Lee Enfied parts compatibility?

Swiend

Swiend

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Hi all, I'm quite the newb regarding Lee Enfield rifles so the next few questions might seem to be rather elementary to many. I've recently purchased a No. 4 Mk 1* Savage barreled action at a gunshow. It has been stripped of all moving parts, the barrel looks to be bobbed to 20 1/2 inches and the receiver was drilled and tapped. The barrel looks to have been changed at some point, it's a 5 groove "Sussex" with a great bore.
I'd like to rebuild it to a functioning "family" rifle that we can reload for and maybe take it hunting.
I've got 2 British No.4 Mk.1 donor rifles with pooched barrels that I thought the necessary parts would be easily transferred to complete the gun...nope.
I quickly realized that there are major differences between the Savage and British receivers.
My question is this; what parts are interchangeable between the two No.4's? I've observed that the mag release, trigger assemblies and the fore stock are different. Can the bolt interchange? Should I just swap the barrel to one of the British receivers? I'd like to keep this project on the cheap.
Any help would be appreciated! I'll post pics if it'll help.
 
Almost everything is interchangable. You will need a mag release pin as the Mk 1 had a screw. The rest is good to go. You can make your own pin if you of have a mind to and like to tinker.
 
woodchopper said:
Sounds like you might have a 4mk 1* and a ftr no4 mk1/2 or mk1/3

Really almost all the parts should just swap over.

Got photos?
Click to expand...

& there you have it.

Your rifle is no longer a No4 Mk1* it's been FTR'd & converted to a No4 Mk1/3, you'll need parts from another Mk1/3 or Mk1/2 or a Mk2.
Shame it's been bubba'd as No4 Mk1/3s are quite scarce & collectible.
 
Well it would be fun if any No4 parts worked perfectly on any No4 barreled receiver, but that is only half of the story.

Sometimes, when assembling a "spare parts Lee Enfield", the interaction between the safety assembly, the bolt (bolt body and cocking piece), the sear, and the trigger, offer a result that isn't doing all that we expect it to do. One consequence that I often experience is the dysfunctional double pull. Or lack of double pull. Or inconsistent pull, or whatever. And then there are other glitches, but I just want to say that rebuilding a Lee Enfield isn't as simple as finding the parts and screwing them onto the receiver. But it is a fun activity, a learning experience, and then you end up with a powerful center-fire rifle which can outlast you, your kids and your grandkids :)

Lou
 
Swiend said:
Cool! I hope your rifle is more intact than mine! ;)
Click to expand...

It's back in its full military glory. It was a barreled receiver when I got it and put it together much the same way you are doing.
And as louthepou said, they don't always go together quite right. May require some fitting. But that is the fun of it.
 
points said:
It's back in its full military glory. It was a barreled receiver when I got it and put it together much the same way you are doing.
And as louthepou said, they don't always go together quite right. May require some fitting. But that is the fun of it.
Click to expand...
It's great to hear of these milsurp resurrections! Mine will have to be happy with a life as a sporter, at least it'll be a functioning rifle again. I enjoy tinkering so this project is right up my alley.:D
 
With the MkI* rifles you have to check the bolthead release slot. Often the edges get torn or chipped and then it's a welding job to repair. This is usually why they get stripped for parts. Yours look OK from what I can see.
 
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