Navy arms RFI .308 rifles

[Engine49guy]

I recently aquired 2 RFI Ishapore rifles in .308 caliber.
The first is a standard length rifle with forward ramp site in .308.

The second is a carbine,
It was described as a "Navy Arms" conversion" although I cannot find any markings with that name.

It has a shortened appearence similar to a No.5 Jungle carbine complete with muzzle flash cone and bayonet.
There are several noticable differences from a standard No.5 Jungle Carbine I notice such as sites, buttstock pad, wood stocks, The most noticeable is the different magazine being chambered for .308 NATO.

Can anyone tell me a bit about these and their approximate values?
Also, Very curious if they were converted after they left the Ishapore factory, Or were they originally made to be .308?

These pictures are identicle to my rifle except mine is a 1965 and says 7.62mm2A instead of 2A1.
Thanks

Information

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[Stevo]

They were manufactured in 7.62 NATO and "bubbafied" into carbines in the US.

[RJW NZ]

Despite comments about bubbae etc I really liked mine, cheap to feed and fun to shoot.

[Stevo]

Despite comments about bubbae etc I really liked mine, cheap to feed and fun to shoot.

They're kinda like a moped, cheap, fun to drive and they get you where you want to go. You just don't want your Harley-riding buddies to see you on one.

If they were available in Canada, I'd pick one up. They'd make a great truck gun. Mount an Aimpoint and a muzzle brake and you'd be good to go.

[Engine49guy]

When I hear Bubbafied I think garage and hacksaw.
Were these converted by a legitamite company?
I have heard the name Navy arms but cant think of what they make...
Was it single action revolvers?
Took a pic of the 2 together..

[blacksan]

Those rifles where converted in a now defunct shop in Martinsburg, WV. Gibbs/Navy Arms at one time was a neat place to visit because they had tons of stuff stacked in there shop and it was a treasure hunt smeared with cosmo.

[RJW NZ]

Hey, Engine 49er, the bubba name has come about more because purists don't like to see a good gun 'improved' with mods that make it less of a gun afterwards and ruin any collectibility too. In fact most of the work they did was adequate by gun modifier standards, and there were also one of two stories about some shoddy work, so these have lingered in peoples minds. Overall though the guns they made are in fact pretty popular with people who own them.
If the price is right buy, don't hesitate.

[Engine49guy]

Thanks for the help.
Brought them to the range with some cheap Indian ammo I had laying around.
Shot great.
Great fun for a day of informal shooting.

[blacksan]

Thanks for the help.
Brought them to the range with some cheap Indian ammo I had laying around.
Shot great.
Great fun for a day of informal shooting.

I also have one that I bought years ago and it is fun to shoot. Mine has a good bore and also reasonably accurate too. I guess the folks at Gibbs where sober/happy when they made mine.......... I only wished I would have purchased another as they where pretty dam cheap at the time.

[RJW NZ]

Last USA gunshows I was at the 45/70 conversions were constantly over $400, and I always noticed people online asking for them too.

Story; at that Costa Mesa show in 2003 ish a buddy and I were lingering at the end of the day and someone walked in carrying two rifles, navy arms, jungle carbine and a stock but nice ishapore. He was trying to get beer money from the rifle sale. I helped him by getting the carbine, and at first glance down the bore it was blocked with something, so I blew and sucked and tried my best but what ever it was wouldn't come out so I took a gamble on the bore and for $100 it was mine.
Later I poked a dowel through a bore and a bludy big black widow fell out. Moral of the story? Don't suck on the end of a cheap gun barrel, you could get a lot more than bargained for.

It turned out to be one of my favorite shooters.

Now that you own one of these shall we say 'illegitimate' enfields, I tried one at the range that had two slots cut across the top of the flash cone. It completely did away with muzzle rise!
A gun shop was making them and they're available online, but you have the kind of rifle thats forgiving of worthwhile experiments like that, just a thort.