Fitting No4 1* into a new stock - small problem

[rgallant]

Hello all hopefully some one can give me some direction, things almost fit but the forestock is between 1/8th and a quarter of an inch too low at the rear. See the images below, now I don't want to go nuts with the sandpaper knives and files. Where should I start checking for binding or the need to remove material. There are no obvious rub marks, but I am not opposed to putting some water based white hobby paint here and there to check.

I just do not know where to start

 

[desporterizer]

Looks too tight in the draws. You may have to evenly file the rear of the stock to fit.

 

[rgallant]

Thanks for the reply Desporterizer that was my thought too, I need to get my calipers back so I can compare the stock that fits to new one. I would like to remove as little materiel as possible

 

[anglia2]

Looks too tight in the draws. You may have to evenly file the rear of the stock to fit.

X2 , not a bad thing , it's better than having a gap .

 

[bigedp51]

Read the bedding section of the Canadian No.4 manual link below pertaining to the draws area, the "draws area" acts like the second "missing" action screw. The front part of area (A) of the fore stock pushes the stock to the rear and into contact with the reciever ring. You need to see where these two areas of the stock are touching their corresponding points on the receiver and some times the rear of the stock must be "tapped" into position. Both the front and rear of the draws area (A) should be touching equally on both sides and this also "centers" the barrel in the fore stocks barrel channel. Meaning adjustments should be snug in area (A) and also center the barrel in the fore stock.

Study the bedding diagram until you understand what the draws does and you understand it effects on up pressure. An Australian once told me using Aussie humor that the rear of the fore stock should be as tight as buggery.

Warning the up and down position of the rear of the fore stock also controls your 3 to 7 pounds of up pressure at the fore end tip. Also remember the forward trigger guard screw is the fulcrum point of the fore stock or the balancing point like a kids teeter totter. Meaning moving the rear of the stock down increases the up pressure at the fore end tip and moving it up decreases the up pressure.


1991 No.4 (All Marks) .303 Rifle Manuals (Complete Set)
http://www.milsurps.com/content.php?r=335-1991-No.4-%28All-Marks%29-.303-Rifle-Manuals-%28Complete-Set%29

Below at the bottom of the photo, the rear of the stock where it contacts the receiver ring does not have to be touching 100% "BUT" the contact must be equal on both sides. The front of area (A) top of photo is where normally the forestock is shimmed to force the stock into contact with the receiver ring and up and down adjustments.

Pay close attention to the "steel doweled stockbolt keeper", this was how the Enfield was originally adjusted at the rear draws area. The rear of the "steel doweled stockbolt keeper" would fit against the receiver ring and the tips of the "steel dowel pins" would be filed and fitted for proper adjustment. This made the rear of the stock a tight snug fit when contacting the reciever and prevented upward movement of the rear of the stock. This part was deleted to speed up the production of the rifle but required the armoures to spend mor time fitting and readjust the draws area. Meaning you will spend more time shimming and adjusting the draws area for proper fit when the wood dries out and shrinks id not kept oiled with raw linseed oil.

Below the front trigger guard screw is the fulcrum point of the forestock.

NOTE, I used engine oil instead of lamp black and rubbed the barrel and receiver with this oil and installed the forestock and then removed it and checked to see where the oil contacted the wood.

 

[rgallant]

Thanks for all the advice, a wee tap or two with a rubber mallet actually seated things, but if I follow everything correctly this is likely too tight ? Once the action is seated it looks to me like the left side looking along the barrel to the muzzle is tighter than the right. Am I correct in assuming they should be relatively even?

Bigedp51 thanks for that further information, I think it will worth going through that process to get a better fit.

 

[bigedp51]

Thanks for all the advice, a wee tap or two with a rubber mallet actually seated things, but if I follow everything correctly this is likely too tight ? Once the action is seated it looks to me like the left side looking along the barrel to the muzzle is tighter than the right. Am I correct in assuming they should be relatively even?

Bigedp51 thanks for that further information, I think it will worth going through that process to get a better fit.

Make sure you remove the front trigger guard bushing or collar and tighten the the front trigger guard screw checking the forestock fit. And double check everything "BEFORE" removing any wood (measure twice and cut once). It is normal to need to tap a properly fitted and "snug" forestock on and off. Most Enfields have wood scrinkage due to lack of armourers TLC and not keeping the stock oiled with "RAW" linseed oil.

Also download "The Canadian Marksman" below, you will see the latest bedding methods used for competition, also look at the added shims added between the rear of the forestock and the bottom of the receiver. These added shims were used to prevent the rear of the stock from moving upward and loosing up pressure at the fore end tip. (Old Australian bedding trick on Enfield range rifles)

The Canadian Marksman (Bedding the 7.62mm No.4 Rifle) - 1965
http://www.milsurps.com/content.php?r=305-The-Canadian-Marksman-%28Bedding-the-7.62mm-No.4-Rifle%29-1965

Good luck, "BUT" just remember if you play with your forestock too long you might go blind.

 

[rgallant]

Thanks again bigedp51, the stock is just a wee bit too tight, and I mean a wee bit. Need to pop it off and check for rubbing etc but it seems to one side only, I am thinking just a touch of sanding will relieve the problem, at lest it will let me control the amount I do

You have added a whole lot of info to my very small Enfield knowledge base, and that last comment gave me a good chuckle

 

[wd113]

Thank you bigedp51..... and thank you for the link to the manuals!!

 

[rgallant]

Just an update took it part I could see the problem area from the pressure in the wood, took maybe the width of a match book cover off, still tight but every thing snugs up nice.

Thanks for all the help, now just to order the last few bits, sight protector,crush washer (lost mine on the black carpet) and rear sling swivel and I am good. She maybe a inch or so short but still looks good in the right wood.