I'm in the process of reworking a 1917 .30-06 which doesn't fit me. A new stock was necessary. I've found that the Bell and Carlson stock won't accept the original bottom metal, but calls for "bent" bottom metal, just ahead of the floorplate.

How easy is this to accomplish? What's involved? I just took delivery of the stock and it won't fit without modifying the bottom metal. I'm so confused and don't know what to do... Any help out there?

Looking to end up with a rough and tumble general purpose North American hunting rifle for deer, elk and black bear. This thing is accurate enough as it stands, but needed the new stock.

Thanks, Guy

Hello:
It seems to me it's not to big a job to alter. Most books on gunsmithing I've seen, show how it's done. It just involves a little cutting and welding. I believe a Springfield trigger guard can be modified to work too.
Griz

gents,
just find a p-14 bottom...slides right in,,,Been there,done that...doing it again and again actually 45nut

Not sure how straight you're talking here -- is the bottom of the stock flat, or is there a small 'pot belly' to it? Probably the most common sporter mod to the Enfields is straightening the trigger guard to streamline the stock, ala the Remington 30 / 720. Therefore, if the bottom of the stock is totally flat, just order a Remington 30 triggerguard - the original floorplate, release/catch, etc. should all fit.

http://www.e-gunparts.com/product.asp?chrProductSKU=838910

Good luck,
Todd

The Bell & Carlson stock has a "small pot belly" to accept the standard military 6 round magazine.

The 1950's era wood stock I'm replacing fits the floorplate fine, but the B&C glass stock sure doesn't.

Guy

Well, I think what I'm getting from your explanation then, is that you need an original bottom metal set with the step still in it for your P17 to fit the B&C stock. If you do make this change, you'll probably have to change the trigger as well. - Dan

My buddy and I are both (eventually) putting this EXACT stock on our .338 RUMS (on P14 Enfields).

Please, if you would, share your impressions of the stock. Also, I need the measurements at the butt of the stock, NOT WITH THE RECOIL PAD INCLUDED, as to height of the stock and width of the stock. I wrote to Midway, they said call Bell & Carlson, I did, left a message, no return call. I want to order a Pachmayr Triple Magnum and an appropriate spacer (I'm a tall guy). Also, could you give me a rough idea of the LOP measurement, from the trigger (or where the trigger would be if the gun was assembled) to the butt of the stock (without the recoil pad).

Thanks very much.

Russ

I think maybe I'm starting to figure this out. You're talking about a model 1917 that was sporterized in the '50's, and apparently had the normal 'bent' triggerguard cut and welded straight, so it is already in the Remington Model 30 configuration. The stock from B & C is for an as-issued Enfield with the pot belly magazine / triggerguard. In that case, all you have to do is order the standard 1917 Enfield triggerguard from Numrich:

http://www.e-gunparts.com/product.asp?chrProductSKU=413050 (triggerguard)

The mag box may have been cut down too, so you may need a new [used] one:

http://www.e-gunparts.com/product.asp?chrProductSKU=413030

Hope that helps.

Todd

Edited: Somehow I missed Dan's post; pretty much what he said! Should you desire to part with the triggerguard and mag box now in your possession, please e-mail me.

[ 12-24-2002, 20:30: Message edited by: Todd Getzen ]

Todd - that's it! I'm getting better educated about this old rifle now. The floorplate that I grew up seeing on Dad's rifle is the flat "sporter" version. Since I'd seen it all my life I just figured it was the standard version. Thanks! Guy

Russ, I've got the stock and the tape measure right here...

LOP with recoil pad is 13.5"
Pad is just a bit under 1" thick
LOP without pad is 12.5" (roughly)

Height of butt (w/o pad) is 5 inches
Width of buttpad is 1 5/8"

General impression is that it's a decent stock. Fairly compact and lightweight so it should make up into a good handling rifle. Mine is tan w/the black spiderweb paint. Looks a lot like the stock finish on the Weatherby Accumark and Super Big Game whatever rifle.

I have a Timney trigger on my Enfield, so I'm going to have to do a little more inletting work before it fits right, but that appears easy to accomplish.

There's some molded-in checkering on the pistol grip and on the forearm. The sling swivel studs are nice and tight and the factory recoil pad is perfectly fit to the stock. Not a bad looking setup, for a 'glass stock. Hope this info helps. Now I've got to order some more parts so I can put this thing together! Regards, Guy

I think I have a p14 floorplate unaltered , if it will fit onto the M17 I will swap you for yours as I would flatten this one eventually anyway.

Guy:

"THANK YOU!" Precisely the information and type of report I was looking for. Yup, these are the stocks we'll be getting. I now also know how thick of a spacer to get besides the recoil pad.

Seriously, many thanks.

Russ

Russ

If you have any use for a 1/4" hard rubber spacer, I bought one I'll never use. I can just mail it to you.

Todd

Finally got the B&C stock properly fitted onto the old 1917 action! Rifle looks good, utilitarian, but good. Nice lines, once you get used to the 1917 "pot belly" magazine well. Ah well, at least I can cram six .30-06's into the magazine and another into the chamber if needed.

Located a nicely blued original "bent" floorplate.

The stock took more bedding and fitting work than I anticipated, but it's snug now.

The rifle lost about three pounds between going to the glass stock, losing the sights, and chopping five inches off the barrel. That B&C stock feels real good, the rifle is comfortably light and handy now with a 21" barrel. I anticipate using it during this fall's deer and elk seasons.

I'll have it out to the range within a week or two and will post the results.

Russ, I had some misgivings when I found out how much bedding/fitting it was going to take, but the finished product was worth the effort, and all the handwork that went into it is invisible.

Nice to have the old girl updated! Regards, Guy

[ 02-18-2003, 08:10: Message edited by: m700 ]