Winchester Enfield P14 rear sight won't go down all the way ????

[Megaclocker]

This one has me puzzled.

My P14 rear sight won't go down all the way. I am unable to use the ''battle'' aperture. Since the ladder is between the front and rear sight I can't see anything.

''Target'' aperture works fine when raised up.

Ladder has been replaced by an Eddystone. It's shorter then my previous Winchester ladder (that had the aperture grinded by bubba).
Both do the same thing when in battle position.

Here's a picture of the problem.

Thanks

Winchester P14 (bolt doesn't match unfortunately)

With me pushing down on the sight

With no downward pressure

 

[green]

If the leaf is shorter it is probably for a US M1917.

 

[Megaclocker]

If the leaf is shorter it is probably for a US M1917.

+1 What I was also thinking. Shouldn't make much difference up to 400yards anyway.

The leaf spring got some sort of groove in it. Wonderingif it's normal ?
Anyone got a picture of their p14 sight spring ?

 

[Megaclocker]

Found out the problem.

Spring was a bit on the weak side of things. Tried bending it upward a little bit but one side cracked

Time to hunt down a spring and maybe a real P14 sight

 

[B_noser]

I don't think your spring tension was the problem. The spring indexes against the flat of the sight base in both the down and up positions. In the bottom pic, the spring is in contact with the entire flat. In the pic above it, where you are holding the leaf down, the spring is in contact with only the forward edge of the flat. You can see a space between the spring and the flat at the rear. Afraid I can't tell you why it is happening. Is it possible the sight leaf is bent?

 

[Megaclocker]

No it's no bent. Both leaf do this.

Bended both little ears up a bit. Worked correctly after this. One side cracked while bending it.

Anyway, 2 springs have been ordered from Sarco.

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Would you refinish this rifle ? I am half tempted to reparkerize it since it's pitted in some place with no blue left. (I've done Garands before)
No winchester have been parkerized out of factory which would make this one ''incorrect''....

 

[B_noser]

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Would you refinish this rifle ? I am half tempted to reparkerize it since it's pitted in some place with no blue left. (I've done Garands before)
No winchester have been parkerized out of factory which would make this one ''incorrect''....

I would not refinish it. The worn finish is just honest wear and the metal appears to be in very good condition for the most part. Refinishing would likely reduce it's collector value.