Early PGW M15 actions

[stickhunter]

I just purchased a hunting rifle on the EE that was built on an early PGW M15 action. I was initially under the impression that PGW had released the M15 action just a couple of years ago, but in searching CGN, I found some threads from as far back as 2005 that mentioned the M15 action, but unfortunately the pictures links are now broken. I'm now thinking that PGW may have reintroduced the M15 action.

Could someone fill me in a bit on the history of the M15 action? e.g. when was it first introduced and did PGW sell the action by itself, or as a barrelled action or complete rifle? Did early M15 actions use the same barrel nut used on the current generation?

If anyone has pictures of a rifle built on an original M15 action, I'd be very interested in seeing that.

Thanks!

For reference, here's what the current M15 action looks like, although even these pictures show some variation (e.g. round vs. faceted receiver rings and similar round vs. faceted bolt shroud):

 

[Toolman]

I just purchased a hunting rifle on the EE that was built on an early PGW M15 action. I was initially under the impression that PGW had released the M15 action just a couple of years ago, but in searching CGN, I found some threads from as far back as 2005 that mentioned the M15 action, but unfortunately the pictures links are now broken. I'm now thinking that PGW may have reintroduced the M15 action.

Could someone fill me in a bit on the history of the M15 action? e.g. when was it first introduced and did PGW sell the action by itself, or as a barrelled action or complete rifle? Did early M15 actions use the same barrel nut used on the current generation?

I have one from 2005, as best as I can recall they were making them for a few years at least before that. I bought mine as an action only, although they did eventually build the entire rifle for me. I think at that time you could get any configuration you wanted.

No barrel nut, just a conventional threaded barrel into the receiver.

I’ll try and find some pics and post later.

 

[dan belisle]

Hard to remember, but at least the very early 2000's. I recall being in their shop and looking at one around that time. Every time i was in winnipeg, i would visit them, the farmer supply store, sir. Earlier i would also hit the gunsmith supply guy and the big surplus store on portage. Good times. - dan

 

[stickhunter]

I have one from 2005, as best as I can recall they were making them for a few years at least before that. I bought mine as an action only, although they did eventually build the entire rifle for me. I think at that time you could get any configuration you wanted.

No barrel nut, just a conventional threaded barrel into the receiver.

I’ll try and find some pics and post later.

Thanks toolman! If you have a chance to post a picture of the receiver, that would be great.

I believe the bolts were fluted back then, but do you recall if there was any mention of nitriding? I assume the early M15 actions had the same Remington 700 footprint as the current ones and could take any Remington 700 trigger?

 

[Toolman]

Thanks toolman! If you have a chance to post a picture of the receiver, that would be great.

I believe the bolts were fluted back then, but do you recall if there was any mention of nitriding? I assume the early M15 actions had the same Remington 700 footprint as the current ones and could take any Remington 700 trigger?

Yes, all of my M15’s (I have 3)have fluted bolts. I’ll get a group pic of them shortly. I have a Jewell in one and trigger tech triggers in the other two.

 

[Toolman]

These are mine.

First pic are the bolts with the oldest on the bottom.

Top to bottom;
223 repeater.
260 SS, RBRP
6BR SS, RBLP, to my knowledge this may still be the only RBLP they have made to date. It is for sure the first one they did.

 

[PGW Steve]

The very first action produced by Prairie Gun Works was a LH M18 (700LA) Titanium in the fall of 1997. I'm sure there were some M15's that happened shortly there after, so early 1998. The early M15/18 actions were made by us on a manual lathe and milling machine, our first CNC came in 2003. For the two years before that, we're making the Timberwolf/Coyote rifles manually as well. We never produced any M15/18's on CNC until 2015 or so. All M15/18's can use the 'Remage' barrel nut style barrels or, have a gunsmith prefit. The thread of all the actions was 1-1/16"-16TPI, same as the 700, screw spacing and trigger location the same too.

 

[peterdobson]

We have an early version of the M15 form our friends at PGW and have used it for many years in a .308 Win TR rifle on its second barrel- works flawlessly.

Regards,

Peter at Hirsch P