Wanting a Replica L42A1

[Leadslinger585]

I want a replica L42A1. Historical imitation doesn't matter much to me. I'm just looking for a look-alike in 308 that is (or can be) scoped. This would be my "walkabout rifle" (that is my backpacking rifle) and occasional target shooting gun.

Buying the real deal doesn't appeal to me because I intend to use it, whereas the real thing should sit in a transit case and be admired every once in a while.

What would be my best bet to get one without spending more than $500-600? I sure wish an AIA Model 10 B1 were an option.

http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/w...compressed.jpg

I haven't been able to find 308 conversion parts, but I was thinking an already sporterized Enfield with conversion parts (barrel, extractor, bolt head & magazine) would be most viable option. I don't know how common they are though, and how much they go for...

So what options are there?

Information

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[Frederick303]

500 to 600 US dollars as a goal. I am afraid your goal will be difficult if not impossible in today’s market.

A No 2A1 extractor can be had at Numrich for about 25 bucks. They will work on a No 4 7.62 conversion.

A 7.62 magazine is over 150 dollars alone. Maybe a bit less for a sterling magazine, but a real No4 7.62 L8/L39/L42 Mag would a bit more not under 200 and likely a bit more. Last one I saw on Gunbroker was priced at 500, but I do not think it sold at that price. They are not common; there are more 7.62 conversions than magazines around.

Hammer forged barrel L42 barrel. Well the best bet I can think of is to buy one of the old L81A1 7.62 NATO barrels and have a gunsmith redo the breech end to fit the Enfield. The last barrel I saw was 250 and it had a fair amount of breech wear. Gunsmith will likely charge at least 100 to 150 to recut the thread , fit to an action and cut the extractor groove. If he is not familiar with the Enfield and has to do the research on the threads and like it will be more.

Sarco has the No 4 T scope bases, screws and drills taps, which will fit any generic No 4. I think the price for that is around 75 to 95 dollars last I checked

The cost of the scope mount that fits to the bases and hold the scope is around 125, though you can buy a set with the scope, MKIII reproduction, scope can, scope mount and maybe even the scope bases with required screws taps and what not for around 650 when Sarco runs a special, which they do at times.

You will need a No 4, BSA manufacture ideally. You might want to consider getting one with an intact forend, middle band and rear forend and a rusted out barrel, as getting a set of wood that is not Indian is rather expensive as well these days. A decent uncut front forend No 4, even with a rusted out barrel is around 200, at least on the east coast.

If you are reasonably proficient with wood you can modify the wood work to L42A1 standards, I have done it myself. But it is a task of many hours of hand work.

In any case you see you are going to be in the bag for a lot more than 500 dollars, more like 900 at the low end for the rifle excluding scope and mount.

If you want a 308 field Enfield, buy one of the Navy arms No2A1 jungle carbine conversions. They are cheap and will do what you want for likely 350 dollars. There are some cheap scope mounts that can fit for less than 100 dollars. There is a pistol scope mount that will make the rifle pretty close to a scout rifle. Not an L42A1, but a nice rifle to take into the fields especially if you are carrying it for a few miles. A complete L42A1 is a wee bit heavy to haul around as a camping gun, they are heavy.

[Leadslinger585]

I see... Well, I think I'll just pass then. As a lefty, I wouldn't want to pay a lot of money that isn't properly configured.

Thanks for the info!

[Peter Laidler]

On the other hand, you could take a tip from a thread on this forum a mnth or so ago and simply get a cheap 7.62 barrel threaded for the No4 or 5 body, breech it up. Get/convert yourself some No5 woodwork. Mount a decent telescope onto a Brian at BDL Ltd mount and have yourself a good looking, cheapish to shoot, virtually do-it-yourself 7.62mm No5 that's a tough as old boots(?) and ideally suited for what you want. You won't win toooo many prizes for accuracy but as a back-packer/game shooter, as good as anything

[flying pig]

I think you could definitely do this project. There has to be a Sporterized DCRA No4 in 7.62 around somewhere. That would make a great start! If it's what you really want then why not? For the scope I would use one of the repro ones that Warren has gone through. They are excellent. Also if I was doing this I would aim for more like $1600. If it's a camp gun or one you plan on carrying in the bush a lot then manufacturer of the rifle and parts won't matter as much. Best part about building one of these would be that it's yours, it's one of a kind. Go for it!

[Frederick303]

For 1600 dollars you have a much better chance of being able to complete the project and not have to make compromises. I think a very nice Kreiger barrel made to any internal spec (.305 to .308 groove diameter, .295 to .300 bore diameter) can be had for about 315 dollars in blank form, under 500 for a complete fitted to an Enfield action chambered and the extractor groove cut.

The cheapest UK 7.62 hammer forged barrels have seen are the L81A1 ones surplused here in the US of A back around 2004. These were made by Parker Hale around 1989~91 and came out of Australian service. The external profiled is identical to that used by Parker hale in their T 4 target rifle, made from about 1969 to the early 1980s. As they are threaded for the 98 K action, they need to be re-threaded for the No 4 action to work. Unfortunately they are rather pricy these days, around 250 and highly sought after by those that want to make K98 sporters.

As for the sported DCRA rifle: Having shot one and built up a second one with parts, these rifles depend on the wood work for accuracy. The bearings on the forend really matter. You may find that cut back wood work into a L42A1 format will not allow these rifles group well, the barrel needs either center bed or front pressure to group at long range. To get them to group at the middle/short ranges, in my experience you have to both center bed them and front bed them as well, spending a bit of time and multiple trips to the range to get it right. That is with L2A2 ammunition, with a 144~146 grain bullet, not common sporting cartridges.

The Australians found a service weight 7.62 barrel will group reasonably well when cut down to 21 inches (length of L1A1 rifle). Not sure about what sort of barrel damping (via wood work) was required but I think I can find the old report if you decide to go down this route.

Lastly, the idea of finding a sported 7.62 Enfield based off of a L39A1, Envoy, L42A1 or other hammer forged Enfield barrel is pretty much nil. The reason is if the barrel is at all nice, someone who can work wood is going to rework a set of wood to set it up like a L39A1 clone and even as a clone it is a 800 dollar rifle, if the barrel is in nice shape (less sights). Here in the US of A hammer forged Enfield barrels are rare items, always attached to an action as priced as such. The barreled action sans magazine is around a 750 dollar item. The Ida of getting one cheap is given the internet, very unlikely.

[vintage hunter]

Save your $$ bide your time and get the real thing and use it. That's what they were made for. At least you'll know what you have And years down the road when you tire of it and decide to move it on you can at least get your initial investment back with no problems. The same can't be said for a one off project gun that may or may not shoot straight when you get done assembling all the parts. Probably couldn't run fast enough to give one of those away.
There's nothing in the book that says an original has to sit in it's chest only to be taken out occasionally for admiration purposes. I hunt with my original No.4 T's every chance I get, I sit there admiring it till something comes along to shoot at. Like this...... Just my .02 worth.

[Cold_Zero]

Save your $$ bide your time and get the real thing and use it. That's what they were made for. At least you'll know what you have And years down the road when you tire of it and decide to move it on you can at least get your initial investment back with no problems. The same can't be said for a one off project gun that may or may not shoot straight when you get done assembling all the parts. Probably couldn't run fast enough to give one of those away.
There's nothing in the book that says an original has to sit in it's chest only to be taken out occasionally for admiration purposes. I hunt with my original No.4 T's every chance I get, I sit there admiring it till something comes along to shoot at. Like this...... Just my .02 worth.

Totally Agree. Moose - L42 Mule - 44 Long Branch T Antelope - Lithgow HT cheap off the shelf ammo and me with a lot of rust on the trigger...

These rifles are going to the field this year.

[ssj]

the Q is, why not simply have a 303? it hits hard enough.

[Leadslinger585]

Price of ammo & in-store availability (when there's no panic buying, that is!).

I've never fired 303, but I imagine the recoil might be less?