Henry Rifle Forums

For a while now (and for some odd reason I can't explain), I have been craving something chambered specifically for .22 Short. I have several rifles marked S/L/LR, but neither the chamber, nor the twist rate are 'correct' for the .22 Short cartridge. I have looked at a couple of SA-22 'short only' models, but the $1000+ price tag was a little more than I can justify dropping at one time.

Last week, while making the rounds of the local shops, I found an SA-22 (in LR) on a consignment rack. That got me thinking, so I did a bit of homework, and called my Browning guy with some part numbers. It turns out that doing a LR to Short conversion is not only possible, but all things considered, not that expensive...$300 for all the parts required. The parts needed are: Barrel, Receiver, Breech Block, Cartridge Guide, and Inner Magazine Assembly.

I went back for another look at the used SA...the asking price was reasonable, but not exceptional, so I offered $100 less. That met the seller's bottom line, and I brought it home. Now I have a donor rifle. I'm in the process of tearing it down for a thorough cleaning, and will stop to take some pics once everything is cleaned up.

Tear-down complete.
The only parts missing were the adjusting ring follower, and spring. About $4 in parts. Those parts, and the parts for the 'shorts only' conversion have been ordered. This appears to be a late (1969) Belgian rifle.

Appears to be quite a project.

looks like a considerable project .... thanks for taking us along, looking forward to your coming reports

Ernie wrote: ↑

Sun Oct 13, 2019 6:32 pm

Appears to be quite a project.

It looks more intimidating than it is. The stock will likely be the biggest challenge...you can't see it in the picture, but the finish on the butt stock is beginning to develop some cracks and will need to be dealt with. I've heard the Browning 'clear-coat' can be difficult to strip .

Just curious, why such interest in a dedicated 22 short?
please forgive my ignorance...inquiring minds want to know.
thx Roddy.

markiver54 wrote: ↑

Sun Oct 13, 2019 11:21 pm

Just curious, why such interest in a dedicated 22 short?
please forgive my ignorance...inquiring minds want to know.
thx Roddy.

I'm honestly not quite sure...maybe because I don't have anything at this time that is 'short only' (the grass is always greener...). I'm kind of curious to see if there is much difference between shooting a Short through an LR chamber (with a 1 in 16" twist), and a proper Short chamber with a slower twist rate. That, and I like to tinker/customize. It used to be cars, bikes, ATVs, snowmobiles, etc, but since a shoulder injury a few years ago, I can't handle the heavy stuff like I used to. That's what brought me to guns and shooting.

One of the ideas floating around in my head for this one includes Cerakoating the barrel, receiver, and trigger guard a stainless grey, with an oil finish on the stock. We'll see...

Another caliber on my radar is the .17 HM2. For that one, I could do a barrel swap on my CZ 455 easily enough, but what I'd really like to find is a Browning BL-17.

roddy wrote: ↑

Mon Oct 14, 2019 9:29 am

I'm honestly not quite sure...maybe because I don't have anything at this time that is 'short only' (the grass is always greener...). I'm kind of curious to see if there is much difference between shooting a Short through an LR chamber (with a 1 in 16" twist), and a proper Short chamber with a slower twist rate. That, and I like to tinker/customize. It used to be cars, bikes, ATVs, snowmobiles, etc, but since a shoulder injury a few years ago, I can't handle the heavy stuff like I used to. That's what brought me to guns and shooting.

outstanding reason in my book .... years ago I strongly considered getting some formal training in gunsmithing .... didn't do so and now often wish I had

Thanks roddy, It all makes sense to me now. i DO know about physical limitations as well.

roddy wrote: ↑

Sun Oct 13, 2019 6:58 pm

Ernie wrote: ↑

Sun Oct 13, 2019 6:32 pm

Appears to be quite a project.

It looks more intimidating than it is. The stock will likely be the biggest challenge...you can't see it in the picture, but the finish on the butt stock is beginning to develop some cracks and will need to be dealt with. I've heard the Browning 'clear-coat' can be difficult to strip .

Wondered about that. I have one but have not considered trying to strip it. It appears to be more than one coat.

Parts are in! On my way to pick them up...

I completely understand your reasoning behind this project. For awhile now, I've wanted a lightweight single shot 32 S&W long along the lines of Ed Harris' "lettuce protector" rifle. I have a donor shotgun, and a guy that can do the barrel for me, but he's waiting on material. My passion is slow and quiet, but I have no desire to deal with obtaining and maintaining a suppressor.

GaHenryFan wrote: ↑

Mon Oct 21, 2019 12:44 pm

I completely understand your reasoning behind this project. For awhile now, I've wanted a lightweight single shot 32 S&W long along the lines of Ed Harris' "lettuce protector" rifle. I have a donor shotgun, and a guy that can do the barrel for me, but he's waiting on material. My passion is slow and quiet, but I have no desire to deal with obtaining and maintaining a suppressor.

That sounds like an interesting project...I'd love to read about it when you get it done.

roddy wrote: ↑

Mon Oct 21, 2019 4:00 pm

GaHenryFan wrote: ↑

Mon Oct 21, 2019 12:44 pm

I completely understand your reasoning behind this project. For awhile now, I've wanted a lightweight single shot 32 S&W long along the lines of Ed Harris' "lettuce protector" rifle. I have a donor shotgun, and a guy that can do the barrel for me, but he's waiting on material. My passion is slow and quiet, but I have no desire to deal with obtaining and maintaining a suppressor.

That sounds like an interesting project...I'd love to read about it when you get it done.

You might regret that. If it turns out well, I probably won't be able to shut up about it. lol

Here are some of the differences...
The receiver has smaller passages for the Short round, and re-located cartridge stop holes.

The bolt has been put on a serious diet, and has a re-located slot for the cartridge stop.

Overall length of the extended magazine assy is about 3/8" longer for the Short, despite having a shorter follower. Capacity is 16 rounds vs 11 for the LR.

The barrel is 22" long with a Short chamber and 1 in 20" twist rate, vs the 19 3/8" barrel (1 in 16" twist) for the LR.

The new cartridge guide is shorter.

.
ok now put it together, shoot it and share with us the results, please.

Mags wrote: ↑

Sun Nov 03, 2019 11:08 pm

.
ok now put it together, shoot it and share with us the results, please.

It is 'together' now, at least enough for a function check, and function it does...even cycles the 29 grain 710 FPS CB shorts. I don't have sights yet, as the ones on the parts gun were pretty beat. The rear sight on these has a deeper dovetail than a standard rifle sight, so they're not overly plentiful. Skinner does make a rear peep specifically for the SA-22, so I may go that way eventually. Once I do that, I can sight it in and do a back-to-back test of both barrels on the same rifle to see how much of a difference there is.

.
Good to know. Looking forward to the outcome.

roddy wrote: ↑

Mon Nov 04, 2019 4:03 pm

... so I may go that way eventually. Once I do that, I can sight it in and do a back-to-back test of both barrels on the same rifle to see how much of a difference there is.

I tripped over an old 3/4" Weaver scope (C-4) the other day, and I think it will find a home here. The SA-22 is such a slender little rifle, I don't usually like the look of them scoped, but the old-school 3/4" blued-steel scopes and low-profile rings don't look too bad on them. Eye relief is about the width of my thumb, lol.