Converting SMLE to .45-70

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Tallinar

Tallinar

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I read years ago that some folks used to rework Lee Enfield rifles from .303 British to .45-70. Does anyone know if anyone still does this kind of work?
 
I have read about it too and always have wanted one. I think, sante fe did some. I had a sante fe Jungle Carbine for a while, best I recall they made them both by cutting down #4s.
 
EMC45 said:
Gibbs used to do it in the 90s.
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Yes, I found some information on those Gibbs rifles, but doesn’t appear they still do it?

Wondering if anyone is still doing it today. A .45-70 SMLE has always been one of my dream guns, but I didn’t have the means to procure one in the past. Would like to look into it again.
 
I wonder if JES reboring might know something about it? That would definitely be a neat conversation. I was just thinking the other day I wonder how well a 444 marlin enfield would work.
 
ER Shaw did Siamese Mausers, they might do the SMLE you could check with them. The Siamese action has gotten pretty expensive.
 
I was also reminded of the Gibbs/Navy Arms conversions ('Summit'). Looks like they altered/replaced the barrel, boltface, magazine and stock.

GibbsSummit.jpg

Lee-Enfield Resource website lists these guys as a LE specialty gunsmith in the USA: https://bdlltd.com/contact/

I'm guessing a one-off conversion is going to cost a lot. Getting the magazine to feed correctly would be the tricky bit. Maybe hunting down a used Gibbs would be the easier path, thought I suspect they didn't make many.
 
someguy2800 said:
I wonder if JES reboring might know something about it? That would definitely be a neat conversation. I was just thinking the other day I wonder how well a 444 marlin enfield would work.
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This was my idea too. My junker no. 4 will load empty 444 marlin from the mag if you cycle it slowly. I put in a few calls to JES, but haven't gotten a response back yet. I think it would be just as cool as a 45-70.
 
adcoch1 said:
This was my idea too. My junker no. 4 will load empty 444 marlin from the mag if you cycle it slowly. I put in a few calls to JES, but haven't gotten a response back yet. I think it would be just as cool as a 45-70.
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I tried it the other night and mine would not feed loaded rounds. Would need a spacer in the back of some sort and they didn't stack very well.
 
Dave DeLaurant said:
I was also reminded of the Gibbs/Navy Arms conversions ('Summit'). Looks like they altered/replaced the barrel, boltface, magazine and stock.

View attachment 1049142

Lee-Enfield Resource website lists these guys as a LE specialty gunsmith in the USA: https://bdlltd.com/contact/

I'm guessing a one-off conversion is going to cost a lot. Getting the magazine to feed correctly would be the tricky bit. Maybe hunting down a used Gibbs would be the easier path, thought I suspect they didn't make many.
Click to expand...
I remember reading that the Gibbs had feeding problems.
 
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