Enfield Conversion

luke s

luke s

CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Rating - 100%
216   0   0
Location
Ontario
Hey all,

I have an no4 mk 1/2 FTR (Fazakerley maybe). It appears to have had the barrel replaced, probably at FTR time (5 grove I believe).

It has been bubba'd at one point for sure as the stock is really chopped and rough,the whole thing has some rust and pitting all around (except bore/inside of barrel) - not the best candidate for full restoration.

The point of this thread is that I am buying a .45 ACP kit and want to know my options for proceeding.
Since the barrel looks good on the inside, I dont want to destroy it, but I do want to remove it. I hear that this can be quite the undertaking as it requires a lot of force. I dont want to damage the receiver either.

What are my options to removing the barrel? :
-Would heating up with torch help any?
-Will it be easier to strip everything off barreled receiver and buy a stripped receiver, then sell the barreled receiver?
-what would a barreled receiver be worth if I choose to sell it; I see marstar has stripped no.4 receivers for $75 + tax + shipping (bit pricey)

I know there is the "removing torque shoulder" method, but I hear this ruins the barrel for future installation

Thoughts/suggestions appreciated
 
"...removing the barrel?..." Requires a barrel vise and a proper action wrench to do it without damaging either part. No torches.
A rusted and pitted receiver isn't worth much. Likely not $75. A decent 5 groove barrel, on the other hand, will be. Slug the bore before you do anything else. No point trying to sell a barrel that may be shot out despite appearances.
 
I guess the rust isnt super terrible, but there is some there. maybe it can be cleaned up

Where does one get a barrel vise/action wrench. are these expensive items or fairly common
 
As to the tools, anyone who sells gunsmithing supplies should be able to help you. Whole set (barrel vise, action wrench, set of vise bushings for that barrel, lead sheeting and a pint of rosin) should come in around $450 and it does require some knowledge and skill to use correctly.

Lee-Enfield barrels are in VERY tightly and can require much more torque than you would think, just to get started. Once the barrel starts (it lets go with a helluvva BANG) it screws off by hand power.

You have to be very careful because you will be using enough torque to twist the Receiver into a pretzel. I'm serious about that.

Better just go to a gunsmith who KNOWS Lee-Enfields and get the barrel taken off. Might run you 25 bucks, but cheaper than a new rifle.

It is NOT a job for the person who does not KNOW what he's doing.
 
well obviously wont be spending 450 to take off one barrel.... If I dont find a smith with the right tools then I guess I will have to use the barrel wrecking method or see if some one wants to trade
 
Well fml, this damn barrel wouldnt budge.

After a visit from mr torch, it came off with min effort!
 
Last edited:
I TOLD YOU the things are tight.

Were you using a proper barrel vise and action wrench? Last one I removed took over 350 ft/lbs of torque to start; after that it came off by hand power.

So "Mr. Torch" made a visit. What effects did that have on the RECEIVER?????
 
smellie said:
I TOLD YOU the things are tight.

Were you using a proper barrel vise and action wrench? Last one I removed took over 350 ft/lbs of torque to start; after that it came off by hand power.

So "Mr. Torch" made a visit. What effects did that have on the RECEIVER?????
Click to expand...

Yeah, uh, high heat may not have been the best thing for that. I'd be a little concerned about the integrity of the steel if you heated it up enough to make a barrel 'loose'.
 
not that I didnt believe! I made a relief cut as shown by another member so that played a part in it too

I did not spend the $450 for a special vice to work on a single $120 rifle, maybe if I was doing a few

receiver is great, already installing the new barrel

smellie said:
I TOLD YOU the things are tight.

Were you using a proper barrel vise and action wrench? Last one I removed took over 350 ft/lbs of torque to start; after that it came off by hand power.

So "Mr. Torch" made a visit. What effects did that have on the RECEIVER?????
Click to expand...

kennymo said:
Yeah, uh, high heat may not have been the best thing for that. I'd be a little concerned about the integrity of the steel if you heated it up enough to make a barrel 'loose'.
Click to expand...

hope no one is thinking cutting torch, just a benzomatic that attaches to a small propane tank. I heated the barrel a bit, not remotely red hot, let it sit a min and then one pull of the wrench and it went, then spun off by hand

enfields.JPG
 
There's nothing wrong with using a torch as long as your careful. If you heated it anywhere near changing colour that's not careful! No harm is done by bringing it up a couple hundred degrees to expand the metal enough to release its grip. Chewing gum remover works good to freeze the part you want to shrink.
 
and here it is in action!

it is finicky with chambering semi-wadcutters, but it is more of a reloaded ammo problem. dont have the ejector hole drilled yet or installed, the front sight is just taped on with electrical tape for now. the stock is rough and crappy as well

IMG_2675.JPG

IMG_2676.JPG

IMG_2677.JPG


25 yard group:
IMG_2644.JPG


50 yard group:
IMG_2661.JPG
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom