What Kutter said.
The 1914/17 Enfields are well-made albeit somewhat clunky actions and can benefit greatly from a weight-reduction program. If you're wanting only a simple project to get your feet wet, so to speak, then perhaps the Enfield might be a little much. OTOH if you want a large action for a large cartridge and are prepared for a little alteration work, the Enfield can be quite rewarding.
There are 2 main areas that need attention IMO; the cock-on-closing feature is awkward and unacceptable and simply must be changed to cock-on-opening, and the ugly humps on both the top & bottom of the action as well as the dog-leg bolt handle must be removed and those areas reshaped. Not necessarily a lot of work but definitely a hassle and there are some pitfalls that can trap the unwary. Both Frank de Haas and Alvin Linden give some good 1917 tips in their books and both are worth reading.
Numrich (Gun Parts Co) used to offer a cock-on-opening conversion for the 1917 but it was somewhat problematical in its operation; Dayton-Traister still offers a conversion but I've never used it and so can't report on it, but I would be very careful since the commercial 1917 upcock conversions usually have a problem with a too-short striker fall, sometimes only about 1/4". It's usually better for the smith to weld up the cocking ramp and end up with a longer more positive striker fall of at least 3/8" or more.
There are several good ways to change the various humped areas and I don't necessarily have a preference for any particular one, but there is one caution worth noting and noting well: the rear top tang area of the action is awkwardly shaped and slopes down rather sharply to the top of the stock's wrist. When the action's magazine capacity is reduced to 5 shots, as is common when slimming & sporterizing, then the wrist area is even further reduced and frequently results in an ugly shape and a too-thin wrist. A well-thought-out reshaping plan will change that ugly awkward too-sharp wrist dip into a pleasing flow line into the comb's nose, and also greatly strengthen the stock's wrist at the same time. It's not rocket science but it does take some forethought and planning.
Please feel free to email or PM me for details if you get bogged down.
Regards, Joe
