M1917 bolt face problem? Need help

[Puddinhead]

Hi, I bought a Winchester M1917 last month dated 1/18. It is a Winchester barrel, receiver, stock, and most other parts. It does however have a Remington bolt. When I pulled the bolt out while cleaning the rifle for the first time I noticed light gouges out of the bottom of the bolt face. Upon checking online and looking at other pictures I realized that the center of the face is raised up about 5 thousandths from the bottom edge and the ring inside the outer edge. Every picture I saw had the bolt face machined down so the entire face was even except for the raised edge. It wouldn't chamber a round so I sanded it and got it to chamber with no problem. I haven't checked the headspace on it but I did drop a round in the chamber and racked the bolt. When I brought the bolt back it had grabbed the round and ejected it just fine. I'm wondering if anyone has seen a bolt face like this? If it was turned down even with the other part of the face the ejector would probably not grab the case very well. The edge of the case fits under the ejector perfectly, not too tight not too loose. Just wondering if anyone has any thoughts on whether this would be safe to shoot with that sloping edge? Thanks for any help and advice in advance.

Jon

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

I would shoot it, and look for any deformation of the case head on the fired cases. I would think if it doesnt blow out through the ejector groove cut, its not likely to blow out on the edge where the brass is thickest.

 

[4v50 Gary]

I'm worried about headspace.

 

[Puddinhead]

My 76 year old neighbor says it should be fine, I'm not so sure though. A gunsmith saw the bolt and said if the ejector is able to grab a round hand placed in the chamber then the headspace should be ok. I might get a field gauge and check it. I'm actually more concerned with the edge of the face angled off.

 

[PRD1]

I have seen this condition before, though rarely. It is not dangerous. The 'angle' on the bottom of the raised center of the bolt face is necessary to permit feeding of the round from the magazine, as, without the bevel, there would likely be interference with the cartridge at that point. So long as headspace is within specified limits, and the extractor accepts and holds the cartridge case, there should be no problem.

PRD1 - mhb - MIke

 

[4v50 Gary]

Headspace with a "go" gauge and not a field gauge.

 

[Puddinhead]

I have seen this condition before, though rarely. It is not dangerous. The 'angle' on the bottom of the raised center of the bolt face is necessary to permit feeding of the round from the magazine, as, without the bevel, there would likely be interference with the cartridge at that point. So long as headspace is within specified limits, and the extractor accepts and holds the cartridge case, there should be no problem.

PRD1 - mhb - MIke

I'm wondering why I've never seen the center part of the face sticking out like that, they're all flat from side to side. When I tried chambering a round it wouldn't go in that's when I realized it was all chewed up at the bottom. It does chamber fine now since I sanded and polished that part of the face. Thanks for the help!

 

[Puddinhead]

Headspace with a "go" gauge and not a field gauge.

I've read that even with a no go a lot of old milsurps will still chamber the round so they suggested using the field gauge. If it c chambers with the field gauge you definitely don't want to shoot it. Mind you, that's what I read on various boards/sights, that's not to say it's gospel

 

[243winxb]

Field Gauge: Field Gauges correspond to the maximum safe headspace dimension. If a rifle will chamber a field gauge, it should be inspected and repaired by a competent gunsmith prior to use.

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1007053619 corrected link.

When the case head is not fully supported on firing, the head may become unsquare to the chamber? A problem if neck sizing only.

 

[vintovka]

Something isn't right with that bolt. Can you get another to compare with?

 

[Puddinhead]

Something isn't right with that bolt. Can you get another to compare with?

I checked it against an Eddystone bolt. The Eddy didn't have the raised area around the firing pin. His and mine both held the round in the extractor tightly, but not overly tight. If mine was turned down flat like other bolts it would not hold the round. I'm assuming that it may have been a different type they tried? I'm obviously not too sure

 

[Dale Alan]

Could that be a bolt face ? Similar to a firing pin bushing but full full-size . Maybe to make the non-matching bolt headspace correctly .

 

[243winxb]

On firing, the case head should form to the bolt face. Like here.
.223 Saiga

A Russian gun control feature that marks the brass so the authorities can tell if ammo fired during a crime came from a civilian weapon. The central portion of the bolt face around the firing pin hole is raised. This imprints a ring on the case head around the primer when fired.The step measures .008" Removing it can cause excessive headspace.

View attachment 1009844

 

[vintovka]

Can you post a pic of any markings on the bolt handle?

 

[Puddinhead]

Can you post a pic of any markings on the bolt handle?

It has the ordnance mark on the topside and R on the bottom

 

[vintovka]

Ok, I would get W marked one. Reason I asked as i have seen some attempts to take a p-14 DP marked bolt and "try" to make it work in 1917. Strange, but true. And, as parts dry up, we will no doubt see stranger.

 

[Puddinhead]

Ok, I would get W marked one. Reason I asked as i have seen some attempts to take a p-14 DP marked bolt and "try" to make it work in 1917. Strange, but true. And, as parts dry up, we will no doubt see stranger.

I've been looking but no luck. Plenty of Eddystones and a few Remingtons that I've come across

 

[vintovka]

I've been looking but no luck. Plenty of Eddystones and a few Remingtons that I've come across

I looked as well. All seem out of stock and may be why yours came with a rem bolt. Since places like Springfield sporters went under previously cheap parts have skyrocketed. Will keep a look out and sent you a PM if one pops up to avoid "conflicts".

 

[Puddinhead]

I looked as well. All seem out of stock and may be why yours came with a rem bolt. Since places like Springfield sporters went under previously cheap parts have skyrocketed. Will keep a look out and sent you a PM if one pops up to avoid "conflicts".

Thank you. I'd appreciate that.