by mickb » 26 Jul 2020, 9:18 pm
There are a few blokes who can do these. Rolf Bachnick the former gunsmith of the old Century arms has done them and has one for sale right now in Vic. Tbone does the kit types, and sells the kits for people to do them themselves( dont attempt unless gunsmith level). Probably the worlds best are done by Rod Woods in New Zealand.
The go is they are split into two main types
1.The actual Desllise action setup which is rarer and tends to be more expensive, as it requires highly specialised tools and gunsmithing. The action is bored out, the barrel is set back into the action and the bolt is cut off, essentially making the enfield into a short action. The mag well is remodelled and magazines are modified to be able to feed These are lovely and smooth to cycle, as fast as a 22LR action. The only thing is its a good idea to keep them to regular 45ACP pressures as the action reboring takes metal out of the enfield reciever.
2.The second type include the varying kit types. Barrel is chambered for 45ACP added to the action, they use an adaptor for the magazine to attach to it, some bolt work, and the bonus is they can be cheaper, and also stronger, since they make use of the full use of the enfield action strength you can run some types like a poor mans 44 mag. The downside is trying to get them to feed and eject the 45acp well since you are still left with a long action cycling that tiny cartridge. If you plug ' delisle' or '45 acp bolt action' you see about 9 out of 10 conversions the gunsmith or owner never gets them to feed or eject properly. They have to tip the gun sideways to eject an occasional spent case.