Special Interest Arms and their Enfield K conversion

[Mumbles_45]

Does anyone know anything about Special Interest Arms or their Enfield "K" conversion? ( http://www.specialinterestarms.com/#Enfield K )

I haven't even called them yet, but was wondering if anyone has dealt with them in the past and if so has anything to say one way or another regarding their experience.


-Patiently waiting for iamkris to tell me to use the search feature, and Cosmoline to tell me that I'll go to hell if I modify a milsurp.

 

[MechAg94]

I have never heard of that before. You can go to hell later.


Personally, I am not sure why I would want that rifle. The suppressed .45 maybe, but not the 7.62. I like the idea of a suppressed .45 rifle. A step up from a .22 LR.

 

[rockstar.esq]

The .45 might be a DeLisle conversion which was an exceedingly cool clandestine operations gun used during WWII. I would absofriggenloutely love one of those bad boys!

 

[dm1333]

I was, and still am, interested in one of his 7.62x39 conversions. Last summer I was on vacation in NV and stopped at his shop. The workmanship on his conversions seemed to be high quality. My money situation has kept me from getting an Enfield converted though.

 

[GRIZ22]

Considering the cost of the Enfield plus conversion I've seen bolt action 7.62X39s go for less. Unless of course you want a 7.62X39 Enfield but it seems it'll be a long bolt throw for the cartridge.

 

[KaceCoyote]

Neat! great truck gun!

 

[Mumbles_45]

Thanks for the info dm1333.

KaceCoyote, Truck gun is exactly what I had in mind, well, Jeep gun to be precise.

GRIZ22, It's not so much that I want a 7.62x39 Enfield or even a 7.62x39 bolt gun, as it is I want a truck gun and I've already got the Enfield, its been sitting unused in an unused drag bag in the back of a closet for almost a year, and this conversion will hopefully solve both of those problems (the Enfields lack of use and my lack of truck gun)

I am semi-interested in the .45 supressed idea, especially if it used 1911 mags, but even though compatibility with my carry gun would be nice, I would still rather have it fire rifle rounds.

 

[Antihero]

I cant for the life of me get the "click link above for more details on this kit" to work so im going to give my keep my thoughts on the idea of a 7.62x39 Enfield in general.

I personlly would never want this. At $250 bucks you could get a nice lever action 30-30 for a truck gun that will outperform the 7.62x39. the 7.62x39 is a fine cartridge for what it is, but i think a bolt action in that caliber is useless.

IMHO id sell the enfield and put it towards a good 30-30 levergun, or if your absolutly set on the 7.62x39 how about trading the enfield for an SKS?

 

[Mumbles_45]

I have an SKS, and dont particularly care for it.

I like leverguns, don't know why I haven't bought one yet. I don't know, I just want something else, no good reason. Now, I don't want something else if it's going to be junk, but so far the only person who has any experience with the guy says his work appeared to be good.

 

[kirkcdl]

If you already have the Enfield,why not just buy the kit and do it yourself? www.rhinelandarms.com

 

[Antihero]

I have an SKS, and dont particularly care for it.

I like leverguns, don't know why I haven't bought one yet. I don't know, I just want something else, no good reason. Now, I don't want something else if it's going to be junk, but so far the only person who has any experience with the guy says his work appeared to be good.

What would this actually be used for? You mentioned it as a truck gun, but a truck gun for what?

Bear, cougar, wildlife in general?

Defence against the two-legged?

Plinking?

Saying you have a truck gun?

A 30-30 out performs a 7.63x39 in every way. The only way i could seee this as usable would be if i lived in an area where the only ammo i could find in abundance was the 7.62x39. The 7.62x39 is a fairly weak cartridge that is best used for semi and full auto rifles, the only benefit i could see over a lever action 30-30 is the enfield kit more than likely holds more rounds than 6.

Sell/trade said enfield and the SKS and get a lever action for a truck gun.

 

[Andrew Wyatt]

the enfield makes a dandy truck gun as is. don't hack it up.

 

[Antihero]

the enfield makes a dandy truck gun as is. don't hack it up.

Also a good point, 303 isnt hard to find and it more powerful than the 7.62x39 and the 30-30.

 

[dm1333]

The conversion is expensive and I keep thinking that I could buy a CZ 527 and get my Enfield rebarreled and scope it for hunting use. On the other hand the sporter version that I handled was light and really well balanced and felt great.

 

[Mumbles_45]

I cant for the life of me get the "click link above for more details on this kit" to work

Yeah, it doesn't work for me either, you just have to scroll down about halfway until you get to it.

303 isnt hard to find

Actually, I have a harder time finding .303 than I would like, not impossible, but a hassle none the less. Also, it's more expensive, and the Enfield is the only rifle I own that shoots it, and while having another 7.62x39 might be boring, having one less flavor to keep track of and shop for is a good thing.

don't hack it up.

but I wanna hack it up.

For the crazy C&R types that no doubt want me hanged after that statement, I bought the rifle in mildly hacked condition (nothing too serious, just the wood and the sights) but I'm not casting the first stone here, just picking up where someone else left off.

a truck gun for what? Bear, cougar, wildlife in general? Defence against the two-legged? Plinking? Saying you have a truck gun?

Mostly plinking and saying I have a truck gun, but I suppose all of the above are always a possiblility.

The 7.62x39 is a fairly weak cartridge that is best used for semi and full auto rifles

Best used for semi autos why, so in addition to being "weak" it can be innaccurate? I don't know, but I'd be willing to bet that I can get much better consistency from a bolt gun with the allegedly match grade barrel included in the conversion kit than I can with an SKS or AK what with all the gas tubes and bayonette lugs and whatnot putting pressure on various parts of the barrel.

 

[Antihero]

Actually, I have a harder time finding .303 than I would like, not impossible, but a hassle none the less. Also, it's more expensive, and the Enfield is the only rifle I own that shoots it, and while having another 7.62x39 might be boring, having one less flavor to keep track of and shop for is a good thing.

I have a couple of guns in the same caliber and have yet to find a pair of them that shoot the same type of ammo the best, so you'll probably have to buy different ammo anyway. 303 is available at WalMart and 30-30 is available anywhere that has anything to do with guns.

but I wanna hack it up.

For the crazy C&R types that no doubt want me hanged after that statement, I bought the rifle in mildly hacked condition (nothing too serious, just the wood and the sights) but I'm not casting the first stone here, just picking up where someone else left off.

For the record i dont have a problem with hacking milsurps as long as they arent usable in their previous codition. I rather see a converted enfield than a thrashed Enfield that cant be used.

Best used for semi autos why, so in addition to being "weak" it can be innaccurate? I don't know, but I'd be willing to bet that I can get much better consistency from a bolt gun with the allegedly match grade barrel included in the conversion kit than I can with an SKS or AK what with all the gas tubes and bayonette lugs and whatnot putting pressure on various parts of the barrel.

Best used for auto's because of its lack of recoil. They are plenty of inaccurate bolt actions and tack driving semi autos so that blanket statement isnt really true. Weather or not theres one chambered in 7.62x39 i dont know....

And yes the 7.62x39 is a weak cartridge, but its fine for battle rifles.

Heres something that you probably didnt think of:

With this supposed "match grade" barrel will you be firing match grade ammo? Or will it be fed surplus and varying flavors of Wolf? I could almost bet that it wont be much more accurate than the enfield with cheap ammo.

So it boils down to this if you convert the Enfield you will lose:

Power
Range
$250
Have no change in accuracy?


And you will gain

The ability to not buy yet another caliber

and.....um.......

Besides the fact that you dont use the Enfield what is wrong with it?

 

[kngflp]

"We have just begun production of our Enfield .45 Carbine, with an integral suppressor!
It is based on the Rhineland Arms .45 acp kit.

The suppressor is integral to the gun, so there is only one NFA tax."

So are suppressors leagal if they are built into the gun? Whay don't more people do this?

 

[RCR29]

Suppressors have always been legal under federal law. You have to pay $200 for the tax stamp. The reason there is only one stamp required is because it is integral with the barrel, making the barrel length over 16". If it was not an integral suppressor and could be removed, the barrel length would be less than 16", which would make it a SBR, requiring another $200 tax stamp.

 

[Mumbles_45]

I have a couple of guns in the same caliber and have yet to find a pair of them that shoot the same type of ammo the best, so you'll probably have to buy different ammo anyway. 303 is available at WalMart and 30-30 is available anywhere that has anything to do with guns.

two rifles sharing the same caliber, but not the same ideal brand can still share ammo if the need arises, two rifles in different calibers cannot share ammo at all. As for Wal-Mart, the one near me is pretty sorry, I'd be lucky to get someone to the sporting goods area, with the right key. Like I said .303 is not impossible to find in my area, just difficult. I usually buy it from a local gunshop when he has it in, but he is sold out more often then not.

They are plenty of inaccurate bolt actions and tack driving semi autos so that blanket statement isnt really true

I'm well aware of that, but I thought we were talking about 7.62x39 semi-autos, and the main three that come to mind, Mini-30s, Kalashnikov clones and SKSs aren't generally known to drive tacks.

7.62x39 is a weak cartridge, but its fine for battle rifles.

Technically that would be assault rifles, battle rifles don't use the weak cartridges.

With this supposed "match grade" barrel will you be firing match grade ammo? Or will it be fed surplus and varying flavors of Wolf?

I don't know, I haven't even decided if I'm going to convert the rifle yet. Who knows what ammo I'll have/be able to find/shoot through it several months from now.

I'm not too concerned about accuracy, I'm sure just the fact that its a bolt gun with an apparently well made barrel will produce satisfactory accuracy. I was just taking issue with your statement that 7.62x39 is more effective in a semi-auto than a bolt action, since the most common 7.62x39 semi-autos are not known for their accuracy.

So it boils down to this if you convert the Enfield you will lose:

Power
Range
$250
Have no change in accuracy?

And you will gain

The ability to not buy yet another caliber

and.....um.......

a marginally unique rifle which appeals to me.

I'd be loosing power and range by selling it and buying a .30-30 too.

I don't mind buying various types of ammo, I do mind when it's hard to find though.

Also, looking back through my posts I never mentioned that I had the 16" carbine in mind, 7.62 commie is probably a little more pleasant to shoot out of a shorter barrel than .303 (if I left it as a .303 I'd still be chopping the barrel).

 

[Antihero]

I'm well aware of that, but I thought we were talking about 7.62x39 semi-autos, and the main three that come to mind, Mini-30s, Kalashnikov clones and SKSs aren't generally known to drive tacks.

Which is why i put..."Whether there is one available in 7.62x39 i dont know".....

Technically that would be assault rifles, battle rifles don't use the weak cartridges.

True, i just hate using the word "Assault Rifle" as sometimes people have a negative reaction to the phrase.

two rifles sharing the same caliber, but not the same ideal brand can still share ammo if the need arises, two rifles in different calibers cannot share ammo at all. As for Wal-Mart, the one near me is pretty sorry, I'd be lucky to get someone to the sporting goods area, with the right key. Like I said .303 is not impossible to find in my area, just difficult. I usually buy it from a local gunshop when he has it in, but he is sold out more often then not.

Personally id rather buy a lot of 303 instead of converting the gun but thats just me.

I don't know, I haven't even decided if I'm going to convert the rifle yet. Who knows what ammo I'll have/be able to find/shoot through it several months from now.

I'm not too concerned about accuracy, I'm sure just the fact that its a bolt gun with an apparently well made barrel will produce satisfactory accuracy. I was just taking issue with your statement that 7.62x39 is more effective in a semi-auto than a bolt action, since the most common 7.62x39 semi-autos are not known for their accuracy.

I personally am always concerned with accuracy. A gun that cant hit anything is a basically a loud noise maker.

Im not saying that the 7.62x39 is better in an auto than a bolt action. Im saying that the 7.62x39 is a bad round for a bolt action IMO. There are many many many rounds that are a better choice and most of them are already chambered for the gun. Dont count on the kit having great accuracy unless someone comes here and says he has one thats accurate.

Im tired of debating this back and forth, you obviously have your mind set on the conversion and wont listen to others views on it with out "taking issue". Why not just do it and report back?

 

[Mumbles_45]

I personally am always concerned with accuracy. A gun that cant hit anything is a basically a loud noise maker.

I didn't mean I'm not concerned as in I don't care, I meant I'm not concerned as in as long as it is well made I think it will naturally be sufficiently accurate, and if it's not well made I don't want it, so I'm not worrying about it.

Im tired of debating this back and forth, you obviously have your mind set on the conversion and wont listen to others views on it with out "taking issue". Why not just do it and report back?

If I do go ahead with the conversion I will definately report back. Before you get irritated that I'm not taking your ideas, keep in mind that my initial post asked "what should I expect from Special Interest Arms?" and not "whats a better way to spend my money then what I currently have in mind?".

 

[DMK]

303 is available at WalMart

They don't have any .303 at any of my local Walmarts. Not even a spot for it. Of course they don't often have any 7.62x39 either. Heck, I'm having a really good day if I can even get .223 locally. Thank god for places like Midway and Natchezz or I'd never be able to shoot.

 

[Irwin]

Right im no expert but could you not buy the kit yourself install it and keep the .303 bits so if you ever wanted to go back to the .303 you could? plus and added bonus is that it looks like you can uses ak mags with it so mags aint gooing to be a prob to find and if the need ever does arive you can give them 30 rounds of 7.62x39mm pretty fast but with a fair bit of well placed shots, compared to shooting 30 rounds of 7.62x39mm with an ak with only fair accurussy(sp?) plus if 30 ronds of that doesnt do it then just switch back to .303 and abliterate anything that didnt get taken out by 7.62x39mm. Irwin

 

[Mumbles_45]

I had hoped it would take AK mags, because I already have many for my SAR-1, but unfortunately it only takes the single stack WASR mags. The guy who does it says somewhere on the site that he did convert an Enfield to take AK mags, but was uncomfortable with the amount of metal that had to be removed to fit the thicker double stack mags.

I may end up buying the kit and converting it myself/ having it converted locally. I'll make the final decision after I've gotten back from Christmas leave and either called or emailed the guy.

The website was a little unclear (to me) about what exactly takes place when you buy the kit, but it appears that I would be mailing him various parts for him to alter and send back, some of which would be permanently changed so going back to .303, while possible, would not be that easy.

 

[gaucho1]

I am bumping this to get it on the same page with the chamber insert
conversion thread.

If the chamber insert and magazine mods. work,looks like less work and less cost.

I am hoping one or both of the posters convert and let us know the results.

Good Luck