The Enfield Project (part 1)

Restoring some old rifles that have been neglected for years...

[@napachatfield]

cant wait to see them when they are done!!!

[@Skinflaps_Meatslapper]

I read in the SMLE/.32acp video that you were wanting to make your SMLE capable of firing again. If you're just looking to make a shooter out of the drill rifles you have, all you need to do is re-barrel the action. Those holes will mean nothing once the new barrel is installed, and getting a new firing pin or even an entire bolt wouldn't be difficult. You could also buy a conversion kit to make them into different calibers utilizing new barrels and mag adapters (seeing as how the holes and such eliminated the collector value of them). I believe they make a .45ACP commercially, a 7.62x39 has been floating around, and I've even seen where a guy re-barreled in 45/70 Govt and seemed to be a straightforward conversion. Some cartridges will require a barrel from a different gun that the SMLE will accept with minor modifications, which means they may be easier to find. If you have a surplus SMLE barrel, you can ream the chamber out for different 7.62 cartridges too. Check these guys out for conversions: www.specialinterestarms.com/index.php?page=enfield_conversions Ask them about other caliber conversions, expect to pay $350-$500. Alternatively, you can thread those holes for grub screws, trim to fit, loctite, then use a chamber insert. I'd suggest welding but I'm not sure of the heat treatment on the receiver...you could theoretically weld an insert in the chamber permanently and modify the extractor and bolt to remove the spent case. Several cartridges available for the .303's! Contact these guys and ask for a custom adapter: www.mcace.com/adapters.htm Of course, there's always the .22LR conversion...

[@silenthunder85]

meh; I could pretty much just buy another good shooter for the price of a new barrel or conversion... Enfield barrels seem to be a rarity around here lol.. I looked into it when I first got these, but price was a huge deterrent, even for .22lr conversion (damn .22lr is a rarity anymore too!). Plus, every part on these rifles is stamped "DP" for "Drill Purpose"-- some DP rifles are good shooters, but they are rare.. usually DP rifles are just beaters that got turned into parade/training guns. I'd much rather just buy another Enfield in decent condition than try to rebarrel--- however, I figure as crappy as these rifles are, they could prolly hold up to a .32 from a chamber insert (which I intend to try; I will upload results sometime in the future)... all of these rifles need replacement parts, which is either a pain to find, or a pain to find the funds :) lol I tried 2 of the DP mags with my Lithgow (a working No1 Mk3 in .303 and good shooter); one of the mags has feed lips bent out of spec, so it doesn't want to load/keep rounds in, and the other didn't latch properly and came out of the rifle damn near every time I shot it. I'm convinced these rifles will be "wall hangers" unless I can make them single shot training rifles with the .32ACP inserts. I also have no idea of their history prior to my dad's JROTC group; I've actually heard of people trying to make shooters out of DP rifles and ending up in the hospital LOL (but I'm still going to try it with .32acp--- but HELL NO with .303) ... turns out, one guy's rifle was DP'd after being in a warehouse fire, which caused metallurgical changes and thus, the rifle could not hold up to .303 chamber pressures... so either dummy guns, or .32acp trainers. I need to do more work & upload more vids; I've been slacking... but thanks for the input, and sorry it took so long to reply!

[@Skinflaps_Meatslapper]

No problem, I'll be interested to see what you come up with either way. Good luck...

[@Maverik_033]

Stumbled upon this video, now I'm wondering how it turned out..