P14 make over, who works on these in Canada?

If you are looking for a gunsmith to work on the P14-17 call don Thompson in Holden Ab 780-668-2937. Last time I was there he had 3 or 4 on the go mostly building big magnums based on the Ultra Mag brass or 375 Ruger brass.
Neil
 
guntech said:
I wouldn't recommend doing anything to an Eddystone action, very hard, almost brittle actions. The Winchester and Remington made ones are far superior in the steel and the heat treating.
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Someday I would like to see something on this fact as I am told they work as well as the others. By the way Eddystone is a Remington as that is just another name Remington used. That is why the stement dosn't really make sense. To drill and tap an Eddystone we used to use a fine tip torch and heat the spots for the holes to be able to drill easyier.
 
Eddystones are Remington's, but built in another factory due to wartime demand, with different machinery and hardening techniques. I recall reading in an early gunsmithing book (Howe or Whelen, can't remember) that part of the issue (after the over torqued barrels) was the heat treating, which was graded by eye rather then mechanical testing. This resulted in a large variance in hardness depending on who was grading that particular day. I own and use Eddystones, the barrels come off easily enough once you make a relief cut in them at the front of the receiver. Hardness testing and crack testing isn't that difficult either, though correcting issues in that regard can be. - dan
 
@ Dan or others. I have a model of 1917 Remington, and I think the barrel has seen far better days. I was looking at a rebarrel in 9.3 X 62. Do you have any thoughts on who is familiar enough with these older firearms to do a good job on one...? Your thoughts and suggestions are appreciated.
 
If you want the work done to world class standards, and aren't too worried about putting a little money into it, contact Ralph Martini in Cranbrook B.C.
Ivor
 
dan belisle said:
Eddystones are Remington's, but built in another factory due to wartime demand, with different machinery and hardening techniques. I recall reading in an early gunsmithing book (Howe or Whelen, can't remember) that part of the issue (after the over torqued barrels) was the heat treating, which was graded by eye rather then mechanical testing. This resulted in a large variance in hardness depending on who was grading that particular day. I own and use Eddystones, the barrels come off easily enough once you make a relief cut in them at the front of the receiver. Hardness testing and crack testing isn't that difficult either, though correcting issues in that regard can be. - dan
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Bingo
Before I would even begin to ponder doing any work on an P14/17 Eddystone, I would have the action Rockwell hardness tested.
This could save a guy a lot of $$ and heartache.
Years ago I was asked to drill and tap an Eddystone action for scope mounts. The automatic pin punch used to locate the holes to be drilled , cracked the action at the tenon.

The Enfields are decent actions and many a fine rifle has been built on 1, but a quick simple test should be done prior to getting into it, with an Eddystone action.
As others have stated in todays market, they are a labor of love not practicality of cost if someone else is doing the work.
 
My eddystone P14 came to me already milled and drilled/tapped. From the looks of the work, it was done by skilled hands.
I've examined the receiver thorughly with a jewllers glass and can't "see" any evidence of cracks or otherwise.
The barrel has what appears to be a timing/index mark on bottom at shoulder. If it is such, the timing mark shows barrel to be slightly under index.
I'm sending some other work out to Vulcan for engraving and heat treating so maybe I'll send the eddystone action along with.
I have a compulsive disorder that causes me pain when I'm given these old rifles LOL the pain only stops when I resurrect them into good shooters hehehe
I'll start this makeover right after huntin season.

Do you guys feel that the barrel shoulder relief cut is necessary for "all" of these old actions? Just a prudent step take? I've pulled lots of barrels but only a handful from old actions like enfields ect.
 
I would make the relief cut at the shoulder, i have done several and it makes a difference. I have seen a nice M96 busted due to an overtight barrel.
 
Perhaps it's just and age thing but I don't think anything's wrong with a straight 303 Brit or 30-06 chamberings. If the bore is good why change it. As for the "belly", I actually like the looks of that as well as the bolt handle. Then again I also like the looks of the magazine on the old 303 Smelly so I suppose it's just my warped vision. Those stocks are VERRRYY nice and really make the rifles look sharp. Best of luck with your project, keep posting on it.
 
dan belisle said:
I would. They aren't that hard to twist, really, and better safe then sorry. I like sporters on these actions, but they really need to be a labour of love. Google some of Ted Burgess' rifles, man was an artist. And a very nice guy. - dan
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I have never heard of him, I cannot find anything on Google either. I think maybe you have recalled the name wrong.
 
guntech said:
The money spent trying to make this into a nice hunting rifle will never be regained and will probably cost more than buying a new rifle. There is nothing particularity attractive about an old P14 to start with... all original rifles have some collectible value. The beaters should be made into anchors as far as I am concerned.
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hey hey hey, easy there. My two match rifles are made from these actions and I have used them for 20 years and I am about to do over a third. Granted, I only use the action but they are good and strong. There is something beautiful in everything. If you are going to throw one overboard, give 'er to me, I'll use it.
 
dan belisle said:
I would. They aren't that hard to twist, really, and better safe then sorry. I like sporters on these actions, but they really need to be a labour of love. Google some of Ted Burgess' rifles, man was an artist. And a very nice guy. - dan
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Dan, you may be thinking of Tom Burgess. Here's a couple of shots of Enfields he worked on. The top one was stocked by Darcy Echols.

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0b6a467007fc2b54acd8b0a1d2650f06.jpg
 
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