Clips: Enfield 1917 Round Capacity

Published on September 4, 2021
Duration: 4:33

The US Rifle Model 1917, originally the British Pattern 13 Enfield, offers a unique capacity advantage due to its design evolution. While stripper clips hold five rounds, the 1917's magazine, adapted from the P14 which used rimmed .303 British cartridges, can accommodate six rimless .30-06 Springfield cartridges. This increased capacity is an artifact of adapting the magazine dimensions from rimmed to rimless ammunition.

Quick Summary

The US Rifle Model 1917 boasts a six-round magazine capacity for .30-06 Springfield ammunition. This increased capacity, one more than the Springfield M1903, stems from its design's adaptation from the British Pattern 14 rifle, which used five rimmed .303 British cartridges. The magazine's dimensions, originally for rimmed rounds, efficiently accommodate six rimless .30-06 rounds.

Chapters

  1. 00:03Introduction to Clips Series
  2. 00:09US Rifle Model 1917 Overview
  3. 00:12Capacity Advantage vs. Springfield 1903
  4. 00:38Origins: Pattern 13 Enfield
  5. 01:00WWI Impact on P13 Adoption
  6. 01:34Modification for .303 Cartridge (P14)
  7. 01:57US Adoption of P14 Design
  8. 02:07Rechambering for .30-06 (Model 1917)
  9. 02:20Demonstrating .303 Cartridge Fit
  10. 03:12Demonstrating .30-06 Cartridge Fit
  11. 03:26The Sixth Round Advantage
  12. 03:39Artifact of Rimmed vs. Rimless
  13. 04:04Model 1917's Prominence

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the standard round capacity of the US Rifle Model 1917?

The US Rifle Model 1917 has a standard internal magazine capacity of six rounds of .30-06 Springfield ammunition. This is one more round than the Springfield M1903 rifle.

Why does the US Rifle Model 1917 hold six rounds?

The six-round capacity is an artifact of its design evolution. It originated from the British Pattern 14 rifle, which was designed for five rimmed .303 British cartridges. When rechambered for the rimless .30-06 Springfield, the magazine dimensions allowed for an additional round.

What is the history behind the US Rifle Model 1917's design?

The Model 1917 was based on the British Pattern 13 Enfield, designed before WWI. During the war, Britain contracted American manufacturers for the Pattern 14 (chambered in .303 British). The US then adopted this design, rechambering it for .30-06 Springfield.

Can stripper clips load six rounds into the Model 1917?

While stripper clips for the Model 1917 typically hold five rounds, the rifle's internal magazine is designed to accommodate a sixth round. This means you can manually load a sixth round after using a stripper clip.

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