Modifying my AIA M10 A1 7.62x39 - Pic heavy!

Red Dawg

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Hey guys.

This is info for those that have thought about doing this or are going to but haven't gotten there yet. I modified my AIA M10 A1 basically because the rifle isn't set up very well for scoping (atleast it doesn't work for me). The AIA M10 A1 is the Enfield No.5 Jungle Carbine but improved and is slightly different from the original model enough to cause some problems, hence I'm posting this. :bangHead:

I didn't want to modify the original stock and "bubba" it so that it worked for me as it was a nice grain and of course resale value. I bought a Ramline synthetic stock for the No.4 Enfield (as no one has made any No.5 specific stocks). I next bought some low profile weaver "grand slam" scope rings to drop my 3-9x50 Tapco scope. Next came the Tac Pro cheek piece.

I will try and keep this short.

To start, the fore stock - In the next 4 pics, you can see the obvious issues I faced.

Stock1.jpg

Stock2.jpg

Stock3.jpg

stock4.jpg


So without typing alot, you can see just from the pics of what needed to be modified, so alot of grinding with my trusty jobmate hand grinder!

First - the bottom where the magazine housing piece went -

Stock5.jpg


Second/Third - The screw at the rear that holded the rear of the forestock tight to the metal - not too bad, also the plastic is easily melted, so I actually implanted a nut into the stock so you don't even know it's there. I used a machine screw from a computer that is meant to hold the CPU fan down to the CPU. I then blued it to darken it so it wasn't shiny by heating it red-hot and dropping it into bluing solution - worked great.

Since the grinding itself was kind of messy, easy enough to take a torch and "touch" the grinded spots to smooth them out some.

Also, the inside of the stock wasn't quite wide enough for the new AIA body, so a bit of work there (shown in next pic only).

Stock6.jpg

Stock7.jpg

Stock8.jpg


Fourth - the butt stock was the easiest - the original LE didn't have a round end, so just needed to take out the hump that was there. Also - FYI - the bolt is not a flat-head - takes a 12mm socket.

Stock9.jpg

Stockbolt.jpg


Anyone who buys the Jobmate crap - I don't suggest doing it, but since I got this as a gift, I'll point out a problem with these rotary tools. As you can see in the pics, the larger hole was where the button was to press in to lock the tool allowing you to tighten it. Unfortunately since it was cheap, the pin would just fold and allow the tool to rotate. Easily fixable, just pull the tool apart, take out that button and spring, drill through the plastic housing and the second bit of the metal shaft with the same size diameter as the attachments - you can just use them to lock the tool and you can get a much better tightening this way.

Also, great to just use a metal grinding bit for the large stuff.

grinder.jpg

grinder1.jpg

grinder2.jpg


In all, not a bad project - more tedious than anything especially with the stock, but in the end it turned out to be a good thing. For the finishing touches, I installed the scope - but had to grind the weaver mount just a bit for fitting and then installed the Tac Pro cheek piece as per instructions. I blued the bolts that hold in the cheek piece by heating to red-hot and dropping into the bluing solution, the heating to red-hot and dropping them into used car oil - came out nice and dark so they weren't shiny!! Great to have a cheap round for both hunting, sporting, and hunting. This summer I plan on tinkering with this round a bit to see how far I can push it out of this sweet rifle! Enjoy! I will!!!
:sniper:w:h:


AIAM10A12.jpg


AIAM10A13.jpg
 
Nice but dam that scope gets up there doesn't it. I've been temped to get one of these but the optics have to get lower. If I have to mod a new one that much I might dam near as well build one out of a sporter enfield. Either that or make my 7.62x39 Ruger M77 take detachable mags.
 
AIA Rifle

How much of a weight reduction did you get? I just bought one of these and although very pretty they are a bit heavy, especially after you add a scope!
Geoff
 
A mate of mine did a neat job with his, I'll email him a link to this, he may share what he did!
 
Ahh

Desporterizer - stock is held on the same way a No.5 stock is - held in by a machine screw through the magazine housing (housing also squeezes the stock upward against the receiver) and the machine screw at the back of the fore stock squeezes the stock to the metal - that's it - otherwise it still feels firm and barrel is "floating".

Geoff - doesn't change the weight a whole lot - biggest issue with this rifle is it is meant to take a beating - heavier chamber I believe than the original No.5 and so is the receiver to take higher pressures from modern ammo. Once you put the mount on there and the scope... sort of heavy, but should be a great shooter other than weight.

I did actually think of cutting of the front piece of weaver rail to drop the scope another 1/4" to 3/8", but since parts are hard to come by for these rifles, I figured just modifying it instead of completely cutting it - plus the front sight would be in the way. The way it is actually feels good with the new stock (I think the butt is longer than the factory).
 
Surely a bit of weaver rail can be modified to fit, after all you have done the hard stuff. My mate in Holland had his rebarrelled to use a .308 bore and had a wrap around hanguard fitted. Shoots really well with 150 grain .308 bullets in the 39mm cases. I'll find some pics.
 
Its a cool project, but you might have a few issues down the road. Their is no support in the stock for the rifle. There is a reason their is all that material in the old stock that is missing from the new one. These are what support the action, and where the recoil is focused. Without those, you will probably face issues and accuracy might not be top dollar. You can see this in the third pic, notice how empty the plastic stock is?
 
Just a quick aside, are these classed as Enfields and 10 round magazines permitted or restricted to the silly 5 round rule?
 
Just a quick aside, are these classed as Enfields and 10 round magazines permitted or restricted to the silly 5 round rule?

If the rifle takes a factory AK mag (I'm not sure if it does or not), then sadly, yes it will have to be pinned to 5 rounds.

Speaking of legalese: Do you know if a Canuck in England can buy ammo components, ie: projectiles? There's some S&B bullets on sale in Kent that I can't find anywhere in Canada and I want to take them home with me.

Red Dawg, great job so far. If I were you, I would be bedding the crap out of that action right now. Maybe you can get some spare bits of similar plastic and cut them to fit, and then smooth everything over with Devcon or even JB Weld. There's some gaping holes around the king screw area, the rear draws, and in the mag well area that should be adressed. Also, is it possible to just flip the weaver mount around?


Either way... this thread is incomplete without a range report. ;)
 
Buying bullets isnt a problem uless they are expanding, then you need a license. That said Kent is next door and if you are in the UK I'm sure a way around the rules can be done!
 
I've been pondering the idea of picking up a #4(T) Cheekpiece repro and adding it to the stock.

That said, I lent my Leupy 1-4X VX-II with target turrets to a buddy of mine, and I need to get it back before I consider further what to do.

I'm thinking it's going to be almost a mini #4(T)-ish look.

NS
 
:)

Yea, I'll probably try filling it in when I get back in June - don't want to start something now like that when I know i'll need time. Otherwise, stock does feel tight, but I guess some JB weld or plastic fill couldn't hurt.... wonder if I could use a dense expanding foam?
 
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