Advice on restoring my M1969 22lr trainer

[DeFacto]

Hello all, I have a Romanian M1969 that is starting to show signs of wear. Unfortunately parts for it aren't readily available. Mr. Paul Liska apparently made a manual for this gun, but his website is defunct.

My primary concern is the extractor. One side of the hook/claw is obviously worn down and no longer symmetrical with the other side. It is still extracting spent casings, but I am resolved to acquire or make a replacement and a spare while I still have a relatively intact example to start from. I am good with my hands, so I'm considering trying my hand at making an extractor out of some scrap steel. Is this a good idea (if so, any tips on how to go about that would be appreciated, I'm not a machinist) or should I try to find a gunsmith who's willing to fabricate the part?

I'd also really like to use a magazine other than the default magazine, due to cost, capacity, and availability.
Should I try to modify an existing magazine to fit, or should I modify the rifle to take a different magazine type? If anyone has successfully done a mod like this, I'm very interested in details.

As an aside, what is the appropriate way to load this gun one round at a time? I'd be fine ignoring the magazine and loading single rounds manually, but I'm assuming placing a round directly into the chamber and closing the bolt on it would be bad for the already worn extractor.

Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks!

[pietro]

.

Welcome to the forum !

This fella (Downeast Gunsmithing, Harrington, Maine) makes M1969 parts: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ir7K63yEG2w

This website has M1969 magazines: http://www.keepshooting.com/romanian...-magazine.html


.

[PerpetualStudent]

*whistle* 30 bucks for a 5 rd mag would get me looking at fabricating my own. Or just convert it to a single shot. One of the 22's we used in my collegiate rifle club had a magazine, but it had been removed and an insert was used so you just loaded 1 round at a time like the other rifles. That might be an option.

I would think an extractor would be easy to cut and shape with a hacksaw and file set but I have no idea what type of steel you'd need.

[Artful]

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/show...Training-Rifle

None here
http://www.apexgunparts.com/22-rifle...azine-fed.html

No extractor but firing pins here
https://www.libertytreecollectors.co...?idCategory=57
or here
http://www.gunpartscorp.com/Products/1090380.htm

Striker manufacturing
http://www.downeastgunworks.com/roma...striker-parts/

Lots of advice at Rimfirecentral
http://www.rimfirecentral.com/forums...d.php?t=699041
http://www.rimfirecentral.com/forums...d.php?t=682769
etc.
http://www.rimfirecentral.com/forums...rchid=13524785

Bolt forward with extractor
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Romanian-Tra...item56899428be

If you have to make one I'd look at 1070, 1075 spring steel or 01 tool steel

[Artful]

*whistle* 30 bucks for a 5 rd mag would get me looking at fabricating my own. Or just convert it to a single shot. One of the 22's we used in my collegiate rifle club had a magazine, but it had been removed and an insert was used so you just loaded 1 round at a time like the other rifles. That might be an option.

I would think an extractor would be easy to cut and shape with a hacksaw and file set but I have no idea what type of steel you'd need.

you can get some for under $20
http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from...+1969&_sacat=0

[JonB_in_Glencoe]

Dang, I remember when those mags were $8 each for original surplus...I think I still have 3 or 4 laying around ?

[Artful]

Dang, I remember when those mags were $8 each for original surplus...I think I still have 3 or 4 laying around ?

I'll give you $10 for any you find and pay the shipping

[nekshot]

saw saw blades can give nice metal to make extractors from if flat.

[DeFacto]

Welcome to the forum !

This fella (Downeast Gunsmithing, Harrington, Maine) makes M1969 parts: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ir7K63yEG2w

This website has M1969 magazines: http://www.keepshooting.com/romanian...-magazine.html

Thankyou pietro! I look forward to getting to interact more with everyone. One of the best things about this forum is the wealth of knowledge in the archives. However that doesn't lend itself to much interaction with forum members


Unfortunately Downeast Gunsmithing doesn't appear to be open to new business, per his website at any rate. That was the first place I looked, and what started me on the "man, I think I could make that part myself" path.
http://www.downeastgunworks.com/about-gunworks/

The reason I'm considering modding the gun to take other magazines has to do with availability and practicality. A 1911 .22lr magazine holds 10 rounds, is easier to load, and will likely be easier to find moving forward than the old 5 rounders. It looks like I would have to modify both the rifle itself as well as any magazines I want to use, so that idea is shelved for now. I was hoping someone else more adventurous than myself had attempted this (for better or for worse).

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?95349-Romanian-M69-22-Military-Training-Rifle


None here
http://www.apexgunparts.com/22-rifle...azine-fed.html


No extractor but firing pins here
https://www.libertytreecollectors.co...?idCategory=57
or here
http://www.gunpartscorp.com/Products/1090380.htm


Striker manufacturing
http://www.downeastgunworks.com/roma...striker-parts/


Lots of advice at Rimfirecentral
http://www.rimfirecentral.com/forums...d.php?t=699041
http://www.rimfirecentral.com/forums...d.php?t=682769
etc.
http://www.rimfirecentral.com/forums...rchid=13524785


Bolt forward with extractor
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Romanian-Tra...item56899428be


If you have to make one I'd look at 1070, 1075 spring steel or 01 tool steel

Thanks Artful; I'd seen most of those threads, but no one really mentions extractors. Aside from one person who mentions that his extractor crumbled. I suspect a large number of the parts for this rifle are cast.
I do think I will try to pick up a replacement bolt, if only so if I jack the parts of this bolt up I can at least have a fall back. This rifle is too accurate and fun to not plan for servicing it to keep it running long term. I'll be keeping an eye on ebay. Thanks for the tip!


Most especially thankyou for the steel types I should consider for use; There's a blacksmith in my area that's willing to give me some forge time and instruction, so I may be giving that route a try fairly soon!


My firing pin is new, so I'm probably okay as long as I don't dry fire it (I hope!) but I also want to make a copy of it as well. I'll probably post a picture of my extractor soon, assuming I can finish up the honey-do list - my wife saw me with my rifle in pieces and reminded me I have a number of unfinished projects to attend to before starting another one.

[RU shooter]

If it don't work out with your blacksmith friend send me a detailed drawing of the extractor I could probably cut one out for you on the water jet at work . believe I have some suitable steel around that would work.

Tim

[Artful]

RU shooter - if you could do a second one as I'd like a spare - could be a business opportunity, just let me know $ before hand.