Converting a martini rifle to rimfire
- Thread starter chasseur
- Start date
Blastattack
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Winnipeg MB
There are a wide variety of Martini rifles available. The answer can be as a simple as “get a Rimfire block” if it is a standard small frame or large frame British built rifle. If it’s not, or parts aren’t available, then the firing pin will need to be relocated, and the block will need to be altered to suit.
This isn't as simple as it sounds and likely an expensive project, it you can't do the work yourself.
Depending on the action size or make, a new, decent barrel $400+, change location/shape of firing pin, make up a bushing to fit the front of the block ??? $200 or replace the block assembly $200, modify the extractor $100 or purchase a new one $100.
Finding a smit willing to take on the job???
If you need stocks add another couple of hundred dollars.
Putting together one offs is labor intensive to say the least and requires decent tooling all of which is expensive.
If you can source pre made parts, that would be preferrable.
When many of these rifles were converted for target shooting clubs, the builds were sponsored by governments through shops that were willing to tool up with jigs, reamers, welding equipment, lathes, milling machines etc.
For a small shop to set up for a one off??? It would be a labor of love for the smith.
If you're looking for a cheap, nostalgic rifle, that's cheap to shoot and usually very accurate, my suggestion is to look for a rifle already made up.
I find the small Martini actions to be more accurate than most of the large receiver actions.
Depending on the action size or make, a new, decent barrel $400+, change location/shape of firing pin, make up a bushing to fit the front of the block ??? $200 or replace the block assembly $200, modify the extractor $100 or purchase a new one $100.
Finding a smit willing to take on the job???
If you need stocks add another couple of hundred dollars.
Putting together one offs is labor intensive to say the least and requires decent tooling all of which is expensive.
If you can source pre made parts, that would be preferrable.
When many of these rifles were converted for target shooting clubs, the builds were sponsored by governments through shops that were willing to tool up with jigs, reamers, welding equipment, lathes, milling machines etc.
For a small shop to set up for a one off??? It would be a labor of love for the smith.
If you're looking for a cheap, nostalgic rifle, that's cheap to shoot and usually very accurate, my suggestion is to look for a rifle already made up.
I find the small Martini actions to be more accurate than most of the large receiver actions.
For conversion of a center fire to rimfire it might be as easy as swapping barrels with some amount of custom work needed to make an offset bushing or to cut down and re-thread the new barrel so the chamber is offset so the original firing pin hits the .22 size rim of choice.
Still won't be cheap. But it should be cheaper than filling in and modifying the action.
Still won't be cheap. But it should be cheaper than filling in and modifying the action.
This ^^^^
The details make all the difference!
Make and size of the action is a good place to start.
The Small BSA Martinis are dead simple. You weld, grind and stone, enough material on to the ears of the cocking/loading lever, until the firing pin will line up with the cartridge rim. That was pretty much how it was done at the factory. Different length ears on the lever, that is. If yer a keener, you can make up a cutter that squares the face of the breech block up perfectly. Then fit the barrel.
sillymike
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Depending on caliber (and you happen to be at the right place, at the right time, with the $$) you might be able to find 22lr sub-caliber kit...
- Probably cheaper/easier to watch for one getting listed on "Down East Trading", seems like he does get them often enough.
Or you could import a "new" Damko production from the US
- Probably cheaper/easier to watch for one getting listed on "Down East Trading", seems like he does get them often enough.
Or you could import a "new" Damko production from the US
