Is it possible to convert a .22 bolt from a SMLE MK III to be used in a No4?
What would need to be changed and what would need to be made / modified?
Printable View
Is it possible to convert a .22 bolt from a SMLE MK III to be used in a No4?
What would need to be changed and what would need to be made / modified?
I dont think it is possible.Quote:
Originally Posted by read6737
have a look at the link showing the differing types of bolts.
The No1 (SMLE) .22rf bolt is the bottom one in the first set of pictures.
As you can see the whole bolt assembly is very different for the No4 based bolts.
Right at the bottom of the page (last couple of lines) is a link to the different types of bolts.
Lee-Enfield Rifle No.8 for the British Forces
Anything is possible but you'd be better off starting from fresh with a good used No4 bolt. I won't detail the metallurgy but the old one needs to be bored out, plug brazed in place, drilled out accurately in two stages for the new firing pin and I would say case hardened should suffice.
Time taken, 1 hour max!
New extractor, marked, cut and filed to finish, made from a good steel and hardened, another 1/2 hour
Sounds a little longer than an hour or so for me.
So basically use a .22 bolt in thee no 4.
Or can you put the MkIII internals in the No4 bolt body.
Anything can be done however the practical answer is to use a No4 bolt. What are you trying to do...maybe I can help you out as I have a few CNo7 parts. Ron
I would like to build 2 X .22s on either on No4s or on MkIIIs.
I know where there are plenty of MkIII .22 bolts ans parts but not No4 .22 bolts or parts.
The decision will be based on what Enfields I can get my hands on.
I would prefer No4s as I prefer the sights and I can fit scope pads with no problem.
The rifles are for the twins, I know that that they are too young to even really hold them
but as they are around all my other rifles all the time and are down the range as well with me
it wont be long before they really know what they are doing.
It will also take a while to sort out all the bits for the rifles.
The No4 is best for this project. You can reline a shot out No4 or rebarrel. The bolt strike, spring and bolt are the same. The firing pin projection has to be cut at the flange.....I can send you a sketch. All you need is a CNo7 bolt head, spring, extractor and firing pin. These parts I have however you need the bolt head size to set headspacing as they range from 0 to 5. I've done a few of these....contact me if you need more info. Ron
Thanks for the rely.
I will contact you when I have the No4s and start the project.
I would be interested to see the details on the change.
David
Better still Read, get the man who is relining your barrel to set the CHS up to whatever bolt and bolt head you are using with the compliments of RGG. I'll lend you a set of gauges. To be honest, the .22" CHS ain't going to move much, if at all, in the lifetime of you and your kids!
Thanks Peter I mat need to take you up on that.
I don't think many gun smiths out here have touched that many Enfield .222s
Hi read6737,
It is rather easy for your gunsmith to complete this job. I have done 2 now. One on a No1Mk3 and one a No4Mk1. I sleeved the barrels on both of them as crook Enfield barrels aren't hard to find! The only problem I have is getting barrel liners in Australia which is something you may have a drama with being in France also. If anyone in the US can send me liners from Brownells, please let me know! Our brothers in Canada sorted me out with all the parts needed for the No4. I found a No2Mk4 bolt here in Oz.
Mr Laidler is correct with being able to set the headspace to the bolt when you reline. When the chamber is drilled out and is plugged, the plug is made longer and then machined down to fit the bolt just closes. Then the chamber and rim recess is cut. You get a VERY tight headspace setup when doing it this way.
Just remember if it doesn't shoot well straight away to make sure you play all the contact points a little. The No1Mk3 conversion shot terribly until I played with the inner barrel bad screw tension a little bit. All good now!
regards
Anthony