I have a M17 Enfield action (Remington manufacture, serial no. 501505) that is already partly sporterised (ears removed) and I would like to turn this into something really special. I have seen a number of M17s that were so reworked that you could hardly recognise them as M17s and they were real 'purty'.

My question is - what modifications do you guys recommend for an M17.

I am planning on converting to cock on opening, straighening the floorplate and the bolt handle. I also seem to recall seeing an M17 with a 3-positional bolt shroud safety at sometime - anyone else know anything about such modifications? Who makes the kits, etc?

If I can make this action slick enough, then it might become a .505 Gibbs so that I can finally find a use for the .505 reamer, dies, cases and projectiles that I have stockpiled.

Let's see, and this is only from the standpoint of a client that has a couple of enfields (one being worked on), not a gunsmiths perspective, so there is probably stuff i don't know can be done.

Aside from the truing up, and the stuff you talked about there is of course the removel of the ears, get rid of the stripper clip slot, recontour the ring and bridge for scope (if so desired). Add a guide rib to the bolt and make a corresponding slot in the bridge. For your big cartridge you are going to need to move the bolt stop back, so remove the spring rest that it currently uses. By doing that and removing the original safety and replacing with a M70 style you can't believe how sleek the action will look. Straighten the rear guard screw and recontour the rear tang and you make for a better grip shape in the stock. Here is a picture from Thos. M. Burgess of Montana (Enfield specialist) and the action on the left has had a few of the touches added to it already and you can see how good it looks.


I know that Mr. Burgess makes a M70 style safety for these (at least there was one on the Ultimate Enfield that somebody posted pictures of, it might not have been his). There is another person who makes them as well, he makes them for just about everything actually, but I cannot remember his name and cannot find my notepad where I wrote such important things down. somebody here will know though.

I may be in the minority on this one, but the original safety is one my favorite features on an Enfield. It is perfectly placed and can be smoothed up very nicely.

My Enfield has a hinged floorplate, so I unload from the bottom and the absence of a 3-position safety isn't an issue. But if you want one I understand that someone who knows what they are doing can file another notch into the v-shaped safety plunger for a positive firing pin lock but still cycle the bolt.

I would second what DagoRed said about recontouring the tang- it's stubby and angular and will give you hell when you try and shape the pistol grip. It will never look as nice as a Springfield '03 tang, but you can definately improve the lines.

I have a P14 action that I had reworked several years ago that I'm holding for a .300 H&H project (that I still haven't gotten around to!) After polishing the interior it operates as smooth as silk.

BwanaBob, Three position safeties for the P-17 Enfield are available from Ed LaPour Gunsmithing in Bremerton WA. It is my understanding he bought this and several other products from Jim Wisner when he closed PME. At least that is what Ed told me. Ed can be reached at 360-479-4966.

Cock on opening? yes, do not use the Numrich kit. Do it by welding and re-engeneering the cam.

Straighening the floorplate?....no, just throw it away, the mag box frame makes the stock too boxie.

Alter bolt handle? yes, weld on new handle . Or at least straighten it as done on the 720 and add a new ball. Do not just bend it straight, it will end up too long.

3-positional bolt shroud safety? I would not do this. First they are very expensive and second the present safety is a good one. You can smooth up the thumb lever to make it look nice. The safety bolster is the safety locking lug, I would keep it.

The previous pictures look great. Definately get rid of the bolt release pad and clip guides.

belaw,

I have a Rem M17 that has a 03 springfield trigger guard fitted to it. Looks good not the wide pregnant look of the stock tg. This was a popular modification in the 50's and 60's.I think it might be in McFarlands gunsmith book.
By the way whats the beef about the Numrick kit, mine went on easy and works without a hitch.
The Enfield carries a lot of steel just for the 06 cartridge, much better for the Big Boomers.

Bob

The Numrich kit will leave you with a 5/16" firing pin fall. That works OK most of the time with the factory trigger. If you go to an over ride style, like a Timney, you are likely to get spotty ignition. If you keep the issue trigger you get a crappy trigger pull.

I think Ed Lapour is the guy I was thinking about that made those safeties. Personally though I am with some of you and prefer the safety that is on it from the factory, in fact it is my favorite feature of the enfield. And it is a very good safety.

I don't know what cock on opening kits are on my 2 enfields, I think Dayton Traister, but both have timneys. have never had any trouble with the whelen, and I know my gunsmith won't send me the 458 unless it is 100% business baby, and he hasn't mentioned the trigger or cock on open kit.

Red

Question about safetys I have a 1927 rem. model 30 and the safety only pulls back about to about 10:00 and my model 720 comes back past 9:00 . Or the 720 safety swings back farther . I like the model 30 safety not swinging back as far so a custom stock can have some wood in that safety area instead of haveing a big void, or cut out.

What is the deal with these diferent safety swings? And how do you take the safety apart from the reciever?

Hi GSP. I believe it has to do with the various stages of conversion from cock on closing to cock on opening along with different firing pin mechanisms that remington went through with these rifles. FWIW - Dan