7.62mm DCRA LE No4 conversion thread

I stumbled on this thread this evening.
Please add number 1620, Long Branch No. 4 Mk 1* 1943. It came to me from the estate of the late Douglas B. Craig, Ph.D., a geologist, science teacher, and proponent, researcher, and developer of wind generation of electrical energy here in the Yukon. He was also an avid hunter and shooter. This rifle has a Sterling magazine and is fitted with an A.J. Parker Model T.Z. 4/47 sight. As the pictures show, it has excellent walnut furniture. This rifle has lived in the Yukon for the past fifty years.
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I think I have said it before but a a 7.62 magazine is not correct on these rifles. The correct mag is the original 303 mag. These were only fired single shot. I don't have the rule book from back then but there may have even been a rule about single loading.
 
Ian Robertson said:
I think I have said it before but a a 7.62 magazine is not correct on these rifles. The correct mag is the original 303 mag. These were only fired single shot. I don't have the rule book from back then but there may have even been a rule about single loading.
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I have seen a number of those magazines at my favorite surplus yard over the years. The surplus yard only dealt in DND surplus from the 50s onward. It indicates to me the CF/Army had some level of inventory on those magazines.
 
stencollector said:
I have seen a number of those magazines at my favorite surplus yard over the years. The surplus yard only dealt in DND surplus from the 50s onward. It indicates to me the CF/Army had some level of inventory on those magazines.
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That is interesting - perhaps back then the CF was able to actually plan for situations and put together stocks of parts to enable quicker response to emergencies. Unlike today when it seems to lurch from disaster to disaster.
 
Ian Robertson said:
I think I have said it before but a a 7.62 magazine is not correct on these rifles. The correct mag is the original 303 mag. These were only fired single shot. I don't have the rule book from back then but there may have even been a rule about single loading.
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You are correct when it comes to DCRA conversions for match shooting.

However, the later L42 rifles did use these magazines as did some of the other conversions done for orgs such as the RCMP etc.

My first half dozen Sterling mags came from the scrap bin in Chilliwack, back in the 70s and from an RCMP scrap bin in the 80s.

The mags aren't correct until they're used in competitions/situations that require repeatable loading from a magazine.

I only have one of the Stirling mags left. In hind sight, I shouldn't have sold any of them, no matter how hard the purchasers cried.

I don't know how many rifles the RCMP and other police forces in Canada had converted but I do know that if they requested Stirling mags, they came from CF stores.
 
Some people say the Sterling magazines work with
little effort , other's day it's a science project!
What is the opinion
 
can14 said:
Some people say the Sterling magazines work with
little effort , other's day it's a science project!
What is the opinion
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I have fitted them a number of times with very little issue. The main issues are getting the rifle to extract and eject the spent casing. I have usually carved a little out from underneath the extractor claw to get it to grab the empty (rimless) case a little harder. Then comes the adjustment of the ejector screw. You need to get one that extends to the maximum amount possible that it does not foul the bolt itself.
I have also found that the Ishapore 2A magazines will work just fine, and they used to be at much lower cost than the Sterling magazines. But that may not be the case anymore.
 
can14 said:
Some people say the Sterling magazines work with
little effort , other's day it's a science project!
What is the opinion
Click to expand...

Stirling mags as often as not don't need any adjustments or alterations to get them to work. The odd one does, but they do fit tightly and if the shooter wants to take them out for some obscure reason it can be problematic.

The 2A1 magazines are or were available from both Sarco and Numrich. I just fitted one into a No4 MkI I put together a couple of weeks ago.

Just a bit of judicious filing to the rib on the rear, to catch the mag release at the right spot and all was well. Feeds beautifully even it it is a bit sloppy sideways. I guess I should bend the sides of the trigger gaurd, mag opening rails in a bit to tighten things up a bit. We'll see if its an issue.
 
I have 1308 up for sale in the EE right now. Comes with an extra lower-fore stock for those who dislike the Central Sight’s mounting plate and want to use a PH sight or the like instead.
 
https://www.###########/firearms/rifles/city-toronto/dcra-308-lee-enfield-no4-mk1-long-branch


DCRA 308/762x51 Lee enfield No4 Mk1 made at Long branch in 1944

Bolt and reciever both have matching DCRA numbers from when it was converted from 303 to 308.

Has a Parker Hale PH5C rear target sight, and front diopter sight
Bore is excellent, nice and bright.
Single shot

$1900 plus shipping
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5311 stamped on left receiver wall, but not a conversion number; that can't be made seen in the photos. Light coloured full wood and tunnel foresight mounted on dovetail screwed to muzzle.
 
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