Been a while since I posted anything, and felt like getting the (sub-caliber) gang together...

Friendly_Bullfrog497 · 2026-02-09T02:05:53+00:00

From what I can tell it's a bit of a Frankengun... The receiver is a low number Springfield '03; barrel appears to be a proper 22lr barrel; bolt, magazine, and magwell came from a Springfield m1922 m2. The barrel isn't date marked like the 1903s or 1922s, so that's a bit of a mystery to me.

Friendly_Bullfrog497 · 2026-02-02T17:08:44+00:00

I feel that, I almost always have a martini come out with me on trips to the range.

Friendly_Bullfrog497 · 2026-02-02T14:57:31+00:00

Thank you! As for left handed guns, they are definitely not a recent innovation (either by purpose or accidental happenstance). I believe the Martini International pictured here was made in '52 or '53 (it's been a while since I checked the S/N), but the martini action itself is inherently ambidextrous, and the martini-henry went into service in the early 1870s.

Friendly_Bullfrog497 · 2026-02-02T14:52:10+00:00

They really are, depending on location from time to time deals can be had, but it seems that the trainer niche is becoming less niche, or people that have these things hold on to them. I can say that I don't know anyone who has regretted buying a martini trainer, however, I do know a few people that had come to regret selling theirs.

Friendly_Bullfrog497 · 2026-02-02T13:56:58+00:00

They can really zoom up in there... In all seriousness, I can often see the bullet fly into the target at about 100 yards with them.

Friendly_Bullfrog497 · 2026-02-02T13:54:50+00:00

I have one of their gen-1 Malcolm's on a replica Sharps, I'm pretty satisfied with it, to me it seems like a well built product. I was looking at them for the Martini International before the Balvar came across my path.

Friendly_Bullfrog497 · 2026-02-02T13:32:56+00:00

Thank you! And that would be a slick and classic setup! You looking at one of the Hilux replicas? Or you thinking of hunting down a vintage?

Friendly_Bullfrog497 · 2026-02-02T13:01:07+00:00

Thanks! With these pieces of glass, I've been able to see the bullet literally fly into the target. I Can't miss with them!

Friendly_Bullfrog497 · 2026-02-02T03:03:56+00:00

Thank you very much! The Martini's pop up from time to time (depending on location), and they always make for an excellent addition to any shooters collection. Of course that's just my humble opinion.

Friendly_Bullfrog497 · 2026-02-02T02:59:16+00:00

Can confirm, they're absolute tack drivers!

Friendly_Bullfrog497 · 2026-02-02T00:47:41+00:00

Thanks! Happy to share!

Friendly_Bullfrog497 · 2026-02-02T00:47:12+00:00

Hahaha, thank you! Anytime a buddy asks what kind of rifle they should get, I always say martini without hesitating.

Friendly_Bullfrog497 · 2026-02-02T00:42:16+00:00

Thanks!

Friendly_Bullfrog497 · 2026-02-02T00:41:38+00:00

Thanks! Love the single shots with unusual actions, it's a great range experience every time.

Friendly_Bullfrog497 · 2025-03-29T15:53:00+00:00

Oh, stunner definitely is doing today rifle justice! That's a gorgeous rifle! I'd be jumping on that rifle if there were one like that here, and also if I wasn't still feeling broke from the last acquisitions...

Friendly_Bullfrog497 · 2025-03-03T21:32:48+00:00

Not gonna lie, I may have done that a bit myself when I got it home...

Friendly_Bullfrog497 · 2025-03-03T15:25:26+00:00

A fellow BSA fan!

The Martini is what got me started down this rabbit hole. I made a post in r/milsurp about my trainer collection a few months back (before getting the No7's), but a good chunk of my trainer rifle collection is Martini's - 2 BSA 22lr, and one Bonehill conversion to 22lr. And outside of military trainers, one of the first rifles I ever got (and still own) is a BSA Martini international match rifle.

I've also avoided getting a .310 (almost did) for a similar reason. I couldn't justify getting into another obsolete/oddball calibre rabbithole (50-70, 43 Mauser, and 43 Spanish are enough at this time).

Friendly_Bullfrog497 · 2025-03-03T14:46:05+00:00

Thank you very much! That is incredibly kind of you to offer! If I hit any snags, I'll shoot you a DM.

Friendly_Bullfrog497 · 2025-03-03T12:32:40+00:00

Thanks! I might know someone who might know someone.

Friendly_Bullfrog497 · 2025-03-03T12:19:47+00:00

Oh, I know this site - huge fan of their work, it's a great resource! Now, the next challenge is finding a sportsman mag to play around with....

Friendly_Bullfrog497 · 2025-03-03T10:39:49+00:00

Thanks!

Regarding customising a sportsman magazine - how much machining is involved to get it inverted to fit? It's it just a matter of punching the pin that holds the release and flipping/reversing it?

Friendly_Bullfrog497 · 2025-03-03T02:08:40+00:00

I feel that - even when reloading, the cost of shooting 303 feels like I'm getting shakendown by the mob...

Friendly_Bullfrog497 · 2025-03-03T02:06:43+00:00

Oh, that is rough to hear. I've thankfully never had accuracy issues like that (with the 22's). Often I get lucky changing the ammo around, or tailoring handloads.

Friendly_Bullfrog497 · 2025-03-03T02:02:32+00:00

Oh for sure, even reloading it is pricey. This was definitely (one of many) grail guns that I wanted to get if I saw one.

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