is there still enough meat on the front ring to for it to be safe?

From time to time while scrounging up milsurp actions I see one that someone tried to sporterize and the gun ends up with a crest that can barely be read.

I have seen the threads showing old actions being surface ground to remove crests completely so am I correct to assume that if the crest is still readable the front ring hasn't been too thinned down?

That would depend. Generally yes, assuming that the action had not been rebuilt by the arsenal at some point. Often during the rebuild the old crest was scrubbed and a new one added. If that is the case, there is a chance that removing the new crest could result in too thin a receiver ring.

In my experience I've never seen removing a crest take more than .015" of grinding which won't adversely effect strength. I've never heard of arsenal's replacing crests but I suppose it's possible.

quote:

Originally posted by Toomany Tools:
In my experience I've never seen removing a crest take more than .015" of grinding which won't adversely effect strength. I've never heard of arsenal's replacing crests but I suppose it's possible.

Well, lets see: the Turks refinished all their rifles in the 30's & 40's. All the 1903's which originally had German markings were scrubbed and new Turk crests applied. Same for their 1893's, etc. On some of those 1903's they removed a full .35' to .040" and when you factor in the .015" you mention to remove the new crest, well, you can see how it's easy to exceed .050".

The Yugoslav's scrubbed their M24's and restamped them when they rebuilt them into the 24/47.

Most romanian vz24's were scrubbed but I only saw a few that had been restamped.

So, yes, it is fairly common but limited to a few countries.

I would also caution to be carefull if you intend to use a Kar98.

The gun I'm concerned with is a Remington P17 Enfield, the front ring markings are not full depth and I was concerned.

quote:

Well, lets see: the Turks refinished all their rifles in the 30's & 40's. All the 1903's which originally had German markings were scrubbed and new Turk crests applied. Same for their 1893's, etc. On some of those 1903's they removed a full .35' to .040" and when you factor in the .015" you mention to remove the new crest, well, you can see how it's easy to exceed .050".

The Yugoslav's scrubbed their M24's and restamped them when they rebuilt them into the 24/47.

Most romanian vz24's were scrubbed but I only saw a few that had been restamped.

So, yes, it is fairly common but limited to a few countries.

I would also caution to be carefull if you intend to use a Kar98.

I'll say it again: I learn something new everyday...but some things I know already.

Thanks!

I see lots of german K98 receivers with dovetail base mounts (AKA type mount) on the receiver front ring ( Not square bridge)!!!

quote:

Originally posted by Recoil Rob:
The gun I'm concerned with is a Remington P17 Enfield, the front ring markings are not full depth and I was concerned.

M1917's are fairly tough actions and the breech end of the barrel is large enough in diameter that it leaves lots of steel around the chamber. You're probably fine.