Spanish Destroyer Carbine Restoration Project

[mdrim13]

Hello Again,

I am always looking for a nice project gun as I have an unusual attraction to military rifles in need of some work. I bought a new one today without doing any research first, which is very unusual for me. I picked up a Spanish Destroyer Carbine in 9mm Largo cal. It has been restocked in a maple stock have probably the worst fit I've seen in a long time. The stock is a "custom" that has a cheek rest and a black painted tip. The trigger gurd assembely sits so far out of the stock that it interfears with operation and firing of the bolt. The whole thing is coated in black paint, which seems like a theme fer guns I've rescued lately. Hopefully the finish underneath will be nicley protected, but I dont expect that to be the case. I am going to need a stock, barrel bands and a butplate to make her right. It has one barrel band on it now but I'm not sure if it is correct for the rifle, I suspect it is not but only time will tell. I found the rifle locally and the gun had a price tag of $350 on it. When I picked it up the store owner came over an asked if I was interested, and I said that I was not interested at that price. He told me to make an offer, so I asked if he would take $100 for it. He said he couldnt go that low but he could do the deal at $125 so I jumped on it. I couldnt believe it and I thought I couldnt go wrong at that price. Would anyone have any ideas on where I could look for parts? I called Sarco and they offer to buy the rifle for parts because they have none. I also checked Numrich but had no luck there. Any ideas? I would appriciate any help. Thanks again. I plan on showing all of the steps of the restoration as to possibly aid future members. Who knows, someone might even find it interesting.

mdrim13

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[barbarossa]

mdrim13, I am sorry to say I believe this is gonna be one of those needle in a haystack kinda things. A complete original Destroyer carbine stock assembly will be a very tough find nowadays. Still, why not make it up as a decent halfstock sporter? Properly done, it would have a certain personal cachet. That would eliminate the search for buttplates, and forestock cap. If not, you can always borrow a Destroyer carbine stock from someone and have them duplicate the original stock.

One thing for sure--it's gonna cost some money. Good luck.

[mdrim13]

My hope was that someone would have one laying around from one they sporterized or possibly a parts gun from a bad barrel/receiver. From what I understand, parts guns are halfway common because people got into the habit of shooting the higher pressure 9mm Luger in their carbine. I agree it's a needle in a haystack, but if I search long enough I may be lucky and come across one. I'm in no hurry and for now I will probably make the stock into a half sporter like you suggest.

Mdrim13

[jmoore]

There's some different versions, including a double stack high capacity magazine (10 rounds?) variatation. Three distinct types come to mind that I' ve seen. (Including that double stack mag thing!)

[mdrim13]

Jmoore,

You are correct. There are a few different variations. I believe the double stack magazine version was one of the earlier types and the single stack is the later style. I have the single stack and it dates to 1964. I believe the magazines that the carbines used reflected the magazines they were currently using in their pistols. This was to save money and for ease of use.

Mdrim13

[bob4wd]

Total wild shot here, but I would try a few stocks from other bolt actions, mauser, carcano, whatever for maybe a half-decent fit of the upper action area. Barrel, magazine area, etc. Could be fairly easily contoured or fitted by an amateur like me. Maybe. Sure would be easier than trying to carve out from a virgin piece of wood. Good luck, in any event.
BTW, what's that pile of torch-cut pieces that are visible on the bench? Now, THERE'S a project, I bet!

[mdrim13]

Total wild shot here, but I would try a few stocks from other bolt actions, mauser, carcano, whatever for maybe a half-decent fit of the upper action area.

I happen to have a sporterized M38 Carcano and a K98k stock in my pile of misc stocks. I will have to see if anything is close tomorrow. Not a bad idea.

BTW, what's that pile of torch-cut pieces that are visible on the bench? Now, THERE'S a project, I bet!

That pile is a demil M31 Suomi parts kit that I am currently rebuilding into a semi auto carbine. I just started a thread about it and I plan to show the process. Below is a link to the thread.

https://www.milsurps.com/showthread.php?t=36702

mdrim13

[John Sukey (Deceased)]

Just a thought. The bolt face can be opened up just a tad and then you can then use 38ACP ammo. 9mm largo is hotter than .38ACP

[pitanh]

I started collecting parts years ago to rebuild rifles bubba got to first, P14- P17, Schmidt Rubens and Destroyers. I know I have a stock and a few bands, action, mags and bolt parts but it'll take
till warmer weather to find 'em.

[mdrim13]

I started collecting parts years ago to rebuild rifles bubba got to first, P14- P17, Schmidt Rubens and Destroyers. I know I have a stock and a few bands, action, mags and bolt parts but it'll take
till warmer weather to find 'em.

I would love to get my hands on one of the stocks sets if I could.

mdrim13