Building Mil Surp rifle from parts

Andronicus

Andronicus

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I am getting close to finishing my M1 Garand build from parts. So of course, I start to think about the next project. Are there any other Mil Surp rifles that have enough parts availability that you can build one? Or is this kind of limited to the Garand?

I'm thinking of either a M1 Carbine or Mk3 Enfield. I don't think there are much parts available for them though.
 
Lots of parts available for the two you mentioned. You may have to hunt for but that is part of the fun of rebuilding them. To get something all matching takes a little longer than a non matching rifle. I rebuild Lee Enfields. I buy parts when I find them even if I don’t need them as they are available for future builds.
 
Snider shooter said:
Lots of parts available for the two you mentioned. You may have to hunt for but that is part of the fun of rebuilding them. To get something all matching takes a little longer than a non matching rifle. I rebuild Lee Enfields. I buy parts when I find them even if I don’t need them as they are available for future builds.
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My Garand is a Frankenstein (Italian receiver, German bolt, lots of Springfield parts, preproduction parts etc.). I would like a Canadian WWI era Lee Enfield, so I would have to be a bit more picky about parts.
 
hard to find m1 carbine receivers.the rest is not overly abundant but its out there.ive rebarrelled quite a few with non restricted barrells.
 
Looking at costing, it seems that for both of these, building one will cost significantly more than purchasing a complete rifle. For the M1 Garand, I was expecting to spend about $1800 building. Turns out the $300 in shipping, and some price increases, I'm likely going to end up spending just a bit under the cost of a lower priced complete rifle (around $2100).

Maybe just buy the Chiappa 9mm from a site sponsor, and a SMLE off the EE.
 
Andronicus said:
Looking at costing, it seems that for both of these, building one will cost significantly more than purchasing a complete rifle. For the M1 Garand, I was expecting to spend about $1800 building. Turns out the $300 in shipping, and some price increases, I'm likely going to end up spending just a bit under the cost of a lower priced complete rifle (around $2100).

Maybe just buy the Chiappa 9mm from a site sponsor, and a SMLE off the EE.
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Yes and no. If you want to keep the price down it will take longer. As someone pointed out - you are better off buying the parts when you see them, even if you don't need them right now (if these are priced right). I have nearly everything I need to put another rifle back together. Actually it's going to be cheaper than just buying the used one listed on EE...and likely it's going to be of better quality. It took me however long time to find the perfectly new barrel with the matching bolt, wood that I wanted and such. Even if I can see a part that I need, but the price is too high...I will just wait. Typically just within couple of months such item will pop up somewhere at much lower price. Plus when you building the rifle yourself, you ending up knowing much more about it. Good luck.
 
Nestor said:
... Plus when you building the rifle yourself, you ending up knowing much more about it. Good luck.
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That is super true. Building the M1 Garand, I have learned sooooo much. It is strange to see Americans with their CMP Garands on the M1 Subreddit and know next to nothing about it. It is like a black box to them. Someone even said "Why would you strip it down?" WTF? Way wouldn't you strip it down?
 
M1 Garand parts can be shipped from America, M1 Carbine parts can't be shipped.
US export restrictions
 
Rebuilding Lee enfields can be interesting. You start finding out how to solve accuracy problems quickly after the first time shooting a rebuild. All a learning experience. If you want all the parts now it is going to cost you more than if you wait for better prices. Have patience and they do show up.
A Canadian No. I mk 111 is basically a British made gun with some Canadian markings. We didn’t start making the Lee Enfield until WW2 with th No. 4 Longbranch. New wood is available in Canada from at least two companies. Metal parts I find mostly from individuals who just didn’t throw out old rifle parts. I haven’t had too much luck with gunshows. Parts are available on the EE and other firearms forums. I can put a rifle together for about $500 to $600 so cheaper for me as I do my own work. If I wanted to sell my box’s of parts I would want over $2000. I have parts put aside to rebuild certain rifles, possibly missing a couple of parts. I have all the parts for a No. 4 Longbranch except for barrel and action. Everyone I find is in bad shape or sells before I get to it. I am very picky on what I rebuild, barrel and action must be I excellent condition.
 
I'll put in a word for the M1903 and 03A3 Springfields. Parts are quite available, except for USGI barrels which are getting very tough to find. Criterion makes a GI spec barrel which can be used in lieu for both 03 and 03A3 variants.

It's necessary to find and install a rear sight collar for the 03 barrel though. Assembly is quite straight forward, and all you need is an action wrench, a barrel vise and a finishing reamer to set up headspace with a new barrel. The Springfields are reliable and accurate, assuming a good barrel, proper stock bedding and tight fitting sights.
 
I used a botched 03A3 sporter to set up a clone of an 03A4, with a Weaver 330 scope.
Fun project, cost was reasonable, the rifle looks good and is a decent shooter.
I was able to use the existing barrel and receiver. Had a new old stock barrel on hand, but the rifle shot well, so sold the barrel.

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I built a WW2 G43 (Gewehr 43) from several parts needed from Europe and USA, around 1999,
before all the ITAR BS, no importer needed. USPS and UPS was fast.
It seemed expensive (total project cost was $500) back then but now a drop in the bucket.
 
That's just how I built my present K98 Frankenmauser: found a receiver with a poor bore; got bolt parts somewhere else; found a barrel with an excellent bore; and then a stock and handguard from other sources. Had a gunsmith rebarrel it and presto, I have a good shooter in full military dress.
 
Just pulled a poor barrel off a cracked 1903 receiver. It threaded onto another receiver that is drilled and tapped. I've seen instructions on how to make a .22 Springfield. Might be a project.

As it happens, I have a new in the box Lyman 48 as used on the Springfield .22s Box is dated in the '30s.
 
There used to be a few Remington 1903 WW 2 barrels at the gun shows in Washington State
Never seen any on this side of the Border
 
On the road for almost 5 hours. I went to pickup some Lee Enfield parts down in Digby. I already had a few of the parts but some I actually needed for a couple of builds. He brought a couple of pieces along that weren’t in the ad which he threw in for the same price. A Longbranch action which was cut but with the LB parts still present and a barrel with about 1/3 of the action still on it. Barrel is in excellent condition inside and out. Full length with lugs present. I lucked into a Longbranch barrel. I was going after some of the small parts bands and sling swivels plus other stuff.
Now I am a bit closer to building a Longbranch. Three pieces of front wood and an action left to go. Sometimes you just get lucky and stumble on the parts. Happy hunting!
 
tiriaq said:
Just pulled a poor barrel off a cracked 1903 receiver. It threaded onto another receiver that is drilled and tapped. I've seen instructions on how to make a .22 Springfield. Might be a project.

As it happens, I have a new in the box Lyman 48 as used on the Springfield .22s Box is dated in the '30s.
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Found the instructions for a Springfield project. They are in the Shotgun News project book. A deactivated rill rifle was used.
The rimfire conversion is interesting. The .22 barrel is brought back into the receiver to reach the bolt, which is shortened, with a rimfire bolt head is installed. The locking lugs are gone, the rear safety lug locks the action for .22. The extractor is a spring loaded plunger set in the face of the barrel. The bolt face is completely flat, and holds only the rimfire firing pin. Close the bolt, the cartridge and extractor are pressed into the barrel. Open the bolt and the case is partially pushed back, to be picked out with a fingernail.
 
I rebuilt an LE no4 mk1, years ago.... rifle was $200.00 the rest of the parts to rebuild...$1200.00. But it was fun and took a couple of years to get what’ve wanted....still have some parts kicking around... 2 or 3 bolts and some small parts and lots of sporter’s wood ! Lol
Cheers
Brian
 
Stock sets are becoming very difficult to put together
There used to be a lot of new no4 Enfield wood , not so much anymore, Garand and Carbine wood also
Then there is the barrels, receivers and bolts
 
Years ago I bought a refinished Long Branch 1942 receiver - very much like the No. 7 receivers that are around. Set up a rifle on it with all very nice parts. As it happens, the bolt I used was a early one with round cocking piece. Anyway, it is a decent representative shooter. Were I ever to find a repro mount, it would be a good candidate for a reproduction 4T with 32TP scope setup.
 
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