The DeLisle Commando Carbine is one of the coolest special operation weapons of the Second World War – an SMLE rebuilt in .45ACP with a ginormous suppressor. It fed form slightly modified 1911 magazines, and thanks to .45ACP being subsonic in its normal loading, it is incredibly quiet. Because the gun is relatively easy to make (being based on a readily available receiver), one-off and limited-run reproductions have been around for a while, but always hard to find.
US Armament has begun making a serial-production new DeLisle, and they send me one on loan to film. It is very, VERY quiet, and runs more smoothly and reliably than I expected, as the originals have a reputation for being finicky. The reproduction elements are quite good, although not quite perfect in the details (like the muzzle assembly, sights, and handguard). However, I believe the price is quite high for the product.
Original DeLisle video (including folding-stock prototype):
What was the barrel length on the originals?
7.25 inches according to Paulson, Parker & Kokalis Volume 2, page 209
That’s LOTS noisier than my Ruger MK IV with a Rugged Occulus on it, even with the bolt clanking back and forth.
And still louder than my Stemple 45 ACP subgun in single shot with a Rugged Obsidian attached.
I am supplised that with that huge can that it seems to make that much noise?
Ian needs to buy an acoustic measuring instrument. Many of his reviews would be greatly improved with such were available.
How many decibles do your rigs generate? Online info says the DeLisle should only hit about decibels. If Ian’s is louder, it could be a fault of the equipment in hand and not representative of the design
sorry ‘…hit about 80 decibels’
A. Gotta put a sling on that gun. The swivels rattling would get annoying fast. B. Now they should do an SMLE-based Can Cannon.
It might not be as authentic, but one in .458 x 2″ American might be interesting.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.458%C3%972-inch_American
It could use the standard 0.303in magazine and a bolt that is unaltered except for the extractor and probably the ejector.
While normally loaded with 300 to 405-grain bullets at velocities from 1,200 to 1,900 F/S, with a 450 to 500 grain JSP velocity should be just barely subsonic (about 1,050 to 1,070 F/S) with ME up around 1,150-1,200 FPE.
Recoil should be about equal to 0.303in with 180-grain JSP.
And I suspect the steel “can” and baffles would be mandatory for that cartridge.
The difference is that
1. It might actually be accurate out to the 300 yard setting on the sights, and
2. At all ranges, it would hit hard enough to bring down animals up to 500 lbs. weight. (Meaning, not just guard dogs.)
Call it the DeLisle MK III.
Or the “Thumper”.
clear ether
eon
One could also 458 SOCOM, using an AR mag, and a bone stock Ishapore 2A rimless bolt head.
Or do what i did and buy a Navy Arms/Gibbs Mk4 Enfield that was converted to 45-70, desporterize it with original style repro wood (with the barrel channel hogged out) cut to 18″ and thread for a Hybrid 46 can, then shoot 500 grain spitzers over 14.0 grains of trail boss. Everyone who tries it grins and it is the big brother to my SIA Delisle copy.