The new .22 conversion kit has landed!

[mrclark303]

three inch groups at 100yds, in choppy conditions from my shooting bench, so buffeted about a bit, (probably do better) with CCI Mini Mags.

As yo say, certainly not Anschutz accuracy, but very respectable from a semi auto conversion kit!

Plenty good enough for a plinker..

[Peter Laidler]

Just be sure that you use top quality ammo because if the barrel bulges, it's there for life and the rifle remains a .22" forever! Well, certainly in its Army life it did!

At a few of the units under my care they were fed-up changing the sights to suit the .22" inserts and back again when the kits were taken out and back again and so forth. Sadly, but sadly-on-purpose, over the space of a week or so, the first 6 rifles in the Armory had the .22" sub cal barrels bulged into place meaning that thereafter, they were permanently dedicated sub-calibre rifles. Red band around the handguards with .22" painted on and end of problem. But, alas, not the end of the story. Got loads of use for many years especially by the local ACF's and CCF's. When the L1A1's were withdrawn for L85's, these dedicated sub-cals were recorded differently by dint of specialist Army accounting methods. So for 5+ years these rifles were still being used quite happily until the new H&K sub-cal kits for the L85 came on stream. I think that a couple of the school CCF's used them after that......... But that's another story.

Use best quality ammo is my advice

[mrclark303]

Hi Peter,

No problems so far, I wonder if this bulging issue was more of a problem on slack fitting liner/bore combinations, I could see how excess tolerance along with firing pressure, might "give" enough to bulge, engage with the rifling and stick tight!

How much of this issue in service was caused by worn weakened liners and bores, or by squaddies forcing them into dirty bores, or indeed a combination of these issues? I adjusted my new liner to very snugly fit in the bore, (dangerous laymen's common sense here) I would have thought being snugly contained and as a result, well supported in the bore, would help prevent the liner from bulging ... or have I completely misread the forces involved ... VERY POSSIBLE ??

[Ex Crab]

three inch groups at 100yds, in choppy conditions from my shooting bench, so buffeted about a bit, (probably do better) with CCI Mini Mags.

As yo say, certainly not Anschutz accuracy, but very respectable from a semi auto conversion kit!

Plenty good enough for a plinker..

Sounds very good. I found that el cheapo ammo (CCI) was good enough at 25 mtrs and even 50 mtrs. At 100 mtrs match ammo performed best. Without digging into my records I can't say which brand it was, but it produced groups of around 3" +.

Late addition, thanks to mrclark303 for the reply. As I don't know anyone else with an L12A1 I couldn't compare notes on accuracy, but now I'm a bit wiser. I was seriously thinking of aquiring another barrel, preferably brand new, however the one UK source is now in prison and no other supply line in sight.
I can definitely agree with Peters comment about quality ammo, not so much for 25 mtrs, but it does make a difference at 100 mtrs.

[Peter Laidler]

Yep, forces involved! You CAN remove the .22" barrel but it means the destruction of the .22" liner - even if you unbreech the outer barrel. Hey-ho...., all is not lost though because you still have a great .22" plinker and easily obtainable (now....) spare .22" barrels. The answer is to only shoot the best quality ammo

[Ex Crab]

Yep, forces involved! You CAN remove the .22" barrel but it means the destruction of the .22" liner - even if you unbreech the outer barrel. Hey-ho...., all is not lost though because you still have a great .22" plinker and easily obtainable (now....) spare .22" barrels. The answer is to only shoot the best quality ammo

Can you please tell me where I can get a spare .22 barrel?

[Peter Laidler]

They are being re-manufactured in the US - as are the complete kits. Maybe one of the owners of the kits could answer specifically where they come from

[Peter Laidler]

You'd have thought that someone would pass on the new manufacturers name by now.......

Try Brian at BDL Ltd in SC. He was also semi-instrumental in the new manufacture of the kits

[mrclark303]

PM's exchanged and (hopefully useful) information sent Peter..

[Ex Crab]

PM's exchanged and (hopefully useful) information sent Peter..

Very useful. Thanks.