l'm making a couple martini cadets up in to 22k hornets, my problem is getting someone to convert the rimfire breecblocks into centerfire
can anyone there help

Here is what I know about Martinis;
They must be Shaken, not Stirred.
Also, in the Dirty ones, that is not really dirt.

You don't modify the breech block, you shorten the "ears" on the lever, so that the breech isn't lifted as high.

I must be losing my touch. Or people are just tired of it.

i do have a dozen or so martinis and the converted ones all had the firing pin etc moved

I thought it was funny Tom....

Roger

Thanks; at least I have one fan!

quote:

Originally posted by butchloc:
i do have a dozen or so martinis and the converted ones all had the firing pin etc moved

I have had issues with one that was done like that. The bushing in the breech face recedes.
The one I have where the ears were ground works fine, but admittedly it is only a .22 Hornet. Not sure if bigger case heads would have issues with the non-square breech block.

Converted a mk 2 martini to k hornet and have used it a lot, even with .224 bullets on the .222 barrel. However, my choice, which I am out of, are the .222 40 gr Hornady 'jet'.

Peter,I wonder if changing the ears might not change the sear/trigger relationship a bit; likely not an issue on a cadet, but could be on the more advanced triggers..

Tom, or should I say Bond, James Bond, I thought it was very funny!

quote:

Originally posted by dpcd:
Here is what I know about Martinis;
They must be Shaken, not Stirred.
Also, in the Dirty ones, that is not really dirt.

Tom, Just a subtle reminder. Real men, especially combat arms officers, do not drink girly drinks. Bourbon, whiskey (Scotch or Irish), and a tiny splash of water or single ice cube is all that's needed for a mixed drink.

quote:

Originally posted by dpcd:
Here is what I know about Martinis;
They must be Shaken, not Stirred.
Also, in the Dirty ones, that is not really dirt.

okay-- took a couple re-reads to get it

RA; you are absolutely right; the only reason I know this is from my CSS friends, and watching old movies.
Jeff and CM; thanks; I am still working on my Vegas act.
For everyone but me and RA; CSS is Combat Service Support; you know, the guys and girls a few Kilometes to the rear, who never get their boots muddy. We do need them though, someone. has to bring up the ice.
And of course, back on topic; Butch is getting his topic brought to the top for maximum exposure.

quote:

Originally posted by gwahir:
Peter,I wonder if changing the ears might not change the sear/trigger relationship a bit; likely not an issue on a cadet, but could be on the more advanced triggers..

The only effect it has is slightly less compression of the main-spring. If the main spring was previously lightened a lot, this might cause unreliable ignition, but the Main spring usually has more than enough oomph.

quote:

Originally posted by dpcd:
Here is what I know about Martinis;
They must be Shaken, not Stirred.
Also, in the Dirty ones, that is not really dirt.

And pray tell Mr Bond, what do you do with the olive?

quote:

Originally posted by eagle27:

quote:

Originally posted by dpcd:
Here is what I know about Martinis;
They must be Shaken, not Stirred.
Also, in the Dirty ones, that is not really dirt.

And pray tell Mr Bond, what do you do with the olive?

Tom, if you reply, please keep it PG

Let's just say that the olive is there to impress Mr Bond's female companion.
As for the lever and block relationship, if you alter that in any way, you will change the angle of the block to bore axis relationship, thereby changing the thrust axis that the block needs for support, from the frame. In a rimfire, that is not as important, but in a higher pressure cartridge it does matter; that is how it stays locked; the block is not at an angle. Visualize that if the block were set at a 20 degree angle and then it fired (pretend); the block would swing downward, there being nothing to stop it but the lever and that is not part of the locking mechanism. I do know about Martini design geometry, but I csn't tell you how.

actually you plug the existing hole and drill a new one i use to do this but my machine shop close so even if my old eyes would work i no longer have the tools sure hope somebody can help it would make a couple grandsons very happy

I quit drinking a long time ago so I am not much help on the above banter
I you can find one of Frank DeHaas's book (Mr. Single Shot"s Gunsmithing Idea book) it is currently out of print. it goes into detail on how the conversion is made. It can be done with a lathe very easily. If you cannot find the book I will loan you mine if you wish to go that way. I have a couple of center fire pins and springs I will donate to your project. I have done a number of them but would need the barreled action to fit the block.

I know from talking to Bob Snapp back in the day that he regularly ground the ears on the lever to drop the block snd center the firing pin. He was considered a Martini guru. As to gunsmiths, give C. Sharps Arms a call and I bet they will help you out. They do custom work in addition to building guns.

I don’t get this. The Cadets were originally centrefire, so to convert to rimfire the lobes on the lever were ground down to lower the block.
Surely to convert it back to CF you need to add material to the lobes to raise the block back to original height?

quote:

Originally posted by metal:
I don’t get this. The Cadets were originally centrefire, so to convert to rimfire the lobes on the lever were ground down to lower the block.
Surely to convert it back to CF you need to add material to the lobes to raise the block back to original height?

You are quite correct that the Martini Cadet was a centerfire rifle. However, the same action was also produced as a .22RF and was very popular as a rimfire target rifle, especially in England. Thousands of these rimfire target rifles were made, and while I have no factual data that supports this, I would not be surprised if the number of small Martinis produced in .22 RF exceed that produced as centerfire military trainers. It is these rimfire action that require modification for centerfire use.

https://forums.accuratereloadi...381044731#6381044731

Ross Seyfried did a story on convertions in 87 or 88, I kept it for years and finally threw it away. I seem to remember that he used a stepped bushing and an offset firing pin also.

quote:

Originally posted by RogersGunWorks:

quote:

Originally posted by metal:
I don’t get this. The Cadets were originally centrefire, so to convert to rimfire the lobes on the lever were ground down to lower the block.
Surely to convert it back to CF you need to add material to the lobes to raise the block back to original height?

You are quite correct that the Martini Cadet was a centerfire rifle. However, the same action was also produced as a .22RF and was very popular as a rimfire target rifle, especially in England. Thousands of these rimfire target rifles were made, and while I have no factual data that supports this, I would not be surprised if the number of small Martinis produced in .22 RF exceed that produced as centerfire military trainers. It is these rimfire action that require modification for centerfire use.

Ok I get it now.
Here in Oz there are thousands of 310 Cadet conversions to rimmed CF cartridges kicking around. Also plenty of 310 Cadets for sale, almost like you can’t give them away.

[/QUOTE]Tom, Just a subtle reminder. Real men, especially combat arms officers, do not drink girly drinks. Bourbon, whiskey (Scotch or Irish), and a tiny splash of water or single ice cube is all that's needed for a mixed drink.[/QUOTE]

Roger, 100% correct!

Also, real men don't eat quiche.

While I adore Jamison, I also like both some rums and most quiches