A drop-in .22lr conversion kit for the Enfield No4 rifle?

[MrNatural]

I have never seen or heard of for sale a drop-in conversion kit for the No 4 Enfield Rifles. So I wonder how one could be built?

Has any other Mad Scientist fan of Enfields tried to accomplish this?

Certainly someone reading this must have thought about it.

My SWAG:

Starting with a single-shot drop-in .22 kit for the No 1 SMLE rifle:

Using the No1 .22lr barrel insert, which ought to fit the No4 .303 barrel with minimal, if any, machining.

How to make the No 1 bolt head fit the insert chamber face in the No 4 action? Milling down the large No1 lug to the No4 dimensions?

How to make the No 1 bolt/bolt face/firing pin assembly fit the No 4 action?

I considered taking the back part of a No 4 .303 bolt and the front part of a No1 .22 bolt and combining them to function, either by threading, soldering or welding.

Anyone else? Surely I can't be the first to try this "fine, crackbrained idea"?

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[mrclark303]

A starting point for a drop in kit would be to copy a .22 Morris SMLE aiming tube and make a No4 version of the modified bolt.

All quite doable I would think, but not a cheap or easy undertaking.

[fjruple]

MrNatural--

I actually have done it to a No. 4 MK2 rifle. I bought a No. 4 MK2 rifle whose barrel was toast. At the time I purchased one of Numrich Arms No. 1 MKIII conversion kits and used the .22LR barrel liner. Additionally I used a Canadian No 7 MK I .22LR bolt and magazine follower. I did about three of them like that. I have since sold two and still retain one. I still have the 3 No 2 MKIV .22LR bolts that came with the .22LR Kits from Numrich Arms. It was nice .22LR conversion.

--fjruple

[Peter Laidler]

If you want a drop-in and take-out .22" kit just for plinking then it's simplicity itself. But if you want a drop-in, take out magazine feed with all the whistles and bells of a No7, then that's difficult.

There was a detailed thread about this several years ago with some good input from the flock too. Maybe someone who is more computer literate '........than wot I am.....' could resurrect it......

[Promo]

I think there was recently a No. 4 T up for auction at proxibid which was mentioned to come with a drop-in .22 system.

Edit: dug out the link ... World War II 1944 Dated Britis... Auctions Online | Proxibid

[mrclark303]

That looks like an interesting setup, the .22 kit is single shot I guess..

[bigduke6]

Looks that way John, just a bolt and barrel liner....

[chasobr]

Presently, there are two conversion kits for sale on e..y (a name which cannot be spoken).