Converted an Inland Carbine to 5.7 and it is an impressive little cartridge.
More powerful than the mother .30 Carbine and seems pretty flat-shooting.
Haven't done a measured range check on it yet. No actual internal parts to change over. Needed to finish-ream the chamber for headspace and exchange barrels.
No pics, it looks just like a regular M-1 Carbine.
Love it!!
__________________ If ya don't know where I've been and ya don't know where I'm going, your opinions of me don't count.
Guess no-one knows what the 5.7 Johnson...too bad...oh well...I'm happy with it!
Oldjarhead,
I am very familiar with the 5.7 Johnson (.22 Spitfire). I have had a converted M1 Carbine for approximately 4 years now. To show the versatility of the M1 Carbine I also have one in 9mm Winchester Magnum and .45 Winchester Magnum and commercial Iver Johnson in 9mm. These conversions are outstanding in their accuracy and function. If I had to take a guess at the number of rounds run through them I have to say I have put around 500 rounds per carbine. The only problems I have with is occasional failure to feed. "And yes I reload." I don't have the ability do any reloading at this time. I am living with my brother and family at this time for after catching my "Ex-Bi***" in her third affair. You can only turn the other cheek so many times.
Until I become more stable in my living status, I will just have to put reloading aside. I would post pictures, however my camera equipment is "in a box" some place.
Take care and congrats on this awesome conversion.
Tye G.
P.S. I have four other .30M1 Carbines to top it off.
2 Inland's
1 National Postal Meter
1 Saginaw
.45 Winchester Magnum - Inland receiver
9mm Winchester Magnum - Inland receiver
5.7 Johnson - Inland receiver
9mm Parabellum - Iver Johnson
I am very familiar with the 5.7 Johnson (.22 Spitfire). I have had a converted M1 Carbine for approximately 4 years now. To show the versatility of the M1 Carbine I also have one in 9mm Winchester Magnum and .45 Winchester Magnum and commercial Iver Johnson in 9mm. These conversions are outstanding in their accuracy and function. If I had to take a guess at the number of rounds run through them I have to say I have put around 500 rounds per carbine. The only problems I have with is occasional failure to feed. "And yes I reload." I don't have the ability do any reloading at this time. I am living with my brother and family at this time for after catching my "Ex-Bi***" in her third affair. You can only turn the other cheek so many times.
Until I become more stable in my living status, I will just have to put reloading aside. I would post pictures, however my camera equipment is "in a box" some place.
Take care and congrats on this awesome conversion.
Tye G.
P.S. I have four other .30M1 Carbines to top it off.
2 Inland's
1 National Postal Meter
1 Saginaw
.45 Winchester Magnum - Inland receiver
9mm Winchester Magnum - Inland receiver
5.7 Johnson - Inland receiver
9mm Parabellum - Iver Johnson
Thanks, Tye,
I'm trying to do some reloading but am having an issue with getting the cases to size correctly after I form them. I'm trying to work it out with RCBS but they don't seem to know much about the 5.7.
One of the dies isn't right; whether it be the forming or the FL sizer. The finished cases are too long on the case body. I have some factory loaded 5.7 brass which FL sizes just fine.
Have in any ideas? Do you form your own cases from .30 Carb?
I also have several carbines in addition to the conversion.
1 Rockola
1 Underwood
1 Inland
1 National PM
I love this little booger, have since I was 12...errr...about an eon ago.
Dave
__________________ If ya don't know where I've been and ya don't know where I'm going, your opinions of me don't count.
Thanks, Tye,
I'm trying to do some reloading but am having an issue with getting the cases to size correctly after I form them. I'm trying to work it out with RCBS but they don't seem to know much about the 5.7.
One of the dies isn't right; whether it be the forming or the FL sizer. The finished cases are too long on the case body. I have some factory loaded 5.7 brass which FL sizes just fine.
Have in any ideas? Do you form your own cases from .30 Carb?
I also have several carbines in addition to the conversion.
1 Rockola
1 Underwood
1 Inland
1 National PM
I love this little booger, have since I was 12...errr...about an eon ago.
Dave
OldJarHead,
Yeppers..... In love and in lust with those wonderful little war babies.
If I had access or knew where they were, I'd pack up and send you my die set. The dies I am using to reload is a set of Redding dies. I know all to well your frustrations as I must have killed as much brass trying to form .30 M1 Carbine cases to 5.7 then were fired on Normandy beach. After all to many headaches I went ahead and ordered the Redding form and trim dies which made the initial forming far easier. The form and trim die set is a bit expensive, but all to needed. I found that I had to watch case overall length for it seemed the forming process actually made the case grow in length. There may be the need to trim the internal case neck as well. I am afraid we have fallen into a devils trap but once things start falling into place it will be worth it.
Once things are a bit more stable I hope we might be able to share reloading data and experiances.
Yeppers..... In love and in lust with those wonderful little war babies.
If I had access or knew where they were, I'd pack up and send you my die set. The dies I am using to reload is a set of Redding dies. I know all to well your frustrations as I must have killed as much brass trying to form .30 M1 Carbine cases to 5.7 then were fired on Normandy beach. After all to many headaches I went ahead and ordered the Redding form and trim dies which made the initial forming far easier. The form and trim die set is a bit expensive, but all to needed. I found that I had to watch case overall length for it seemed the forming process actually made the case grow in length. There may be the need to trim the internal case neck as well. I am afraid we have fallen into a devils trap but once things start falling into place it will be worth it.
Once things are a bit more stable I hope we might be able to share reloading data and experiances.
Take care,
Tye
I have the forming set from RCBS as well as their FL set. If I had hair, I'd be pulling it out. I guess all I can do at this point is continue to attempt to resolve by trial and error...lol
I would like to stay in touch and exchange info and experiences...as limited as it is right now.
My home e-mail is kawman52@aol.com...just FYI.
Later
Dave
PS: is Redding still in business?
__________________ If ya don't know where I've been and ya don't know where I'm going, your opinions of me don't count.
Hey Jarhead I have an original 5.7 Spitfire SN 0004X. Cool little gun, all stainless even the clip, only fired it a few time though. I noticed this is an old post and wondered how your liking still?
Gitty up!
TD
Hey Jarhead I have an original 5.7 Spitfire SN 0004X. Cool little gun, all stainless even the clip, only fired it a few time though. I noticed this is an old post and wondered how your liking still?
Gitty up!
TD
I'm still quite happy with it but don't get much time to shoot it.
What make is yours?
There are several variations of the cartridge it makes it difficult to get reloading right. I ended up sending fired casings, along with my die sets, back to RCBS to have them match everything up. It has all come together some so will start reloading more when the warmer weather gets here. My shop doesn't have a heater so I don't spend much time out there during cold weather...LOL
It would be nice to get a Spitfire group going to share experiences and frustrations.
BTW I'd like to see your carbine...got pictures?
Once I get it figured out how to post pics on here I'll do it. (I've done it before but forgot how I did it...part of getting old)
__________________ If ya don't know where I've been and ya don't know where I'm going, your opinions of me don't count.
Converted an Inland Carbine to 5.7 and it is an impressive little cartridge.
More powerful than the mother .30 Carbine and seems pretty flat-shooting.
Haven't done a measured range check on it yet. No actual internal parts to change over. Needed to finish-ream the chamber for headspace and exchange barrels.
No pics, it looks just like a regular M-1 Carbine.
Love it!!
I just looked through my manuals, including back to my old Phil Sharpe manual, and found nothing about the 5.7 Johnson.
Looking further .. .. .. .. ..
On the internet I've found what amounts to a cross-reference to .22 Spitfire, and something about it being a "survival" type of cartridge, but I still don't find anything on .22 Spitfire or 5.7 Johnson in my manuals.
What's the story on this cartridge? You've got me interested in something new, here.
edited to add:
What all is involved in making such a conversion?
Why did you make the conversion, and what would you use it for? Just for fun, or what?
Daing, but you've got my curiosity going.
Last edited by DefenderBob; 02-15-2010 at 12:36 AM.
I just looked through my manuals, including back to my old Phil Sharpe manual, and found nothing about the 5.7 Johnson.
Looking further .. .. .. .. ..
On the internet I've found what amounts to a cross-reference to .22 Spitfire, and something about it being a "survival" type of cartridge, but I still don't find anything on .22 Spitfire or 5.7 Johnson in my manuals.
What's the story on this cartridge? You've got me interested in something new, here.
edited to add:
What all is involved in making such a conversion?
Why did you make the conversion, and what would you use it for? Just for fun, or what?
Daing, but you've got my curiosity going.
Unfortunately you won't find much on the 5.7mm Johnson (aka: .22 Spitfire; .22/30) other than a slight history of Mel(?) Johnson who designed it. I obtained a little re-loading information from RCBS and just recently got more reloading data from a friend at Sierra.
Since the cartridge is, in effect, a wildcat there will be issues with case dimensions, especially the shoulder angle but it is not a real problem since die manufacturers can adjust their dies to fit your chamber. To reload you need forming dies and reloading dies...full lenth. Sometimes a tedious and time consuming process but once the cases are formed it's just like any other reloading.
Why? I had read about the cartridge back in the 1960's and have always wanted one but coud never find a carbine chambered for it. Iver Johnson and Plainfield chambered carbines in the caliber but sales didn't work out to keep make them. I figured it would be a fun project and when I discovered the barrels at Numrich I just went crazy...lolThe 5.7mm Johnson is more potent than its mother and has a flatter trajectory...makes it good for varminting and just darn right fun to shoot. The best part is knowing you built it.
It's not an easy task but is doable by anyone with tool skills. Head spacing is the hardest part since you need to do it with the barrel off the receiver because the finish reamer is tough to use with the barrel attached to the receiver...there is a way and it worked for me.
Ammunition? The only source I've found for loaded ammo is PCM which is sold through Graff and Son out of Mexico, Missouri. I doubt they have it in stock but seem to be able to get it fairly quick.
Rebarreling and finishng the chamber are what is required. No magazine mods necessary. It looks just like a regular carbine when completed; I put a laminated stock on mine so I would grab the right carbine.
It's fun to do...now if I can find a barrel in another caliber...heh heh
Where are you? Close to southern MO?
__________________ If ya don't know where I've been and ya don't know where I'm going, your opinions of me don't count.
Unfortunately you won't find much on the 5.7mm Johnson (aka: .22 Spitfire; .22/30) other than a slight history of Mel(?) Johnson who designed it. I obtained a little re-loading information from RCBS and just recently got more reloading data from a friend at Sierra.
Since the cartridge is, in effect, a wildcat there will be issues with case dimensions, especially the shoulder angle but it is not a real problem since die manufacturers can adjust their dies to fit your chamber. To reload you need forming dies and reloading dies...full lenth. Sometimes a tedious and time consuming process but once the cases are formed it's just like any other reloading.
Why? I had read about the cartridge back in the 1960's and have always wanted one but coud never find a carbine chambered for it. Iver Johnson and Plainfield chambered carbines in the caliber but sales didn't work out to keep make them. I figured it would be a fun project and when I discovered the barrels at Numrich I just went crazy...lolThe 5.7mm Johnson is more potent than its mother and has a flatter trajectory...makes it good for varminting and just darn right fun to shoot. The best part is knowing you built it.
It's not an easy task but is doable by anyone with tool skills. Head spacing is the hardest part since you need to do it with the barrel off the receiver because the finish reamer is tough to use with the barrel attached to the receiver...there is a way and it worked for me.
Ammunition? The only source I've found for loaded ammo is PCM which is sold through Graff and Son out of Mexico, Missouri. I doubt they have it in stock but seem to be able to get it fairly quick.
Rebarreling and finishng the chamber are what is required. No magazine mods necessary. It looks just like a regular carbine when completed; I put a laminated stock on mine so I would grab the right carbine.
It's fun to do...now if I can find a barrel in another caliber...heh heh
Where are you? Close to southern MO?
I'm in south central Nebraska, about 45 minutes north of Kansas.
Hello to all ... another MMJ / 5.7 Johnson builder here and I need some advice. I've got the barrel / finish reamer (PTG) / and all the tools necessary to put it together but want to check with the pros before I start off headspacing without gauges as I've never done this conversion before. If you would, please give me a quick run-through, OK? Thanks in advance.
Hello to all ... another MMJ / 5.7 Johnson builder here and I need some advice. I've got the barrel / finish reamer (PTG) / and all the tools necessary to put it together but want to check with the pros before I start off headspacing without gauges as I've never done this conversion before. If you would, please give me a quick run-through, OK? Thanks in advance.
The method I used to finish my 5.7 is unorthadox and would most likely received numerous responses from others; however it did work and my conversion shoots and functions well.
There are at least four varieties of 5.7 and each has different shoulder angles so when you get ready to purchase reloading dies be sure to contact the die maker so they can ensure the dies will work for your conversion.
Pm me if you want.
__________________ If ya don't know where I've been and ya don't know where I'm going, your opinions of me don't count.
Sirs. I have a Blue Sky import m1 carbine that has little historical value. This is a small departure from your thread and I apologize in advance, but I'm considering converting this rifle to .221 fireball. Do you have any advise?
__________________ NRA LIFE MEMBER - Support Our Troops - Land of the Free, because of the Brave.
Sirs. I have a Blue Sky import m1 carbine that has little historical value. This is a small departure from your thread and I apologize in advance, but I'm considering converting this rifle to .221 fireball. Do you have any advise?
Like many who purchased the Blue Sky marked carbine you think they have no importance historically. The mark does not reduce your carbine to junk level, it merely was required that returns to be marked by the importing entity. Most blue sky's were brought back from Korea and have definate historic values dating back to WWII. Collectors simply don't like those marks on their carbines. They are still USGI.
As for a .221 fireball conversion, you may run into difficulties with overall cartridge length as the carbine receiver and magazine may not take it. I would also be concerned about chamber pressure of the .221
It would make more sense, and be alot safer, to convert to the 5.7 Johnson or .22 Spitfire (usually considered the same but have different shoulder angles).
I haven't found any information on the chamber pressure for the .221 fireball but keep in mind the fireball was designed for a bolt action pistol not a semi auto.
Personally I would not recommend pushing a carbine receiver to the level of a .221 fireball.
__________________ If ya don't know where I've been and ya don't know where I'm going, your opinions of me don't count.
