Assuming it has the original military trigger, you are feeling the two stage military pull. You can get used to it, which isn't that hard, or have it replaced. Timney and Dayton Traister make aftermarket triggers for the Enfield, and there are probably some others as well.
I like the cock on close feature, every bit of the force used to open the bolt goes into primary extraction. You aren't forcing back the cocking piece as well.
Enfields do have a fairly slow lock time, especially compared to modern designs. A stronger striker spring will help some.
I believe the Enfield is a better bolt action rifle than the 1903 Springfield.
Yes, it was a quality rifle when built, but we can't see what the years have done. I would have a gunsmith check it out, if you don't have the knowledge and experience yourself. I've checked quite a few Eddystone manufactured 1917 Enfields, and most will close on a no-go headspace gauge. If they don't close on a field gauge, I've never had an issue with that. If you don't handload, one firing isn't going to stretch your brass enough to have a head seperation or similar bad thing. If you DO handload, it is no problem to adjust your dies to the longer chamber so your brass life wil be decent.
Never gauged a Remington built 1917, so I can't tell you what to possibly expect.