Parker hale m82-m87-C3-C3A1 Rifles

[rgg_7]

The M85 stock action inletting is totally different than the Parker Hale 1200 TX or the 98 Mauser. As far as the bottom metal the triggerguard on the M85 is different than the 1200 - the M85 has a post release whereas the 1200 has the release in the bow of the guard. Mag liner quite different as well. You need a M85 style action to make this work - very difficult to source in Canada.

Ron

 

[Lee Enfield]

An M85 is just a Mauser 98 with a longer receiver ring. The receiver ring used 1" long barrel thread (Iirc) as opposed to the standard 1/2".

I was going to use my M85 stock for a c3a1 action, but ended up trading it to Robert Snyder for a McMillan McBros stock inletted for a Parker Hale/M98.

Robert had reproduction M85 bottom metal made up a few years ago.

It's 3 piece system which used a trigger guard, block with a cross locating slot with an m14 mag latch bolted to the bottom of the receiver. And a magazine liner (similar to an SKS-D.

 

[njohnson]

Well I finally took the plunge and started a C3/Australian M82 project.

Wanted to do a proper C3A1, found a legit PH Unertl scope mount locally, had an opportunity at a C3 Unertl scope but realized the action would be near impossible. Even an M84 cadet rifle for a donor action is tough to find, and you would still have to have it machined into a repeater, then track down the six round magazine etc.

So I picked up a 1200C, and am having a Bartlein barrel turned to match the M82 profile including a PH sight base up front. Chambered in 308 with a 1:10 ROT and 26” length. Rifling will be a decidedly non spec 5R but I’ve shot these in both Kriegers and Bartleins and am satisfied with them.

Also collected an original PH recoil pad, and the 2” and 1.5” PH swivels, plus the 11 hole accessory rail and a PH hand stop. Numrich and Saarco still have a few bits and pieces for PH rifles. EBay.uk has some good PH items too. The PH mag system will go and be replaced with a conventional floor plate for a 1200.

Waiting for a stock as well.

Optics will be a bit of a departure into something more modern/practical than the correct Kahles ZF, but will still be somewhat old school in appearance.

My hats off to CF snipers for making long range hits with a 6x post reticle. It’s no wonder when I spoke to some PPCLI snipers in 1982 at a DND range they told me their doctrine was aimed fire to 600 and harassing fire to 800. I am in no way throwing shade on this either, just noting that in the same timeframe, the USMC using a old tech optic ( the Unertl 10x ) required 80% hits on static silhouette targets ( FBI E type) up to 1000, and on movers to 800 in order to qualify. I think that the higher magnification and more standard reticle were a part of this extended range on what was basically a Walmart deer rifle with a good barrel and composite bedded stock.

Will post some pictures as the parts arrive and things progress.

 

[Tarrantula]

Sounds like you're on the right track. 1200c action is right for the M82/C3, especially if it is R-###xx serialized. The walnut 1200tx stocks would work if you convert to the hinged floorplate instead of single shot.

You probably already know but the 1200C bottom metal and trigger guard is likely correct for a C3A1, just need the proper magazine.

Keep us posted!

 

[njohnson]

Thanks for the suggestions, I am more well versed on the US produced sniper rifles and this thread has helped bring me up to speed on our own rifles. The Clive Owens book has some good information as well.

I found some good photos of Australian M82’s at the Australian War Museum website, and don’t laugh too hard but an old issue of Soldier of Fortune from 1998 with an article on Australian army snipers.

I’ll let everyone be the judge of my stock choice once I post some photos. I noticed the Australian M82 stocks look a little slimmer vs the PH British cadet rifle stocks that come up occasionally, plus you have to deal with plugging and attempting to colour match the hole where that escutcheon for the sling swivel sat. Plus the cadet stocks seem to always have a sling rail that is routed out the front of the stock forend while the M82 accessory rail doesn’t extend out past the forend.

Australian M82 photo I located so far:

 

[njohnson]

Here’s a combination not often seen…..

C3/M82 with an ART II issue optic. When the US Army was looking to replace the M21 system they conducted trials with several existing bolt guns and used the current issue optic ( for them) of the time. They would ultimately adopt the M24 and a product improved M21 was developed later by 10 SFG at Ft Devens to become the M25.

Anyway slight thread drift but interesting to see this combination albeit in a limited trials capacity.

 

[dan belisle]

I have a 1200 TX that looks just like that. No ART scope though, sadly. Still an accurate rifle after all these years. - dan

 

[can14]

Australia sold a few M82 rifles decade's ago
I have one complete

 

[Dosing]

M82 up for sale in Germany, anyone know what the T20 stamp means?
https ://www.egun.de/market/item.php?id=18930596

 

[Lee Enfield]

M82 up for sale in Germany, anyone know what the T20 stamp means?
https ://www.egun.de/market/item.php?id=18930596

T20 means that it has been UK proofed to the new "high pressure" 7.62/.308 "proof standard"

That particular rifle sits right within the known Canadian C3 contract serial numbers. It is highly likely to have been included in the C3 rifles traded in towards C3A1 rifles during the early 1990s.

 

[Dosing]

T20 means that it has been UK proofed to the new "high pressure" 7.62/.308 "proof standard"

That particular rifle sits right within the known Canadian C3 contract serial numbers. It is highly likely to have been included in the C3 rifles traded in towards C3A1 rifles during the early 1990s.

Interesting, thanks.

 

[Dosing]

Anyone willing to suggest a ball park value for a C3 these days?

Incase anyone is curious, it sold for 3000$ for a pretty nice C3, with Parker Hale rings and match sites package. With shipping, likely close to 5k.

 

[njohnson]

Most of the parts have arrived now, still have to get a hand stop and the stock is going to take some work to incorporate the features of the Australian M82 shape. A hinged floor plate is in the works too. The scope rings are Badger Ordnance “M85” 34 mm rings which is odd as I thought the M85 used a one piece mount, but they do fit the Parker Hale bases and the height is just enough to clear the bolt handle.

Stock work and bedding to follow…….

 

[buckaroo]

njohnson nice parts an a will be looking forward to seein it all together

 

[njohnson]

njohnson nice parts an a will be looking forward to seein it all together

Thanks, this is my first foray into PH rifles, so I’ll be asking lots of questions. The stock needs work to reshape it in the right areas, cut the spacers, install the cross bolt etc, but I can do that by hand with patience. My neighbor is a high end finishing carpenter with a full shop so he can help with things like the inlet for the accessory rail.

These rifles are old school but in 1982 seeing PPCLI snipers show up at Heals range at the 600 and start shooting figure 11 targets, along with reading about the M40A1 is where the bug first bit me, and here we are 40 years later.

PS, do they still call figure 11’s the “charging hun” target,or did I just date myself?

 

[can14]

Was fortunate to obtain Parker Hale 1200TX
7.62 repeater in almost mint condition with
proper adjustable target sights etc
Have been buying m82 and 1200TX items for
decade's , nothing really collectable, but, all of
the small stuff, scope rings, scope rings bases,
target sights , British tgt slings etc
Finally paid off
Put in the time until I found the proper 1200TX
to go with my M82
Still looking for various sniper rifle stuff
Winchester, Remington, Mauser etc

 

[Markj1]

Hello, I am new to this forum.

I have a Parker Hale 1200TX, 7.62x51 NATO, which I bought second-hand over twenty years ago. It has the original 26" barrel and the PH5E rear sight (no scope).

It's a great rifle... I have the single-shot version, and my understanding is that it can be converted to a 5-shot. However, I have also read that some people actually converted the rifle from 5-shot to single-shot... I was wondering what would be the benefit of having a single-shot rifle over the 5-shot internal magazine?

 

[can14]

Some shooter’s like single shot because of the rigid receiver over the repeater
which is cut for the magazine

 

[dan belisle]

Hello, I am new to this forum.

I have a Parker Hale 1200TX, 7.62x51 NATO, which I bought second-hand over twenty years ago. It has the original 26" barrel and the PH5E rear sight (no scope).

It's a great rifle... I have the single-shot version, and my understanding is that it can be converted to a 5-shot. However, I have also read that some people actually converted the rifle from 5-shot to single-shot... I was wondering what would be the benefit of having a single-shot rifle over the 5-shot internal magazine?

If it is the solid receiver single shot version, it will have a stiffer receiver (like single shot Rem 40X rifles). If it is a repeater that was modified with a single shot follower, there is no advantage I can think of. The latter you can convert to magazine fed, the former can, but only with machine work. I have a 1200TX, but mine is the repeater version, so I'm going by what I have read, not personal experience. FWIW - dan

 

[Lee Enfield]

There seems to be a lack of actual photos of C3A1 rifles - here is a photo from an RCN Open House from May 2022 (according to the upload data).
Notice the Cadex Picitinny rail, one piece scope mount and S&B 3-12 PMII.


Rimpac 2018


Photo from a Media Day about 10 years ago.