505 Gibbs

[Hunter-Habib]

I have a 1917 action laying in my gun safe, and every once in a while I consider a 505 Gibbs build on this action. The only thing that stops me is the other build(s) that I have already in the works.

Enfield Model 1917 is a good choice of action for the .505 Gibbs. But the Pattern 14 Enfield action is slightly easier to work with when building a rifle in .505 Gibbs.

 

[skydiver386]

Enfield Model 1917 is a good choice of action for the .505 Gibbs. But the Pattern 14 Enfield action is slightly easier to work with when building a rifle in .505 Gibbs.

Yes, I believe the bolt face and extractor require less work, but both a in fairly short supply these days.

 

[Hunter-Habib]

Yes, I believe the bolt face and extractor require less work, but both a in fairly short supply these days.

When I had first gone to Australia in 1977, there were DOZENS of military surplus Pattern 14 Enfield rifles lying around in the second hand racks of local gun stores. In my most recent trip to Australia in 2021, I did not see a single Pattern 14 Enfield rifle at the local gun stores anymore. Very unfortunate.

I wonder if they've all been bought up, by now.

Perhaps @PCC600 or @Tintin or @Bob Nelson 35Whelen can shed some light in this topic.