Shot an Eddystone M1917 at the range

[ditto1958]

I got to try a WWI Model 1917 at the range today. What a nice old shooter. For some reason, the 1917 rifle has sort of been lost to history, despite the fact that maybe 2/3 to 3/4 of the doughboys who fought in France in the Great War were issued this rifle.

When America entered the war, our tiny armed forces had for their front line battle rifle the excellent 1903 Springfield. It quickly became apparent, though, that if we were going to get a million man army over to Europe in time to do anything, we didn't have nearly enough rifles. Fortunately, American factories were already tooled up for, and had been churning out P14 Enfields for the British. It was determined that the P14 could be quickly modified to fire the American .30-06 round, and thus the M1917, or "American Enfield" was born. Winchester, Remington and Eddystone all made these rifles. They were excellent weapons, and served the American soldiers and Marines well in battle in France.

The one I got to shoot today was a really nice example that looked to be all original, and was in really nice shape for a 100 year old rifle. The 1917 is a relatively heavy rifle, and I found it to be a soft shooter. It had a decent trigger, and really good military sights, with a rear aperture and a plane steel post front sight. Hitting steel swingers at 100 yards was a breeze.

[Henry88]

Very cool gun ditto, the choice of Sgt York

[ditto1958]

That's it! I "need" one of those.

[RetiredSeabee]

Great way to honor those who carried them in combat.

[RanchRoper]

Very cool rifle...

[ditto1958]

Very cool rifle...

Yes. And did I mention I need one soon?

[BrokenolMarine]

Nice. I used to have an old Springfield 03 but let it get away. One of a handful I should have kept.