+ Reply to Thread
Results 1 to 6 of 6

Thread: Hybrid Martini Project

Click here to increase the font size Click here to reduce the font size
  1. #1
    Contributing Member Doco overboard's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2015
    Last On
    04-23-2025 @ 12:09 PM
    Location
    Delmarva Peninsula
    Posts
    458
    Real Name
    Brian Stiles
    Local Date
    04-25-2025
    Local Time
    01:25 AM

    Hybrid Martini Project

    Sometime ago, I got on this kick where I was barreling some of these martini action bodies with take off SMLE barrels. Probably heresy to some, but rather than letting the parts flounder and having a keen interest into making something out of nothing I had one of them to the range today.
    I was shooting this one with red dot powder and some cast bullets I made. I used a Lithgowicon barrel and made the fore end with a drill rifle stock. Its an NAA action body with a 303 block.
    It needs a horizontal adjust to group the shots because I have difficulty anymore making the front site out but will nearly put all the shots in a very tight cluster at 25 yards. I think if I can get that sorted, with better specs and can source some more powder which is all but impossible anymore, I can stretch it out some at least to a hundred yards and have a good plinker.
    Once I got started it was hard to turn off the ammo supply it was so much fun to shoot. My wife could center them right in the bulls eye from a rest so that's another reason I shut it down using the ammo on hand as an excuse. I also found I had to slide the elevation bar to the 6 hundred mark to correct the elevation.
    If anyone has a suggestion for a rear mounted peep sight and guidance for mounting that would be helpful for another one I built up that I never put sights on. I turned down a cut off no 4 barrel and threaded/chambered it with that in mind and stocked with some better looking plain repop wood.

  2. # ADS
    Friends and Sponsors
    Join Date
    October 2006
    Location
    Milsurps.Com
    Posts
    All Threads
    A Collector's View - The SMLE Short Magazine Lee Enfield 1903-1989. It is 300 8.5x11 inch pages with 1,000+ photo’s, most in color, and each book is serial-numbered.  Covering the SMLE from 1903 to the end of production in India in 1989 it looks at how each model differs and manufacturer differences from a collecting point of view along with the major accessories that could be attached to the rifle. For the record this is not a moneymaker, I hope just to break even, eventually, at $80/book plus shipping.  In the USA shipping is $5.00 for media mail.  I will accept PayPal, Zelle, MO and good old checks (and cash if you want to stop by for a tour!).  CLICK BANNER to send me a PM for International pricing and shipping. Manufacturer of various vintage rifle scopes for the 1903 such as our M73G4 (reproduction of the Weaver 330C) and Malcolm 8X Gen II (Unertl reproduction). Several of our scopes are used in the CMP Vintage Sniper competition on top of 1903 rifles. Brian Dick ... BDL Ltd. - Specializing in British and Commonwealth weapons Specializing in premium ammunition and reloading components. Your source for the finest in High Power Competition Gear. Here at T-bones Shipwrighting we specialise in vintage service rifle: re-barrelling, bedding, repairs, modifications and accurizing. We also provide importation services for firearms, parts and weapons, for both private or commercial businesses.
     

  3. #2
    Legacy Member 42rocker's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2018
    Last On
    Today @ 12:56 AM
    Location
    Tampa Bay area, Fla, USA
    Posts
    298
    Local Date
    04-25-2025
    Local Time
    01:25 AM
    That is neat. Well done. Enjoy!

    Later 42rocker

  4. Avoid Ads - Become a Contributing Member - Click HERE
  5. #3
    Contributing Member Low & Slow's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2015
    Last On
    Yesterday @ 07:46 PM
    Location
    colorado usa
    Posts
    494
    Local Date
    04-24-2025
    Local Time
    11:25 PM
    I like it! What an interesting looking beast.

  6. #4
    Advisory Panel browningautorifle's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2008
    Last On
    Yesterday @ 11:28 PM
    Location
    Victoria BC
    Posts
    30,993
    Real Name
    Jim
    Local Date
    04-24-2025
    Local Time
    10:25 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by Doco overboard View Post
    If anyone has a suggestion for a rear mounted peep sight and guidance for mounting that would be helpful for another one
    Perhaps a Redfield peep with a left side base that could lie flat? Only thing there is the hinge pin. Measure the probable distance to the aperture center and choose one.

    This would have been an excellent choice of pattern had I thought of it to make one in 30-30. Brass was easy to get and a barrel could be found to fit .308 bullets.

    Quote Originally Posted by Doco overboard View Post
    I also found I had to slide the elevation bar to the 6 hundred mark to correct the elevation.
    That would mean your front sight is too tall?
    Last edited by browningautorifle; 04-19-2025 at 10:27 PM.
    Regards, Jim

  7. #5
    Contributing Member Doco overboard's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2015
    Last On
    04-23-2025 @ 12:09 PM
    Location
    Delmarva Peninsula
    Posts
    458
    Real Name
    Brian Stiles
    Local Date
    04-25-2025
    Local Time
    01:25 AM
    Thread Starter
    Yes front site is too tall, someone's been at the bottom grinding at the elevation bar too at its bottom too.
    I have no idea why they would have been at it like that, thankfully they didn't go at the barrel any other kind of way.

    I was also thinking about a flat side Lyman or Redfield flat sided base but they are expensive for trial fitting and locating if I cannot get one to work out.
    I want to try and go into the butt stock mortise to avoid difficulty with the breech block pin, but don't know if I can accomplish that either without much interference.
    At least my time is cheap vs the cost and availability of the components.

    Red dot or propellant for cast loads is another issue because of availability. I'm not sure if it's wise to run a light load of medium burning powders and jacketed bullets because of conflicting information I read on the inter webs. I see there is a lot of back and forth on that subject but want to take the time to learn more or hear what others with more operating experience would have to say.
    I got the idea of putting this together from here on the forum and seeing an example.
    One could go through a pile of ammo with it pretty darn quick its so fun to shoot.

    ---------- Post added at 08:58 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:57 AM ----------

    Yes front site is too tall, someone's been at the bottom grinding at the elevation bar too at its bottom too.
    I have no idea why they would have been at it like that, thankfully they didn't go at the barrel any other kind of way.

    I was also thinking about a flat side Lyman or Redfield flat sided base but they are expensive for trial fitting and locating if I cannot get one to work out.
    I want to try and go into the butt stock mortise to avoid difficulty with the breech block pin, but don't know if I can accomplish that either without much interference.
    At least my time is cheap vs the cost and availability of the components.

    Red dot or propellant for cast loads is another issue because of availability. I'm not sure if it's wise to run a light load of medium burning powders and jacketed bullets because of conflicting information I read on the inter webs. I see there is a lot of back and forth on that subject but want to take the time to learn more or hear what others with more operating experience would have to say.
    I got the idea of putting this together from here on the forum and seeing an example.
    One could go through a pile of ammo with it pretty darn quick its so fun to shoot.
    Last edited by Doco overboard; 04-20-2025 at 09:00 AM. Reason: Service issues, double post on accident

  8. #6
    Advisory Panel browningautorifle's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2008
    Last On
    Yesterday @ 11:28 PM
    Location
    Victoria BC
    Posts
    30,993
    Real Name
    Jim
    Local Date
    04-24-2025
    Local Time
    10:25 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by Doco overboard View Post
    I was also thinking about a flat side Lyman or Redfield flat sided base but they are expensive for trial fitting and locating if I cannot get one to work out.
    Perhaps a used one from a gun show? It SHOULD be ok anyway, you just need to flush the ends off inside and it'll hold fine. Perhaps you could get hold of one of the sub cal casings that use a 32 cartridge?
    Regards, Jim

+ Reply to Thread

Similar Threads

  1. Canadian Martini Henry Rifle MkVI (Martini Metford MkII)
    By Lee Enfield in forum Martini Henry Rifles
    Replies: 6
    Last Post: 09-04-2020, 07:34 PM
  2. FORGOTTEN WEAPONS Hybrid Entini
    By gsthreeeight in forum Martini Henry Rifles
    Replies: 7
    Last Post: 08-27-2019, 08:55 AM
  3. Another project.
    By Nate in forum Mauser Rifles
    Replies: 0
    Last Post: 11-30-2010, 05:28 PM
  4. Interesting Photo - 'Hybrid' Bren Guns Carried By Vichy French Milice Militia
    By peregrinvs in forum The Bren LMG (Light Machine Gun)
    Replies: 5
    Last Post: 07-18-2010, 08:19 AM
  5. Project anyone??
    By Lance in forum The Lee Enfield Knowledge Library Collectors Forum
    Replies: 10
    Last Post: 08-29-2009, 08:30 AM

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts