Ishapore 2A1 headspace gauge/ Measurement

[Brian Dick]

In today's lawsuit happy society, I decided that the tighter specification of the L42 gauges was/is the ticket with these rifles. It was my decision and I don't really care what the Indian Army specification is although I tend to agree that it's probably the same as MoD specification. It'll be interesting to find out. Thunderbox may well be correct but I'm not the Army, just a small business and when working these old rifles safety is paramount. No one has ever been hurt with a rifle purchased here. I had an incident once from a consignment I sold years ago. A Demro Wasp, (read piece of crap), in .45 ACP that came apart while being fired. Anyhow, that's an unpleasant story and it scared the s--t out of me.

[Peter Laidler]

ON top of all that BRian and Thunderbox, it's a very interesting thread for me, purely from the technical/Armouring side. I don't know about anyone else just reading this. Comments anyone out there in forumland..........

[Alan de Enfield]

ON top of all that BRian and Thunderbox, it's a very interesting thread for me, purely from the technical/Armouring side. I don't know about anyone else just reading this. Comments anyone out there in forumland..........

I agree - in fact, a couple of days ago, I clicked "excellent" on the "rate this thread".
It would be nice to get a conclusive answer from the ILO

[jmoore]

ON top of all that BRian and Thunderbox, it's a very interesting thread for me, purely from the technical/Armouring side. I don't know about anyone else just reading this. Comments anyone out there in forumland..........

I've five of these Indian rifles- four functional (one's missing the bolt head, and, more importantly, the extractor) and none of the four pass headspace requirements. I've fired one QUITE extensively and have had no functional dramas. No reloads, though- just berdan primed milsurp ammo- mostly Portuguese ans South African.

Ran that one fast and hard at the CQB/tactical matches at Ft. Benning 7 to 12 years ago (inclusively)- sometimes with iron sights, sometimes with a reddot mounted on the rear sight bed, and once or twice with a laser strapped on the bayonet lug just for giggles in night shoots.

So my PRACTICAL interest in this situation is pretty small.
From a theoretical standpoint, I'm quite interested in the report back from the Indian liason.

[Bindi2]

i have followed this thread with interest as a collector with a 2a1. I would like to source a set of guages. I just missed out on a rifle that looked new and unused so took second best which is pretty darn good, why were these sold off. Peter your findings i await.

[Alan de Enfield]

. I'll make a written request to the Indian Army Liaison Officer to see if he can find out for us. Wait out!

I dont suppose there is any news yet ?

[Peter Laidler]

No news yet but the official wheels run so slowly................

[SDoldiron]

I had a friend drill and tap my Ishy for a scope. He looked at a couple fired cases and said that the headspace must be good. When I asked why, he pointed out where you could see where the case sealed against the chamber and there was no residue behind this point. We put a scope on it and I went and sent several hundrud rounds at praire dogs. I used berdan primed surplus and had no problems. Was his imput a myth?
Thanks to all for all of the post and info.

[SDoldiron]

Sorry I didn't mean to kill the thread.
Any info from the Indian Army on measuring the headspace?

[Peter Laidler]

Read answer two back. I'll tell you when the answer comes through