Enfield No4 Chassis Project

Awhile ago I was curious about the bolts. Excessive headspace issues. Angle of locking lugs is slightly different on what I looked at. Bolts where different lengths. Swapping stuff out didn’t fix the issues.
If you want the #1 bolt just use a # 1 receiver. Same barrel threads and receivers are strong enough for pistol cartridges.
I plan on building a pistol carbine eventually and I have to decide which receiver to use. Martini, LE #1 or LE #4. All the same barrel threads so I have options as those receivers are sitting here ready for a build.
 
The only thing the same about the bolts is their diameter and length. No4 bolts won't fit into the No1 receiver because the guide rib is to wide.

No1 bolts will fit into a No4 receiver but the locking lug is in the wrong position to allow it to close.

You need to have the proper bolt, proprietary to the receiver.

Why don't you just get a proper 22 head for the No1 or No4, whichever you're converting.

If you're looking to make up a magazine fed repeater, then contact tiriaq, he's done a few.

Beating around hoping someone can read your mind????????
 
The only thing the same about the bolts is their diameter and length. No4 bolts won't fit into the No1 receiver because the guide rib is to wide.

No1 bolts will fit into a No4 receiver but the locking lug is in the wrong position to allow it to close.

You need to have the proper bolt, proprietary to the receiver.

Why don't you just get a proper 22 head for the No1 or No4, whichever you're converting.

If you're looking to make up a magazine fed repeater, then contact tiriaq, he's done a few.

Beating around hoping someone can read your mind????????
The idea is a custom extended bolt-head for a PCC build, similar to what the British did with the No. 8, and properly designed to feed and function with whatever the build wants to be, 9mm, .38, .44 etc. Extractor, ejector, and partially enclosed bolt face to make feeding from any chosen magazine a reliable experience. Just seeing if it would be viable to convert a No. 1 bolt due to its solid side rib, compared to the grooved rib of the No. 4, though obviously the Brits successfully converted standard No. 4 bolts for their trainer conversions.
 
The idea is a custom extended bolt-head for a PCC build, similar to what the British did with the No. 8, and properly designed to feed and function with whatever the build wants to be, 9mm, .38, .44 etc. Extractor, ejector, and partially enclosed bolt face to make feeding from any chosen magazine a reliable experience. Just seeing if it would be viable to convert a No. 1 bolt due to its solid side rib, compared to the grooved rib of the No. 4, though obviously the Brits successfully converted standard No. 4 bolts for their trainer conversions.
9mm can work with or without a cupped bolt head. I never had extracting issues. Only ejection.
 
The idea is a custom extended bolt-head for a PCC build, similar to what the British did with the No. 8, and properly designed to feed and function with whatever the build wants to be, 9mm, .38, .44 etc. Extractor, ejector, and partially enclosed bolt face to make feeding from any chosen magazine a reliable experience. Just seeing if it would be viable to convert a No. 1 bolt due to its solid side rib, compared to the grooved rib of the No. 4, though obviously the Brits successfully converted standard No. 4 bolts for their trainer conversions.
The strength of the bolts is in the locking lugs. No4 bolts are strong enough to handle 7.62Nato ammunition, so that shouldn't be a problem

As OKayShooter mentions, extraction can be an issue and if you don't get the magazine angle in correct relation to the feed ramp, so will feeding, especially with the 9mm case head.

You will need to source a 22rf extractor or a 7.62Nato extractor to get appropriate length to properly grasp the rimless cartridges.

I like your first idea about cutting the bottom of the bolt in a similar manner to other rifles, however, I believe you can get away with just cutting those grooves in the bolt head, without having to do the same to the body.

There is a lot more metal on the bolt head and it's plenty strong enough, even with some removed.

The bolt diameter is small enough so you should be able to clear the magazine lips easily but still have it up high enough to be able to catch it with the bottom of the bolt head.

One of the most interesting No4 rifles I saw was done by Elwood Epps. He converted it to 22 Hornet, using a military C7 barrel, which used to be plentiful. He altered the No4 magazine by inserting a Savage 340 magazine into it, likely with some modification of course.

If you decide to go with a new bolt head, which you will have to build, that will require cutting back and rethreading the bolt body and modifying the extractor.

I did see one bolt done the way you are thinking of and the fellow took a No4 bolt and mated it to a bolt from another firearm which had dual extractors, which required more mods to the whole system to get it to eject.

The problem with the Lee Enfield bolt is there isn't any easy way to add an extractor which is long enough to contact the base of the cartridge, because the bolt body is too thin to cut an ejector groove. By modifying the bolt head to your design, you should be able to add some ejector provisions.
 
I plan on building a pistol carbine eventually and I have to decide which receiver to use. Martini, LE #1 or LE #4. All the same barrel threads so I have options as those receivers are sitting here ready for a build.
I’ll be converting one to .45acp over the winter with a Rheinland Arms kit, I was debating using a sporter No.1 for a bit as they tend to be cheaper than No.4’s. Will be using a No.4 as the rear sight is more to my liking and is attached to the receiver and not the barrel.

All I need to find now is a front sight to use and a .22 or 7.62 extractor, the rest of the parts I had or came with the donor rifle.
 
No new pictures, but I've printed a new prototype of the butt stock adapter, incorporating some of the changes previously discussed. The grip has been moved forward ever so slightly, the block in front of it slimmed against the trigger guard, a protrusion to make up the space between the grip and trigger guard, I've added O-rings to the wrist bosses to give some form-fitting squish. Next prototype will incorporate changes and fixes learned from this one.
 
I’ll be converting one to .45acp over the winter with a Rheinland Arms kit, I was debating using a sporter No.1 for a bit as they tend to be cheaper than No.4’s. Will be using a No.4 as the rear sight is more to my liking and is attached to the receiver and not the barrel.

All I need to find now is a front sight to use and a .22 or 7.62 extractor, the rest of the parts I had or came with the donor rifle.
Well, I showed you mine, with the No5 front site and flash hider.

It works perfectly when the end of the barrel is turned down to accept it. They're available from Numerich.

You can attach them with traditional pins or use one of the great compounds available today.

I used a take off, which had the bayo lug removed, before it came to me.

Everything is already done for you with the No5 sight, other than it needs to be drilled out with a 1/2 drill, so the bullet will clear.

Make up or find the right height front sight blade for your regulated load, proprietary to your rifle and you're good to go.
 
Well, I showed you mine, with the No5 front site and flash hider.

It works perfectly when the end of the barrel is turned down to accept it. They're available from Numerich.

You can attach them with traditional pins or use one of the great compounds available today.

I used a take off, which had the bayo lug removed, before it came to me.

Everything is already done for you with the No5 sight, other than it needs to be drilled out with a 1/2 drill, so the bullet will clear.

Make up or find the right height front sight blade for your regulated load, proprietary to your rifle and you're good to go.
I’ve measured up the no.4 front sight and it should work once reamed out to fit the od of the .45 acp barrel, I’ve always liked the front sight protector as well. Just have to order a set once the postal strike is over.
 
There used to be a company in the USA that made scout rifle out of Enfields and they also had an adapter to fit ar carbine stocks. I think there was also a company in New Zealand that did something similar but I don't recall either companies name.
The company was special interest arms I have one of there Gen 2 pistol grip m4 stock adapters I did not like the angle as Iam installing it onto a mk4 enfield Iam doing a 45 acp conversion to and using a scope so I modified it to be inline with the bore it’s a rare part as they never went into production which reminds me I need to dig that out and get working on it
 
Well, I showed you mine, with the No5 front site and flash hider.

It works perfectly when the end of the barrel is turned down to accept it. They're available from Numerich.

You can attach them with traditional pins or use one of the great compounds available today.

I used a take off, which had the bayo lug removed, before it came to me.

Everything is already done for you with the No5 sight, other than it needs to be drilled out with a 1/2 drill, so the bullet will clear.

Make up or find the right height front sight blade for your regulated load, proprietary to your rifle and you're good to go.
New kit barrels come threaded. Which is way under Diameter for the conversion FH. Then with the barrels being under 18inch. Cannot just cut the threads off. Ran into this issue and ended up just getting a marble front ramp soldered on..

Also wasn't sure if there be enough meat where the cone tapers once you bore it out to 1/2"
 
New kit barrels come threaded. Which is way under Diameter for the conversion FH. Then with the barrels being under 18inch. Cannot just cut the threads off. Ran into this issue and ended up just getting a marble front ramp soldered on..

Also wasn't sure if there be enough meat where the cone tapers once you bore it out to 1/2"
There's more than enough meat to bore it out 1/2". As for threads, why cut them off? Just epoxy the No5 sight over it and cover them up.

The No5 front sight looks like it belongs on these conversions and Numrich offers two different diameters, one for these conversions and one which fits the original barrel.
 
I’ve measured up the no.4 front sight and it should work once reamed out to fit the od of the .45 acp barrel, I’ve always liked the front sight protector as well. Just have to order a set once the postal strike is over.
Pretty sure I have a set of sights (incremental) for a No4Mk1. If they fit and you need taller or shorter we can go through the set for what works for you.
 
There's more than enough meat to bore it out 1/2". As for threads, why cut them off? Just epoxy the No5 sight over it and cover them up.

The No5 front sight looks like it belongs on these conversions and Numrich offers two different diameters, one for these conversions and one which fits the original barrel.
You lose half your bonding surface. Plus some gunsmiths dont like to do half arse jobs. You will also get back pressure and could crack the JB weld.

Something to consider with the threaded barrel model. Id pin or silver solder.


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You lose half your bonding surface. Plus some gunsmiths dont like to do half arse jobs. You will also get back pressure and could crack the JB weld.

Something to consider with the threaded barrel model. Id pin or silver solder.


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Don't forget, the threads also become "bonding surfaces" and as for gunsmiths not wanting to to do this job??????????? Why wouldn't they?

It isn't rocket science and it's safe. Even you could do it
 
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