Dracul
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Post by Dracul on Feb 22, 2015 14:27:01 GMT -5
I've really been considering getting myself a SMLE, soon. I'm trying to weigh out some options for it. So everyone knows, I'm not ready to do any buying at the moment. I thought up of two routes here. This might help others down the line, too. 1). Commissioning someone for a springer conversion. I can barely make a Kar98 conversion well, I'm not going to tackle something as complicated as this. So I ask, if I were to supply the donor rifle, how much would I be looking at to pay for the SMLE materials and time to make it? A ballpark number is fine here. This would be the donor rifle in question: www.pyramydair.com/s/m/TSD_Tactical_SD97_Airsoft_Sniper_Rifle_Black/2378I've read up on these on the Airsoft Sniper Forum. They really do get about 500fps out of the box, and internals are all good metal, the bolt pull isn't insane, the 90 degree sears/piston mean that they won't need replaced/upgraded for a long time, and they have a good over all reputation. 2). Finding an Iron Airsoft/Matrix SMLE and HPA tap it. I've read up on these things a lot as well, and it seems that you can get these to work well after rebuilding the magazine. You have to clear out the old seals and other things (most gas techs at airsoft stores can do it), and replace with new pieces. With HPA tapping, I have a tank that connects to the mag, through a hose, and that one mag would have damn near infinite shots on good sized tanks. Just need to use a modded speed loader and I'll be good. Educated guess for the ballpark for this, 200-250 for a used SMLE, and 200-300 for the full HPA riggings (tank, regulator, line, etc). Probably a bit more since I'd be sending in the SMLE mag into a tech to get it fixed up and tapped. Granted, for the first option, I can go cheaper and use another APS2 bolt action, probably a decent, used one for 100 or less, but once I get a job, I'm willing to go all out and get an extremely well made SMLE that I don't have to worry about dying on me anytime soon.
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2nd Bat
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Post by 2nd Bat on Feb 23, 2015 3:34:42 GMT -5
The base springer rifle looks intriguing but who knows how challenging a marriage with actual SMLE parts or a Denix replica will be. Good luck with it. I sold my last SMLE custom build and really miss it.
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Dracul
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Post by Dracul on Feb 23, 2015 13:08:10 GMT -5
Well, like any other BAR-98 conversion, the stock of the donor rifle is going to be ditched. I don't care for it much, but I really like the out of the box, powerful, no worry internals. I don't see why it wouldn't work.
Outside of the donor rifle, about how much money did you spend on the SMLE parts?
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2nd Bat
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Post by 2nd Bat on Feb 23, 2015 14:03:37 GMT -5
I have done 14 SMLEs. Most of them were "Bondo babies". So very little other than the base gun. For them I bought a bunch of the iconic front muzzle shroud and rear site assemblies and that was it. There was a huge box of Enfield parts at a gun show and a bought a ton of bits and bobs there.
For another I used an intact derelict SMLE at a gun show for $125.00 and I also did a marriage between a DENIX SMLE and a Bar 10. Those were the most involved and challenging conversions (especially the Denix marriage) but they came out visually fabulous. I sold the Bondo babies for $495.00 each and shipped them to a group in Europe. The real wood ones sold for much more. I would not be interested in doing any of those projects again as although I made money on them the time required was way way below minimum wage. Just not worth it.
There is also always the pressure of getting them done in time frames promised and whether folks will be pleased with the final outcome. Ours is a detail obsessed, high expectations group generally and building and selling custom guns to this market can be pretty stressful. At this stage I am enjoying personal builds and will simply sell off things to fund new challenges.
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Post by huxy on Feb 23, 2015 15:42:34 GMT -5
What about Schoot and Scoot's SMLE?
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Post by insterburger on Feb 23, 2015 19:13:26 GMT -5
That donor rifle looks like it would lend itself more to a No. 4 Enfield than an SMLE, with the squared off look. As 2nd Bat alludes to, it would be tough for someone to quote you an estimate on a conversion they've never done before. It could easily turn into a money/time pit, or be simply impossible to properly complete.
The upgrade sounds realistic, I know Brownien has done something similar on his 98k, so he might be able to provide some insight.
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Post by txtrench on Feb 23, 2015 20:00:12 GMT -5
dont get the matrix SMLE, it looks great but the bolt comes apart if you are not careful whey shooting... not a good field gun.
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stuka
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Post by stuka on Feb 23, 2015 22:38:09 GMT -5
I have heard that scoot and shoot is nice but with shipping and converting to USD it could cost over 500$'s or more for a basic rifle from them
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2nd Bat
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Post by 2nd Bat on Feb 23, 2015 22:51:36 GMT -5
I suspect if you get someone foolish enough do your conversions for anywhere near $500.00 you will be blessed. (assuming they do good work and actually complete what they promised). I agree that your donor gun would more readily marry up to a No 4 Enfield which though less iconic than the SMLE would be perfectly appropriate for our purposes.
Some manufacturer, some day will figure out that a skirmishable 400 FPS plus bolt action WW2 rifle(s) at a reasonable price would sell and suddenly the money you spent will seem foolish. I keep fiddling with these inexpensive carbines and think, good lord...why not? Even if they had to double or even three times the price of these carbines, wouldn't that be fabulous? Kar 98', Enfield, Arisaka and Springfield. I'd buy them all
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Dracul
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Post by Dracul on Feb 24, 2015 11:03:38 GMT -5
Dammit, seems like I completely forgot about Shoot and Scoot when I made this post, but from the answers I've gotten here, it probably is the best choice. Their price, even with shipping is about the same ballpark price I'm gathering. Oh well.
Even if their donor rifle isn't the one I wanted, I can still work with it and upgrade it when I need to.
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stuka
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Post by stuka on Feb 24, 2015 21:16:56 GMT -5
They also have No.4 as well and rubber bayonets if you wish to brit it up
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2nd Bat
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Post by 2nd Bat on Feb 24, 2015 22:45:34 GMT -5
shoot n scoot supports our hobby quite nicely and its clear and obvious the owner has a kindered sense for our needs. No doubt he is one of us.
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ScottCollins
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Post by ScottCollins on Feb 25, 2015 11:36:30 GMT -5
Seeing as getting the stock pieces alone would probably be around $130-170 for a No.4 it might be more economical to just buy local than go for shoot n scoot. It doesn't look too difficult really but youd have to fudge the rear sight a bit
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2nd Bat
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Post by 2nd Bat on Feb 25, 2015 15:07:13 GMT -5
Scott Collins did a wonderful job on his Springfield. If he's interested in commissioning the job he'd certainly be someone I could recommend.
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ScottCollins
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Post by ScottCollins on Feb 26, 2015 0:45:17 GMT -5
I would be interested in trying it. I'll have to finish up a commission first but it seems doable. I would only, however, want to try this with a No.4 as I don't really want to deal with another leaf sight for a little bit since the Kar98 rear sight didn't turn out as well as I'd hoped. I'm taking it that this is for you Black Watch impression?
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Dracul
Master sergeant
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Post by Dracul on Feb 26, 2015 4:43:50 GMT -5
I greatly prefer the SMLE here. I understand that No4 was more common by the end of WWII, but the SMLE allows me to use it for early war, which is when it was more likely for Kilts in the Black Watch, and Australian impressions. I've been wanting to do an Aussie impression ever since Zam posted his, haha.
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2nd Bat
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Post by 2nd Bat on Feb 26, 2015 12:18:56 GMT -5
I am eventually going to build some more Bondo Babies SMLEs as I have a dozen or so take off BAR 10 stocks and perhaps a half dozen of the iconc SMLE muzzle pieces. With this approach I extensively redo these stocks (lots of cutting and dynaglass redos). I can use the outer shells from these 70 round M14 mags for at least part of the SMLE magazine.
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Post by hennepin15 on May 7, 2015 19:01:08 GMT -5
I am eventually going to build some more Bondo Babies SMLEs as I have a dozen or so take off BAR 10 stocks and perhaps a half dozen of the iconc SMLE muzzle pieces. With this approach I extensively redo these stocks (lots of cutting and dynaglass redos). I can use the outer shells from these 70 round M14 mags for at least part of the SMLE magazine. I am intrigued by the m14 magazine approach. Quite economical and simple, I will be eager to see other bondo babies churning out! My friend and I are going to a gunshow soon so I will be on the lookout for spare parts for these ww2 bolt guns.
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Dracul
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Post by Dracul on May 8, 2015 6:00:22 GMT -5
I'm pretty sure I saw a display purpose, not drill, SMLE on IMA for about 200 bucks. Pricey, but perfect for our purposes. Probably going to pick one up next pay.
I came up with an idea to, if the SMLE stock is big enough, to drop the entire donor rifle into it. Sans the butt stock and gotta make a good enough cavity in the SMLE stock
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Post by scvngr on May 9, 2015 19:02:51 GMT -5
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