I have an older rifle I'd like to identify. It shoots .303 British bullets. It has A.K. McPherson stamped on the barrel. This gun has no clip but will hold 3 bullets and one in the chamber I believe. I wish I could post a picture but the forum won't let me do that. Any info would help. Thanks.
Gun / Rifle Identification
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Thanks for the information. I googled up "Pattern 1914 rifle" and that's not quite the gun however with a bit more searching around I believe it's a sporterizemd Lee Enfield. I think it was a rifle that had a few changes made to make it a hunting rifle. I'm going to head out to the bush and fire a few shots off to see if it works. It even has an old scope mounted to it. I'll post a picture when and if I can.
Thanks @cosmic
Thanks @cosmic
maple_leaf_eh
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
An amateur test firing an unknown rifle with unknown ammunition is not a wise idea. Better have someone with you to take you to hospital. If you don't know, post pictures and you will be better informed.
The rifle works and shoots. I lent it to a friend to let him check it out many years ago. It worked well then and I've kept it cleaned and stored in a safe all these years. But you're correct... what could possibly go wrong. In the next few days I'll be visiting a gun shop/gun smith to get it checked over for safety sake. Then I'll let er' rip. I do have the correct ammo for it.
A Lee Enfield has a removeable magazine. A Pattern 14 has a fixed floor plate. Both of these models were subject to heavy sporterizing, some well done, some not so well done. BTW - A lot of old 303 ammo is corrosive, and will damage your bore is not cleaned promptly and properly after shooting.
- Location
- Western Manitoba
Seven pictures from OP are below - I think some will be sideways - I do not know how to post "portrait" views.
Attachments
You have a very heavily modified No4 Mk1 Lee Enfield. Biggest change is modification of the action to fit in a one piece stock, this is major surgery. Someone invested a lot of time, and perhaps money, to do this. Overall a nice rifle, but not particularly valuable in this day and age. It used to have a scope, but is now missing the top portion of the base.
You're obviously quite young, 30 year old ammo is not old. If its commercial soft point eg Winchester, Remington, Federal, Dominion, its not corrosive. Go ahead and shoot it, with the usual precautions. BTW - The safety is engaged, surprised you can manipulate the bolt.
You're obviously quite young, 30 year old ammo is not old. If its commercial soft point eg Winchester, Remington, Federal, Dominion, its not corrosive. Go ahead and shoot it, with the usual precautions. BTW - The safety is engaged, surprised you can manipulate the bolt.
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maple_leaf_eh
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
This rifle is worth whatever you can get for it. There has been irreparable metal removal. There should be a bridge between the two sides just in front of the bolt release. As well, the butt socket has been ground off so a one-piece stock can be fitted. Not an overnight job with three beers degree of workmanship. The scope base is a 1960's El Cheapo sidemount. Good luck finding the mating half.
Thank you for everyone's reply and knowledge. I do have the scope that was mounted on it however the tiny screws that hold the plate to the rifle are stripped. Meaning the threads in the rifle barrel assembly or the threads on the screws or both will need repair to allow the scope to be mounted.
There are a lot of these old guns for sale. They run anywhere from a couple hundred bucks to over a thousand. I think I'll just keep it and add a new rifle to the safe.
Also, bullets are next to impossible to find and when you do see them, damn expensive.
There are a lot of these old guns for sale. They run anywhere from a couple hundred bucks to over a thousand. I think I'll just keep it and add a new rifle to the safe.
Also, bullets are next to impossible to find and when you do see them, damn expensive.
There is no supply of cheap .303 ammunition, but cartridges are available in the same price range as other rounds of the same general size.
The rifle is an interesting custom piece made by an ambitious and talented gunsmith. Ellwood Epps used to specialize in one-piece conversions of Lee Enfield rifles, although that does not look like one of his.
The rifle would be of interest to those who appreciate such custom projects.
The rifle is an interesting custom piece made by an ambitious and talented gunsmith. Ellwood Epps used to specialize in one-piece conversions of Lee Enfield rifles, although that does not look like one of his.
The rifle would be of interest to those who appreciate such custom projects.
