Valkyrie Arms Delisle in for repair/improvement.

[Ben B.]

Richard, what is the purpose of the "German muzzle device"? Is it to keep ported gas "jets" from "plasma cutting" the exterior tube, or is it to slow down the expansion for sound reduction or what?

Thanks for any explanation,

Ben

[Richard/SIA]

As I recall reading, the device serves two purposes.

The radius end helps to control the rate of expanding gas before it reaches the first baffle, it was claimed to reduce "Pop".

The sleeve portion over the ports would prevent gas directly hitting the exterior tube at high velocity, apparently to prevent "ringing" the tube?

I recall that modern theory has it that a 60º cone will take care of the muzzle without the complication of cutting the curve Delisle used.

[Richard/SIA]

Good news - bad news.

Good news, parkerizing the tube with a black pre-dip came out very nice.
Now the tube will be a close match for the blued action and hard anodize end cap.

Bad news, when I went to reinstall the butt I found the threads are stripped in the action!

The old bolt did not use all the available threads.
Why would Valkyrie cut down the stock bolt, there is NO reason to do that!
A slightly longer stock bolt should work, not a lot of material available for a thread repair.
Cannot easily replace the action with another as it is the registered SBR portion of this assembly.

I notice Valkyrie used a lot "DP" parts.
Not sure if this action is DP, it may have been as the numbers do match other parts that are clearly marked DP.

Original DeLisle were built on "condemned" actions, so I suppose it could be argued this is an authentic feature?

I would post a pic, but my camera tends to wash out the color, I will try once the tube is installed.

[Richard/SIA]

Stock bolt repair.

The thread in the butt-socket was stripped in this action.
The butt is retained by a single bolt, so this had to be fixed.
Cannot simply replace the action as it's SN# is the registered SBR portion of the assembly.

The area surrounding the thread extends rearward but is very thin.
I used a "Keensert" instead of a Helicoil to make the repair.
I find the Keensert to be much stronger and more reliable.

The major difference is that the Keensert is a solid sleeve, threaded internally and externally.
I was able to chase the old thread with a sharp tap, them insert the Keensert without removing any significant metal.
With the Keensert the internal thread is final cut and swaged into the surrounding material with a roll-tap.

I have made a new stock bolt, one thread size smaller.
Not too difficult and much stronger than relying on only one or two remaining original threads.

Keensert info, http://www.repairengineering.com/keensert.html
Looks like they changed the design a little since I bought my master kit several years ago.
The new version "Stakes" the threads, mine swages them in by chasing the inside thread with a roll-tap to expand the sleeve.

[Richard/SIA]

Cannot stand the old wood!

I cannot stand the old wood that was used in the action area any longer!
I'm putting too much effort into this to leave the broken and poorly glued scrap wood Valkyrie used on it any longer.
Dug through the pile and found a decent fore-end, it was already cut down to a "Sporter" so no loss to any other restoration.

Cut it off close to length, sanded it to final fit.
Lightly sanded the exterior before stain.
Waiting for the stain to dry now.
I will apply a second light sanding and stain, then finish it with clear varnish.

Should be a good match for the butt, fore-end is a lighter wood, I may try to stain it to match.

Trying to get a little done each day between other projects.

[Richard/SIA]

Brazing ribs to magazines for spares.

Not too hard, but I will have to refinish them afterward.

Definitely like my conversion method better.

[WasDustyJacket]

So, how is it going?

[Richard/SIA]

Had to put time into other projects, still trying to hire a qualified assistant.

Once the new baffle supports are complete I will be able to reassemble and test.

[Richard/SIA]

If you go to this thread you will find several pictures and a report on MY De Lisle replica.
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=52583

Completing my own version has helped to complete this repair, for example, I now know how to modify an original extractor for length.

I have the corrected magazine adapter tacked in place, so now I can perfect the rounds feeding!

From there it's almost done.
Also parkerizing and refinishing the wood, stock around the action was split and glued, made a replacement.
The threads at the rear of the action for the stock bolt were stripped, I put a "Keen-Sert"® in to repair it.

This is all taking far longer then originally anticipated but should be MUCH better in the end.

[Richard/SIA]

Forgot to update this thread until now.

Got it "Done" and it worked well but not as well as my version.

Now redoing the suppressor portion with a new base, baffles and end cap.
The originals aperture is just too large to be effective.
Should be much better with the replacement baffles and end cap.

Cannot change the tube, wish I could as it's not as round as I would like due to careless welding at the original build.

Will post a pic once I'm satisfied.

[Richard/SIA]

Finally figured out what it takes to get excellent feeding of rounds in a Valkyrie even from a full magazine.

A block of material has to be added to the magazine adapter and then ramped to the barrel as is done with 1911's.

[L1A1Rocker]

Finally figured out what it takes to get excellent feeding of rounds in a Valkyrie even from a full magazine.

A block of material has to be added to the magazine adapter and then ramped to the barrel as is done with 1911's.

Very nice!

[Richard/SIA]

Woo-Hoo, short video of the Valkyrie De Lisle successfully cycling a FULL magazine after my repairs and modifications!

Bolt closing effort has been dramatically reduced so that it is now easy cycle the action while mounted to the shoulder.
Far more work than originally anticipated but now I know "The trick" for doing the rest of them.
One down, 166 to go?

http://youtu.be/c5dBStnfjfg

[jreinke]

Not to change the subject too much but, I was just on your web site and I see your selling conversion kits for Enfields. Is there a specific model that it fits or will it pretty much fit all Enfields? After I get done with my Remington 788 45 ACP conversion, I might buy one of your kits and do an Enfield.

[Richard/SIA]

Works with any of the common English Enfield .303 rifles.

Once in a while some one wants to convert a P-14/P17, but that does not work.

[jreinke]

Fantastic, I know a guy who has a Canadian No. 4 MK1 for sale!

[Richard/SIA]

Made a simple set of stamping dies to produce a smaller, simpler, and lighter feed ramp fix.
Made up several so now these repairs will go much faster.

It provides a feed-ramp to the barrel similar to an M-1911.

[jreinke]

Are you going to be at the SHOT show?

[Richard/SIA]

SHOT is very unlikely.
It takes years to get a table and the price is truly insane.
I'm far too small for that show.

[whiterussian1974]

Please show pics of baffle internals and then add this Thread to "Completed Builds" viewtopic.php?f=10&t=79895&hilit=comple ... s&start=75

[Bendersquint]

Please show pics of baffle internals and then add this Thread to "Completed Builds" viewtopic.php?f=10&t=79895&hilit=comple ... s&start=75

Richard is an FFL/SOT, doesn't qualify for the Form1 suppressor builds.

[Richard/SIA]

I will a MUCH happier SOT tomorrow when the baffles and end caps that have been holding my production up get back from anodizing!
ATF forms are also finally beginning to cycle through again.

I have to take a second run at one of the "V.D." rebuilds, as built the chamber is so far off-center it will not fire.
Originally thought that was due to the very off-center firing pin hole on the bolt head.
Turns out that the off-center bolt head was a very LAME attempt at a fix for the crookedly mounted barrel!
This one is going to require more work than most to correct the issue.

Another is going to have all the "V.D." issues cured by removing all but the serialized parts and converting to my system.
Then it will function properly and no longer require customized fitted magazines.
The fun part there will be making and fitting a sleeve to take up the slack from the action being bored out to take the old barrel.
Then most of the sleeve has to be cut away for the new system to work.
Pics when it's further along.

[Ben B.]

Richard, how does your DeLisle sound next to your concentric integral Enfield? It looks like a DeLisle has lots more volume.

[Richard/SIA]

Concentric "45-SC" is 1.5" ID x 16" long.
The De Lisle is 2.0" x 16" long.

De Lisle has the lesser sound, but not by much.
Just enough to be audible if you have good hearing.
The De Lisle uses 13 mostly flat steel baffles as original, the 45-SC uses seven step-cones.

Oh, and I am building a custom De Lisle in .50AE!
I do expect it to be a little louder, but even at reduced velocity the muzzle energy will be impressive.

Just realized I never posted pics of the completed repair, so here it is!


My version, in the customers hands now.

[Richard/SIA]

I now have enough cosmetically flawed parts to build a De Lisle for myself.
A badly pitted action, beat-up wood, etc.
It will function fine but should look bad enough that no one will insist on buying it from me.