P14 .303 to restore

Hook

Hook

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Alberta
Hi everybody.

I was at the Dawson Creek gun show this weekend and I picked up an 1917 ERA marked P14 in .303 Brit. It has been hacked with the shortening of the stock, handguards removed, and bubba cut the wings off the front sight and replaced the blade with a brass bead. Other than that everything is in good order and it has a nice bore. I was wondering where to find parts to restore it back to full military configuration? Reproduction stocks are fine. Also do Lee Enfield stripper clips work with this model?

thanks
 
Yes, the Lee Enfield strippers will work with the P-14, just not as well I find.

Your best bet for parts is Numrich. P-14 parts. Western Gun Parts is a source too, but they have no online catalogue, you need to order one at a set time each year and they usually run out. Google the name and call them, you might have better luck. Hopefully you won't get the #####y lady.

When it comes to finding parts I prefer gunshows. You can actually see what you are buying instead of getting random bin parts unseen. There is usually one or two tables where P-14/P-17 parts can be found at, depending on the show. If you want a stock, put up a WTB add in the EE parts forum, I got a stock set after three weeks. E-Bay is also a good source as well, but be prepared to pay for extra shipping and customs fees, as most of the good stuff is in the U.S. I check there regularly anyways, you never know what might come up.

Be set to spend at least $150 getting everything you need, minimum. DP stocks go for around $75 and beat up non DP stocks can go for almost $100 when you count shipping. Boyds' makes new stocks for the M1917, which will fit a P-14 but not as well. $160 U.S. for the wood and no metal. Metal should cost around $50 or so without the volley sights, though you might not need them depending on the stock. Boyds'

All in all, be patient, the right parts will turn up and it will spread the cost out over time. Or, you can skip the restoration job by buying a full wood P-14 with a crappy bore, switching the stock sets, and sell the crappy sportered P-14 for cheap. You may save $50 bucks or so...

Have fun. :D
 
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Good P 17 ( 1917) stocks are easier to find that P14 stocks, they fit perfectly but are not inletted for the volley sight, but if it is really important to you you could do this yourself I suppose.
I'm with Tyler on getting the parts from Numrich, that's where I got most of the parts for mine, I don't think you will get them cheaper anywhere else. I got my P17 stock on ebay.

I know I have posted this photo before, but I'm just really happy at how it turned out.

Feb08219.jpg
 
Thanks for all the info guys! Spencer that rifle is beautiful!! How well does that scope mount hold a zero?

Well beside from being bubbaed, the rifle has headspacing issues, probably due to the non-matching bolt. Are there any shops or smiths in Alberta that will repair it? Also what kinda cost am I looking at here?

Basically the bolt is very difficult to open after firing a round, and the cases are bulged slightly just above the rim. I know I should have got it checked, but there aren't any smiths close by and I wanted to shoot my new rifle.
 
Hook said:
Well beside from being bubbaed, the rifle has headspacing issues, probably due to the non-matching bolt. Are there any shops or smiths in Alberta that will repair it? Also what kinda cost am I looking at here?
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Well, it won't be cheap.

Unfortunately the bolt body is a once piece design, so you either have to find a longer bolt (good luck) or re-barrel the rifle.

I would imagine that you could have the chamber re-lined, but that would probably be expensive. Fixing excessive headspace in Mauser type actions can be a real PITA.

Some wiser and more experienced CGN'ers probably have some better suggestions though.

Good luck.
 
Hook, the scope mount holds zero perfectly.

Maplesugar, It's just plain old boiled linseed oil. The stock was the first part I got hold of so I had pleanty of time to give it lots of applications, it stopped soaking it up after about six months and it was hard in about another month.

I had my P14 rebarreled to 7mm Rem Mag which is the nearest thing to what it was originally designed for, that's not the reason I did it, it was just that that cartridge fitted the action perfectly and as a bonus it is a great long range cartridge. It is the most accurate rifle I have ever owned.

A P14 .303 is a factory Bubba, and a M1917 is a double Bubba.
 
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Hook - Bulged cases are normal on a 303, as the chambers are oversize. As far as the brass being hard to extract, the chamber could be pitted/rusty, or the receiver lugs are set back slightly. I suggest you check the brass for scuff marks...
These issues aside, perhaps the easiest way to deal with excessive headspace is to reload. Normally, the 303 headspaces on the rim, but but tailoring the case to the chamber size, you can get the case to function as a rimless cartridge - easily done. This is cheaper than fixing the headspace on the rifle, and offers economy over buying factory ammo.
Otherwise, lose the rifle - its not worth the hassle.
 
Spencer said:
Maplesugar, It's just plain old boiled linseed oil. The stock was the first part I got hold of so I had pleanty of time to give it lots of applications, it stopped soaking it up after about six months and it was hard in about another month.
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Looks good! I have some 100% tung oil I've been using for any wood I refinish. I think they both give similar results.

Happy shooting!
 
So I should polish the chamber and neck size only the fire formed brass? Any other PMs, links or hints for parts would be great!!

thanks guys

And again Spencer that is a beautiful rifle!!
 
Thanks Hook, but there is nothing I have done that is rocket sience, you could make yours just a nice. I think P14's are worth restoring, they are really accurate when set up right, mine is a tack driver.

You could try some old wartime brass, A lot of this has extra thick rims that are hard to chamber in a correctly headspaced rifle. I have chucked most of what I had away but still have a handfull of cases. If you will PM me your address and I will bung them in the post. If it works you could look for some more, I'm sure you would be able to find pleanty at gunshows.
 
Hook said:
So I should polish the chamber and neck size only the fire formed brass? Any other PMs, links or hints for parts would be great!!

thanks guys

And again Spencer that is a beautiful rifle!!
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Get into reloading, and find the formula that works best for your rifle and you, then shoot it, and enjoy it. :)

I call my P-14 the "get' er done rifle"...she may no longer have full wood, but She is a great shooter. :D
 
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Yeah I already reload for .30-06, but I have only been doing it for around a year.

Thanks Spencer I will have to drop you a pm.
 
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