Bolt action and Semi-auto "pairs"

[Eaglelord17]

One Thing I noticed was their never was a semi-auto .303 pattern rifle fielded in any of the commonwealth in the numbers comparable to rifles such as the SVT-40 and the Garrand. We went straight from the bolt action Lee Enfield right into the FAL Pattern rifles.

I understand their probably prototypes (I think what would eventually become the FN-49 was one) but nothing substantial.

Might be a neat project for someone with some good gunsmith skills. If I had said skills I think an FN-49 would make an excellent "what if" semi in .303. Would make sense too since early prototypes of the rifle were tested by the brits in the later stages of the war. Probably would not be too hard to find an old egyption with a rotted out bore but good mechanical condition.

Biggest challenge would be converting it to rimmed. Personally what I would love to try later on is converting a SVT-40 to 8x56r (or 8x50r) with a conversion magazine so it can use the mannlicher clips (somehow fit the magazine off a Steyr M95 on there). Likely wont happen though unless I find a truly bubba'd SVT.

 

[cote_b]

Japanese Type 99 and Type 5.

Chinese Type 53 and Type 56. (Okay, not the same caliber)

 

[smellie]

The SLEM was what became the SAFN-49 after War 2. Working from his original patents, the development was done at Enfield by Dieudonne Saive.

Had the War continued much longer, it is possible that the SLEM could have been adopted for manufacture by Britain. As it was, the War ended before the semi-auto could have got into production.

It was developed in 8x57, which the British already were using in tank MGs.



If we are talking "pairs", what about the Berthier '07/'15, '07/'16 and the Mle. 1917 and Mle 1918 French semi-autos?

Also, there was the MAS-44 which was the early-development version if what became the '48.