is it worth it?

[Crooked mouth]

hello everyone it's the mainspring guy.I was given a mk I type III enfield barrel and action made by Ishapore arsenal. the bore is really clean but it needs a new extractor spring.is this thing worth restocking into a hunting rifle? the caliber is 308 but the sights have been removed.

 

[rbernie]

Nope. What you really want to do is give that ol' piece of junk to me. Why, I might even give you a few dollars for it, just so you can start the savings fund for a real rifle.

Nossir. Can't be having you seen in public with a no-good low down excuse of a rifle such as THAT one.....



Extractor springs can be had from Wolff or Numrich, and a ATI replacement stock is $50 if you shop well. If the bore is OK and the crown in good shape, there's no reason not to use the old war-horse. I have three sporterized Enfields, and the best of 'em will keep up with most any modern mass-produced rifle. I presume that the barrel and action are all assembled, correct? Do you have a magazine for it? If not, budget another $20 or so for that (and for heaven's sakes do NOT buy a ProMag and expect it to actually work).

 

[Crooked mouth]

Hi Rbernie, the barrel and action are together.a buddy of mine gave it to me because he saw me take an interest in it and he really didn't want to mess with restoring it.I do have a few concerns though, what about head space? and since it has had the sights removed i will need a scope and mount for it. do you have any advice on how to proceed on this project?

 

[mainmech48]

Your action sounds like the Ishapore 2A, which was essentially a No.1 Mk.III with upgraded metallurgy chambered for the 7.62x51 NATO cartridge. If you're a fan of the SMLE, it's definitely worth some effort, and will make a very rugged and servicable hunting rifle.

Besides what rbernie said, my experience with my own 2A has been very positive. It's quite accurate with match ammunition, and at least on par with the vast majority of surplus BAs with service loads. I bought mine because .303 surplus had gotten fairly expensive and hard to find and I missed plinking with my SMLEs.

Numrich would be a good place to start for parts, whether you wanted to "restore" it to issue trim or not. IMO, it'd pretty much be a toss-up, costwise, for a basic job either way.

As far as customizing goes, there's a pretty sizable aftermarket supply of sporter stock sets in wood or synthetic, iron sights, scope mounts, etc. Brownell's catalog will give you lots of ideas and options which you can filter through as your tastes and budget dictate. There are at least a couple of high-quality "no gunsmithing" scope mount options and a whole raft of choices when it comes to irons. At least two other options besides "Pro Mag" for standard and five-round hunting mags, too. There are a lot more viable DIY metal finishing choices now than ever before, and they have those covered too.

Sound like a nifty project, especially when the biggest necessity was donated. Let us know how it goes.

 

[rbernie]

I'm building a 2A sporter as we speak, using a ATI stock and the OneHotMount scout scope mount. I also bought a XS/Ashley scout scope mount as a backup to the OneHotMount in case I screwed up the OHM getting it on, but I managed to get the OHM in place without boobing it up too badly. The OHM is a gigantic PITA to get on and get aligned properly, but it's solid and functional once in place.

Headspace on mine checked out OK; I just took it to my gunsmith and he checked it for free while I browsed the reloading supplies in the shop. If you reload, neck-size only and headspace becomes a moot point.

The project of mine was pretty simple; strip off what was left of the old wood, clean up the crown (the barrel had already been cut down to 22"), refinish the metal (I'm using DuraCoat), bed the action into the ATI stock, and bolt it all together.

 

[dm1333]

Show us pics when it is done Rbernie

I just finished my M38 Scout today and hopefully will get to shoot it tomorrow. I'm looking for an Enfield with a shot out bore. I want to get it rechambered for 7.62x39, with a synthetic stock and scout mount(I'm a lefty). Failing that any Ishy in .308 will do. If I can get something chambered in 7.62x39 then I can use the same bullets for my Mosin, my No.1 and the sporterized Enfield.

 

[mainmech48]

dm 1333: Please excuse the unsolicted comment, but IMO your SMLE conversion wouldn't be very practical. The skilled labor and expertise necessary to modify an SMLE action and magazine for 7.62x39 would probably cost more than a new CZ 527 carbine or Ruger 77 in that caliber.

I'm not trying to say that it couldn't be done. You can get about anything your heart desires if you're willing to spend whatever it takes to make it happen. Just don't expect it to end up costing less than one of these slick little factory items would.

Another factor that you might want to consider is that an Enfield barrel, even if it wasn't "shot-out", might well be way oversized for .303 or 7.62x39. While the nominal dimensions are compatible wide variations are found, especially in wartime production specimens. I've seen sound examples which slugged as much as 0.315 - 0.319". Nothing is quite as frustrating as putting a lot of time, effort, and money into a project and finding that it won't group for beans. Don't ask how I know; remembering is painful enough as it is.

Although the maker's name escapes me at the moment, there is an SMLE conversion kit for .45 ACP (of all things!) that's both practical and relatively inexpensive. I'm presently looking for a suitable No.4 to try it myself.