1942 Long Branch .303 British

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DeerStalker1

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G'day community. I have a question I'm hoping someone can help me with. I recently took possession of a rifle stamped "1943 Long Branch MK. I NO. 4," chambered for .303 British. (I'm assuming this is a Lee Enfield??) This is an old rifle, my grandma has shortened the stock on it in order to fit her better. After a day at the range, I have realized this is too short for myself. I'm having troubles finding any replacement stocks for it. I can find similar models, but my stock is somewhat unique as top of the barrel, right to the action, and the fore end is bare whereas the replacement stock would have wood right to the muzzle. Any thoughts of a good supplier would be appreciated.
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Your stock is "unique" because it's been butchered to make a "sporter" rifle.

Unless you're 7 feet tall or have arms that go to your knees, 3-4 inches longer than that pic is ridiculous.
 
i bought might 20 years ago and i have a 16 inch pull, dont know where to get one now
, i but think butler creek still makes #4 stocks, i was told a good rule of thumb for trigger pull , is mesure the lenght of your forearm, from the inside of your ebow to the cuff of your shirt, while its bent.
 
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@stevo- so you're saying i should go shorter? and as for the "butchering", like i said this is an old rifle, my grandma being the original owner, so anything you consider "butchering" i do not
 
DeerStalker1 said:
I'm thinking 3-4 inches.
Click to expand...

I think you will find an inch or so only makes a big difference (at least it does for me). You can get a rubber pull on butt extender at CT for cheap. It will add approx 1.5 inches. I keep one around for when my 6' friends want to borrow one of my shotguns. Try that before anything else. If that works then a good gunsmith should be able to mod your stock (which I like very much, and probably fits me (5'4") to a tee) for you. Probably more cost effective than replacing the stock all together.

Let us all know how you make out.

Cheers,

M
 
Well your 6 foot friends are in the same boat. I stand 6'6" and i have to use a what i call a rubber boot on all my mil stuff to get the pull lenght close to right.

im 6'6" and my trigger pull is 16", thats from the trigger guard to the end of the stock
 
I wouldn't touch it. The only real value is sentimental. I buy rifles just like yours with the un-shortened butt for $100 every week. Just pick up another one if you want a shooter. Keep Grandmas rifle the way it is.

BTW butchering refers to the fact that the original, and relatively valuable, military stock was cut down to make yours into a sporter.
 
Run an ad in your local newspaper, they'll be offered up anywhere from "free, you pick up" to $100 by the dozen.
You will have to know what you're looking at if you're thinking of refurbishing to milspec though. Watch for holes drilled in the reciever to mount scopes and shortened barrels. Many of the barrels were shortened for ease of carry, to remove a worn muzzle and to remove unsightly bayonet lugs.
From the amount of knowledge you display here, you're enthusiastic, which is good but you could easily be taken advantage of in the market. Especially by someone that believes they have something that is more valuable than it really is. They can be quite convincing to a newbie.
Good luck with that old rifle. It is a prime candidate for refurbishing by the way to its original milpec condition. It looks like one of the rifles offered up by many different companies during the fifties, sixties and early seventies for under $20, already "sporterised" for hunting. It will do its job well, if you do yours.
 
Yep, I run an ad in the paper. I buy them all the time, along with cooey 22's and break action shotguns. I never pay more than $100 for a sporter enfield, often way less if it is rough.
 
Since you seem to be interested in the Enfield, and now that you have your first and most likely not the last, here are some prices on different conditions that I have seen:

Heavily sportered, such as cut barrel, drilled for scope, cut down stock: $60-$80, maybe more if they have a real nice stock or fancy scope on it. Basically worthless to the collector
Lightly sportered (such as yours) $80-$120 depending on condition of bore, finish ect. Highly sought after for restoration projects.
Restored sporters or mismatched ones can go for around $200-$400
Matching, original examples go for anywhere from $400-$700
"special" variants such as snipers or trials rifles can go for WAY more.

This is no where near an exact list and I am sure some will disagree, its just based on what I have seen and or paid for and do not reflect personal value. You will find yourself wanting an original Enfield to go with your sportered one, thats how I started back in January, now I have five. Just remember, if you get a matching example, do not modify it! You will make the Milsurp gods cry and they will hate you and every round shot out of your chopped rifle will miss your target lol.
 
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