Peter L - how to channel L42 forends?

[Thunderbox]

Peter,

When you replaced L42 forends in service, did you receive pre-channelled forends from a commercial source - as for the L39 - or did you convert No4 Mk1 forends to suit?

If the latter, what method did you use to channel out the forend to receive the 7.62mm barrel? To achieve a smooth parallel channel is tricky without some sort of router or cylindrical rasp - particularly at the front where the wood ends up so thin. Most of the "civvie" gunsmith conversions I've examined seem to have been gouged out with no particular finesse or finish.....

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[Peter Laidler]

This was all explained in an article that I wrote some time ago regarding the abysmal state of L42/L39 woodwork.

Can anyone bring it up? My lack of scholastic achievement in the computer arena is all too apparent I fear!

But to the questions, we got them ready butchered from Ordnance stores. Yes....., civvy 'gunsmith' conversions (I prefer to call some of them over enthusiastic amateurs.....) do leave something to be desired. But then again, so did the L42/39 fore-ends.

When we patched the muzzle ends we just re-cut the patch we'd put in to suit the barrel. Shrivenham did the trials and told us that providing that .020" was left clear all round, then all was well.

[Badger]

Yup ...

Summary of Peter Laidler's on-line series of articles....... (click here)

"The L42 and 39 Fore-ends" (click here)

Regards,
Badger