Enfield Barrel Vise

[Steel Horse Rider]

A while ago I picked up a pretty nice Enfield No5 manufactured in 1946, but the flash suppressor/front sight assembly had been cut off. I was able to buy a replacement assembly but I need to turn the end of the barrel down in order to install a sleeve to allow the replacement assembly to be properly fit to the barrel. I purchased a barrel vise from Midway in order to remove the barrel for the machine work but cannot get a tight enough grip on the barrel to break it loose. Looking at the design of the flared portion of the barrel next to the receiver I can't help but think that someone manufactured a wrench of sorts to fit the flutes and flat of the barrel so that I can properly secure it but I have not been able to find any reference to such a tool in multiple Google searches. Any ideas?

 

[Jim K]

The proper barrel vise bushing for Enfields will be made to fit that flat spot (the Knox - originally Nock's - form.) You can make a filler block to fit that, but also take note that without the proper receiver wrench you can twist that receiver. Maybe you can try a different approach or find a lathe with a hollow headstock so you don't need to remove the barrel.

Jim

 

[LAGS]

You will probably have to make your own Barrel blocks out of Oak and use something like Acraglass resin to mold the halves to fit the barrel.
You will also need a regular Barrel Vise, not just clamp the blocks in a regular bench vise
Now, What are you using for an Action Wrench.
I sure hope you are not using a Pipe vise or pipe wrench.
You have to apply equal pressure around the receiver also or you will warp or crack it.
And using a Cressent wrench on the flat sides of the receiver is a sure way to twist the action , springing the breach

 

[BBBBill]

I've made up long mandrels to use on barreled receivers that slip through the receiver and index on the chamber. 60 degree angle on the end like a regular center. Drill and tap the mandrel at a point where it would allow a small block to be screwed to it and protrude through the bottom or the ejection port to act as a driving dog for the receiver. Allowed me to cut and crown the barrel in the lathe without dismounting it from the receiver. Did the same sort of thing when I SBR'd an HK 94 many years ago.

 

[Steel Horse Rider]

As stated in the original post, I bought a barrel vise and the receiver wrench from Midway but neither of the wooden blocks supplied with the vise will grip the barrel tight enough to break the barrel loose. I have been soaking the joint in penetrating oil and have heated the receiver with a torch but to no avail. I did get a blank Oak block so maybe I will try making an insert to fit with my router but I think the taper is going to be a problem. Buying a different lathe is probably not an option at this point.

 

[dprice3844444]

you can use a pointed center made out of bar stock to fit into the rear of the receiver that contacts the barrel and a live center for the muzzle end.put a bolt through the bar stock to kepp it from free wheeling.

 

[dprice3844444]

http://www.bdlltd.com/About_Us.html
Topkick Topkick is online now

came off another site.
There is someone in your neck of the woods who is extremely knowledgeable on the Enfield rifles. Contact Brian Dick at BDL Ltd in Edgefield, SC. His web site is http://www.bdlltd.com/About_Us.html Brian was trained by the best Enfield armorer in England and he is a wealth of knowledge. He's also the only one I know in the United States who has the experience and the factory tools for barrel changes - he just did one for me and his work is flawless.

 

[LAGS]

Heating up the receiver " Bad Idea "
If you got it much more than 600 degrees , you are probably distroying the Hardening of the receiver.
If you got it to any shade of red, then the receiver is Junk, Don't shoot it.

 

[Steel Horse Rider]

DPrice: I live in Colorado but I certainly will be in contact with your reference, thanks for the information!

Lags: I was trained as a Tool and Die Maker so I know a bit about metalurgy. Don't worry, I did not heat the reciever above about 250 degrees while I was applying ice to the barrel to make it stay stable as the reciever expanded. I doubt very much that the reciever was ever heat treated during the manufacturing process and the whole object of this procedure is to have a shooting quality Enfield Number 5 carbine when I finish.