Experts:Rechamber an Enfield No4 to 7.62x39?

[jame]

I got to thinking yesterday as I was in the process of refinishing a really messed up No4, "What could I rechamber this thing to?"

Then, it occurred to me that the .303 Brit and the 7.69x39 have the same .311 bore diameter.

What sort of challenges would a feller run into on such a project, besides the obvious rechamber? Bolt face, extractor, magazine length.....could they all be modified to shoot this inexpensive round, as opposed to the expensive and kinda togh to find .303 Brit?

 

[Ian]

Yup, it is possible. In fact, there's a company making such things.

http://www.pyramid.net/sia/#Enfield K

 

[jame]

Thanks, Ian! Now that looks like a cool option!

Do you have any experience with these guys? What's the quality of the conversions that they do?

 

[bernie]

What other calibers do people rechamber these things for?

 

[Combat-wombat]

I know that a company called "Gibbs" makes one in .308.

 

[Ian]

jame - I haven't ever handled or fired one of the 7.62x39 Enfields, so I can't comment one way or the other on their quality.

Bernie - The Indian government made Enfields in 7.62x51 (and AIA makes new ones in .308 now). Beyond that, the only other conversion I know of is for 7.62x54R.

 

[Joe Demko]

Doesn't Gibbs offer one in .45-70?

 

[Ian]

Yeah, come to think of it they do. Forgot about that one...

 

[Deadman]

http://www.tristarsportingarms.com/m10rifles.htm

 

[lee n. field]

"Gibbs" makes one in .308.

Those are remanufactured (some would say butchered) Ishapore 2a and 2a1 Enfields, originally made in that caliber.

 

[vertigo7]

Here's an article from Surplusrifle.com about converting an Enfield no4 to feed .223 Remington which was available in plentiful supply, and goes on to explain the Oz govt banned the importation of 7.62x39 on the assumption that it would be used in an SKS or similar verboten rifle.