Lee Enfield 7.62x39 conversion

[gerard488]

I have been toying with the idea of converting an already bubbaed, nothing matching Lee Enfield to 7.62x39 for a while now and I am thinking something different. I have been reading about cutting the chamber end of the LE barrel and firing the 7.62x39 without doing any reaming. My question is, is it possible to cut a little less off the barrel and have the base of the cartridge fit flush with the end of the barrel and cut a notch for the extractor similar to the original thus eliminating the need to add a ring to the LE bolt head. I`m thinking a person could add the spring loaded pin to the left side of the bolthead to act as an ejector like a savage rifle has.
A barrel nut could be used to get correct headspacing and the extractor notch could be cut after headspace is correct and the barrel position marked on receiver.
I`m also thinking that the mag from a Norinco JW-103 7.62x39 could be made to fit neatly inside a LE mag and soldered or welded in place after it has been fitted for proper feeding
Any ideas anyone? I already know that it would be easier and maybe cheaper to buy a new rifle than to pay to have the work done.

 

[tiriaq]

One of the reasons for a recessed boltface is to position the case for positive extraction and ejection. With a flat faced bolt, the case may "fall" off the face, and not eject cleanly. Not a problem for a single shot, may be a problem with a repeater.
Otherwise, everything you suggest is workable. A bolthead is hardened, you will need to soften it to drill the holes for a plunger ejector.
I have heard of the .303 chamber being used for 7.62x39 without reaming. Personally, I would be inclined to use the remains of the .303 chamber as a starter, and then ream an exact 7.62 chamber - but I have a reamer.

 

[BCRider]

As said by tiraq there won't be anything to hold the casing to the face without a recess. Likely chambering, firing and extracting would be OK. But as the casing extends out of the chamber and loses the guiding support of the chamber it'll simply fall down or be pushed to the side away from the extractor hook and lay in the action. So there's not really any way to avoid ringing the bolt face. Or in the case of a No4 perhaps making a new bolt head from an oil hardening steel and heat treating it to work for you.

 

[luke s]

The .45 acp conversion works well with the original bolt and a modified extractor, but it is a shorter case than x39

 

[tiriaq]

The ACP is also larger diameter, so the extractor pushes the casehead over toward the left receiver wall and/or ejector.