looking for pics of your .315

[ArcherSix]

As a fan of the venerable SMLE, I'd love to see good pics of your .315 rifle. I understand your consternation that it's one of the few new made rifles available to those of you in India. However, I am very interested because, as far as I can figure, it is the last new made SMLE available anywhere on the planet, over 100 years after the British started making James P. Lee's design!

Also, any info, measurements, performance stats, etc of the .315 ammo would be appreciated.

[Vikram]

Archer,

the .315 cartridge is nothing but the obsolete 8X50R Austrian Mannlicher.

http://home.att.net/~vintage-gunlore/8x50r.htm


There is somewhere a digram of it on IFG.Will try to dredge it.

Best-
Vikram

[ArcherSix]

That's what I've come to understand. However, I'd lke to know that if I take a #1 Mk III and install a 8mm barrel and chamber it for the Austrian round, will it take Indian .315 ammo. I know that's an odd request that would be impossible to ever try in practice, but I am curious.

Also, I'd like to see some good clear pics to judge for myself the bild quality of the rifles

[panther]

ArcherSix,
An Australian co. 'Australian International Arms' is manufacturing 'SMLE' rifles. Their model M10 No.4 Mk4 is a copy of SMLE No.4 Mk1 in calibre .308. This gun does retains the looks of SMLE but has some improvements & modifications to its receiver, bolt & trigger assembly.

[TwoRivers]

That's what I've come to understand. However, I'd lke to know that if I take a #1 Mk III and install a 8mm barrel and chamber it for the Austrian round, will it take Indian .315 ammo. I know that's an odd request that would be impossible to ever try in practice, but I am curious.

Also, I'd like to see some good clear pics to judge for myself the bild quality of the rifles

Yes, it should chamber ".315 India" ammo. It's the same old cartridge with a new name. Ballistics are given as 244 grain bullet @ 1975 ft/sec. That's a bit slower than the original Austrian ballistics, 2030 fps, but comes from a shorter barrel.

The AIA mentioned by Panther also comes in 7.62x39. Haven't been able to find out if that one comes on a shorter action. They are pretty expensive, though.

[ArcherSix]

Yeah, I've actually seen an AIA rifle. One of the 7.62x39 carbines. Kind of a neat little gun, but I don't really consider it a SMLE, too many changes. The IOF action is a #1MkIII*, no?

-- Tue Feb 02, 2010 9:53 pm --

Yeah, I've actually seen an AIA rifle. One of the 7.62x39 carbines. Kind of a neat little gun, but I don't really consider it a SMLE, too many changes. The IOF action is a #1MkIII*, no?

[Anand]

Hi ArcherSix,
my 315,
http://indiansforguns.com/viewtopic.php?f=16&t=5605
Anand

[ArcherSix]

Anand, thanks for the link. Very interesting rifle you have there. Why did you choose to go the one piece stock route? That is a modification, yes? Or does IOF make that as an option?

[Anand]

Archer, I apologise for the very late reply, seem to have missed your question earlier, better late than never eh brother?
To answer your question: Some of the earlier Ishapore rifles in .315/8mm caliber were sold with a cut down
"buttstock tang" (the part where the butt is normally attached on the Lee Enfield rifles ) and so these came with factory one piece stocks. I had my stock changed after I bought the rifle(used) in 2002. To the best of my knowledge, it was only the very earliest of these rifles(mine is a 06xx Sl.No.) that came this way and also with 3 folding leaf "express" rear sights. the later ones had 2 folding leaves and much later ones just one.
Regards
Anand

[winnie_the_pooh]

Anand,

Do not mean to hijack the thread but interesting RFI .315 that you have there.Can I ask you to post some photos of the bare action with the stock removed.Would highly appreciate it.I have only heard of these rifles and I am seeing one for the first time.

[Anand]

Winnie I will do what I can soon, but please bear with me I need some time, very busy right now .
Regards,
Anand

[winnie_the_pooh]

Thanks Anand for accepting my request.I would really like photos of the action from the left side,of the trigger assembly and of the action screws holding the trigger guard to the receiver.Does it have a steel washer/spacer for the front trigger guard screw?

[Anand]

Winnie_the _pooh,
Sorry for the delay in posting pics, I remember that you had asked for pics even in an earlier thread
( some time in Aug 2009 I believe).
I apologize. But better late than never eh?







The trigger guard is held at the rear by way of a screw coming down from the top, towards rear of the receiver, you can see that there is no "Band" that holds the rear section of the butt stock! Yes, there is a steel washer that sits in the stock through which the front trigger guard screw goes in. The contraption you see on the left side attached by allen screws is a scope base which needs offset rings.
Regards,
Anand

[winnie_the_pooh]

Anand,

Thanks for posting the pictures.Interesting set up.They have moved the safety spring to the location similar to the No4's.

Sorry to pester you but can you post a couple of photos of the bulbous attachment at the rear of the receiver.Can't make out what it really is.

When ever I have the money this is what I intend to get done to the .315 that I have.

Machine off the butt socket.Weld an extended tang.Weld shut the holes for the safety in the receiver.Putt in a tang safety.Replace the two stage trigger with a single stage one(a copy of the Lee Metford sear and trigger set up).Recoil lugs, one integral with the rear sight base and (if possible) a washer type sandwiched between the receiver and barrel.Williams FP SMLE peep sight(if possible on the left wall by reversing it) and Williams Firesight fore sight.New trigger guard and mag. box(machined form one piece of steel) with sliding floor plate release button(set up would look similar to the 1888 Commission rifle though a double stack magazine).

[Anand]

Winnie check out the third pic from the top,( too lazy to dissassemble the rifle again just put it back together ) it shows the underside of the "bulbous attachment". The band to which the rear buttstock is usually attached has been machined off and what you see seem to be the remains of such.
Regards,
Anand