I found a unique bolt for the #4mk1 rifle. It is a longbranch bolt with a lb #3 bolthead and lb cocking piece. It is factory made and in decent condition. I don't think there are many around. I have a nos. .22lr longbranch magazine. I was going to sell the magazine but now I have the bolt I'm starting to think maybe I should be putting a .22lr together. Could I use any #4mk1 receiver and how hard is it to find a .22lr barrel? Will all the other #4 parts fit?
#4 mk1 .22lr bolt
- Thread starter Surplus1
- Start date
The bare receivers are fairly common. They most all have scrubbed serial numbers, which was done by the military.
The barrels...not so much. Scarce, expensive, hard or impossible to find.
The thing to do is to get a gunsmith to line a dark .303 barrel, as was mentioned.
It'll never be worth as much as a real Cno7 though.
The barrels...not so much. Scarce, expensive, hard or impossible to find.
The thing to do is to get a gunsmith to line a dark .303 barrel, as was mentioned.
It'll never be worth as much as a real Cno7 though.
- Location
- WMU247 near Edmonton
Well somewhere in my project bin I have a nos Cno7 receiver and a used barrel. Not for sale.
I have a few receivers and No7 parts but not going to sell at the moment.
The only difference in the receivers is the hole on the right or left where the rear sight pivots is larger to accommodate the adjusting knob for wind.
The only difference in the receivers is the hole on the right or left where the rear sight pivots is larger to accommodate the adjusting knob for wind.
Should someone want to line a .303 barrel to .22, keep in mind that the .22 barrel comes back into the receiver further than a .303. Think about the rim thickness of the .303. When I have done these, I take a piece of scrap .303 barrel and turn a chamber insert which has a flange protruding from the breech. Bond this in place, then drill out the insert and barrel for the liner.
I'm thinking about another .22 project. Already have a No. 7 and a sleeved No. 4. On hand are a SMLE action and a SMLE barrel with a poor bore.
I'm thinking about another .22 project. Already have a No. 7 and a sleeved No. 4. On hand are a SMLE action and a SMLE barrel with a poor bore.
Just started work on a SMLE barrel to be converted to .22. Machined the chamber insert from a scrap of .303 barrel. Waiting for the JB Weld to cure now. Once it is set, I'll face off the chamber insert extension until it reaches the boltface, then run the drill all the way through to prepare for the liner. It was a rather sorry Lithgow barrel. The receiver I have on hand is also Australian. Don't have an issue forend set for a SMLE, but I can put it together for testing using a sported forend. If it shoots well, then I'll start gathering the bits to return it to military configuration.
They can be had. Barrels are hard to get. That's why lining a .303 barrel can be a viable option. It is also possible to make a .22 barrel. I have sleeved a scrap No. 4 front end onto the .22 barrel to get the sight lugs. The stump of a scrap .303 barrel can be used as a bushing. Trick is to find a .22 barrel that is long enough and large enough at the breech, if a bushing is to be avoided. Complete rear sight sets can take some looking.
I have a No4 action with a .22 barrel attached but its a cut down No1 barrel to No5 length.
It also has a No5 rear sight on it. I figure someone wants to turn it into a No5 .22 rifle.
I have a few front sight assemblies but just never started on completing the transformation.
It also has a No5 rear sight on it. I figure someone wants to turn it into a No5 .22 rifle.
I have a few front sight assemblies but just never started on completing the transformation.
Set the barrel up in the lathe, and faced off the projecting chamber insert. Receiver face to bolt face was .748; barrel shoulder to new extended breech face is .746. Bolt closes cleanly, but minimal gap. Ran the liner drill though from end to end.
Barrel was a salvaged 1 44 Australian. Covered with green paint, some rust. Cleaned it up, looks quite presentable externally. Receiver is a 1917 Lithgow.
