M 1917 gun porn coming tomorrow!!!

[Burrhead51]

That is an awesome looking setup for that rifle, I'm glad for you in finding it and I am sure your Surrogate Dad will be very pleased to have the scope in use again. About the only reason I had that web site in mind for you was my reading a book on Carlos Hathcock and the rifle he carried in Vietnam He use a 10X on a bolt 30-06 and did some major damage to the enemy there with his rig. So good luck and enjoy your new rig. I hope Coonhunterjoe see's this thread.

[millman]

I hope Coonhunterjoe see's this thread.

What the hell ever happened to him?

[Junk Yard Dog]

The stock is typical 50's style, my sporterized Mauser k98k has one done in a similar style. The scope looks like something out of the 19th century Have you tried it out yet?

[dolk]

How is that installed?

Bolt on or Drilled and tapped?

dolk

[miklognasser]

JYD----No sir, I haven't tried it out yet. Its been in the triple digits several days here and WAY to hot to be outside. We are hoping for a break in the weather at some point and then we are definitely going to get it dialed in. My good friend still knows how to work that beast of a scope so it should be interesting.

Dolk----The bases are drilled and tapped (target bases. Not your typical bases). The rings slide on the bases and then you tighten them down. There is a little cut out on the bases for the rings to secure too. Hope that makes sense. The gun seems to have been set up for target shooting.

My only concern is that the scope only has 2" of eye relief and I don't care to get an '06 eyebrow

[miklognasser]

Burrhead-----Not to get off subject but, I just finished reading another book about Carlos Hathcock. Its called Silent Warrior by Charles Henderson (same author as the first book). Its pretty good.

BTW----The scope is still clear as a bell

[bunkysdad]

That is an amazing looking piece of glass. after Kari mentioned the book on scopes and gun sights, I found it on Ebay and Amazon and it is now on my short list of books to acquire. That kind of information is always great to have on hand. Silent Warrior huh? Sounds like another one for the short list of must have books.

[dolk]

Dolk----The bases are drilled and tapped (target bases. Not your typical bases). The rings slide on the bases and then you tighten them down. There is a little cut out on the bases for the rings to secure too. Hope that makes sense. The gun seems to have been set up for target shooting.

Makes me sad to see a nice 1917 with the stock all cut up and the receiver and barrel drilled and tapped. Sad thing. Especially as it is one of the rifles I am looking for.

This should be in a different forum, not in "Classic Military Firearms", or are these forums no longer "Preservation" based any longer?

dolk

[miklognasser]

Dolk-----I apologize if my photo's offend you. If the moderators of this forum see it fit to remove it, then that is their call.

However, I came to this site originaly, when I was having problems with my M1. Along the way, I learned a lot about it from people here on this forum (Sgt. Rob and JYD for example). I also learned some information about this recent purchase. In addition, I made a few friends as well.

If you have any ideas of any forums where sporterized military rifles are welcome, I would like to know of them, since they seem to be few and far between (if any).

In closing, if I have mis-read what you stated in your post, please let me know. Otherwise, I will continue to hang around for awhile

[dolk]

Sporterized military rifles are every where you go. To get ticked off about it is a waste of time. To be insulting to someone it uncalled for. They are just not my cup of tea. It's sort of like Michael Jackson's nose job, once it is done, it can't be undone. One of the reasons I came to these forums is it's preservationist stance.

A year ago your rifle might have got you run off and maybe banned by the owner. Although I tend to agree with him on preservation, perhaps a more tactful approach to the issue would be a better road traveled. I'm not always the most tactful person in this field. But, I will try harder in the future.

Your rifle doesn't offend me, however it does sadden me. I'm trying to express to you how I feel and but not trying to offend you. A lot of the history of the rifle has been lost and that is the sad part (for me). I wouldn't let my opinions upset or offend you, not if I were you. After all, it's just my opinion and what do I know. I do find it a strange piece to post under "Classic Military Firearms" if you see my point.

Perhaps I have failed to change with the times on these points. But preservation is what set these forums off from all the rest. If it doesn't have that, then it is the same as a dozen other forums on the internet. You know the one's...the ones with all the arguing and rudeness.

Well, I'm getting like Kari here (no offense Kari ), so I will put an end to this, but be assured, I am not "offend" and I hope you are not either and I hope you do hang around for a long time. Maybe I can convert you over from the "dark side"

dolk

[miklognasser]

Dolk----Thank you for the reply and explanation sir. I appreciate it. Also, I was not offended by your comments. In fact, I appreciated your honesty.

I believe that I understand what you are saying about preserving military rifles and I respect that. However, I have a little bit of a different take on things that I will try and explain.

Due to money and space constaints (we live in an apartment now and are on a fixed income) I do not have the luxury to indulge myself in collecting firearms. You see, in 2008, I lost my job due to a chronic illness (at the age of 40). In 2009, we lost our home of 16 years to foreclosure (the people at Chase Home finance are gonna smoke a big turd in hell ). From this experience, I learned two things. First, material things can be replaced and secondly, my wants are not as important as my needs. Now, I purchase firearms to fit a need, not a want. I use my newly acquired customized M1 Garand (its a mixmaster) as my go to gun, and cannot think of a more nobler use for it. My M 1917 is the same thing, I will use it for high power competition, deer hunting or just plain plinking.

I guess the bottom line (for me) is this, a firearm is a tool and I will pick the best tool for the job. For me, this is a surplus/ex-military rifle. Its kind of like shopping for tools, if I have the money, I will buy a Dewalt tool before I will buy a Black and Decker one

Finally, as far as coming over from the dark side, well, I have a little bit (I think). I had a somewhat valuable M1 that I was going to get customized. However, after talking with a certain individual here (you know who you are ), I decided against it. Instead, I found an individual who appreciated it for what it was and sold it too him. This allowed me to get my customized M1 and do it without feeling guilty.

Okay, I'll shut up for now. Time for bed!!!

Mike

[Junk Yard Dog]

You get used to them, I have seen, or handled thousands of firearms of every type, milsurp, sporter, sporterized, repop. When I look at rifles like these I tend to remember the era they come out of, and the people I remember who treasured them, the hundreds of storys of hunts gone by. Today's bubba work is easy to pick out in most cases, they are crude, poly covered, hack jobs that are considered "good enough" to get by as a "deer rifle" This 1917 is more the classic work of yesterday done for, or by men who didn't settle for "good enough", stocks had to be properly finished, bluing done just right. A generation of hunters who had fought the world wars, and didn't want to see another "Army Rifle" let alone carry one, the sporter rifle built from a milsurp was disguised enough to keep some of the bad memory's of wartime gunslinging out of the hunt. View them in that context, and remember the men for whom they were made. Every now and then life reminds us that there are so many worse things than a butchered army rifle, if seeing a hundred of these, or even a thousand were the worst thing to happen to me this week I would get down on my knees and thank God.

[dolk]

Mike,
Good, I am glade you were able to see my point and I was not trying to offend you our the rifle here. I understand how sportsters became sportsters. I was hoping to do my part in trying to make sure "one more" collectible rifle does not fall to the knife. There are better rifles out there (modern rifles) that are less expensive than a 1917 and are far more accurate. I have no idea how you came by your 1917 and what you paid, but for the most part modern rifles are cheaper and more accurate than the "old guys".

However, some sporsters can be had cheap and they are real good shooters, so I understand why they are being used. And I certainly don't advocate destroying them. That would wrong and a waste.

I went back and reread your post and I think what might have got me a little "distraught" (not really, maybe just made my eyes roll a little ) was the use of the term "pseudo sniper". Snipers are snipers. They are or they are not (to me). A sniper rifle is a tool of a military expert in his field. I think many use the term way too loosely and I get a burr under my saddle about it sometimes. Your "pseudo sniper" bothers me far less than a "Fake" sniper. It is the "Fakes" that have made me a little sensitive. I can appreciate your rifle as a long range rifle. It is an exceptionally nice job of putting it together.

But I would hate to say "I just love it and I want one" and watch everyone with a hack saw go buy a 1917 rifle and cut it apart to make one. People will do that you know.

Not wanting to "whip a dead horse" here but, it was just a strange place to show a weapon like this, in Preservation forums. Maybe we should have a "Other" category?

dolk

[miklognasser]

JYD----Thank you for your post and insights. Your wisdom, honesty and integrity is much appreciated and helpful. One of the reasons that I bought my 1917 is because it appeared to be a "professional" sporterized job. Someone definitely took their time and took pride in their work when they did her.

Dolk---Thank you for replying to my post and I am glad that that there are no hard feelings between us. I value and respect the people's opinions on this board.

As far as this rifle is concerned, there are no plans to do any chopping, hacking, butchering to her. I look at my 1917 as a nicely sporterized 1950's specimen that could have been used in competition or as someone's deer rifle. By putting the scope on her, I was trying to bring her back to her "original" use or purpose.

As far as the whole sniper thing, in retrospect, I was probably wrong in saying that. For this I apologize. Since there is so little information available about these rifles and their uses after WW I, I will never know her true story. However, for me, I like to "think" that she had a rather colorful past

As far as where and how much I paid for it, well, here's the story. I frequent a small pawnshop in town and found her on the racks along with many other bolt action rifles. I was drawn to her because first, she was a military rifle and secondly, it appeared to be sporterized in the "old school way" and finally, I don't have the money for an original. The owner was asking $225 but lowered it to $190. I had some trading wampum (non firearm stuff) with me that he wanted so in the end, I only paid $100 dollars for her. I definitely think I got the better end of the deal .

In closing, I think the idea of having an "other" place on the board would be a great idea!! It would allow some of us who don't have original military firearms to post pictures, ask questions, etc. Seeing that I have been unable to find any other forums that have a section specifically dedicated to sporterized/modified military firearms, it could be a "one stop shopping" place for everyone with a military rifle.

Mike

[dolk]

Mike,
I sent you a PM.
Something you requested.

dolk

[Junk Yard Dog]

I bought my Mauser from the UPS guy who claimed financial hardship was forcing the sale of a prized family treasure. His child was sick ( sick child with him for display) roof leaking, car making noise, no food in the house, job in peril of layoff. He got $195 worth of pity money out of me, and I need that rifle like I need another hole in my head. Found out later that him and the kid went right to Cabela's and bought new hunting coats and ammo, he thought it was real funny, payback is a bit** he forgot I have a friend works for UPS, I know all, and hear all. It was his uncle's deer rifle from the 50's, he had no use for it so went shopping for a sucker and found one. Every time I would start pointing out how the rifle couldn't be put back to rights, and should be less money the kids tears, and snot factory would start up, " daddy I'm cold" The two should start a comedy act. That sort of thing works only once with me.

[Junk Yard Dog]

We do have a "rifles" section were this stuff could go.

[miklognasser]

JYD----That UPS guy "won't need a jacket where he's going when he dies"

The rifles section, DDUUUUUHHHHHH

I am such a bonehead sometimes . Sorry guys!

Mike

[Junk Yard Dog]

No worries, moving stuff around is what I am here for....all done, it's in rifles now. That UPS guy was doing the crap runs for a month as a fill in driver, he got the heavy runs nobody wanted, broke his back.

[miklognasser]

Thanks for moving my post to the correct place JYD, I appreciate it.

Sounds like the UPS guy got his comuppance (sp?)!!!! I love it when a plan comes togethor