springfield, really has me rethinking about taking it on as my next project.....

[RCS]

The original Browning BAR Model 1918 had the same rear sight leaf as the Model 1917 rifle, The later BAR Model 1918A2 had the rear
sight assembly that could be adopted to fit the Model 1917 rifle. Also the BMG Model 1919A4 had a sight leaf like the Model 1918A2.
The early sight leaf was graduated for the M1 cartridge and marked as such - while the later sight leaf was marked M2, the graduations
on the M2 sight leaf would be a better choice (photo shows M1 marked sight leaf).

[Phil McGrath]

I found the article Sept 1999 Precision Shooting. Too be honest for long range shooting the M1 calibrated leaf from the early 1919A4 might work better with 175-185grn loads, thanks for the tip on the 1919a4 rear sight I didn't know that. I couldn't find what the 1918A2 rear was graduated in so I will assume M2 ammo. Also on a side note the rear sight diameter on the BAR and 1919A4 is a little smaller .082 vrs. the M1917's .10 diameter.

[RCS]

After WW1 the USMC had developed the #.10 rear peep sight with a new thicker front sight for the Model 1903.

After WW1 there were different size 1903 peep sights, early was .04 but the .08 diameter hole was used

Photos shows early .04 and later .08 peep sight for the Model 1903

[Phil McGrath]

After WW1 the USMC had developed the #.10 rear peep sight with a new thicker front sight for the Model 1903.

After WW1 there were different size 1903 peep sights, early was .04 but the .08 diameter hole was used

Photos shows early .04 and later .08 peep sight for the Model 1903

Yes, I have a USMC #10 set on my SA 03a1 along with the USMC sight hood. It makes for a more realistic 200 zero and the sight hood is like looking threw a aperture, ie much reduced eye strain.

[m14brian]

They are cool rifles, my father in law has a sporterized one in 7mm Mag. It has a straight profile barrel that can make a ragged hole at 100 yards, the barrel a lone weighs more than my Rem700 Police. It was awesome to shoot. It had original rear sight but was scoped.
m14brian

[m14brian]

The addition of that BAR rear sight would add a completely different dimension to one of these rifles, sounds like a great part of your proposed project, Phil.
m14brian

[Phil McGrath]

The addition of that BAR rear sight would add a completely different dimension to one of these rifles, sounds like a great part of your proposed project, Phil.
m14brian

At the subtle suggestion of RCS I think he is right, the 1919A4 is the better option as its calibrated for the M1 173gn load @2700fps and that would work/agree much better with hand loaded 175 and 185 ammo running the same or near same velocity. Not that I'm looking too match the graduations on the rear sight but being close cant hurt either... I've heard the rumors that the M1917 action is prone too cracks near the breaching ring when rebarreling weather true or not I don't know. I have heard that M1917 actions were made from NS same as the late Springfield's?


Not being a Winchester man and I've heard that the Eddystone's weren't all that great. So when the time comes I think I will be on the look out for a Remington action small parts can be replace along the way. I think Criterion is making a replacement barrel so takes the worry out of finding a good barrel.



And like any project cost is always a factor, but the bigger issue is finding a smith that's also a semi machinist that can actually measure and is willing too make the needed cuts in the sight pocket. As well as envision the final outcome......



When the time comes, I will name my project Long Range M1917A2.....

[m14brian]

I've heard the rumors that the M1917 action is prone too cracks near the breaching ring when rebarreling weather true or not I don't know.

I have heard the same rumors about the receiver cracking and the Eddystone rifles but I don't know, I only had one Winchester.
m14brian