Has anyone converted a Sears 54 to .38-55?

[awp101]

IIRC a local shop has a Sears 54 in the rack (Win 94 produced for Sears), I don't know yet if it's a pre or post-64 though.

I see Numrich has some parts to convert the 94 to an octagon bbl .38-55 but I don't know what all would be needed.

I thought about just having it rebored to.38-55 but I think I'd like this better if it's feasible (mechanically and fiscally).

Thanks!

[J Miller]

I've not converted anything to anything, but ALL Sears marked and sold Win 94s are POST-64s.

Joe

[JerryB]

I reckon 'ol 20cows will be the one to ask. He has done a few of them.

[awp101]

Thanks J, that's good to know. At least it narrows the parts search.

I read somewhere (don't recall where though) that the Numrich barrels need special fore end wood and maybe a different nose cap. Any thoughts?

I'll need the bbl, mag tube, fore end...what else?

[awp101]

Anyone?

Another thought I had was maybe using a octagonal .30-30 bbl and having it rebored to .38-55?

[Lefty Dude]

Anyone?

Another thought I had was maybe using a octagonal .30-30 bbl and having it rebored to .38-55?

This is the way I would go if I were doing same.

[O.S.O.K.]

I'd put a new crescent buttstock on it along with the new barrel and rifle handguard/end cap. That'd be the schitz. IMHO

Brownells has everything to do that too.

[awp101]

Anyone?

Another thought I had was maybe using a octagonal .30-30 bbl and having it rebored to .38-55?

This is the way I would go if I were doing same.

Probably not a bad idea since I found a source for a complete front end that half round/half octagon...maybe one of those half mags like the TDs have as well?

OSOK, let's slow down and see where this goes.... Brownells has one of the worst websites when it comes to searches IMO. I guess what I consider a regular keyword and what they do are two different things.

Post 666 for me, I hope it's not an omen!

[Duff L Bagg]

Ya might want to consider one of these barrels http://www.buffaloarms.com/browse.cfm/4,3476.html

I had one installed on a Win 94 centennial, I pick it up from the smith when I get home from this trip.

The only thing that would have to be done to the barrel is to have an extractor cut for a top eject.

[awp101]

Now I know why I rarely hit the BA site...too many cool toys!

This is a non-AE base weapon, would that make a difference? Then there's sourcing the wood and mag tube from Numrich or the like I suppose....

[20cows]

I have had three Winchesters rebored from .30-30 to .38-55. In each case, that was all I did for the conversion.

One of the barrels was an octagon barrel I got from Numrich to convert a carbine to a rifle. Griff got a barrel from them that was already in .38-55.

If you go the rebore route, I highly recommend Jes Ocambaugh.

This is the address I have for him.

Jesse Ocumpaugh
715 South 6th Street
Cottage Grove, OR 97424
(541) 942 1342


These are my .38-55s, including the one converted from a carbine and the first one I built from parts gathered over the internet (I call it Puzzle One- first of five).

[awp101]

Thanks 20cows, how did you like the Numrich barrel?

[20cows]

The Numrich barrel has a slightly oversize chamber, which can be seen in fired cases, but at .30-30 and .38-55 pressure levels it is not a problem.

Another thing about the Numrich barrels is that they are like black powder rifle barrels in that there is no taper. It's the same size chamber to muzzle (it's kind of like an octagon bull barrel, particularly in .30-30) and you have to get the fore end cap from them as the Winchester caps will not fit. I ordered the barrel, forearm and cap all at the same time, so that was not a problem for me.

I have to admit that I have not looked in a while to see if Numrich still sells that barrel.

[Jaguarundi]

I have seen the Numrich barrels advert recently in Shotgun News (can't recall the prices).

[Poohgyrr]

These threads always get my attention. I have a '60s top eject that would be fun to convert.

[20cows]

I just looked at Numrich's online catlog and saw the 26" non-tapered barrel is there (.38-55), but the forend cap is "sold out". It would be difficult to get one for that barrel any where else.

The half octagon kit would make a neat rifle that could be rebored to .38-55, but you're payng for a barrel AND a rebore. That's getting expensive.

In either case, I would definately put a crescent rifle buttstock on it.

BTW, the stock and forearm on Puzzle One are the originals from the other rifle. I sanded off the factory dark stain and cut the buttstock to fit an old crescent buttplate I acquired years before. It makes the buttstock pretty short when you do that, but it sure does go well with the trapper concept.

[awp101]

I just looked at Numrich's online catlog and saw the 26" non-tapered barrel is there (.38-55), but the forend cap is "sold out". It would be difficult to get one for that barrel any where else.

Yes, that concerned me too.

The half octagon kit would make a neat rifle that could be rebored to .38-55, but you're payng for a barrel AND a rebore. That's getting expensive..

True but it would help ensure the chamber is correctly cut rather than whatever Numrich received in the .38-55 bbl.

In either case, I would definately put a crescent rifle buttstock on it.

I'll just have to see what happens with the rest of it. Love the looks of the crescent, not a lot of experience shooting them.

[BenT]

awp101, I just finished putting a Numrich 38-55 barrel on one of my 94's . I need to post some pics. The regular winchester forend can be used . I just heated up the base and spread it open a little. The tube hanger and forend cap & forend cap holder parts I got from a gunshow. The forearm wood came from Midway on sale. It needed fitting ,like all after market wood.

The barrel slugged at .375 .I had to use my brothers lathe to take .010 off the end to get it to end space. That was the only downside to it. The lathe left a couple marks on the barrel. But I didn't mind because the receiver is already beat up.

I have shot about 15 rounds through it and it seems to group well . I am going to try some different loads to test. I bought my barrel still new from a member here for $75 . I have about $160 into it . I did all the work myself. It was very entertaining. I might try the half round 30/30 barrel kit from Numrich next.

[20cows]

It was very entertaining.

That's the way I look at it!