Posted: 7/15/2009 10:28:47 AM EDT
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Where do you guys stand on chamber adapters? Pros, cons, any specific makers would be very helpful too.
Thanks |
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Where do you guys stand on chamber adapters? Pros, cons, any specific makers would be very helpful too. Thanks I wouldn't bother with them. If you plan smart you should have at least a 22lr, rifle, and shotgun in your collection and plenty of ammo so you don't need to do foolish thinks like shoot 22lr out of a 223 or 32acp out of a 308/30-06, or 20-gauge out of your 12gauge shotgun. The only exception for me is my Ruger Blackhawks and Single Six as I like having the 45Colt/45acp convertable as well as 22lr and 22WMR possibilities but these guns are both really far down on my SHTF priority list. Here is a list of some of the more common options... http://www.mcace.com/adapters.htm I don't have a use for any of them as I said however! |
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They are a wonderful idea that give you the option of using .22 rimfire, etc, in say. an AR -with almost no weight penalty.
And you don't have to waste more valuable ammo for the "little" jobs. I've posted here before about this, to not a few howls. 
My SO has 50 rds of .22 in a sturdy box in her BOB with an assortment of different rounds, all color coded on their bases with a magic marker. Great survival idea, thank's for reminding everyone! |
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These devices can be very useful under certain circumstances, but remember that they are intended for use in single-shot and/or bolt action guns only. Definitely not useable by someone who isn't a good, one-shot/one hit level of shooter, nor for firearms that aren't up to the task, either.
They are not intended for use in other types of actions, for obvious reasons. Stainless construction is worth the premium paid, IMHO. Bearing their limitations in mind, they do have their uses in expanding the types of ammo that one can use, and also in lowering noise signature by firing a small pistol round out of a rifle barrel, for instance. |
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These devices can be very useful under certain circumstances, but remember that they are intended for use in single-shot and/or bolt action guns only. Definitely not useable by someone who isn't a good, one-shot/one hit level of shooter, nor for firearms that aren't up to the task, either. They are not intended for use in other types of actions, for obvious reasons. Stainless construction is worth the premium paid, IMHO. Bearing their limitations in mind, they do have their uses in expanding the types of ammo that one can use, and also in lowering noise signature by firing a small pistol round out of a rifle barrel, for instance. Would you detail why they can't be used in semi-autos? We have used them successfully in ARs with little issue. You have to have a little manual dexterity, but they work fine. Don't lose the firing pin insert. One thing I will comment on is the machining quality control of the adapters from the source above seems to have been lacking in our case. If yours are poorly made, I'd insist on an exchange. I'd go with stainless if I buy more. |
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If you try to order lots of luck I call three days in a row no ans. I emailed no ans. I don't think I will mail them any money and hope they ans. It's been a couple of years since we contacted them but IIRC, customer service left something to be desired. It's a small 'garage' biz I think I read recently and there is a new machinest since the original guy retired or something. That's from memory and stands to be corrected. I think they sent me some returns because I had to do a little lathe polishing on mine to make them work OK. |
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It is a great option to have, I have a 1:9 AR and with the 22lr adaptor it shoots SSS aguila well, the best thing is you can have the adaptorinstalled and a full mag of 223 ready to go if you need 223 just rack the adaptor out.
as far as 20 ga adaptors the ones I have seen are not worth anything,(how much fps are you going to get out of a 3" barrel ?) as far as 32 acp/308 adaptors I like it ,I have taken rabbits with squib loads and a mod 94 357/38, quiet and kills quick, but a 308 has too much vollume to reliable ignite 1.5 grns of powder so a 32 adaptor makes sence.( beats getting primer flash and a slug half way down the barrel) I have not tried a 32 acp adaptor. I have thought of makeing 6" long subcal adaptors for 12 ga but zeroing it would be a big task in anything but a break action. |
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These devices can be very useful under certain circumstances, but remember that they are intended for use in single-shot and/or bolt action guns only. Definitely not useable by someone who isn't a good, one-shot/one hit level of shooter, nor for firearms that aren't up to the task, either. They are not intended for use in other types of actions, for obvious reasons. Stainless construction is worth the premium paid, IMHO. Bearing their limitations in mind, they do have their uses in expanding the types of ammo that one can use, and also in lowering noise signature by firing a small pistol round out of a rifle barrel, for instance. Would you detail why they can't be used in semi-autos? We have used them successfully in ARs with little issue. You have to have a little manual dexterity, but they work fine. Don't lose the firing pin insert. One thing I will comment on is the machining quality control of the adapters from the source above seems to have been lacking in our case. If yours are poorly made, I'd insist on an exchange. I'd go with stainless if I buy more. Because in any type of action other than single shot and/or bolt, it is all-too-easy to lose the smaller sub-caliber devices, and/or the inserts on the .22 RL models. Yes, they can be used in other actions, but doing so is asking for trouble as you will have to "break training" when ejecting them. It is also usually quite a fumble getting them in. YMMV. |
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I have the .32ACP/,308 adapter. Love it. I keep it in the butt trap, for quietly finishing off big game. By the way, a .32ACP out of a twenty inch barrel is a real killer.
I just shut off my gas valve before firing. In any case, the adapter/case won't go very far if it cycles at all. If I had it to do over. It's worth the extra cost to buy stainless steel not the blued version. Adapters |
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Scanning the link Quarterbore posted, I noticed the .30 Mauser adaptor. Isn't 7.62x25 dimensionally similar enough to .30 Mauser for it to work in this device? That Locktite trick might be handy. I wonder if 7.62x39 will cycle a Garand.  Somewhere I have a .308>.30-'06 adapter I bought long ago. I subsequently found out that the Navy had used something very similar in an attempt to use 7.62 NATO in original Garands. Apparently they wished to avoid the cost of re-barreling. Unfortunately, the insert very often extracted along with the spent case, which caused a bit of a problem when the newly chambered 7.62 ctg was fired in a .30-'06 chamber. The Navy recalled the devices, and began a program of re-barreling. In addition to the above problem, there is also the question of whether 7.62x39 ammo has the right pressure characteristics to allow firing same in the Garand without possibly damaging the somewhat fragile op-rod. I'd like to hear from someone who's got some experience with that set-up before I try it out. It might be that a Schuster or McCann device fitted to the Garaand, and correctly adjusted would allow safe firing of 7.62X39. Question is, what setting? Needless to say, the OEM sight graduations will be off to some extent, the greater the range, the greater the discrepancy. Lastly, .30-'06 is still relatively cheap, so the cost difference between it and 7.62x39 is not so great as it might be if shooting, say, 7.62 NATO. |
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Thanks for the response. I guess things would have to be really bad for this to even be considered. Without looking at a piece of brass, I seem to recall 7.62.39 being smaller in the base than either '06 or 7.62x51. So possible extraction issues on another front. Any thoughts on the Mauser adaptor? |
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If I had no other options I would consider the adapters.
To me they are more for places where it is very difficult to own more firearms. I would rather go with an accurate 22lr handgun and an ar15 then an ar15 and the 22lr adapter. If they fit your needs then read up on them and see what you think. The post about using the handgun round in the rifle barrel to put down animals is one instance where this concept might work but if legal to carry a handgun I would probably go with a handgun. But due to some hunting laws that might not always be legal. So I understand why some people want them, I am just one of those who prefers to have another firearm. I consider the convertable single action revolvers a bit different since they remain fully funtional with their conversion. It did not turn your firearm into a single shot. |
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I am going to bounce this thread as while I didn't have any plans to buy one of these I managed to find a 223 to 22lr conversion for $10. I just got it and I don't know when I will get to go to the range to try it but I wanted it for my T/C Contender more then anything, although I do have both Super 14 barrels for 223 and 22lr.
I figured for $10 it makes a cheap backup option that doesn't take up much room and I might try it in the AR-15 too at some point. I still would plan to either carry a 22lr rifle or pistol over this but for $10 with shipping I had to give it a try. I'll post a review when I get to try it. |
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one of the big draw backs is the fact that the sights will not be zero'd for the sub caliber, and switching back and forth will only complicate issues.
especially if you have it for a survival situation. for training I guess it might be worth the effort, but again in a high power rifle .30 cal, the disparity of range (distance) training will be negative. for an AR15, the .22 adapter will suffer accuracy so as a game getter it will be frustrating at best. a proper twist is a must for accuracy, and accuracy is the goal in training or actual shooting. adapters are a novelty and should not be seriously considered if your going to bet your life on a piece of equipment. |
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I've got both 32 in a 308 and 22 in a 5.56. I see limited benefit. You can take small game/finish off game with the 32 ACP while hunting. The 22 in an AR could allow you to take game on a patrol, bugout, or if carrying the AR for protection while working arround a farm or trap line.
I'd want a 22 first, but for the money I spent, it's a nice option. |
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In my opinion they are more toy or novelty than real equipment.
There are chamber adapters that permit use of, say, 20 ga in a 12 ga gun. Unless these are the full length barrel tube variety what you have just created is a really, really short barrelled shotgun (with virtually NO barrel length, that fits inside a regular shotgun barrel. Near useless. There are adapters that permit the use of things like 32 acp in a 308, or 30-06 or the like. Question? What reall good is a 7.5 lb full sized rifle that fires .32 acp??? Add the fact that the point of impact is typically dramatically different and you now have a 7.5 lb full sized rifle that fires 32 acp and does not hit the target. I once fell in love with the idea of cartridge interchangeability. I bought a Marlin 1894 in 44 mag. I carefully sighted it in with full power 240 JHP 44 mag bullets. I then tried some various 44 Special loads. At 25 yards the Specials were typically hitting anywhere from 8 to 12" lower. In other words, the potential usefulness of a reduced power cartridge (to collect small game with less damage) was completely nullified by the huge point of impact change. It could be argued that they would have some use in training. It's easier to simply reload lower recoil cartridges. They then feed and fire as they should. I have not tried a 32acp/308 adapter. I have little interest in wasting the money. Instead of carrying a chamber adapter and another type of ammo, just carry an additional half dozen cartridges of the type intended for the rifle. Be more careful. You can easily collect small game with careful shot placement (I don't eat heads). |
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Scanning the link Quarterbore posted, I noticed the .30 Mauser adaptor. Isn't 7.62x25 dimensionally similar enough to .30 Mauser for it to work in this device? That Locktite trick might be handy. I wonder if 7.62x39 will cycle a Garand. Somewhere I have a .308>.30-'06 adapter I bought long ago. I subsequently found out that the Navy had used something very similar in an attempt to use 7.62 NATO in original Garands. Apparently they wished to avoid the cost of re-barreling. Unfortunately, the insert very often extracted along with the spent case, which caused a bit of a problem when the newly chambered 7.62 ctg was fired in a .30-'06 chamber. The Navy recalled the devices, and began a program of re-barreling. In addition to the above problem, there is also the question of whether 7.62x39 ammo has the right pressure characteristics to allow firing same in the Garand without possibly damaging the somewhat fragile op-rod. I'd like to hear from someone who's got some experience with that set-up before I try it out. It might be that a Schuster or McCann device fitted to the Garaand, and correctly adjusted would allow safe firing of 7.62X39. Question is, what setting? Needless to say, the OEM sight graduations will be off to some extent, the greater the range, the greater the discrepancy. Lastly, .30-'06 is still relatively cheap, so the cost difference between it and 7.62x39 is not so great as it might be if shooting, say, 7.62 NATO. I've shot 308 with the adapter through an M1... it makes for a fine shooting rifle. I was amazed how accurate it was. I used the blue Loctite and did not have any problems... Later I did remove the insert with a broken shell extractor, and it was still useable. I do not think shooting a 7.62X39 round would be a good idea... the bullet diameter is .311. eta: I " think " that there would be enough gas pressure to operate the op rod.... If you give it a try, let us know.... k ? |
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Did a bit of study on the situation, and the biggest issue I see (besides the potential to bend the oprod) is that the case on a 7.62x39 is slightly smaller in diameter than '06, so the potential for extraction issues is high. Does anybody have any thoughts on the practicality of a 7.62x25 to 7.62x whatever adaptor? I keep seeing .32 Auto mentioned, but am less than impressed by the ballistics of the cartridge. |