No7 MK1 trainer project

[DaveN]

Progress report
I had high hopes to have had 20 complete bolt heads and some parts only kits for those who just needed parts but after a year and a half (we fell short) but we managed to ( I hope ) make five No 7 owners very happy. 6 if you include me as I managed to trade one of the bolts for a No7 rifle of my own.
As it stands and with all the time spent we are lucky if we broke even but it was fun seeing the end result. I was able to test fire every bolt in the rifle that was given to us to see if we could find or make the parts. We got an ejector a member gave so we could copy but it would not fit our rifle and we did not want to alter it as it did fit the donors rifle. When I received my rifle in the trade it fit and it was neat firing it and then ejecting the spent casing.
We took a break but now have to copy the ejector and I'll once again have to start cracking the whip. My rifle still needs a firing pin base and a magazine conversion from a sportsman five I just purchased but I'm placing me last on the list of things to do for now.
I've met through this hobby project some really great people and just want to say thanks for your help and patience.
Thanks to Bruce and Neil and Geoff and Paul and Adrian
Special thanks to Brian and Peter for your guidance and advice.

Information

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[bigduke6]

Dave,

Thanks for all the hard work but the ones for myself, Paul and Adrian are still in transit !!!
Tracking number states still in Miami, I,m keeping the fingers crossed but its been 6 weeks.

[Brian Dick]

I'm awaiting a report from my Postmaster from the USPS OIG. I sure hope they find this shipment and another missing for several months since they are high value and licensed on DSP-5's by Dept. of State, DDTC. USPS will no longer issue insurance for shipments going to England so if folks choose this method of shipping, they do so at their own risk. I've had problems with USPS this year and fear that these shipments may be stolen at the sorting facility in Miami, FL. I sure hope that isn't the case. Time will tell. I'll keep everyone posted because if they are stolen, I'll refuse to ship to England by USPS from here on in. The only other option for shipping will be air freight which will raise the costs substantially and make it cost prohibitive for most small shipments. Common carriers like UPS and FedEx won't carry licensed shipments overseas. Brian

[bigduke6]

Thanks for the update Brian, (email on the way) still waiting on my reply from USPS.

[DaveN]

I hope that's not the case. The two I sent to the guys in the states have already been shooting them. I know my wife sends care packages to her mum in England and what should take a week takes 3 weeks so let's hope they make it.
Funny in a sick way...the brilliant idea that these rifles ( .22 cal training rifle)had to be de militarized in the first place??? What a threat the must have posed in the 60's and now the possibility that some schmuck might have slipped out the back door with them??? Duh hey want to buy some metal parts? What are the for? Duh I don't know?

[Warren]

IF the US Post Office shipped them by surface (even though you paid for air) which is a distinct possibility it MIGHT take 4 to 6 weeks. I've had it happen here on more than one occasion.
I'd not worry till after 5 weeks...
They just fill a container for air and then the rest goes surface. I've had surface arrive in three days and air take 5 weeks...go figure.

[DaveN]

IF the US Post Office shipped them by surface (even though you paid for air) which is a distinct possibility it MIGHT take 4 to 6 weeks. I've had it happen here on more than one occasion.
I'd not worry till after 5 weeks...
They just fill a container for air and then the rest goes surface. I've had surface arrive in three days and air take 5 weeks...go figure.

So far nothing has made it. It is looking grime. The intended recipients are going through all the proper channels to locate them but no luck. Even though I did not send them on this leg as I did the lawful thing and sent them to a licensed firearms importer seems the post office in Miami has some employees with sticky fingers. Shame it only took us a year and a half to finish that part of the project. I'm sure when they found out the parts were worth less to them ( unless they had a No 7 MK 1 in their gun safe at home) probably just threw them away.
I plan on doing what ever I can to help but if I can get some more parts made how the heck can I insure I can get them to England?

[Warren]

You have my heart felt sympathy on this.
I just wrote a long treatise of what had happened to me regarding postal thefts but deleted it .....best not show the true colours of the post office

[Brian Dick]

Yep, trusting high value shipments going to the UK, (on DSP5 permanent export licenses with AES submission no less in accordance with all ITAR and US export law), to the USPS is out of the question from here on in with me. Air freight seems to be the only viable option. I can secure insurance from door to door but it will be at much greater expense. Funny that I've had very good luck with USPS shipments up until December of last year. I believe the postal sorting facility in Miami is where the problem lies as mentioned by Dave. I'm awaiting some answers from the OIG in both Miami and Washington, DC. but I won't hold my breath for any satisfaction. Time will tell.

[DaveN]

Brian,
We are in the process of doing the ejector plates and I have two stripped bolt heads left so was hoping to get those completed some time this century. Looks like we will have to move that up to sometime this decade. The firing pin assemblies are easier now that we've done some and we have extra secondary extractor blanks ready for final shaping its that dog gone primary extractor that's so time consuming but its all doable.
I know we can work something out to get these rifles up and running.