Thread: MLE/Long Tom to Short Tom

Hi guys, I ended up with a shortened MLM-MLE / Long Tom fore end & went crazy with my action & spare parts, only roughly fitted up for now.

I don't have any full length rifles around any more & was wondering if one of you could measure the length of the barrel out from the end of the nose cap ?

Also does any one have a screw from one of these nose caps to spare ?

The seems like a waste of a good bayonet boss (unless you have a bayonet with a really loooong hilt)!

Well that is true gundoc & not being rude but I thought it obvious I was cutting barrel down & adding front sight & this is why I was asking about barrel length ?

I think it will be about 16in-17in barrel when cut back ?

I was thinking also that the parts are worth more than the whole rifle, this is a theme with old rifles the parts worth more than the whole, similar with some vintage vehicles !

4.671 inches / 118.65 mm,
Taken from the face of the nose cap to barrel end....Not from the bayonet lug.
from my BSACo 1901 LE1**

I do like that.
Except for the forearm.
More sporting rear stock would be nice too.
Still like it especially with the smaller mag

Thank you @Kiwi Sapper, more than I thought, have to see what it looks like, I haven't seen a "Tanker" MLE done before might look Ok ?

I won't be using that magazine it is out of one of my Lee Speeds & the Carbine mags are too valuable to use in it also !

Originally Posted by Scout

Well that is true gundoc & not being rude but I thought it obvious I was cutting barrel down & adding front sight & this is why I was asking about barrel length ?

I think it will be about 16in-17in barrel when cut back ?

I was thinking also that the parts are worth more than the whole rifle, this is a theme with old rifles the parts worth more than the whole, similar with some vintage vehicles !

Yes, a valid point! I had a shortened MLE with a 16" barrel as a truck gun (back when you were allowed to carry such things around) in Ashley Forest. It shot rather well but was bloody loud!

Yes I was thinking 16in is a little close to the ears with out a muffler but it is only a play thing really & muffs can be worn !

So something like this mockup @csmiffy ?

@Scout that's more like it.
I have my moments with fully wooded stocks.
Depends on the rifle.
Considering I would never put a scope on that, that would be quite cool. I always thought I'd prefer a more common sporter fore end but that looks sharp

Originally Posted by csmiffy

@Scout that's more like it.
I have my moments with fully wooded stocks.
Depends on the rifle.
Considering I would never put a scope on that, that would be quite cool. I always thought I'd prefer a more common sporter fore end but that looks sharp

A Mannlicher MLE, is it not? I like both your creations @Scout. The one in your original post belongs squarely in a steampunk sci-fi movie involving a hot air balloon, pith helmets and heroically fending off rabid elephants. In the hands of a Mr Alan Quatermain, I think.