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Enfield Barrel Too Short

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Loyer View Drop Down
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    Posted: October 17 2013 at 10:02pm

I need advice.  I have been un-sporterizing a 1943 Longbranch No 4 and did not realize until now the original bayonet lugs are too close to the end of the barrel.  The company that "sporterized" it must have cut an inch or so off the barrel to make the sport rifle front sight look better.

I plan to shoot the enfield when completed and  want advice on my next move.  From what I can see I can:

1) cut back the upper and lower wood so the proper amount of barrel is showing and not have a bayonet
2) weld or braze a piece of steel tubing the same outside diameter on the end making certain I have plenty of clearance on the inside diameter for the bullet.

I am favouring the #2 course but worry about too much heat messing up the rifling.

Any helpful advice would be appreciated.

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Detroit-1 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October 17 2013 at 11:18pm
Will take to much money to un-sporterize and it will never be right. Sell and buy a matching LB. You won't be sorry.
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Zed View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Zed Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October 18 2013 at 3:34am
Good advice from Detroit-1. Or get a replacement barrel. I would not be modifying the wood to suit a cut barrel
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote SW28fan Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October 18 2013 at 4:08am

I agree sell and look for a unmodified one.  If you still want to try to bring it back, you would be better off threading the end of the barrel and screwing the tube on. Welding a barrel is something to be avoided.

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote muffett.2008 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October 18 2013 at 5:38pm
A common practice with docked barrels is to machine a step and thread the end, then fit a portion of old barrel with lugs, counterbored of course.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote LE Owner Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October 18 2013 at 10:27pm
I've seen photos of African game wardens equipped with No.4 rifles that had the barrel shortened just enough to eliminate the bayonet lugs entirely. The rifles were otherwise unaltered.
I suspect this was to demilitarize the rifle by making it unsuited to mounting either a bayonet, or more importantly a grenade launcher tube.
 
 
Could be the rifle in question had the all too common ovaling of the muzzle due to pull through cord wear, and was shortened to restore accuracy.
 
One option would be to build a faux Jungle Carbine. Flash hiders and wood for carbine conversions is available from time to time.
Otherwise a rebarrel may be the better course.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Shamu Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October 19 2013 at 2:26am
Just a thought regarding attaching any kind of tube to the muzzle.
Make sure it can handle the firing stresses & pressures. British "browning long" flash-hiders were famous for "banana peel" splitting in use & they were factory units!

Don't shoot till you see the whites of their thighs. (Unofficial motto of the Royal Air Force)
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote LE Owner Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October 19 2013 at 9:38am
You could call around to local gun smiths and ask if they have a barrel stretching machine.Wink
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Shamu Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October 19 2013 at 10:50pm
"barrel stretching machine"Wacko
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote SW28fan Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October 19 2013 at 11:31pm
Yes indeed they are made by the same firm that make left handed wind shifters.
 
There  have been rumors of a run of No4 Barrels being made. Every now and them one gets taken of a No4 Mk1* with a badly chipped raceway and it gets parted out.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Loyer Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October 19 2013 at 11:44pm
I couldn't find or rent a barrel stretcher so I will follow the second best advice and sell the sporter and go on from there.
Thanks for the input.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote LE Owner Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October 20 2013 at 12:19pm
Originally posted by SW28fan SW28fan wrote:

Yes indeed they are made by the same firm that make left handed wind shifters.
 
 
 
Actually during the U S Civil War some Musket barrels were mass produced by drilling a hole in a short thick bar of steel or iron and this tube was then run through a series of grooves cut in two huge cylinders that rotated in opposite directions. With each pass the tube became longer and slimmer till the short tube turned into a full length barrel blank.
 
Not likely to be of practical value here, but an interesting side note.
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