AIM : Enfield 2A .308 NATO Rifles

[bailagent100]

Finally got my Ishapore/Enfield put back together & I am very pleased with the results after my efforts to bring it back to 'life'.

Gonna try posting my first images of the rifle, here...bear with me.



Above, just prior to assembly.




Here's a pretty nice close-up of the receiver area. (Above)




Above, the completed 'restoration'.

I will order about 4 replacement screws for the rifle as they all appear to have been worked over with the bayo by the previous 'owner'! Other than that, functions smooth & well.

Best regards,

[Mule]

So how many coats and how long did you let them set on the citri-stripper? This is a new stripper to me, where can I get it? I have a few rifles that I'm trying to get all the gunk off of but not wanting to sand them. I have been using 00 steel wool......

Very nice looking rifle. I'm hoping they still have them when I get recouped from the Galil.

Greg

[bailagent100]

Thanks for the comments, Mule.

After disassembling the entire rifle, I used the Citri-Strip (WalMart) to dissolve the paint that was slathered on the metal parts and to dissolve the cosmo/grease that coated not only the metal but the wood furniture, too.

A fair amount of research on other C&R related boards led me to the decision to use Citri-Strip rather than EasyOff oven cleaner. Some fellows (long-time wood workers) believe the chemicals in EasyOff are too harsh for any wood. Others have used EasyOff on their rifle's wood with no apparent ill effects. YMMV

After stripping & washing (cold water/garden hose) all the parts & allowing to completely dry, I mixed 1/4 cup of BLO (boiled linseed oil) with 1/4 cup of odor-less mineral spirits, then wiped on the mixture with a clean, dry, terry-cloth rag.

Three coats of the mixture were applied to the wood, allowing 24 hours dryng time in between applications. 0000 steel wool was used to (very lightly) sand the wood & pick up any remaining mixture that hadn't soaked into the wood after drying for a day.

Suggested recommendations include an additional coat of the mixture, once a week for several weeks, then one coat a month for a year. Not sure I'll need to go through all that but if it appears the wood is drying out, can easily apply additional coats of the BLO/mineral spirits combo.

DON'T FORGET wrap-around eye protection and suitable rubber gloves
when using the Citri-Stripper AND the BLO/mineral spirits compounds.

Best regards,

[Mule]

Awesome, very complete description. Thanks!!!!!

We really ought to have a how to sticky in this area.
I almost trashed a barrel on my 1894 Mauser trying to clean rust from the outside..... Good tech like this is time consuming to find....

Greg

[Mule]

Well, I did it. I ordered one tonight........ I even paid the extra $10.00 for a "best of 5" pick. Man, my Christmas bonus is going down the tubes WAY before I even get it.
G

[Obiwan]

Well thanks...and there I was being all strong

But I caved and ordered one

And I already had one

Two is better.....right :roll:

[Mule]

Hey now, don't blame me. I couldn't help it, it just said "BUY ME" every time I looked at the pictures.

Most of the time two is better......
I have two #4 MK1s and I can't get rid of the second one now.....
I'm hoping I have it and an extra nylon sporter stock traided for a couple of tree blinds.

Now I have to get some of that Citri-Strip. I have a 91/30 that I need to get that clear coating off of, and I assume I'll be doing the #2 as well.
G

[Mule]

I got mine last night.....
VERY COOOOOOL!!!!
All matching numbers, down to the mag. Barrel is bright!
I'm hoping I can get it cleaned enough to take it out this Saturday.

I have to shoot it before I take it down to do the real cleaning and re-finishing.......

Is there anyone local to get ammo from? Or do you have to order it?
Will .308s work from a LGS or is the NATO 7.62x51 it? Or is this the old 5.56 - .223 debate?

[bailagent100]

Mule...very pleased to hear you are so happy with your Indian Enfield.

Is it the 2A or the 2A1?

How's the wood? Rack number? Cartouche(s)?

Personally, I'm gonna feed mine the 7.62x51 NATO (South African) stuff, only, as my research indicates commercially produced .308 pressures are higher by about 5000psi.

While the Indians had the advantage of mid-1960's metalurgy/technology as opposed to turn-of-the-century materials, it was a third world country at the time and the rifle was built to handle the lower pressures of the 7.62x51 military caliber.

Oh yeah...we need to see some pics, too!

Best regards,
Bailagent100

[7idl]

unless YOU loaded some .308 to a safe load, only fire 7.62 x 51 NATO in that there rifle (and anything else chambered in 7.62 x 51 NATO.)

http://www.surplusrifle.com/shooting...nato/index.asp