Here's sumthin you don't see every day, thank god

[RJW NZ]

I know nothing about this, I lifted the pics from an auction site a few years back. Looks like someone was really really really determined to stop the wrist angle flexing.
Well, it look a bit funny but I bet it works.

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[Son]

Not so very different to this, only that one looks like it has been cast, not machined from a decent grade of aluminium....

[RJW NZ]

The things we do to get a flexy, mass produced soldiers rifle to perform like a highly tuned target rifle!
and I must admit, the concept is interesting , and just the sort of thing I'd try out!

[jmoore]

Son, it looks to me (even w/ the wretched work monitor) that your block pics show a machined lower w/ bedding epoxy around the barrel channel and forward part of the action body. Yes? No?

[Son]

The block is machined flat on top except for a cross- cut to tightly locate the front trigger guard screw boss. By locking it tight as well as the sear lugs to butt socket area at the rear, the action cannot move at all. I did end up a tiny bit thin at the rear end underneath, but added a little wedge to the trigger guard to make up for it. The t/guard locks it all together as one piece.

The bedding compound (pic shows the first type, a two part epoxy, which failed) is just to give support under the receiver ring and barrel knox. Barrel fully floated forward of the knox. The foreend attaches with dome headed capscrews into the aluminium, It doesn't touch the rifle itself.

[madcratebuilder]

If I recall correct this was cast as a replacement fore-end. I ran across this a few years ago on the web and saved the photo's.

[Bruce_in_Oz]

Possibly not as silly as it might appear.

The Accuracy International rifles have an aluminium sub-frame with plastic bits for the firer to grip.

Some years ago I designed a series of bedding systems for No4s to do something similar. These came in a variety of configurations, but one was essentially similar in concept to the AI method. It was a laugh a minute to machine, too. The sporter-style fore end was pretty much a thin shell of timber reinforced with polyester resin and carbon fibre. Shot OK, but too many variables and not enough samples to draw any real conclusions.

The BIG difference, of course, is that our pet Lee Enfields lock at the REAR. Thus, there is all sorts of stretch and flex that do not occur with those funny front-locking foreigners.

Once you get your head around the fact than L.E.s transfer recoil / bolt thrust directly from those rear locking recesses to the butt, via the substantial socket, things become clearer.

The laws of physics ordain that the fore-end and associated bits and pieces, will want to stay put when the rest of the rifle leaps to the rear. The dinky surfaces on the rear of the sear hanger are "adequate". However, the trigger guard is set at that slight angle, not just for looks, but to act as a wedge to assist restraining the fore-end. The mass of the nosecap on a SMLE adds somewhat to the mass of the fore-end assembly. Add some more inertia when the bayonet is attached. Probably another reason for the development of the No4 style woodwork / bayonet system. (Apart from cost)

The addition of an L42 style bearing plate under the triggerguard helps greatly by spreading the load applied by the front screw when wound up to tensions that would split a standard fore-end. Note that the AIA M-10s have this bearing plate as standard now. However, if the engagement at the sear hangers is nor good and symmetrical, performance will not be up to par.

Also of interest is that the SMLE butt screw with the square end limited side play at the rear of the fore-end, as opposed to the non-interaction of the No4 style butt screw. Hence the creative application of bearing dowels on "range" No4s.

[RJW NZ]

I can see I shouldn't have been so quick to make a joke of my post, 'cos all of this stuff is really really interesting, thanks gents.

[Son]

I can see I shouldn't have been so quick to make a joke of my post, 'cos all of this stuff is really really interesting, thanks gents.

Don't worry about that! I built mine to show the guys that you didn't need 3.5 grand to have a competitive rifle. Even with the scope, it came in under $250 and shoots moa all day. It was a joke from the start, just ended up effective.

I was going to try to cast a foreend too, but didn't have the time or patience to do the mould.

[Surpmil]

Rather odd to see all that trouble taken and a standard weight SMLE barrel fitted, unless it was for comparison purposes.