1st post! Ishapore 2a1 sporter restoration

[MosinVirus]

Sorry, are you saying that the receiver is basically done?

[Peter Laidler]

I don't think that he's saying that at all. What he's saying as I read it is that it needs to be thoroughly re-set up and gauged. If it conforms to all of the gauge limits or can be brought back to conform to the limits then all is well. Same as any Lee rifle really. But that firing pin protrusion indicates something amiss to me. There's only one way that you can get FPP like that and that's by taking metal off the tenon - that's the threaded part of the bolt head.

[MosinVirus]

I don't think that he's saying that at all. What he's saying as I read it is that it needs to be thoroughly re-set up and gauged. If it conforms to all of the gauge limits or can be brought back to conform to the limits then all is well. Same as any Lee rifle really. But that firing pin protrusion indicates something amiss to me. There's only one way that you can get CHS like that and that's by taking metal off the tenon - that's the threaded part of the bolt head.

Thank you Peter,

I have discussed with Brian sending the rifle and bolt to BDL for inspection.

I also got a new bolt head and bolt body from Numrich. Still waiting for a new striker. This is just to be able to have parts on hand if some of the originals are deemed non-usable.

The new Bolt Head has a smaller firing pin opening, and a longer tenon. The firing pin protrudes only about half of the amount it does using the original bolt head. I also get cocking piece lift using the new bolt head with the striker fully screwed into it. However, the bolt head currently doesn't turn in all the way to align with the long lug on the bold body. I assume it is better to remove material from the bolt body face to allow the bolt head to turn in to align.

[MosinVirus]

Well, I did take the rifle to my local smith and told him what the correct gauge information is (provided by Brian at BDL), and my bolt closes on No-go gauge.

So now, the search for a longer bolt head starts.

Does anyone have a chart of bolt head sizes for no2 rifles? Are the sizes different from no1 rifles?

Thank you in advance.

[Peter Laidler]

On the basis that the face of the bolt head doesn't wear away but bolt locking lugs do, I'd be prepared to try a new bolt first. But your bolt head that is allowing approx 4mm of firing pin protrusion (FPP) is useless. So it's try a new bolt and bolt head in your case.

I'm suprised that a US gun smith would have the CHS gauges for an Indian 7.62mm rifle. That said, if he knows the spec then a KNOWN gauge, gauged and calibrated in conjunction with a feeler gauge would sort-of suffice.

[MosinVirus]

On the basis that the face of the bolt head doesn't wear away but bolt locking lugs do, I'd be prepared to try a new bolt first. But your bolt head that is allowing approx 4mm of firing pin protrusion (FPP) is useless. So it's try a new bolt and bolt head in your case

Thank you Peter,

Tried the new bolt body and bolt head. The new head is stamped with letter "s". This is the one thst closes on no-go gauge but snugly. The original bolt head closes on No-go +.003" so that one is really out of the question.

The new bolt head is .636" from face to tenon shoulder.

My smith recommended I try to find a head that is .642-.646" in length so that it puts me in a sweet spot for both 7.62x51 and .308

I am just not sure how the different sizes are identified and if they even go that far.

[MosinVirus]

Per Brian's recommendation I will also get an unnumbered bolt body to see if it will give me more "meat" at the locking lugs.

Where could I get the largest/longest bolt head? Are there any places that would take the time to measure their stock?

[Brian Dick]

Springfield Sporters used to offer new, unfitted bolt bodies for the SMLE. The ones I had were BSA manufacture if memory serves. That would be the place to start.

[MosinVirus]

Springfield Sporters used to offer new, unfitted bolt bodies for the SMLE. The ones I had were BSA manufacture if memory serves. That would be the place to start.

Thank you Brian.

Do you know if there is a size chart available for the bolt heads? And are no2 bolt heads the same with no1?

[Brian Dick]

You'll need to find a long SMLE bolt head and fit it properly. It's a measure and select fit process. No.4 bolt heads came in different lengths but the process is still a measure and select fit process. The measurements can vary greatly and don't necessarily coincide with the number stamped on that supposedly denotes the size.