DP Ishapore convert to 22 trainer?

[Maxwell Smart]

Numrich is showing the boltheads and firing pins in stock, in theiir SMLE section.

How will you support the .22 barrel liiner at the chamber end?

[Peter Laidler]

If it was me I'd just machine up a solid .303" round from mild steel and bore the appropriate sized hole through the centre.

[mudgee]

I picked up a bunch of Ishapore SMLE rifles that are DP marked and have a hole drilled through the chamber. these have been sitting in the corner for a few years and then the other day I came up with the idea of turning them into 22 trainers. All I need now is the bolt heads or I could convert the Ishapore bolt heads because they already welded the firing pin hole.
Most of the rifles are scrubbed but there are 2 that are not and they are in the best condition.
one is 1925 and the other 1932 both GRI marked and all matching. Shame they were drilled but I think I can bring them back to life.

So whats the forum say. leave them or convert them?
Thanks

I think you should mark them as converted privately with maybe a "CP" stamp as the GRI original 22 trainers do not get cross referenced with them. The GRI stuff is usually not well made or put together so they might be seen as that from factory if you do nto mark them. In my book keep as many guns active as possible good luck with the project.

[Maxwell Smart]

[QUOTE=mudgee;293762] The GRI stuff is usually not well made or put together QUOTE]

Why do you believe that? The RFI No2's that I've seen are every bit as good as as any British or Lithgow ones.

Quite agree though that conversions should be marked to indicate modern origins.

[Brit plumber]

Could you convert one to somthing other than rim fire? Perhaps .22 hornet? No need to convert a bolt head then.

[RCS]

Attachment 51290Attachment 51291Attachment 51292Attachment 51293

I did convert a Remington rolling block in 43 cal to 22 rim rifle and made a hard bushing for the breech which you can view from the photo.

On a Model 1903, a barrel liner was installed with an extension to take up the space and a M2 rim fire bolt was used.

All of these conversions that I have done are very accurate and worth the time

[ActionYobbo]

to answer a few questions
*no I can not make them a centerfire caliber with the barrel liners. though I have thought of 297/230 or 310 cadet but that would involve getting another barrel etc.
*It will be easier and cheaper for me to make the bolt heads from the ones I already have. 1 hole 1 firing pin 1 extractor 20 minutes.(x4)
*for the chamber because its a permanent conversion of a ruined barrels (x4)I am just going to drill the chamber out and weld in an insert made from some 30cal barrel stubs
*marking them? I think the big holes in the action and barrel will be a bit of a red flag to any collector

If it was me I'd just machine up a solid .303" round from mild steel and bore the appropriate sized hole through the centre.

if I were going to make a removable conversion I would do that and solder the liner into it and thread the muzzle end like the conversion tubes that were available.

[ActionYobbo]

started on this today. The first rifle is in pieces and the barrel is in the lathe ready to modify the chamber end with an insert. I will be using a piece of 30 cal barrel to sleeve the chamber before drilling for the liner

I got the .22 barrel liners but need to get a long drill and a .22 reamer

[ActionYobbo]

How will you support the .22 barrel liiner at the chamber end?

here is a few pictures of what I did tonight.
drilled out the chamber with a 1/2" drill and made an insert from a piece of p14 barrel then soldered that in place




I am going to leave the stub sticking out like that and turn it down to get the correct head space. now its ready to be drilled for the liner

[Steve H. in N.Y.]

Interesting. I'm looking forward to more progress reports!