What to do in lockdown when Boredom sets in.

[muffett.2008]

Well to all you serious collectors.....look away now.

Locked down, time on my hands, so an idea I've been toying with finally came to fruition.
A 7.62x39 Enfield conversion.


Now I originally started this project using a Mauser 96 action mated to a SMLE barrel, but after modifying the extractor and bolt, I still had feed problems, so much fiddling and feed problems, so gave up on that idea.

Another rummage thru the parts bin and came up with an early BSA No.4 action, bit battered and been drilled and tapped.....well as I am a big fan of the No.1 Mk.III and have little time for their poor cousins the No.4's I did not hesitate in doing a conversion on this one.

So shortening up the chamber, modifying a SKK magazine and the trigger guard, then playing with various bolt head ideas until one worked was a good fill in for the wasted hours available. Make up a scope mount, fit a 3-9 variable, pretty simple really.

The butt was from a LLE that had been built up to improve cheek weld, a sporting rubber butt plate and mated to the No.4 butt socket, an old modified forewood from the junk pile, make up a handguard to suit and bobs your uncle.

Well after a few teething problems, this functioned well. I could slam 10 rounds away without the butt leaving the shoulder, the recoil was that mild.

But...there's always a But, the barrel that I used was shot out, although shortened to 16 inches, the spread at 200yds was about 18inches, not much fun on a 12inch falling plate.

So the barrel that I originally used with the Mauser attempt became the sacrificial lamb, so with a full barrel length this fun gun now splatters falling plates with the speed of a SMLE with no kick and I will finally get rid of several thousand rounds of what was shelf cluttering useless ammunition.

Information

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[Bindi2]

Muff
You really have let your hair down.
The AIA ones are fun to use.

[Gil Boyd]

Muffett,
Good luck to you mate and fair play........lockdown does make you refocuss on everything guns wise!!

[browningautorifle]

Not the first time we've spoken about such a conversion but you have it ironed out for sure.

[Bruce_in_Oz]

If you are getting "feed issues" when operating slowly, it probably means the mag spring is a bit too strong and will spit out rounds or mis-feed them.

If you are using the 5 / 7 / 10 / 20 rd M-10mags, you can try the old bubba trick of chopping off a coil at a time until it works.

Plan "B" is to wind a new spring of the same shape but from thinner music wire. a quick bit of woodworking should produce a "former.

Hobby shops that sell aero-modelling stuff usually sell a wide selection of lengths of music wire; not very expensive at all.

I've been following a 7.62 x 39 No 4 conversion project that is being set up to run with Ruger Mini Thirty mags. The springs in those are ferocious. The "stepped" cross-section of the Ruger mags means they will fit much mor4e easily into the tapered No 4 body. This style of mag selection should also work well for the adventurous types doing 5.56 conversions.. To get the M-10 mags to fit, the standard mag well in the body, did the sides of the mag have to be thinned a bit?

If you do not need the extra capacity, three and five round .22-250 mags for a Tikka M55 can be made to run with 7,62 x 39; similar body taper and "light" springs.

Then, there are the single-stack .30-30 mags, as seen on Savage 340 rifles. New, aftermarket clones of those appear to be available most of the time. I vaguely remember that Remington also made the 788 in .30-30. Ditto on aftermarket mags for them.

If you have a stash of the 10 round, synthetic, single-stack 7.62 x 39 Zastava mags, they would do, as well.

[husk]

Great job! Would not be “ pretty simple really “ for me. Wish I had those skills!

[muffett.2008]

No Bruce, the feed problems were with the M96 action, the unsupported round was a problem, the SKK magazine supports the round into the chamber.
If I work the action slowly it will fail to eject just like the 303, but vigorous actioning and absolutely no trouble.

[Woodsy]

Well done! I have done a few over the years for customers and the result was always pleasing, but the amount of work and time makes it more of a hobby proposition than a commercial reality.

[muffett.2008]

Pic's replaced.