The new .22 conversion kit has landed!

[mrclark303]

Morning all,

I received my new conversion kit just before Christmas, the only example of Rays work to get to the UK so far.

A few good friends proved invaluable in the process, Dean in Wichita and Neal Parnham (Suffolk Rifles), Dean grabbed the kit from the Fal-files market place on my behalf and Neal, a fellow L1A1 nutter and co-conspirator/enabler on my varied inch pattern projects, imported it via his FFD connections and had it proofed for me.

The quality of the kit is superb, really beautifully made, I did have a few issues to deal with, first one, the liner wouldn't fit my L1A1's bore, so required a few slight adjustments.

The liner was sort of Teflon / park coated, before I very cautiously placed it in a bench jig, then with the full knowledge that I might just totally screw up the sole example of Rays work this side of the great pond ... using 2000 grade wet or dry with oil and then bore polish, I gradually reduced the diameter by the tiniest fraction, now when I say reduce, we are talking half the width of a gnats private parts here.

Now the liner fits snugly into the bore of my SP Enfield L1, I also had to cut away the hammer connecting arm from a spare safety sear, as the new bolt lacks the tripping extension of the original L12A1 bolt group.

All working very well now, pics and range report when my workload drops back a bit...

Cheers, John.

Information

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[browningautorifle]

And of course we'll be waiting. Can't wait to see how it resembles it's predecessor.

[mrclark303]

Here are a few pics of the set up (while still in the States), including a spare original liner the kit picked up on route to the UK. The magazines are Fal, but function fine with my L1..

I will post some when I get to the range.Attachment 68911Attachment 68912Attachment 68913

[villiers]

"I gradually reduced the diameter by the tiniest fraction, now when I say reduce, we are talking half the width of a gnats private parts here."


WOT???? THAT MUCH ? I´d only have removed less than half the width of a small gnat´s pubic hair.

Please explain how it works. I´ve been looking for an ex-GDR Kalashnikov in .22 that was issued for paramilitary training to schools. `Twas a simple blowback that was supposed to work full auto AND single round.

[mrclark303]

Hi Villiers,

Same here, a very simple blow back bolt group, you cock the rifle, remove the full-bore bolt group, drop in the bore liner, drop in the .22lr bolt group, close and shoot ... This kit will only shoot semi auto as it lacks the safety/auto sear trip extension of the original L12A1 kit.

Compared to a lot of dedicated .22 semi autos on the market it seems to be a very reliable system indeed.

[Peter Laidler]

Worth remembering that the kit that you have contains MANY original parts too.

Those UK L1A1 owners who want a sub cal kit should know that a personal import is extremely simple and cheap. And you don't need to have it proofed either!

[desperatedan]

Worth remembering that the kit that you have contains MANY original parts too.

Those UK L1A1 owners who want a sub cal kit should know that a personal import is extremely simple and cheap. And you don't need to have it proofed either!

I'll second Peter's advice. I personally imported an original kit from North America last year (as allowed with a suitable variation on your firearms certificate). No need to go to UK Border Agency Coventry hub to collect either as after paying the customs fees online, Royal Mail even delivered it to my door.

[Roy W]

What variation wording is required on the UK FAC?

Is it one space for a sub calibre kit, or one spare barrel and one spare receiver?

[desperatedan]

Roy,

I put in a covering letter with my variation application explaining that it was for a ".22 conversion kit comprising a barrel and bolt" for an existing full bore rifle and it was granted on my FAC simply described as ".22 barrel and bolt" - no need to specify which rifle it's a conversion kit for.

[mrclark303]

Roy,

I put in a covering letter with my variation application explaining that it was for a ".22 conversion kit comprising a barrel and bolt" for an existing full bore rifle and it was granted on my FAC simply described as ".22 barrel and bolt" - no need to specify which rifle it's a conversion kit for.

I find my force area very helpful indeed, so first off, phone them up and ask about it, (some do apparently take issue with conversion kits), then as Dan says, write a covering letter to go with your variation.

In my letter I outlined that I have an interest in shooting and studying service rifles, with a particular interest in the L1A1 and its variants, with this in mind I would like to acquire a .22 conversion kit to shoot with my L1A1's etc etc.

Mine is listed as .22 conversion kit on my FAC and the spare liner is simply listed as ".22lr barrel"

I'll second Peter's advice. I personally imported an original kit from North America last year (as allowed with a suitable variation on your firearms certificate). No need to go to UK Border Agency Coventry hub to collect either as after paying the customs fees online, Royal Mail even delivered it to my door.

Any issues with your liner fitting Dan?