Need Gunsmith 1903A3 Smith Corona

[smlemon]

Found a mint unaltered SC 03a3 that someone had stuck in a sporter stock. Decided to make a "somewhat clone" of an a4. Found a new C stock and all the metal parts including the correct Redfield mount and bent bolt.

My problem is that I find the SC a3s were not just hard skinned (like a remington) but rock hard all the way through. Internet posts indicate that the "best way" with an SC is to drill the two mount holes with a carbide drill. Then plug the hole with copper drill rod, sticking out a bit.
Then the rod is brought to bright red, allowed to cool in place and driven out. This anneals the area around the hole, allowing a regular tap to be used.

While I understand it, I don't have the tools to do it.

Can anyone suggest a gunsmith who is experienced with this ?

(I'm in Wyoming)

thanks.

Information

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[WarPig1976]

I have a bunch of old VCR repair tools and a air compressor...I'll give it a shot....:mad smile:

[smlemon]

If I wanted a laugh, I would read Obama's latest lies. Fixed a lot of VCRs and never needed an oxy torch, carbide bits or drill rod. Anything to build post count.........

[Chuckindenver]

i wont drill and tap a SC...lesson already learned/

[WarPig1976]

Relax Francis...

[emmagee1917]

You would be miles ahead to find a proper stock and return it to USGI . Then sell it to a collector and buy a Remington ( no s/c a4s ever made ) that is already drilled and taped . It will be closer , you'll be money ahead , and a mint rifle will be saved.
A win - win - win.
Chris

[CINDERS]

I would be interested to know how you heat the copper plug without the heat affecting a larger area around the plug from the torches flame, the metal if not heated correctly you may get spurious results in metal tempering.
Sounds like to much Bubba magic there, try the idea the forumer' s suggested and save a really nice weapon.

[Johnny Peppers]

You can spot anneal with an old plumbers copper soldering iron. File a 1/8" flat spot on the tip, clamp the receiver in your drill press, put the soldering iron in the chuck, heat the soldering iron, and pull it down on the spot on the receiver you want annealed. Leave it until the soldering iron cools, and you have spot annealed the receiver without discoloring it with a torch.

Our old gunsmith died last year and a few months back they auctioned off all his equipment, and in one of the drawers were two or three of the old soldering irons with the handles cut off to about six inches.

[CINDERS]

Sorry to hear about the old GS another wealth of knowledge gone hopefully he passed on some of his knowledge.

[Chuckindenver]

spot annealing will only effect the surface, and not all the way through.
Smith Coronas are hard all the way.. a Remington will cry a bit at the start, go like butter, then cry again, on the bottom side...
a SC, cries, cracks, sparks ect all the way through...