IMPORTANT:
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Blank Adapting the M1917A1 Watercooled Machine Gun
Date Written: November 2011
Author: Chris Guska
Blank Adapting the M1917A1 Watercooled Machine Gun
1.) Selecting blanks
2.) Feedway modifications
3.) BFA Construction
4.) Gland Packing
5.) Belts vs Links
6.) Feed parts (You are here)
7.) Troubleshooting
6.) Feed PartsIt doesn't matter if you have 308 or 30.06 "feed parts" in your topcover - the condition of 3 key parts does make all the difference.
1.) Topcover extractor spring
This is a good part to keep several spares of. I've had one of them shatter and a couple that had simply lost their spring tension. The extractor spring presses down on the extractor arm, providing the necessary tension for the arm to snap over the rim of the cartridges and to withdraw them from the belt.
2.) Belt feed lever
There are 2 places on this part that wear and will cause issues - first the hole for the pivot pin and second the tab that rides in the bolt track.
3.) Belt feed lever pin
This pin, if worn, or in combination with wear in the hole in the feed lever can cause the feed lever to pitch up and down - allowing it to potentially bounce out of the track on the top of the bolt. Wear on the feed lever and pin will cause feed issues and jams.
With regards to a 30.06 vs 308 feed pawl, both will work with both calibers. I personally run a straight 30.06 USGI parts 1917a1 and 1919a4 with 308 blanks without any issue, and can easily switch over to 30.06 blanks or live ammo with a simple barrel change and appropriate feed way adapters.
