Sported Winchester 1917

Mustang51 · Sep 7, 2012

Few months back I glommed a sported 1917 Winchester. It looked like a workman like job of sporting and was cheap enough...

I stuck a Weaver K4 on this one (didn't care for the United that came with it) and shot it today. The "crown" (or what a gunsmith might laughingly refer to as a crown) is scary looking.

But even with the scary looking crown, it did ok..threw one to the 12o'clock and one went a bit wide

6 180 gr Federal Powr-shoks @ 100 yards

Question...How much improvement could I expect from a recrown?

303tom · Sep 7, 2012

Take one of these & touch it up & try it again.............

velocette · Sep 7, 2012

I don't know about the condition of your barrel, but my sporterized 1917 Enfield will shoot just over 1 moa (1 1/8") groups. It's barrel was re-crowned with an 11 degree target crown when I had the barrel shortened to eliminate the keyway near the muzzle.

Roger

velocette · Sep 7, 2012

Your crown can be helped by using a 1/4-20 brass slotted round headed screw, lapping compound and a reversible electric drill.
Place a patch or something in the bore to keep the lapping compound from dripping down the barrel, slather the head of the brass screw with lapping compound, then turn the screw forward & reverse with a rocking motion on the crown. When you get a smooth even finish on the muzzle, stop.
Do NOT assault the crown with a dremel, grinder, file, or other instruments of mass destruction.

Roger

Mustang51 · Feb 5, 2013

I recently got the barrel recrowned. The gunsmith recommended a very slight re cut and then recrowned the barrel.

Much better than the old "crown"

I hope to get to the range this week and see if there is an improvement.

TurtlePhish · Feb 5, 2013

You'll probably see a gigantic improvement in groups. That old cut is a sorry excuse for a crown- I wouldn't even call it that.

AlexanderA · Feb 5, 2013

The way the gun is now, with a partial sporterization, it's neither fish nor fowl. With the ground "ears" and shortened barrel, it can't be returned to the original military configuration. You might as well get a nice sporter stock, and sell the military stock and fittings to someone who's doing a military restoration.

Mustang51 · Feb 5, 2013

I bought this one to use in the "open class" (any sights/scope) of a vintage military silhouette match that my sons and I shoot in. We've been shooting in the "as issued" class, but curiosity about the "open class" is getting to me. I'll probably have to use the military stock for that

I've got several sported 1917's that have intact metal, but a cut stock. If I end up not being happy with this as an "open class" rifle, will put the stock to good use.

skyhorse · Feb 6, 2013

I prefer the U.S. Rifle Cal.30 model 1917 over many others. It might be the 15" LOP or the 15 lbs it weighs, but it just fits me well and it never-ever has any problems. I love those old Mausers. If I recall correctly I think Brownells sells dies for cutting crowns, or a local smithy should be able to cut one for $20-30

Nice rifle!

Mustang51 · Feb 7, 2013

Got to the range yesterday for a quick session. Didn't get many shots downrange, but did shoot a few with the sported 1917.

I was a little disappointed in the results...

I can't blame the new crown...it looks good

I'm not sure if I got everything back into the stock correctly...or if it needs a little firing to settle everything. There doesn't seem to be much up pressure on the barrel at the tip of the stock either...might have to shim the tang a bit.

Sported Winchester 1917

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