Lever Action 22LR with suppressor / silencer

[GaryS]

I want (am looking for) a lever action 22LR that I can put a suppressor on. Have spend a lot of time search this forum and searching the web. I know it can be done as people here (BigWaylon) have done it. Could message direct but am thinking others may have same questions that I have. This image is the one that I keep looking at and have more questions than answers.

1. Can the barrel be threaded without relocating the front sight? (this Rossi does not have a front sight)
2. How does one load with the silencer / suppressor installed without burning their fingers?
3. Is there a maximum diameter silencer / suppressor that will work? (what size is max O.D.?)
4. Is there someone local to Charlotte that can thread the barrel? (This image looks like there is some kind of extension on the barrel.)
5. What questions about doing this am I not asking?
6. Could a Henry lever action 22LR be setup with a threaded barrel to mount a suppressor?
7. What other lever action 22LR could be setup to mount a suppressor?
8. Are there any LGS that have a lot of lever action 22LR rifles in stock?

I like the idea of a composite stock. IF I could get a lever action 22LR in stainless and composite stock, I would tend to go that way if it was not a lot more money. Henry also makes lever action 22LR but they appear to be more money than the Rossi. Henry has a 24" Frontier rifle that comes with thread barrel and is advertised as silencer ready.

Bet I have more questions after I click the Post Thread button.

 

[BigWaylon]

I’ll try to answer those questions, and add some comments/pics along the way…

1. Yes. The Rossi does have a front sight. It’s behind the barrel band. But I removed both the front and rear and put set screws in the holes.



2. I don’t remove the silencer to load it. Using the silencers I had, it was a little bit of an ordeal to get it set up right. Instead of reposting everything, you can get an idea here:

Rossi Rio Bravo & Gallery - AR15.COM

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www.ar15.com

3. A 1” can gives you the scenario I ran into…and that’s the most common size rimfire can. I’ve since replaced the silencer on the lever and pump with an ECCO Salamander. Using one of those would eliminate all the issues I had. The tube insert would clear without any modifications, and the 1/2-28x1/2-28 adapters I used wouldn’t be necessary.

Salamander (.22)

www.eccomachine.net

4. You don’t necessarily need to find somebody local. Doesn’t take much effort to get the barrel separated from the rifle. I used Silencerco adapters to give me a little clearance, plus I gained o-ring engagement for the Spectres I was originally using.

5. If I knew, I’d try to answer them. 😁

6. Probably

7. Using a Salamander, I’d guess a lot of them if you could get the barrel threaded. Typically only have .4” long threads on a 22, so you don’t need a lot of room at the end of the barrel to thread it.

8. No idea

 

[Squanchy]

I had, it was a little bit of an ordeal to get it set up right.

With that nice cut on the plug at the end of the mag tube and O ring cut is the adapter/ extender still necessary?

 

[BigWaylon]

With that nice cut on the plug at the end of the mag tube and O ring cut is the adapter/ extender still necessary?

With a 1” can, yes. With the Salamander, no.

 

[GaryS]

Used Rossi Rio Bravo located and acquired yesterday. Clean, shoot, clean, take barrel off and deliver to local gun gunsmith for barrel threading. 3 mm x 0.5 metric set screws and 1/2X28 extension ordered. Yes there is a gunsmith in Salisbury that threads barrels.

 

[BigWaylon]

Used Rossi Rio Bravo located and acquired yesterday. Clean, shoot, clean, take barrel off and deliver to local gun gunsmith for barrel threading. 3 mm x 0.5 metric set screws and 1/2X28 extension ordered. Yes there is a gunsmith in Salisbury that threads barrels.

Whatcha gonna do with those set screws?

 

[GaryS]

Whatcha gonna do with those set screws?

Same thing you did and plug the holes for the iron (plastic) sights. Yes I took the time to determine what size they are. 6-32 almost fits but not the correct thread.

Red Dot sight like I have on my 10/22 also has been ordered for the Rossi project.

 

[BigWaylon]

Same thing you did and plug the holes for the iron (plastic) sights. Yes I took the time to determine what size they are. 6-32 almost fits but not the correct thread.

Red Dot sight like I have on my 10/22 also has been ordered for the Rossi project.

They’re 6-48 IIRC.

Apparently a common gunsmithing thread pitch.

 

[GaryS]

They’re 6-48 IIRC.

Apparently a common gunsmithing thread pitch.

My assortment of gun screws from Brownells had 6-40 (did not fit). That screw assortment does not have any 6-48 to compare. My metric thread pitch gauge 0.5 fit perfect on the threads. The standard inch thread pitch gauge I have only goes to 40. Yes I need a magnifier to see the threads with my old eyes. OD was 0.1325" on what came out. That converts to 3.429 mm. Looking at metric set screws, the 3 mm x 0.5 was available in an Amazon set that will be here tomorrow. Will look at Brownells later to see if I can get a pack of 6-48 set screws. 6-48 should have a OD of 0.135. That is close enough to what I measured with the tool and technique used. Will not be able to do anything with the set screws till the barrel is finished as I do not have access to it. Trying to have all the material that I need on hand when the barrel is done.

Thanks for the feedback.

 

[BigWaylon]

If yours end up not working, let me know and I’ll figure out where I bought mine. I think it was AliExpress.

Just for kicks, if you’ll go search for 6-48 screws, you’ll see all kinds of gun-related results.

 

[GaryS]

If yours end up not working, let me know and I’ll figure out where I bought mine. I think it was AliExpress.

Just for kicks, if you’ll go search for 6-48 screws, you’ll see all kinds of gun-related results.

I had already found them at Brownells before I clicked REPLY and posted message #9. There is even the option to get set screws. May buy both and use what looks best.

I purchased a used Ruger Mark II stainless slab side a couple year ago. IT was missing the fill set screws for the optic mount. I purchased two sets (stainless) that may be 6-48 that I could test. That is another task for tomorrow.

 

[BigWaylon]

I had already found them at Brownells before I clicked REPLY and posted message #9. There is even the option to get set screws. May buy both and use what looks best.

I purchased a used Ruger Mark II stainless slab side a couple year ago. IT was missing the fill set screws for the optic mount. I purchased two sets (stainless) that may be 6-48 that I could test. That is another task for tomorrow.

Yep. That’s about what mine look like…

 

[GaryS]

I have a gun screw assortment to try and match up the threads.



Digging though other parts, I have the correct set screw left over from a Ruger Mark II project that also needed screw holes plugged.

Using a metric thread gauge on the little 6-48 screw, it lines up on the 3 or 4 threads. Using a longer screw from the assortment pack, the metric thread is very close to 48 TPI screws but not perfect when using the entire length of the gauge. Only posting this so others can learn from my mistakes. Will not be able to try the set screws to plug the holes till the barrel returns.

Thinking about making a custom aluminum barrel band that will spread the barrel a little farther apart from the tubular magazine. IF I do that, I will post more info after I have the project completed.

 

[GaryS]

Well it shoots great.



It is still not finished. I made a new barrel band to have clearance that allows loading the magazine. The tap for the 4-48 threads is scheduled to be here tomorrow and will allow me to have my homemade barrel band installed just like the factory. I have a Tasco Red Dot on my 10/22 takedown and put a similar one on this Rossi using an adapter.

I was not happy with the 1/8" space between the barrel and magazine. I increased that to 3/8" at the barrel band. My tests / zero had everything work perfect. I put 60 or 65 rounds through it. 50 where Remington high velocity and the other were sub-sonic CCI. Would rather not buy sub-sonic and just get standard velocity but that is what they had at the LGS. Will pick up some 22 shorts next time I see them for sale.

Barrel threading was done local for $125 in 5-days. Black HDPE was used to make a new barrel band. I had aluminum on hand so transferred measurements from my measurements / calculation and drilled #41 center holes for barrel, tubular magazine, and center of cutout in the barrel for the barrel band. Since the HDPE material arrive early, I ended up making the barrel band out of it and used the aluminum as a template for hole location. Barrel band is a little crude but it can be polished up after I get the hole taped for the 4-48 countersunk screw.

Tests and sight zero was done at 25-yards in the configuration you see on my tailgate. I have a 3/4" and a 1-1/2" barrel extension. It is still TBD if I will use it. I sorta like the idea of the 3/4" extension in case there is ever an issue removing the suppressor.

Thank you BigWaylon for the idea, allowing me to steal the idea, and the help / encouragement you provided.

 

[Button Pusher]

I'm going to have to do this to my Rossi soon, thanks to both of you guys for the postings.

 

[Slacker]

I want to thread my Rossi M62 pump.

 

[45/70fan]

So, I looked at these Rossi's recently. The lever was slick, the pump was tight. I'm leaning towards the lever but if the pump will smooth out I like it better I think...