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Posted: 2/20/2025 7:09:58 PM EDT
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I'm considering building a 9mm bolt action rifle starting with a Ruger American Ranch in .223 Remington. Why? It accepts AR mags, barrel change is easy and the stock parts I am looking at are plentiful and I have a large quantity of 9mm SMG ammo to use. I would start with the basic Ruger American Ranch in .223 Remington Remove the barrel. Use a AR-15 9mm barrel and thread it to 1-16 (I believe that's the correct pitch.) Install and headspace. Using the below magazine from Brownells (As the rifle accepts AR mags) https://www.brownells.com/gun-parts/magazines/rifle-magazines-parts/ar-9-endomags--9mm-10-round/ Or use a 9mm mag well adapter and colt mags (I already have both) Seems pretty simple, what are your thoughts. I forsee a possible problem with magazine height, feed angle. What are your thoughts please. |
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Originally Posted By jstnstr: What kind of bolt / extractor are you planning to use? Barrel and magazine are only part of the equation I measured the rim of both the 9mm and .223, very minimal difference in size. I checked the fit of a 9mm round in a Rem 700 bolt, it's a good fit. |
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Theoretically speaking, Endomag should be the superior solution. The reason is that the geometry stays the same and a shorter cartridge invites an unsupported jump. Some of the feeding geometries then only work with the inertia generated by a reasonably fast bolt. But Endomag is as controlled as possible. Obviously Brownells is not the only place that sells them. I wish someone continued making conversions for the RIA rifles, like the Novem. Their action is a hair shorter than American. |
| I've seen it discussed a couple times but I don't think I've seen anyone do it. I don't understand why there isn't a decent 9mm bolt gun. Should have snatched up a Novem when I had the chance. |
BikerNut:
Normal people like motorcycles. Real people like motorcycles.
People who don't like motorcycles are just... weird.
Normal people like motorcycles. Real people like motorcycles.
People who don't like motorcycles are just... weird.
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Originally Posted By JKrammes: Sounds interesting. How will you thread the barrel extension? Are they different on 9mm barrels? You set head space on a bolt gun with the shoulder of the barrel after the threads. I'll chuck it up in my lathe and single point it. On the Ruger American, the barrel doesn't have a shoulder but uses a barrel lock nut. Simply screw the barrel in, set the headspace and tighten the lock nut. I'll turn down the shoulder on the AR 9mm barrel. |
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I remember reading about other attempts like this in the past and extraction and ejection were issues. Specifically keeping the case from being released from the extractor too early. With the short case the ejector pushes the case off into the locking lug area before it can get to the ejection port. I really hope you figure out any issues because I would love to have both a 9mm and a 45acp bolt action built on a modem platform. |
| Just a though how about a bear creek bolt action upper? That with the endomag and 9mm barrel and bolt. Sounds like fun to me. Love the idea of a bolt 9mm Ruger american. But I think the bear creek will be a little cheaper unless you already have the rifle. |
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Originally Posted By ToolMaker59: I'll chuck it up in my lathe and single point it. On the Ruger American, the barrel doesn't have a shoulder but uses a barrel lock nut. Simply screw the barrel in, set the headspace and tighten the lock nut. I'll turn down the shoulder on the AR 9mm barrel. Originally Posted By ToolMaker59: Originally Posted By JKrammes: Sounds interesting. How will you thread the barrel extension? Are they different on 9mm barrels? You set head space on a bolt gun with the shoulder of the barrel after the threads. I'll chuck it up in my lathe and single point it. On the Ruger American, the barrel doesn't have a shoulder but uses a barrel lock nut. Simply screw the barrel in, set the headspace and tighten the lock nut. I'll turn down the shoulder on the AR 9mm barrel. Would love to see some pics of that in process. |
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Originally Posted By The_Wizard_Of_Odd: I remember reading about other attempts like this in the past and extraction and ejection were issues. Specifically keeping the case from being released from the extractor too early. With the short case the ejector pushes the case off into the locking lug area before it can get to the ejection port. You would probably need to convert the ejector from a spring-loaded button on the bolt (Rem 700) style to a fixed-blade on the receiver (Mauser) style. Doing this would probably be the trickiest part of the conversion. |
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Originally Posted By Stahlgewehr762: You would probably need to convert the ejector from a spring-loaded button on the bolt (Rem 700) style to a fixed-blade on the receiver (Mauser) style. Doing this would probably be the trickiest part of the conversion. Endomag has a built in ejector. Will it work here? 
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Justice for P’Nut.
Space Corps Directive 196156: 'Any officer caught sniffing the saddle of the exercise bicycle in the women's gym will be discharged without trial.'
Space Corps Directive 196156: 'Any officer caught sniffing the saddle of the exercise bicycle in the women's gym will be discharged without trial.'
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Attached File |
I sell firearms produced by the finest child labor in the world, be it Filipino, Muslim, Mormon, Arizonan, or Texan.
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Deets please. Didja have to chop a lug? |
I sell firearms produced by the finest child labor in the world, be it Filipino, Muslim, Mormon, Arizonan, or Texan.
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Originally Posted By ToolMaker59: I'm considering building a 9mm bolt action rifle starting with a Ruger American Ranch in .223 Remington. Why? It accepts AR mags, barrel change is easy and the stock parts I am looking at are plentiful and I have a large quantity of 9mm SMG ammo to use. I would start with the basic Ruger American Ranch in .223 Remington Remove the barrel. Use a AR-15 9mm barrel and thread it to 1-16 (I believe that's the correct pitch.) Install and headspace. Using the below magazine from Brownells (As the rifle accepts AR mags) https://www.brownells.com/gun-parts/magazines/rifle-magazines-parts/ar-9-endomags--9mm-10-round/ Or use a 9mm mag well adapter and colt mags (I already have both) Seems pretty simple, what are your thoughts. I forsee a possible problem with magazine height, feed angle. What are your thoughts please. OP, see my pic above - I'm starting w/ the similar Mossberg action I got for cheap: 1) Mockup pic w/ unmodified ProMag adapter, pic above; 2) Sunday I'll order an ejectorless CMMG 9mm mag; 3) Plan to pull the firing pin (and maybe ejector), see if I can get .380 ACP rounds to cycle in & out of the .223 chamber; 4) If that works, I'll order a Green Mountain 9mm barrel blank & send it off to Paladin Machine of SC; 5) Plan on spinning steel 9mm cases w/ lapping compound to widen the boltface a bit; 6) If I have issues w/ rounds falling into the lower bolt lug, I can chop a lug off the bolt w/ Dremel & hacksaw, and fill the bolt lug recess in the receiver w/ 2-part epoxy; 7) Expand experimentation to other magwell adapters & eventually to the Ruger & Voere actions. ETA: OP, you may find this thread of interest: https://www.ar15.com/forums/armory/-45ACP-Enfield-conversions-Any-feedback-experience-here-/14-548426/ |
I sell firearms produced by the finest child labor in the world, be it Filipino, Muslim, Mormon, Arizonan, or Texan.
| https://www.ar15.com/forums/t_1_5/2780558_Bolt-Action-PCC-Part-Deux.html |
I sell firearms produced by the finest child labor in the world, be it Filipino, Muslim, Mormon, Arizonan, or Texan.
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Originally Posted By NorthPolar: Who did you get your RIA conversion through? I can't seem to find them anymore.  Originally Posted By NorthPolar: Originally Posted By Cixelsyd: @backbencher I just did a mock up. Nothing functional. I ended up doing a RIA conversion. I have as a standby too. Who did you get your RIA conversion through? I can't seem to find them anymore. RIA stopped importing the .22 TCM base rifle. |
I sell firearms produced by the finest child labor in the world, be it Filipino, Muslim, Mormon, Arizonan, or Texan.
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Finally got the CMMG 9mm AR magwell mag in today. Very nice feed ramp in the front w/ extended feed lips above. Doesn't go high enough in the magwell to lock in - extended feed lips in the way.  To the Dremel! 
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I sell firearms produced by the finest child labor in the world, be it Filipino, Muslim, Mormon, Arizonan, or Texan.
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