Examining the 710

[maynard]

tootall,
You are correct. The Neilson adaptor is machined out for the front locking lugs and the barrel is screwed into it. This was made out of necessity to make re-barrel easier, but I don't think it was ever intended for a switch barrel or quick change or take down barrel system.

The Neilson adaptor just makes the Soprtco 44 action into a conventional "mauser" type action with the lugging lugs at the front of the action, and with 90deg. camming I think. Its more of a front of an action, than a barrel stub.

Yes, it is intended to be more of a front of the action than a barrel stub.
Not really turning it into a conventional Mauser, the Sportco is a 3 lug action, I am not sure (can't remember) how much bolt through is needed. Sportcos do have very poor primary extraction, but this has more to do with the bolt handle opening/camming than the 3 front locking lugs.

 

[Leeper]

It was, or is, common practice to make an adapter for the Sportcos from the breech end of an old barrel. This is then threaded and the new barrel fitted conventionally. The problems with primary extraction come from a combination of the 60 degree bolt lift and consequently shory extraction cam of three lug actions along with a varation in the location of the locking lug seats in relation to the extraction cam ( and also the sear, by the way).
As far as the 710 is concerned, there are aspects of the design which are not all that bad. It is the materials and workmanship, or lack thereof, which are most questionable. From a gunsmith's viewpoint, rifles like the 710 or many of the comparatively high dollar European offerings, offer little opportunity for gunsmith improvements to the basic package. For this reason I don't care much for the 710 or the Blasers, for that matter. While they may satisfy the shooter's requirements just fine, they just are not my cup of tea. Regards, Bill.